As part of the sixth annual e'Bosch Heritage Project, Stellenbosch University (SU) hosted a prestige lecture presented by Dr Mamphela Ramphele on Thursday (15 September) in which she encouraged residents of the Stellenbosch valley to share their rich heritage with one another.

The lecture was presented in the SU Museum, and forms part of a month-long celebration of Stellenbosch's heritage in the run-up to Heritage Day on Saturday, 24 September.

In introducing Dr Ramphele, Dr Llewellyn MacMaster, Manager: Special Projects at SU's Division for Social Impact, described her as a visionary thinker "who invite people into a space to think critically and move forward".

Dr Ramphele, a political activist, academic and medical doctor, focused on how heritage could be shared across boundaries, what a re-imagined future for Stellenbosch and South Africa would like, and argued that this is only possible with an "emotional settlement" – sharing each other's painful stories of the past.

"The association of Stellenbosch with Simon van der Stel, a son of a Dutchman and a woman of Indian descent, is a powerful symbolism of the richness of the diversity of the heritage of this area," Dr Ramphele said.

"The entire valley is witness to a long history of encounters between indigenous people and European settlers. The stories of those encounters should provide a wealth of wisdom for present and future generations. But many stories remain untold," she added.

Dr Ramphele described heritage as inherently a boundary issue, "emphasising physical and symbolic distinctions. We are shaped by the heritage we embody. Heritage defines insiders and outsiders".

She said the celebration of the heritage of the greater Stellenbosch Valley could become deeper if social boundaries are crossed and residents question their own heritage.

"Heritage is often regarded as inherently about the past and the present we inhabit. But heritage is about past, present and future. It is about re-interpreting one's frame of reference to re-imagine and re-invent the future."

She called for Stellenbosch residents to tell their stories, especially those of the past 22 years since the dawn of democracy in South Africa.

"If we are to heal and become healthy we will need to build on our strengths. [The Stellenbosch] valley has more than its fair share of strengths. Leveraging those collective strengths would set you on a path into a shared future of mutual healing and wellbeing. Your healing and wellbeing would model what is possible for our society," Dr Ramphele said.

She encouraged residents to consider leading the charge on initiating "emotional settlement conversations to heal our nation".

• For more information on the e'Bosch heritage programme, visit www.heritagefestival.co.za