The US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben E. Brigety II, recently toured the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Mapungubwe archive and the Javett-UP Art Centre as part of his visit to the Mapungubwe National Park in Musina, Limpopo in mid-April.

“The US Ambassador’s visit stems from the fact that UP Museums have been the recipients of two grants,” said Dr Sian Tiley-Nel, Head of UP Museums. “The US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation has supported two projects in partnership with UP, assisting with the conservation of materials in the Mapungubwe Archive, and of ivory and bone tools in the Mapungubwe Collection. 

Dr Tiley-Nel added that UP has been in partnership with the US embassy for the past 25 years

“The embassy funded the establishment and preservation of the Mapungubwe Archive, which was launched last year. It is important for us to continue this partnership, because the embassy is funding the physical preservation of objects and heritage objects. That would not have been possible if we didn’t have funding to develop the Mapungubwe Archive, which is the only one in South Africa.”

According to the US embassy and consulates in South Africa, the US established the fund in 2001 to demonstrate American leadership in the preservation of cultural heritage around the world as well as its respect for other cultures. Since 2003, the US embassy has fostered partnerships with South African cultural institutions through 19 projects, including the two implemented by UP, representing a total investment of $1,414,818 (approximately R26,334,786).

Ambassosdor Brigety praised his visit and noted that touring UP’s Mapungubwe Archive and Javett-UP was a wonderful experience.

“This is the second half of my tour,” he said at the time. “I had the opportunity to go to Limpopo and see the Mapungubwe National Park and the original excavation site. To come here to the museums to see where the objects are, puts all of that into great perspective. We at the US embassy in South Africa are proud to be in partnership with both UP and the South African government through the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, and to have donated significant funds to help make this [archive] extraordinary and possible.”

Ambassodr Brigety added that it’s important for the US embassy to fund these collections and their preservation, because “those who know their past can control their future."

“I always say that it is important to go back and draw on the strength of your ancestors, understand where you’re from,” he said. “That is why it’s important for the US to help South Africa when it comes to preserving their history.”

During the tour, Jackie Rens, Acting CEO at Javett-UP, said such international visits are vital because part of Javett-UP’s mandate is cultural exchange, adding that the art centre is all about highlighting and showcasing art and artists from Africa. 

As he wrapped up his tour, Ambassador Brigety said that he will be taking the extraordinary and sophisticated civilisation of Mapungubwe with him, and hopes that the partnership with UP endures.