FF Plus welcomes Voortrekker Monument's classification as national heritage site

The FF Plus welcomes it that the Voortrekker Monument has been classified by the department of Arts and Culture as a national heritage site.

Dr. Pieter Mulder, FF Plus leader and deputy minister of agriculture, who attended the events at the Voortrekker Monument, pointed out that it is the first Afrikaner monument which has received this status since 1994. The deputy president, Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, shortly before the announcement was made - at the end of last year - visited the monument as a guest of the management of the monument and Dr. Mulder.

The announcement that the Voortrekker Monument is classified as a Grade 1 National Heritage Site, merely shows the conservation status of the site and has no effect on the management of the monument as some maliciously allege.

In the past the National Memorabilia Board awarded this status to buildings and monuments. There is a huge difference between monuments which are managed as state institutions and monuments which are classified as national heritage sites.

As far as the monument is concerned, it remains in private hands and the state does not receive any say in the management of the site. Legislation however gives important protection and conservation status to the site which is welcomed. The recognition will also help a lot with the national and international marketing and introduction of the monument.

Statement issued by Dr. Pieter Mulder, FF Plus Leader, March 16 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter