By 
As the nation celebrated heritage day, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State expressed concern on the state of heritage sites in the province and the missed economic opportunities due to neglect.
The Leader of the DA in the Free State Dr Roy Jankielsohn says the African National Congress (ANC) in the province has failed over the 30 years of power to maintain heritage sites and turn them into tourism hubs and create jobs.
Jankielsohn says the province embodies a multi-cultural makeup and is home to three of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. Included in the UNESCO Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation sites is Waaihoek Wesleyan Church, which is the birthplace of the ANC.
“Government spent a non-visible R35 million on renovating the site in 2012, which remains an empty vessel in a crime ridden drug infested area of Bloemfontein. After 13 years, the ANC-run Free State Provincial Government intends to spend another R3,5 million on lighting and exhibitions.
Sadly, most heritage sites in the Free State are under threat due to over 30 years of governance failures by the ANC. Instead of protecting historical and natural heritage sites and using them to create tourism employment opportunities, they follow the trend of all ANC-run institutions, such as municipalities and are all in varying states of decay,” said the DA Leader.
Jankielsohn says the Free State’s history and historic towns are wasting away, heritage sites are neglected, and cultural programmes that should be used to empower people are being used as opportunities for self-enrichment and vote-catching by ANC cadres. He says the Winnie Mandela House museum in Brandfort remains one of many examples of this.
“The DA believes that the true commemoration of our heritage is in protecting it and ensuring its place in society through on-going support and good governance. Sound service delivery and properly funded heritage protection programmes that encourage tourism will contribute to economic opportunities for young people and boost the Free State economy.
Heritage must not be commemorated once a year but protected and advanced through accountable, transparent government. The benefits of good governance are visible in DA-run areas of the country, as recently singled out by President Ramaphosa.
A DA-run government in the Free State will ensure that heritage is celebrated through action that contributes to nation-building and reconciliation, and improves the lives and livelihoods of residents throughout the year and not just on one day. This is the hope that the DA brings to the Free State on Heritage Day and every other day,” concluded Dr Roy Jankielsohn.
