The Eastern Cape has taken the first tangible steps on a journey to place heritage and cultural tourism at the centre of the provincial economy. An exhibition titled “Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: Legend” was unveiled at the Port Elizabeth Airport on Friday.

This is part of an earlier announced Home of Legends Project to be rolled out throughout the province, honouring past and present legends from the Eastern Cape who contributed to the shaping of the modern democracy in South Africa.

The campaign hopes to package and promote the province as a cultural heritage destination.

Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe, who is visiting the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro as part of an anti-poverty campaign, attended the ceremony and remembers one of the province’s fallen heroes.

“On this occasion I want to remember one such legend, the late comrade Titus Jobo. Oom Tira was one who answered the call to take up arms in the sixties after ANC was banned. In attempt to go into exile for training, he was arrested and sentenced to 16 years. He served the 16 years to the last day.”

Motlanthe says upon his release from Robben Island, he spent six months in country trying to find ways to leave. He arrived in Lesotho on the very same day the Maseru massacre happened and he fell there.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za