CEO of the National Heritage Council, Adv Sonwabile Mangcotywa
Chairperson of National Heritage Council, Dr Luli Callinicos
CEO of Western Cape Heritage Council, Steven Townsend
Council members of Heritage Western Cape and its committee members
Community Heritage practitioners and academics of the sector
Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen.

It is indeed an honour and privilege to stand before you and say a few words on this historic occasion. The unveiling of this logo is a culmination of a series of consultative meetings with the Heritage Council and I feel really humbled for the honour bestowed on me this afternoon.

This launch takes place during the Consultative Heritage Conference in the presence of the majority of practitioners of the Western Cape and it is fitting to unveil it to the most relevant audience we would have wished for.

Unfortunately I could not be here earlier to participate in some of the deliberations because I only arrived a few hours ago from an important international trip. However, I am certain that delegates present here have enough political will and wisdom to address the challenges posed by heritage in our province.

Our province is scattered with sites that are of great importance to different communities. The value of recognizing and developing these sites for the benefit of our communities in the first instance and for the Western Cape as a unique cultural tourist destination cannot be underestimated.

For me the challenge that really stands out is the ability of the sector to recognize the heritage of the indigenous people of the Western Cape and take practical steps to place it on the world map.

I am sure that in your deliberations earlier you had taken note of all these challenges and you have emerged out of here with concrete plans of addressing these challenges.

This logo of Heritage Western Cape is a symbol of our commitment to celebrate the diversity of heritage in the Western Cape. It is quite fitting that we launch this logo at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island- another symbol of our constitutional democracy which was declared a World Heritage Site.

This logo will be displayed visually at all the newly declared heritage sites in the province and it will be a visual symbol of Heritage Western Cape for many years to come.

What does it mean or symbolize?

• The logo attempts to give visual link to the Provincial Logo and yet is still unique. It shows the Western Cape, where the sun sets.
• The logo reflects a blend of intangible heritage and architecture and at the same time has flashes that are reflective of the cultural diversity of the province.
• The colour blue represents the International Heritage colour
• Brown/Bronze represents earth, paleontology, rock-art, brick and motar.

The NEW Heritage logo therefore encompasses and reflects the whole Western Cape heritage without saying too much and the privilege is given to the "Eye of the Beholder".

I therefore have great pleasure to present this logo of Heritage Western Cape to you esteemed heritage practitioners and dignitaries.