Indonesia Prepares Sheikh Yusuf Cultural House in Cape Town, South Africa to Provide Support

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon with the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture of South Africa Gayton McKenzie on the sidelines of the XI BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, Friday, August 7. (IST)

BHOPAL - Indonesia is preparing the Sheikh Yusuf Indonesian Cultural House in Cape Town, South Africa. The cultural house is designed to be a center for cultural activities, education, research, as well as a space that connects the two countries.

The plan was discussed by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon together with the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture of South Africa Gayton McKenzie on the sidelines of the XI BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, Friday, August 7.

The meeting placed the legacy of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassari as one of the links between Indonesian and South African history.

The 400th anniversary of Sheikh Yusuf's birth in 2026 will be used to expand cooperation through academic research, preservation of cultural heritage, museums, education, and cultural exchange.

"The 400th anniversary of the birth of Sheikh Yusuf is an important momentum to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and South Africa," said Fadli.

According to Fadli, the relationship between the two countries has a much longer historical root than formal diplomatic relations.

Indonesia also encourages the strengthening of relations with the Cape Malay community which has historical roots from the archipelago. Cooperation can include oral historical documentation, protection of intangible cultural heritage, youth programs, cultural exchanges, and academic activities.

One of the projects prepared is the Sheikh Yusuf Indonesian Cultural House in Cape Town.

"We see the Sheikh Yusuf Indonesian Cultural House not just as a cultural building. It can become a center for cultural diplomacy, a space for education and research, a gathering place for the community, as well as a symbol of friendship between Indonesia and South Africa," said Fadli.

The two countries also discussed updating the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation which was signed in 2008.

The scope of cooperation will be directed at cultural heritage, museums, archives, creative industries, film, cultural education, as well as the exchange of artists and youth.

Gayton McKenzie expressed support for the 400th anniversary of Sheikh Yusuf and the plan to establish a cultural house in Cape Town.

He also supports increased exchanges between the Cape Malay community, artists, and cultural practitioners of the two countries.

Fadli was accompanied at the meeting by the Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation Endah T.D. Retnoastuti, Acting Charge d'Affaires Ad Interim of the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi Yudho Sasongko, and the Director of Cultural Cooperation Mardisontori.