Timbuktu - South African President Kgalema Motlanthe has described the new building at the Ahmed Baba Institute in Timbuktu, Mali as a celebration of African co-operation and friendship.
"It is our commitment to a common humanity," the President said during the handing over of the building, which will be used to house the Timbuktu manuscripts, on Saturday.
President Motlanthe said he was confident that inspired by these manuscripts of great scholarship, African scholars will take up the cudgels and seek to re-define the role of Africa in history.
He said the event was not only imperative as one of the many cultural icons of our continent but seminal in their work to make the 21st century the African century.
"This magnificent heritage should strengthen our efforts to rebuild our continent, work for growth and development, fully aware that we can - despite the many impediments we face - emulate the grandeur of these great Africans who came before us.
