the south african history project came to be established as a result of a report presented by the working group on values, education and democracy presented to then minister of education, professor kader asmal in 2000, led by professor wilmot james. this report emphasised the immense value of history teaching for the promotion of human values, including tolerance. the report proposed the establishment of a panel of respected historians, educationists and academics to advise the government on how to strengthen history teaching in south african schools.