In 2001 on a visit to Timbuktu City in Mali, President Mbeki pledged South Africa's support to the conservation of ancient and unique African manuscripts described as 'real evidence of African scholarship, reading and writing, at extremely high levels of sophistication, centuries before colonialism' in subjects ranging from science, maths and science to religion. The initiative is regarded as the first NEPAD Cultural Project.
The Western Cape will host a fundraising event toward this project and a group of Western Cape academics will depart this weekend for further site visits toward the realisation of the project.
Details of the project, photographs and the process ahead will be given at the Media Conference.
Please contact Clayton Wakeford [082 827 8792] or Lynnette Johns [083 310 0113] for any further input or clarification and or interview requests.
