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From mustard seeds to star trek . . .
 
The Graduation ceremony held at the Rhodes University (RU), Environmental Learning Center in Grahamstown, 19 October was a moving ceremony, hosted by the RU Department, SAHRA and Arts & Culture. Tony Mabasa, CATHSSETA Arts Culture and Heritage Coordinator gave a fitting speech in which confirmed the commitment of the SETA who are dedicated to the transformation of skills in the sector and within the country. While his counterpart, Xolisile Brian Fina, Eastern Cape CETA Provincial Coordinator, compared these first pioneering graduate ambassadors as the first fruits who would go forth and reap productivity into the heritage sector. He compared this journey to one that was reminiscent to the one taken by the crew of the starship Enterprise, to boldly go where no man has gone before. Key note speaker from Arts & Culture, Directorate: Heritage Policy Research and Development, Mr Mbhazima Makhubele is quoted saying this to graduates, “Know that you are custodians of something precious. The whole country relies on you in ensuring that we bequeath to future generations an authentic heritage.” SAHRA Council Chair, Prof. Somadoda Fikeni concurred and said that he was proud of the passion and dedication the participants expressed who would spread like mustard seeds throughout our land.
 
While many sectors may be faced with challenges in skills development, SAHRA, through Heritage Management is working on a tangible way in which to make the sector more relevant within the ever changing heritage landscape. SAHRA has indentified the opportunities that exist within SETA’s to create a learning platform to develop skills and hope to nurture this opportunity.
 
Working closely with the Dept of Arts & Culture, SAHRA has established a Centre for Training, Research and Education (CenTRE) to address the need for ongoing professional development in the heritage sector. Results now yielded in the Certificate Course in Integrated Heritage Resources Management, is of high quality, and an accredited in-service and occupationally directed development programme for professionals working within or with the heritage sector. It is designed to allow working professionals to improve their practice through a work-together, work-away (in workplace) model of training that allows for changes in practice, in workplace.
 
 
These first ambassadors of the course were representing various Provinces and sectors including:
Sanparks
Municipalities
Provincial Heritage Resources Authorities (PHRA’s)
Government Departments
Educators
Museums
Tourism
 
This professional course will yield lasting benefits for the sector and it will add to the local economies of different municipalities. Furthermore, it will positively impact on communities, practice and national estate at large.
 
The Minister of Arts and Culture opened the course on 7th of May 2012 at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape.  On the 19 October 2012 marks the end of this course, a first of its kind in SA. 39 participants graduated, all having successfully implemented work based programmes in their respective workplace, primarily regarding heritage across different fields.
 
Kindly contact me should you require an interview or a photograph, we’d be happy assist as best we can. Queries may be directed to PR Officer Miss Berri – Tel 021 462 4502, or mail projects@sahra.org.za
 
Heritage touches live, builds communities and contributes to social cohesion.  It consolidates democracy and allows communities to believe in our legacy as South Africans
 
 
 
 
South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA)
SAHRA is an Agency of the South African Government whose mandate includes the identification, conservation, protection and promotion of South African heritage for the present and future generations http://www.sahra.org.za