Aberdeen SA Weblog: Aberdeen Heritage Archive & Tourism Bureau Launch

The Mayor of Camdeboo - Cllr Daantjie Japtha

Mrs Dallis Graham and Mrs Yvonne Moore

On March 15th residents of Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe were invited to attend a launch of the Diarama of the Aberdeen Cemetery, the Promotional CD of Aberdeen and other tourism projects on display.
The official Tour Guide (Ward 1) Thembisa Nonnies welcomed the Honorable Mayor Daantjie Japhta and his wife Shirley, Mr Ken Bern and Ms Belinda Vabasa of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Mr Bokkie Bavula of the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA), the Camdeboo Councillors, Mr Clive Kombani the Aberdeen Municipal Manager, the nearly 100 residents of Ward 1 attending and guests from Graaff-Reinet.
The Reverend Carol Cloete-Piedt of the Lotusville Congregational Church opened the occasion with a prayer for heartfelt development within our communities and the continuance of employment structured projects.
Mrs Dallis Graham gave an explanation of the main aim of the Bureau, which is to ensure that the heritage of Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembalesizwe does not drift into nothingness. The intention of the Bureau was not to change things in the area, but to preserve and expand the knowledge of its heritage and to provide much needed employment through its projects and tourism initiatives.

Reverend Carol Piedt opening the launch

Mrs Dallis Graham and AHATB Tour Guide Thembisa Nonnies

In November 2009, Mrs Graham was invited to present a paper to the ‘Karoo Foundation Conference’ at Gariep. Here she briefly explained that this project of having a Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau was conceived in 2005, when a concept document was drawn up and funding applied for through the IDP. In 2007 the document was presented to MEC Songoni, who saw merit in the concept, and advised that funding would be available for 2 years by ECDC and DEDEA. The project finally came to fruition in April 2009.
As Mrs Graham explained to the conference, a cc. was then formed, as there is much corruption within projects which has been seen time after time, and a cc. is totally transparent. Also due to the economic recession, and period of time since inception of the project and its eventual fruition, funding had not been sufficient. Mrs Graham then outlined the projected ideas:
1. The Archive. Here, unfortunately, documents and photographs available are purely from a ‘white’ perspective, but now the history of the black and coloured community will be orally recorded from interviews taken with the older generation
2. Schools. The Bureau will be working with the headmasters of all the schools in the areas with regard to projects, both historical and current for all learners.
3. The Cemetery. This is in the process of being researched, and a complete diorama is to be constructed to assist with the many enquiries received.
4. Boer War. The war activities in Aberdeen are to be recorded and displayed.
5. Tertiary Institutions. Both locally and internationally have shown interest in the area. This will be further explored.
6. Tourism. Tour guides will be fully trained in all aspects as is specified by government regulations. Aberdeen, Lotusville, Thembalisizwe and local farms in the area will be in the training programme of Wendy Van Schalkwyk the well known author of the book ‘Aberdeen’, who will assist in the advising of tour packages for the area. Her knowledge is essential and gratefully received.
This extensive operation of heritage, local employment and information gathering cannot sustain itself, and it can only be kept alive by people with a passion for this area, and a genuine desire to improve conditions of the local community.

Professor Orlando Meyers, Mrs Wendy Van Schalkwyk
and Councillor Knott-Craig

Councillor V. Jacobs with Mr Clive Kombani & Bokkie Bavula

Maureen Mac Andrew, Judy Mac Mahon,
Russel Mulholland and Val Denham

Mrs Graham then went on to say that in the first year much had been achieved. Donations and contributions had been made, of Boer war rifles, old cameras, and the entire contents of the original Aberdeen Pharmacy, old photographs and artifacts. These have all been documented and are being held in trust. The community is also being assisted with services being offered for the typing and printing of CV’s, tenders, letters, etc., I.D. photographs and the laminating of documents.
The webmaster from Cape Town, who owns and maintains the incredibly popular website aberdeen-sa.co.za and keeps all the Aberdeen and district’s news alive on this linked weblog, has given unwavering and impartial support to all of the Aberdeen community projects. After a website had to be resurrected as the original one was financially crippled by an unscrupulous ‘so called web designer’, it has gone from strength to strength. Statistics reveal that from July to December 2009, 109 638 hits were registered, while in January 2010, 32 695 hits were already recorded, not only from South Africa but from all around the world.
This website service is provided without charge or costs to Aberdeen and a great deal of gratitude is owed to Mike for this phenomenal service to the community - even from afar. His wife is also involved in supporting the local community projects.
Mrs Daniela Hamblin is to be acknowledged for her work in identifying the cacti and succulents in the garden of the Heritage building. Each indigenous plant will be named and tagged by a ceramic identification marker with assistance from the Divue Kilae Ceramic Sculpture Project.

Aberdeen Librarian Mrs Val Denham with Mrs Dallis Graham

Thembisa Nonnies and Mrs Grace Godlo

Nikolas Jankovich and Marlon de Jager

Mrs Graham reiterated that ‘...the Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau as the CTO, represents Ward 1 of the Camdeboo. This evening was not only to bring everyone up to date on the happenings of this Bureau but to launch this incredibly meticulous diarama of the Aberdeen Cemetery. The detail is correct and up to date, and it is a most important part of Ward 1 heritage’.
This Aberdeen cemetery has for years been the pride of Mr van Heerden, a self-appointed custodian, who recently very sadly passed away. With his assistance and that of Mr Clive Kombani the Aberdeen Municipal Manager, the cemetery register was researched and recorded on the diarama.
Mrs Yvonne Moore, Mr van Heerden’s daughter, spoke in recognition of her father’s life and care of the cemetery and the guests were then given access to this 'work of art', a truly magnificently structured diarama of the entire cemetery set out in perfect detail. Every grave is named and numbered for reference purposes and a complete itinery of this site is recorded electronically. All involvement in this structure should be applauded.
The ‘CD’ of life in Aberdeen was also launched, and is being bought by visitors to the town.
Mayor Daantjie Japhta then spoke of his great involvement with Aberdeen, and his desire to see the Bureau go from strength to strength in bringing tourism to Aberdeen. He said ‘I will walk the road with the Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau.’ The Mayor then expressed his gratitude to people like Mr Carlos De Sousa who has brought fame to Aberdeen and who gives employment to local people. He then read an inspiring poem to Mrs Shelagh Miller Wood in acknowledgement of all her unstintingly generous work with the local children over the years, and he thanked Hilary and Dallis Graham for all that they are doing for Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe. He hoped that community support will be shown to all these projects.