Speaking notes for remarks at the opening of the Australian Photographic Exhibition by the Minister in The Presidency responsible for Women, Ms Susan Shabangu, Edoardo Villa Museum, University of Pretoria
Programme Director,
H.E Chris Munn, Acting Australian High Commissioner of the Common wealth of Australia to South Africa,
Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioner,
Prof. Cheryl de la Ray, Vice Chancellor University of Pretoria,
Mr Mosotho Moepya, IEC Chief Electoral Officer,
Mr Themba Wakashe, Films and Publication Board CEO,
Ms Carmen Smidt, ANC International Relations,
Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you all here tonight at this beautiful venue to officially launch the photographic exhibition entitled “Memories of the Struggle: Australia’s Role in the Struggle for Democracy in South Africa, 1960 – 1994”.
At the onset let me extend our deepest appreciation from the people and the government of South Africa to the people and government of Australia for this educational initiative. In the same breath it is important that I pay tribute to the late Graeme Wilson, High Commissioner of Australia who passed away two months ago. He conceived the inspirational vision for this exhibition but did not live to see it come true and also to the Acting High Commissioner His Excellency Chris Munn for seeing this project through.
The timing of hosting this photographic exhibition is by no means coincidental, for indeed this takes place at a time when we as a country together with our friends in the global community such as the Australian government, are reflecting on the milestones South Africa has achieved in the last 20 years since the birth a democratic dispensation.
This exhibition, which I am told is also being showcased in Sydney at Customs House and is being brought to audiences in South Africa and Australia by the Australasian South African Alliance (ASAA) in partnership with the Australian High Commission in Pretoria and the South African High Commission in Canberra falls within the month of the celebration of the birthday of our liberation struggle stalwart Oliver Reginald Tambo who was born on 27 October 1917.
It was Tambo who acknowledged the significant role played by Australian people in the struggle for the liberation of South Africa when he gave an address at the LA Trobe University, Australia on 3 April 1987 where he said:
“We believe Australia has made its choice, consisting in the statements of condemnation of that system which have come repeatedly from the majority of the Australian people, the majority of humankind. I must emphasise the point of the choice having been made. Because, but for that choice, we should not be honoured with this rostrum. We should not be having the benefit of your ideals. You are assembled here because you have taken sides.”
In relation to the exhibition that is being opened today the adage "A picture is worth a thousand words" could not be truer than when one looks at how photography was used as a medium of communication to tell the world the true story of South Africa and to mobilise South Africans and the world at large to fight against the evil system of apartheid.
Johannesburg based Swedish photographer, Eva-Lotta Jansson captured this well when she said “There are few places where photography played as big of a role in shaping a democracy as it did here in South Africa. Photographers risked their lives to show the outside world what life was like under Apartheid, and to document the struggle against it.”
Under the apartheid system, the media was severely restricted, controlled by a number of repressive laws that made it difficult to publish information on anything political without authorization. The then government basically dictated what citizens could and could not consume.
Since the historic 27 April 1994 first democratic elections that gave birth to a new nation built on the foundation of freedom and democracy, the media enjoys unparalleled freedom of expression protected by our Constitution and South Africa today is one of the key role players in the global community.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In 2014, South Africa celebrates 67 years of formal diplomatic relations with Australia – a feat, which you would agree, is of no small measure. Although bilateral relations between our two countries date back almost seven decades, it was during the darkest days in our country’s history that Australia demonstrated its solidarity with South Africa in our fight for freedom and justice. In 1994, when this goal was achieved, Australia was there to rejoice with us and share in the celebrations. It is, therefore, no coincidence that our countries felt that it was important to mark our relations in a special way: to commemorate Australia’s substantial historical links with South Africa and its involvement in our struggle to end apartheid.
Tonight’s exhibition features, through the lenses, an almost encyclopaedic view of South Africa, full of vigour, vitality and hope. It depicts violence, protests, power, class and race. It shows the effects of the famous sports boycott implemented by Australia against South Africa, church activities and other acts in solidarity with the people’s struggle in South Africa. You will observe images through the span of 34 years, displaying not only the reality of apartheid South Africa, but also of the warm and substantial bilateral relationship between South Africa and Australia in the post-1994 era.
In closing, I would like to congratulate all the artists in the exhibition. It is my hope that all our guests would enjoy the exhibition and take a moment to reflect on what you observe here tonight. I would like to thank the excellent team at the Australian High Commission for their efforts in securing the exhibition in South Africa. South Africa values its friendship with Australia and we look forward to work closely with our Australian friends on our journey to a stronger democracy and a better life for all.
I thank you.
