Heritage sites are getting lost in translation

What comes to mind when you think of Rivonia?
If it isn’t Liliesleaf, then active commemoration of independent heritage sites leaves much to be desired, according to founder and CEO of the Liliesleaf Trust, Nicholas Wolpe.

The popular heritage site honouring the South African liberation movement will be open to the public once again, but just three days a week. It will re-open in the first week of October this year with all Covid-19 protocols in place.

Just like the rest of the world, the many heritage sites of South Africa have been suffering due to the pandemic. According to Wolpe, the Covid-19 pandemic created a double whammy as these sites were already in danger of being neglected.

“We were already suffering neglect in our history and our heritage by being pushed to the periphery and marginalised,” he said.
“There has been a lack of acknowledgment and support for independent sites. It’s about preserving the heritage and in some respects, Liliesleaf is what makes the country really, its heritage is who we are and what we are.”
He added that the situation was of critical importance because heritage had been lost in translation.

“We don’t make history a priority and compulsory in schools, that is where the disconnect is. Comparing South Africa to London, by putting up statues and renaming streets is not something that actively immerses you in history, and if no one knows what it represents then what’s the point?”

With the re-opening of Liliesleaf, Wolpe would like South Africans to become active in learning, retaining and preserving these sites of memory.

“The bottom line is not just about preserving and maintaining. It is also about ensuring that our history becomes embedded into the social consciousness in our society because it gives us that understanding of who we are, what we are about and where we want to go. It also provides the opportunity to capture the history in its totality.”

With that in mind, the site has some developments in keeping up with the new normal.

“Liliesleaf has developed a virtual exhibit called Agents for Change but its long-term strategy is to develop it online and make the experience as if you are visiting it in person. It will be developed further of course in time.”

Wolpe added that without these sites of memory South Africa would be soulless.

“We begin to lose the soul of who we are and without it we won’t be able to build the South Africa we want to see.”

Learn about the history and visit Liliesleaf on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Booking is essential due to Covid-19 regulations.