History, culture and heritage must be protected

A people who do not know or understand their role in history cannot plan a successful future.

On Wednesday I visited the Cape Heritage Museum at the Castle where its founder Adv. Igshaan Higgins has accumulated a remarkable collection of historic memorabilia. I also had the chance to meet the Editor of the Cape Argus, Taariq Halim and Calvyn T Gilfellan the Castle CEO. The exhibition can be described as a labour of love and the efforts made must be recognized and respected.

The Cape Heritage Museum compliments the other museums at the Castle and visitation must be essential for high schools. It captures memoirs and reflects what dominant history wants hidden.

The Camissa and World War Two museum including the ceramic art collection etc. gives a glimpse into history that few know. It juxtaposes social media today where people are familiar with the doings of the Kardashians and know very little about themselves or their immediate environ.

Part of the colonial and imperial agenda advocates the ruin of others even when that culture do not threaten the dominant. Racism is built on the belief, some are superior and power must subjugate everyone and everything. History contextualises and challenges the mind-set liable for racism.

The displays celebrates the desire of the human spirit for freedom which is a divine God given right. Those interested in a deeper understanding of human nature will find the Cape Heritage Museum ironic when compared to its location metres from where slaves were killed for wanting freedom.

Sadly, history is threatened by utter human vulgarity. Outside the Castle, vagrants have set-up camp and use the adjoining water moat as a toilet. The water from the underground Camissa River that flows into the moat and pumped into the Castle’s water features and used on the gardens is filthy.

Now, the water features are empty and grass is pitiful whilst the Department of Defence that is responsible for the occupied land is failing in its duty. Thousands of potential visitors must move around the filth and poverty on display in front of the Castle or visitors may just simply stay away.

Ironically, the sacrifice to record history and the efforts by others to educate could be ruined by a few vagrants that defecate in the moat whilst the army based at the Castle does nothing but salute?

Cllr Yagyah Adams

Cape Muslim Congress

 

 

Total Page Visits: 604 - Today Page Visits: 1