Issued by: Office of the Presidency
6 August 2002
Minister in The Presidency Dr Essop Pahad left for Mali yesterday to sign an agreement between the governments of South Africa and Mali on a project to preserve some of the Timbuktu manuscripts.
The signing ceremony will take place tomorrow 07 August 2002 in Bamako, Mali.
The project to preserve Timbuktu manuscripts was initiated by President Thabo Mbeki during his State visit to Mali last year. During his visit to Timbuktu at the time of the State visit, he offered South Africa's assistance to the Malian Government for the preservation of a collection of medieval Arabic manuscripts, which are at the Ahmed Baba Centre.
The manuscripts are among the most important cultural treasures in Africa, as they form part of a rich and diverse cultural heritage that includes the historic architecture and cultural tradition of Timbuktu city.
The manuscripts form intertwined expressions of a unique African culture, which is of global significance.
The project is an important and tangible expression of the concept of the African Renaissance and which can be executed within the framework of the programme New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
The objective of the agreement is to facilitate co-operation between South Africa and Mali in a project for the preservation of the manuscripts by involving civil society, the international community and the business sector (especially South African mining and construction groups with interests in Mali). The first objective of the project is to upgrade and develop the infrastructure of the Ahmed Baba Centre so that the manuscripts can be preserved in a secure and environmentally sound condition.
South Africa will co-ordinate and source funding for the project through donations and other assistance received from the business sector, non governmental institutions, local and international funding institutions, the international community, higher education institutions and civil society.
Minister Essop Pahad is expected to return to South Africa on August 8, 2002.
Nthabiseng Rantau
082-570-5503