History is not confined to archives, museum shelves or heritage sites. It lives in communities, family stories, cultural practices and the memories passed from one generation to the next.
This message resonated throughout the fifth African Liberation Heritage Indaba, hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS) in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Museum. Scholars, heritage practitioners, traditional leaders, students, government representatives and community stakeholders gathered in Bloemfontein to explore how heritage institutions can remain relevant and responsive in an increasingly digital and socially conscious world.
Heritage as a living resource
Opening the Indaba, Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, reflected on the significance of hosting the gathering in Bloemfontein, the judicial capital of South Africa and the birthplace of the African National Congress (ANC). He highlighted the city’s rich historical significance and the shared histories that connect it to South Africa’s liberation heritage.
“Heritage is not only about what we preserve from the past; it is about what we choose to carry forward into the future. Heritage institutions have a responsibility not only to remember history but to contribute to social solidarity, democratic citizenship, and inclusive futures,” he said.
He challenged delegates to consider whose stories are remembered and whose remain unheard, emphasising that liberation history extends beyond celebrated leaders to include countless ordinary people whose contributions are often absent from official historical records.
Heritage, he argued, is therefore not simply about preserving the past, but about ensuring that future generations have access to diverse, representative and inclusive historical narratives.
The theme of this year's gathering, Re-imagining our heritage institutions for a new era, centred on transforming museums, archives and other memory institutions into dynamic spaces that embrace technological innovation, community participation and social responsibility.
Bridging generations through technology
One of the strongest themes to emerge from the discussions was the need to connect young people with heritage in ways that resonate with their everyday lives and contemporary realities.
A young participant challenged conventional perceptions of identity and belonging, reflecting on the tensions many young Africans experience when their heritage is judged according to their language, appearance or cultural expression. She argued that heritage should be understood as a lived experience rather than measured against a fixed notion of cultural authenticity.
Representatives from Lesotho shared how immersive technologies are being used to bring history to life. Through a virtual reality project documenting the lives and succession of the Kings of Lesotho, young creatives, archivists and community members collaborated to preserve historical knowledge while making it accessible to new audiences.
The project demonstrated how digital tools can help bridge generational divides, strengthen connections with the past and encourage young people to engage more actively with their heritage.
Placing community voices at the centre
Throughout the Indaba, speakers emphasised that heritage institutions cannot operate in isolation from the communities whose histories and cultural knowledge they seek to preserve.
Discussions highlighted the importance of ethical engagement, indigenous knowledge systems and meaningful collaboration with heritage custodians. Delegates stressed that community members should not be regarded merely as sources of information, but as active partners whose knowledge, experiences and cultural practices enrich historical understanding.
At the University of the Free State, this approach aligns with ongoing efforts to expand digitisation initiatives, strengthen archival collections and develop partnerships that support research, teaching and knowledge production.
Prof Reddy highlighted recent initiatives aimed at preserving valuable collections while improving their accessibility for scholarly research and public engagement. “Community knowledge is not peripheral to heritage work; it is at its very heart. Our collective memory grows stronger when indigenous knowledge, lived experience, and scholarship meet in genuine partnership,” he said.
Heritage and responsible societal futures
As the two-day Indaba drew to a close, delegates reflected on the role of heritage in addressing contemporary challenges, fostering social cohesion and creating opportunities for economic inclusion.
Prof Reddy reiterated the importance of recognising heritage as something that extends beyond physical institutions and historical records. “Heritage lives not only in museums and archives, but in people, memories, relationships, and everyday acts of belonging. By reimagining heritage for a new era, we reaffirm our commitment to more inclusive, connected, and socially conscious futures,” he observed.
The discussions reinforced a shared understanding that heritage is not only about remembering the past; it is also about shaping the future. Through digitisation, research collaborations, community partnerships and youth participation, heritage institutions can become active contributors to social development and democratic citizenship.
For the University of the Free State, hosting the Indaba reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that knowledge is preserved, shared and applied in ways that contribute to building more inclusive and connected communities.
Ultimately, heritage is more than a record of where society has come from. It is a living resource that enable communities to understand their past, engage meaningfully with the present and imagine the possibilities of a shared future.