By Minister Nathi Mthethwa
As we embark on the third decade of our democracy and freedom, Africa and the world join us in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration of the power of the arts to influence and change society.
It was in 2014 October that South Africa officially announced its ratification of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, a tool developed to empower African member states of the African Union to promote Pan-Africanism, cultural renewal and identity as well as strengthening their national policies and other cultural instruments.
It was also at this launch, last year, that South Africa communicated its commitment to the Africa Month 2015 programme, as this is a product of the promise of intent outlined in the Charter. Our commitment is now tangible and realisable through the Africa Month 2015 Cultural Initiative as it showcases our contibution to promoting socio-economic and cultural intergration and fight against poverty.
The launch of Africa Month is a new beginning that elevates the role of arts, culture and heritage sector to not only drive economic development but also nation building and social cohesion, not just in South Africa, but throughout the African continent
The adopted theme for Africa Month 2015 is “We are Africa – Opening the doors of learning and culture from Cape to Cairo.”
This Africa Month is intended to create a platform and opportunities for African artists from the continent and the Diaspora to fundamentally redefine African identity and relations among all the people of this country and the continent.
It is a deliberate agenda to mainstream the role of the artists in nation building and social cohesion within the continet. This does not in any way imply that artists must censor themselves. They remain the conscience of the nation.
The recent outbreaks of violence and the escalating tensions in the communities confirm our conviction that it is only through arts and culture that a society can heal itself and uplift its people.
As a result, we are confident that the staging of this historical month-long cultural festival of ideas will ultimately result in the destruction of all colonial-made and apartheid-created barriers.
The first We Are Africa cultural festival is a festival of ideas and cultural exchange. It promises to take us towards an uncharted road towards African self-determination. This must lead us towards economic emancipation.
We are looking at this event to spark off a spontaneous cultural redefinition among citizens that will enhance social relations among all the people who live in this country. After all, South Africa belongs to all who live in it.
Furthermore, for us, the Africa Month Cultural Programme means that Pixley Seme Ka Isaka’s dream of African Regeneration is being fulfilled. In fact, we can paraphrase his words to say, “a new and unique civilization has been added to the world.”
The time has come for Africa’s renewal to be taken to a higher level by the continent’s highly gifted creatives: poets, writers, intellectuals, designers, choreographers, musicians, chefs and artists.
We must embrace, appreciate and promote our African identity, history and culture. It is time to have a platform which allows Africans to tell African stories and write our our African history - our stories and our history.
We need our cultural practitioners to remind us that none but ourselves can heal our wounds. Our African Artists must be at the forefront of continuously developing our self- knowledge, redefining our vision and promoting Ubuntu and unity among all the African countries and their people.
We salute all our African artists and we look forward to engaging with all who will be part of this programme.
This is in fact an artistic and creative expression of the African Agenda 2063 as it will be a platform to promote the African Union programme towards the attainment of its vision: to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.
We remain committed to providing the springboard for African arts, culture and heritage to take its rightful place in the world.
Thus we invite and appeal to everyone who has an exciting idea to partner with us to be part of the cultural festival. We invite individuals, communities, Big Business, the media and civil society organisations to play their part.
Ke Nako! It is time for artists to move Africa forward.
Nathi Mthethwa is the Minister of Arts and Culture.
