Heritage site plan in Bloem

The Waaihoek Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein is among 10 landmarks that have been earmarked for world heritage site status.

This announcement was made by chairperson of the National Heritage Council (NHC), Thulani Mbuli, during a stakeholders dinner this week.

The church was renovated by the provincial department of sports, arts and culture, at a cost of close to R3 million.

The renovation came under scrutiny this year when then Free State ANC interim coordinator William Bulwane, announced the money that was meant to turn Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s house in Brandfort into a museum was redirected to renovate the Bloemfontein-based church.

Mbuli emphasised the historical significance of the church, dubbed the birthplace of the ANC, which was declared a national heritage site earlier this year.

Mbuli said they were finalising the dossier which will be forwarded to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) for consideration.

He said it takes countries many years to finalise this dossier, but they are near the end and anticipate they will be done with this dossier by next year.

Mbuli also invited members of the community interested to work with the council in preserving the cultural and historical site of the country to come forward and present what they have to the council.

The council in 13 years has spent at least R54 million funding different projects across the country, he said.

The site was declared a national heritage site already and this was described as a milestone for the Free State.

OFM News also reported that the church, together with late struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s house in Brandfort, also forms part of the Resistance and National Liberation Heritage Route. – OFM News

The church, dubbed the birthplace of the ANC, was declared a national heritage site earlier this year.