The Free State MEC for the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), Ntombizanele Sifuba, has welcomed the World Heritage Committee’s (WHC) decision to inscribe the Wesleyan Church in Waaihoek, Bloemfontein, as a world heritage site.
This was announced at the WHC’s 46th meeting held in New Delhi, India, from 24 to 31 July.
The process to nominate Waaihoek as a heritage site started in 2019, following deliberations between the SACR, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM).
The Wesleyan Church in Waaihoek’s recognition as a heritage site followed robust discussions by delegates from across the globe on preserving shared cultural, natural, and mixed heritage.
The church has a rich history as the founding venue of the ruling party, the ANC, formerly the South African Native National Congress. The party was renamed in 1912. The ANC was formed in this venue by intellectuals, clergymen, lawyers, academics, and traditional leaders.
“As government, we call on all South Africans, heritage authorities, and stakeholders to work in a coordinate manner to ensure that these precious monuments of humanity are protected and optimally utilised to meaningfully contribute to sustainable development in communities and further entrench the values of human rights, freedom, peace and reconciliation”, said Sifuba.
The WHC’s 46th meeting is deemed a significant step towards fostering global cooperation and ensuring the protection of world heritage properties.
The other inscribed South African sites are: the Union Buildings; Constitution Hill; Liliesleaf; Sharpeville; Walter Sisulu Square; the 16 June 1976 memorial acre; the streets of Orlando West; the University of Fort Hare; ZK Matthews House; Mqhekezweni; Waaihoek; as well as Ohlange.
Sifuba encourages the Free State community to embrace the church, and protect and preserve it. The public may visit the site in Fort Street on weekdays from 08:00 to 15:30.
