MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Mr Mntomuhle Khawula has announced heritage economy packages that will reposition the King Shaka Statue as the centre from which all heritage routes begin as well as boost heritage tourism in the KwaZulu-Natal. This follows the unveiling of the statue which honours the legacy of King Shaka ka Senzangakhona, the world-renowned Zulu king admired for being a strategist and unifier.
Since the unveiling of the statue, the KZN Department has led an intergovernmental committee which has set the ball rolling of a Strategy that ensures that the Statue doesn’t lie dormant at the airport but becomes the hive of activity. “As part of commercialization of heritage tourism commercialization through culture and heritage programmes.
These four heritage economy packages include Zulu Kingdom Experience covering northern KwaZulu-Natal connects site with Ilembe, KwaBulawayo, Emakhosini, Diverse People One Origin takes one from the airport to the Sibhudu Cave, KwaXolo Cave and the Drakensberg archeological part of the route, the third one is the Resistance and Liberation which takes one from the airport to the Mandela Capture Site, Pietermaritzburg and some townships such as Hammarsdale. The site also highlights people who have transcended political boundaries such as Nelson Mandela and Chief Albert Luthuli. The resistance part also includes the PietermGateway Museum where King Dinuzulu was incarcerated. The last route is the Inanda Heritage route moving to Gandhi Settlement, Inanda Shembe, Seminary, Ohlange and Inanda Dam.
Nkosinathi Mnyataza the ACSA Regional General Manager said ACSA is honoured to host the statue “King Shaka serves a powerful symbol of our inclusive heritage, hubs of excellence and economic activities. ACSA’s role extends beyond the boundaries of the airport as it actively supports programmes that focus on communities”. He added that through this heritage and economic packages resonates with ACSA’s vision of continuously unlocking new consumer markets and making flight accessible to all.”
Speaking at the launch MEC Khawula also unveiled the KZN Cultural and Creative Industries Experience (KZNCCIE), a 12-day programme covering the cultural and creative offering. MEC added that launching this 12-day feat at the King Shaka International Airport is quite
befitting and relevant”.
“Today we kickstart a fun-packed programme that will afford the people of KwaZulu-Natal a first-row seat to appreciate the richness of our sport, arts, creative and cultural experience. The KZN Cultural and Creative Industries Experience is the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s signature event that aims to showcase the vibrancy and diversity of all 9 sectors of the Cultural and Creative Industry.”