History in Mpumalanga
This blog will cover all aspects of historical interest relates to the province and surrounding regions
All are free to join the Group and to contribute interesting documents, photographs and own research and reminisces to this blog.
Contact us at: history@routesmp.co.za
What is the Mpumalanga Historical interest Group (MHIG)?
MHIG is a media-driven members organisation formed 18 months ago among some like-minded locals interested in many aspects of history covering the whole spectrum.
It has recently been registered as a Section 21 company
Through the local and social media including regular news reports, an interactive weekly newsletter, and a web page filled with its information – and now a blog on the new webpage of Lowvelder: Lowvelder.co.za click opinion, click blogs and find the blog marked Mpumalanga History.
It is a major newspaper sold twice a week from the provincial capital of Nelspruit into the eastern Lowveld and escarpment areas.
Since the group’s inception at the beginning of 2012, regular monthly talks and historical outings are hosted. A recent joint day outing to the new mining museum at Bulembo together with the Swaziland Nature Historical Association amounted to an attendance of over 70 people.
MHIG has a database of close to 600 which is growing weekly.
Membership registration at an annual fee of R100 has commenced from September this year following the completion of the company registration. There are no geographical limitations and members worldwide are welcome to join. Current participants include among many others, history enthusiasts, specialist, professional historians, published authors and journalists
The geographical region of concern though will be Mpumalanga and the immediate surrounding areas. The historical links with the adjacent areas of Limpopo, the Kingdom of Swaziland and the southern regions of Mozambique cannot be denied.
All aspects and interests of history and heritage conservation are accommodated
Now registered the group plans to fulfil an active heritage conservation role in the province.
It will act as a watchdog against all possible threat to heritage resources due to neglect and other actions by government and the private sector. The group, however, will endeavour to work close with the provincial government and all heritage structures in place to ensure a world-class culture of heritage conservation in the region. It will seek future representation on these bodies and will strive to be co-responsible for the conservation and development of vital and valuable heritage assets in the region.
The group regards the identifying, development and maintenance of the heritage resources in the region of most important for economic development. These are assets belonging to the people of the province. Apart from the intricate historical value, these are essential existing and potential income-generating assets in terms of tourism which may not be mismanaged, neglected or underutilised.
In future the organisation hopes to initiate and manage various heritage projects such as way markers, publishing, fundraising, bursaries and sponsorships. High on the agenda is a provincial heritage summit involving all levels, individuals and organisations involve in conservation development and maintenance to form a future heritage forum and database of all responsible and involved with these aspects.
MHIG is also the custodian of a comprehensive historical and media electronic archive which is updated and organised on a daily basis.
Also find as at: www.routesmp.co.za, click: Follow the history/Click: Mpumalanga Historical Interest Group. Contact the group at history@routesmp.co.za
