The National Lotteries Board (NLB) has welcomed the opportunity to put its weight behind efforts to preserve cultural heritage, says the organisation’s CEO Ms Charlotte Mampane.

“The NLB will today join hands with this community as we launch the Mphebatho Cultural Museum in Moruleng Village, North West,” says Mampane.

Mampane says the Mphebatho Cultural Museum in Moruleng Village, of which the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela Traditional Authority have oversight, has received funding from the NLB to the value of R7 million to preserve and celebrate South Africa’s heritage through promotion of cultural education, tourism attraction; and exploring indigenous knowledge systems

Mampane says the aging population of cultural practitioners, who are custodians of indigenous knowledge, and the lack of successors for their art has resulted in diminishing cultural education in the country.

“There is increased pressure on us and other stakeholders to take steps in order to   preserve and promote our heritage,” says Mampane.

The NLB is committed to stand with communities and will provide support to traditional rural communities. Mampane says local traditions and heritage is under threat from technologically driven popular culture and the conventional structures that would typically inculcate local culture to younger generations are fast losing relevance and influence in our communities.

“Our aim is to continually strengthen marginalised traditional communities to effectively manage projects that will enrich and sustain our diverse cultural heritage,” continues Mampane

“As a catalyst for social upliftment in various sectors including Arts, Culture and National Heritage, the NLB will continue to promote innovative approaches to preserve our rich cultural heritage,” concludes Mampane.

 

Issued by National Lotteries Board