A new San Heritage Centre, !Khwa ttu will open its doors to the public in September, on the Cape West Coast’s R27 route.
Once open the centre will house interactive displays and presentations that depict the lives of the San, with San guides taking visitors through the history can culture of the San people. While there will be live talks and demonstrations, the centre will further enhance the visitor experience with audio and film.
The heritage centre, when complete, will incorporate several of the old farm buildings and an innovative new building that follows the natural contours of the land, with a curved, planted roof. In keeping with the ‘tread lightly’ San way of life the centre incorporates sustainable measures for lighting, heating and cooling.
!Khwa ttu is run as a non-profit company and the centre celebrates the San culture and spirit – both the past and present – by educating the general public about the world of the San, providing training to the San, restoring and protecting the cultural heritage of the San, and promoting the long-term financial sustainability of San development in southern Africa. Hence the !Khwa ttu ethos of ‘San Spirit Shared’.
Commenting on the news, Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, says that !Khwa ttu is a truly unique heritage offering for visitors to the Western Cape and its expansion is exciting news. “The new San Heritage Centre looks set to become an important tool in preserving our history and sharing our stories.”