EC EDUCATION HOSTS A PROVINCIAL HERITAGE EDUCATION OUTREACH

PROGRAMME

The Eastern Cape Department of Education in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency and the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture this past weekend hosted a Provincial Heritage Education School Outreach Programme (HESOP) in East London. Ten (10) schools from various education Districts participated in the program, which aims at encouraging learners to develop an interest in heritage management and conservations.

The programme’s primary objective is to integrate heritage into the school curriculum, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural inheritance among the youth. 

Matanato Ngwaila, Preservation and Promotion Coordinator from the National Heritage Council, explained the program's importance and methodology. "HESOP continues to be a strategic cornerstone for raising awareness about South Africa's cultural and natural heritage”, said Ngwaila.

According to Ngwaila, learners from Grade 8 to 11 from previously disadvantaged communities were given three topics to research and present namely, Heritage as a strategic resource, Promotion of previously marginalized African languages, and Digitization of Heritage. The program culminates at the national level, with one school chosen to represent the Eastern Cape at the National HESOP in Mpumalanga in October 2025.

Clarkebury Agricultural School Grade 10 learner, Oyama Silwana expressed her gratitude for her school's success in taking first position. "It is an honor to be part of this important program. I have learned a lot about our culture and different cultural sites I didn't know about”, said Silwana.

Ndamase Senior Secondary School Grade 11 learner, Lisakhanya Mantashe shared her experience, highlighting the importance of initiatives like HESOP. "This program gave me an opportunity to learn more about different cultures and history. There should be more programs like this so that people can learn and appreciate our diverse heritage”, said Mantashe.

Lulamani Zenzile, Chief Director for School Health, Safety, and Learner Enrichment congratulated the learners, educators and partners, emphasizing the Department's commitment to heritage education. "Heritage education is not just about the past; it's about empowering young people to take pride in their identity and build a more united and inclusive South Africa. The Department wishes Clarkebury Agricultural School well as they represent the Eastern Cape at the National HESOP”, concluded Zenzile.