On Tuesday, the iconic Liliesleaf Farm heritage site in Johannesburg shut its doors, after what it said were years of financial pressure further exacerbated by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Its closure, while not surprising in the context of our ravaged economy, remains a painful demonstration of yet another failure to preserve our historic symbols and all that defines our path to democracy.
A national treasure, which served as the secret headquarters of the ANC in the 1960s and the heart of its Umkhonto weSizwe operations, the site forms part of the tapestry of our nation’s Struggle DNA.
Yet, instead of being upheld as a historic jewel, it too, like many other places which hold such significance, is in financial ruin.
Detailing its battle to stay open, Liliesleaf Trust founder and chief executive Nicholas Wolpe told us the entity has finally lost the fight but still hoped that the government could step in to assist.
However, the government yesterday pointed the finger back at the site management for what it said was its failure to account for R8.1m donation it received from the arts and culture department to upgrade the facility.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa said the matter was escalated to the board, led by former president Kgalema Motlanthe, which promised to investigate and report.
To this day, no report has been received by the department.
For this reason, it would be imprudent, if not illegal, for the department to continue injecting money into the entity.
So far it is unclear why the trust failed to account on public money given to it by the department.
But it is deeply concerning that more than a year since the department raised the alarm and three months since the matter was escalated to the board, there appears to have been no constructive engagement to try to get to the bottom of the issue.
Government has a moral responsibility to support our heritage sites for the preservation of our history and to create a conducive environment for them to contribute to our tourism economy.
Equally, the site management has a fiduciary responsibility to conduct and maintain due diligence on its operations, and to account for every cent of public funds they have received.
Ultimately, the historic significance of this entity demands much more from its leadership, at all levels, to keep its legacy alive.
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