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1 to 31 May
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa invites all of the people in the Republic of South Africa, the rest of the African continent and the African Diaspora to join him in the inaugural Africa Month celebrations.
The theme for Africa Month 2016 is 'Building a better Africa and a better world'.
South Africa recognises itself as an integral part of the African continent. Therefore the country understands its national interest to be intrinsically linked to continental stability, unity and prosperity. Our national interest is therefore defined by the development and upliftment of all African people.
Africa Month seeks to increase appreciation and demand for arts and culture goods and services to stimulate competitive markets for Intra-Africa trade.
The African month programme
While existing programmes of the Department of Arts and Culture seek to inculcate an African identity through the popularisation of the national flag and continental flag as well as the National Anthem and the African Union Anthem, it was important last year that we inaugurate an full Africa Month programme, a festival of ideas, a celebration of what it means to be African to deepen and expand our knowledge, engage in cultural exchange, sharpen our ideas but also together to face our continental destiny.
Africa Month Focal Areas:
1. Know your history: Telling the African story
This year’s Africa Month programme has activities that share knowledge on the role of Archives and their importance in preserving the history of the state and of the people. The Archives programme is further complemented by lectures and colloquia that focus on African history and the impact it has on our present and future. Specific activities are focused on youth engaging with our legacy and what they need to do to shape the future.
2. Build African unity and solving Africa’s problems
There are conferences focusing on African unity and renaissance, seminars on intra-African trade, a meeting of the Bureau of the 4th Pan African Cultural Congress, a focus on building communities of peace and diversity, examining water security and Africa, a gathering on the themes of Agenda 2063. Significantly, we shall also celebrate the centenary of Fort Hare University, an institution that has nurtured generations of African leaders, through lectures and engagement on the role of intellectuals in developing the continent.
Speeches, statements and advisories
- Arts and Culture hosts colloquium on Media and African Story in Kimberley as part of Africa Month, 16 May
- Arts and Culture hosts colloquium on Media and African Story, 13 May
- Arts and Culture hosts colloquium on race and racism as part of Africa Month, 11 May
- Minister Nathi Mthethwa: Launch of Africa Month Programme
