Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia and South Africa have agreed to deepen cultural cooperation by preserving the legacy of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassari and strengthening people-to-people ties, Indonesia’s Culture Minister Fadli Zon said.
The agreement followed Zon’s meeting with South Africa’s Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie on the sidelines of the 11th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Bhopal, India, on Saturday (August 8).
“Indonesia highly values its close friendship with South Africa. Both countries are committed to justice and diversity and believe culture can bridge our societies,” Zon was quoted as saying in the Indonesian Culture Ministry’s statement.
Zon said the ties between Indonesia and South Africa were built not only through diplomatic relations, but also through shared history spanning several centuries.
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The legacy of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassari symbolises the countries’ historical ties, Zon said. Sheikh Yusuf’s 400th birth anniversary in 2026 offers an opportunity to expand cooperation in cultural preservation, research, museums, education and exchanges.
“The 400th anniversary of Sheikh Yusuf’s birth is an important moment to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and South Africa,” Zon said, citing joint commemorations, research, heritage preservation, museum collaboration, and educational exchanges.
Indonesia also values the Cape Malay community, whose historical roots lie in the Indonesian archipelago. Cultural ties could expand through exchanges, oral-history documentation, safeguarding intangible heritage, youth programmes and academic cooperation.
Indonesia is preparing to establish the Sheikh Yusuf Indonesian Cultural House in Cape Town as a hub for cultural diplomacy, education, research, and arts activities.
“We see the Sheikh Yusuf Indonesian Cultural House as more than a cultural building. It can serve as a hub for diplomacy, education, research, and community gatherings,” Zon said.
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McKenzie expressed support for commemorating Sheikh Yusuf’s 400th anniversary and pledged to strengthen Indonesia-South Africa ties through exchanges involving Cape Malay communities, artists, and cultural practitioners.
He also welcomed Indonesia’s initiative to establish the Sheikh Yusuf Indonesian Cultural House in Cape Town, according to the Indonesian Culture Ministry.
The two countries also agreed to update their 2008 memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation to reflect current priorities, including heritage, museums, archives, creative industries, film, cultural education, and exchanges involving artists and youth.
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Translator: Hreeloita DS, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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