World Heritage Sites team up to promote cultural diversity

©Bradley van der Westhuizen via 123RF

©Olga Khoroshunova via 123RF

Robben Island and Le Morne Cultural Landscape share a common history of how people triumphed against great adversity. At Robben Island, banishment was due to white segregationist laws and Apartheid, while at Le Morne banishment resulted from exploitation of indentured slaves. The social memory relating to these varying but common adversity episodes resulted in the two sites being inscribed as World Heritage Sites.

Their universal significance is expressed in the social memory associated with each site; related intangible values, historical context and the solidarity uniting the two sites as cultural landscapes. It is this shared history which has led to the development of a partnership between the two sites.

The purpose of the Twinning Agreement is to strengthen ties between both countries.

The partnership is expected to promote the following:

• Joint research and publishing of the social memory, intangible values, history of both sites;

• Technical exchange of best practice programmes in the areas of conservation and management of the two sites sharing the same shoreline challenges;

• Synergies for tourism in collaboration with respective Departments of Tourism (South Africa and Mauritius) as part of capturing the flowing tourists in both countries;

• Exhibitions and sharing of website platform in order to increase accessibility of sites and raise awareness beyond national borders for mutual benefit.

• Supporting the implementation of the current cultural agreement between South Africa and Mauritius with any of the above areas of partnership between RIM and Le Morne, forming an annual joint programme to be implemented by both parties.

The Minister of Arts and Culture of South Africa, Honourable Nathi Mthethwa and the Minister of Sports and Culture of Mauritius, Honourable Prithvirajsing Roopun, will jointly sign the Twinning Agreement on Monday, 20 March 2017 at the Atlantic Imbizo, Clock Tower House from 12pm to 2pm.