We are proud to invite you to participate in SPU‘s Heritage Week Celebrations, taking place from 24 – 27 September 2024. This special week, organised by the Faculty of Humanities in collaboration with the Northern Cape Heritage Pioneers, celebrates our rich cultural heritage under the theme “Remembering Our Neglected Past.”
As a university located in the Northern Cape – a province renowned for its deep historical roots and cultural significance – heritage is at the core of who we are. With its unique blend of historical sites and untold stories, the Northern Cape plays an important role in South Africa’s broader cultural tapestry. SPU is committed to reflecting this significance through our academic focus on Heritage Studies, which is a key niche area for our institution. By engaging in this celebration, we honour the legacy of those who shaped our nation and reinforce our dedication to safeguarding our region’s rich heritage.
Programme Highlights
Tuesday, 24 September
Educational Workshop & Cleaning of the Sol Plaatje Monument
09:00 – 11:00
Sol Plaatje Monument, 8 Jan Smuts Blvd, Civic Centre, Kimberley
Participate in the restoration and preservation of this iconic monument, a tribute to the legacy of Sol Plaatje, one of South Africa’s most prominent intellectuals and freedom fighters.
Wednesday, 25 September
Heritage Day Celebrations
12:30 – 13:30
Central Campus Sport Field, Humanities and Heritage Studies Building Courtyard
Join us for a vibrant celebration of our cultural diversity with performances, exhibitions, music, poetry readings, and storytelling.
Thursday, 26 September
Heritage Month Public Lecture & Cultural Performances
17:00 – 18:30
Library Auditorium, Central Campus
Experience cultural performances followed by a thought-provoking lecture, Trojan Horses, the Rivonia Trial, 11 July 1963, delivered by Dr Garth Benneyworth.
Friday, 27 September
Roundtable Discussion & Book Launch
17:30 – 19:00
Auditorium 2, Humanities and Heritage Studies Building, Central Campus
We’ll conclude the week with a discussion on the future of neglected heritage sites, followed by the launch of Work or Starve: Black Concentration Camps & Forced Labour Camps in South Africa (1901-1902).
We invite all staff and students to join us as we celebrate this week, recognising the important role heritage plays in shaping our identity as a university and as a country.
