The Helen Hyslop Kopje

World Heritage Day (WHD) is an annual event celebrated on 18 April of each year. It aims to preserve the human heritage and recognize the efforts of all relevant organizations in the field including the National Trust of Zimbabwe (NTZ). World Heritage is the shared wealth of humankind. Protecting and preserving this valuable asset demands the collective efforts of the international community. This day offers an opportunity to raise the public’s awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve it, as well as draw attention to its vulnerability.

The NTZ celebrated WHD at Worlds View with the unveiling of a plaque for Helen Hyslop who is a very special person.

The celebratory event took place on a kopje (hill) at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, one of the highest points in Zimbabwe, where the escarpment drops 600 metres to the plain below.  Helen’s plaque sits proudly above the clouds and birds flying.

                 

                                                                                The Helen Hyslop Kopje

As you can see the view from the summit is one of peace and of extreme beauty and it seems endless.

David Scott, Chairman, mentioned in his speech of the huge contribution that Helen has made to the success of the NTZ over the 25 years that she has been involved and she still continues to be an active council member.

Left to Right: Panganai, Michael Hoggard, David Scott, Gill Honeyman and Sharon Waterworth   

Helen joined the NTZ in 1993 and became a member of the Executive Council in 2003.  She was Chair of the Rhodesia Association of University Women (1970 -1980). One of her major local achievements, at that time, with other groups was the lobbying for separate assessment for tax of female spouses in 1977. Helen was a regular member of International Federation of University Women s Council in Geneva  promoting graduate women’s and feminist rights over that period. The University was established in 1919 and nearly 100 years later it continues to advocate for women’s rights, equality and empowerment through the access to quality secondary and tertiary education, and training up to the highest levels. The goal is for 100% of girls and women worldwide to achieve an education beyond primary school. Helen is an alumnus of University of Witwatersrand in South Africa.

It was with great disappointment that Helen was unable to attend the event. She expressed her deepest thanks and appreciation for the honour and recognition.

A vote of appreciation was given to Gill Honeyman, Chair of World’s View, and to her hard working team for organising the event and for keeping Worlds View looking so stunning in a very challenging environment!

A big thank you to Shirley Scott, Lin Goncalves and Jean Goncalves for being the photographers!

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