"The launch of the programme last year was very well received," said NHC CEO, Advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa. "This is the first official platform in South Africa to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts made countrywide in the field of heritage. Through the awards, we aim to put culture and heritage firmly onto the development agenda and encourage a more broad-based interest in this aspect of nation building."
The general public and heritage practitioners are invited to submit nominations for the 2013 Golden Shield Heritage Awards. Each nomination should be accompanied by a nomination form, which may be downloaded from the NHC website. Nominations close on Tuesday, 6 September. A panel of experts will adjudicate the nominations to select the finalists and winners.
"Heritage has a truly significant role to play in promoting social cohesion and community development," said Mancotywa, "and this is one of the reasons why we wish to celebrate those working in the field. When we acknowledge and explore the depth of our unique heritage in South Africa, it can only draw us together in pride, for we are one nation made up of many extraordinary parts."
The Golden Shield Heritage Awards have the following categories:
Nominees should have made a worthwhile contribution to the preservation and promotion of the country's cultural and natural heritage, must still be active in the sector or must have left an indelible mark, and may be of any nationality.
The categories of Outstanding Community Project and Heritage Leadership are not open for public nomination. The NHC will make a selection of a well-executed beneficiary project from the previously funded heritage projects and select a person, people or institution based on the relevant discourse and occurrences at the time.
Individuals, organisations, corporations, congregations, institutions and municipalities are all eligible for nomination, although they may not nominate themselves.
For more information about the National Heritage Council, go to www.nhc.org.za.
