SA: Statement by Department of Arts and Culture, progress on the Sarah Baartmann Centre for Remembrance (20/08/2014)

20th August 2014

SA: Statement by Department of Arts and Culture, progress on the Sarah Baartmann Centre for Remembrance (20/08/2014)

The aim of the Sarah Baartmann Centre of Remembrance is to tell the story and history of Sarah Baartmann and that of the Khoi and San people of Southern Africa. Lubbe Construction has been appointed as the successful contractor for the construction of the Sarah Baartmann Centre for Remembrance in Hankey. The site hand-over took place on the 23 April 2014 and construction work commenced immediately.

Bulk earthworks are currently underway. The culture and heritage of the Khoi and San people will be preserved and promoted through various ways such as exhibitions, the Story Telling Pit and in elements throughout the Centre. The Centre comprises of two sides, namely, the secular portion and the sacred portion divided by the R330 Road.

The Secular Portion of the site will comprise of the Administrative Reception and Offices; the Educational Classrooms, Auditorium and Language Laboratory. The Service Areas include the office of the maintenance manager and store rooms. The Refreshment Ares includes a retail shop, restaurant and workshops. There will be an Arrival Court with outside seating and artwork depicting Khoi and San dialects.

The Sacred Portion of the site will comprise of the Sarah Baartmann Museum and the Khoi Museum which will be connected. There will be a Genocide Wall with inscriptions of all Khoisan genocides. The outdoor Genocide Pond will have stepping stones with graphic genocide depictions. 

The outdoor Healing Pond will be a pausing space prior to ascent to the Burial site, with the poem dedicated to Sarah Baartmann by Dianna Ferrus. The Burial Site is the space on top of Vergaderingskop where Sarah Baartmann’s remains are buried. The allocated Garden will consist of a symbolic and productive part including a circular sky lore tablet explaining myths and legends referring to the sky.

The Department of Arts and Culture believes that this investment will uplift the socio-economic circumstances of the people living in the Gamtoos Valley.