Johannesburg, – The Gauteng Department of Finance & Economic Development which serves as a shareholder department for the Gauteng destination marketing agencies namely the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA), the Gauteng Growth & Development Agency (GGDA) and its subsidiary the Constitution Hill will this coming Friday, 27th September 2024 celebrate World Tourism Day with the recognition event for Constitution Hill’s latest inscription as a World Heritage Site and the honouring of exceptional women leaders in our body politic.
Since 1980, the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has celebrated World Tourism Day as international observances on September 27th. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.
“With the recent declaration of a set of Nelson Mandela Liberation & Heritage Sites as part of the collective Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites in Gauteng as the golden province’s 2nd World Heritage Sites, we find it opportune to shine a spotlight on this achievement on this important day while at the same time honour exceptional woman leadership this country has ever produced, explained Gauteng MEC for Finance & Economic Development, Mr. Lebogang Maile
At the heart of our growing and positive brand and country reputation in the community of nations and calls for social justice, peace, economic integration, transformation and inclusivity, the voices, work, and actions of amongst others Dr Naledi Pandor, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma, Ms Lindiwe Zulu and Ms Lindiwe Sisulu stood tall, loud, consistent and very impactful.
As we mark World Tourism Day and congratulates the Constitution Hill and all the other Gauteng and South African sites on their remarkable achievement, we do so proud of the contribution of these gallant stalwarts of our liberation struggle and women empowerment. Through this recognition event and celebration, we would like as the Gauteng Provincial Government to draw from their world-acclaimed pool of wealth and experience as we seek to use tourism and heritage as the backbone of our Growing Gauteng Together vision 2030, emphasised Maile.
The programme for the day will start at 11:30 with a gathering at the Hector Peterson Memorial in Soweto followed by a curated tour to Mama Winnie Mandela house in Orlando and ending up at the Woman’s Jail at Constitution Hill World Heritage Site with the recognition ceremony.
Apart from Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, the other sites making up the Mandela legacy Sites includes, Union Buildings in Tshwane, Sharpeville Massacre Site, Police Station, Sharpeville Memorial Garden and, Sharpeville Grave Site in Sedibeng, Liliesleaf Farm, June 16 Memorial, Streets of Orlando West and Walter Sisulu Freedom Square also in Johannesburg, Ohlange in KZN, Waaihoek Wesleyan Church in Free State and the Great Place at Mqhekezweni and the Ford Hare University in Eastern Cape.
As the Gauteng provincial government, we are excited and accept this declaration with humility and great appreciation to UNESCO committee and all the participating members. We will continue to preserve, promote and share this important route and sites with the people of the world in recognition of the great journey we have traversed over the years.
Members of the media are heartily invited to be part of this event, cover the programme and engage with the related content. For media registration at accreditation please contact Ms Nonhlanhla Mbethe on [email protected] 0824351649.
Enquiries:
Barba Gaoganediwe,
Spokesperson Gauteng Tourism Authority
0834467844
[email protected]
@Barba_G74 on twitter
www.gauteng.net
