Report of the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology on Visit to Freedom Park, dated 11 November 2003:

The Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, having sent a delegation to Freedom Park, reports as follows:

The delegation, under the leadership of Mrs T J Tshivhase (ANC) consisted of Mr V C Gore (DP), Ms X C Makasi (ANC), Dr R Rabinowitz (IFP) and Mr J Ramrock (Committee Secretary).
The purpose of the visit was to meet with members of the Freedom Park Board and to monitor the structural progress that has been made with the building of the park.

Introduction
The Freedom Park project is a national government project, approved by Cabinet in June 1989. The project entails the development of commemorative structures at the Salvokop site in Pretoria. The object of the project is to establish visible cultural structures that celebrate and commemorate the rich tapestry of events that have taken place on South African soil, from the "Cradle of Humanity" through pre-history to colonisation to the struggle for democracy and stretching beyond to a vision for the future.

Findings
The delegation met with the Executive Chairperson of the Freedom Park Trust, Dr Wally Serote, officials and other members of staff.

Dr Serote gave the delegation a briefing on the progress that has been made with the project and mentioned some of the potential problems that the Trust is faced with, in particular the present housing complex, which is still occupied. Attempts to try and relocate the people staying in those houses have failed, but there are ongoing discussions between the Trust and Transnet, the owner of the complex, to try and resolve the problem.

Another concern for the Trust is the possible impact of the Gautrain on the building of the monument. The train will ostensibly travel right through the middle of the park. An ad hoc committee, consisting of eight Ministries, the Presidency and the Trust, have been tasked to try and resolve this problem.

Freedom Park consist of three major elements:

1.......... The Memorial, which is centered around the anti-apartheid struggle, the anti-colonial struggle and historical events. The structure is expected to be completed by 2006.

2.......... The Museum, which emphasises the acknowledgement, preservation and presentation of South Africa's history for present and future generations.

3.......... The Garden of Remembrance, which focuses on people's or communities' positive contribution to the development of the country.

The delegation was also addressed by two Traditional Healers, Ms Matshilo Motsei and Ms Koena Tsebe, who served as consultants for the Trust. The two were also tasked to conduct research on the spiritual significance to healing in African life of the rock, water and circle. They mentioned that it is envisaged that the Garden of Remembrance will become a sacred space designed for individual and group spiritual uplifting. Constituted by boulders and water, the Garden will represent a home founded on, and solid as, a rock, whilst its spirit flows and cleanses like water. One of the pre-requisite activities that needs to be done before the construction can begin, is the rovincial and national cleansing and healing process. This process has started already in the provinces. Boulders (to immortalise the departed), soil and provincial heritage plants, to be used as symbols of unity and healing, will be collected from all nine provinces. The President has already planted a few indigenous trees at the park. It is through the boulders that the departed will be immortalised. There will also be a boulder representing National Government. Boulders from foreign countries, where our people fell, will be brought in by Ambassadors of those countries, to the hill.

The delegation was taken to the site at Salvokop and shown the different construction level points. It became clear that there still remains a lot to be done, including security at the site, but the delegation was pleased with what they observed and the progress made with the construction of the park. There is no doubt that all South Africans will be proud of the park, which is scheduled for completion around 2010.
The Committee wishes to commend Dr Serote and the Freedom Park Board, including staff, for the inspirational work that they are doing.

The Committee is committed to ensuring that the representation of historical truth is as inclusive as possible, reflecting the parts played by a wide range of role-players. To this end, future interaction and feedback between those writing the history and the Committee should be ongoing. This will feed into the objective of healing and reconciliation.