LAUNCH OF THE FREEDOM PARK LEGACY PROJECT BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT ON 01 JUNE 2000

29 May 2000

As part of the historical events since South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, The Presidency jointly with Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST) will launch the Freedom Park Legacy Project next Thursday, on 1 June 2000. The launch takes place at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.

The Freedom Park Project is part of several other legacy projects that seek to commemorate and give expression to various historical events, and approved by the Cabinet in June 1998. It is envisaged that the Freedom Park will make South Africa's heritage a living symbol of the new non-racial, non-sexist democratic South Africa. And hence enable South Africans of all works of life, to develop a sense of common identity.

Located in Pretoria, there are three proposed sites for the location of the Freedom Park and next week the Cabinet will decide on a site among the three, namely

1. Salvokop which is located between Johannesburg-Pretoria Highway and Nelson Mandela Drive
2. Old Teachers Training College (Southeast of the Union Buildings), and
3. Meintjieskop (directly behind the Union Buildings)

Other than earmarked commercial activities with a strong African service industry, the Freedom Park legacy project will also involve the erection of a Wall of Remembrance (Monument to South African Heroes), and a Museum reflecting phases of struggle from pre-colonial, colonial, apartheid and post apartheid.

A Board of Trustees was appointed by the government to manage and oversee the development of the Park. Comprising of 21 members, the Board's first meeting is scheduled for the 01 June, on the very day of the launch. It is also in this meeting that nominations for the CEO, Chairperson and Management Committee will be elected and they will be entrusted with the daily administration and management of the Project.

There will also be a Trust, which will oversee the development of the Park through various activities such as raising funds and financing the development of its components. In terms of a Deed of Trust, the Trust will consist of members of Trustees and the Patron. Former President, Nelson Mandela is the Patron of the Freedom Park.

A Deed of Trust will be signed on the day of the launch.

For further information, please contact Mathula Magubane on 082 371 1315

Updated by the Office of the Presidency, 29 May 2000