The Minister of Arts & Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa will open the 4th African Union Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC4) at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Monday, 25 May at 9h00.
The event is hosted in conjunction with the African Union Commission under the theme, Unity in Cultural Diversity for Africa’s Development
As part of celebrating Africa Month, the 4th annual Pan-African Cultural Congress brings together the most influential leaders and decision makers in the continent to discuss Africa development, challenges affecting the continent and share good practices on cultural diversity to enhance development.
Cultural diversity is very critical to achieving the Agenda 2063 vision for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.
The discussion amongst others includes the exchanges of ideas and experiences among arts and culture professionals, researchers, creators/producers of culture, decision/policy makers in the area of cultural diversity in Africa. Also, it will be to review the achievements and to identify challenges on implementation of instruments related to the promotion of cultural diversity; as well as to gather inputs and best practices for the formulation and implementation of cultural policies and programmes in Africa in the area of cultural diversity.
These objectives are also in line with the Africa Month theme We Are Africa - Opening the doors of learning and culture to promote peace and friendship from Cape to Cairo. The theme aims to encourage and strengthen socio-economic and political integration, as well as to enhance social cohesion within the continent.
Since 1976, the Heads of State and of Government in the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) adopted the African Cultural Charter which committed African countries “to work out a cultural national policy” and integrate their cultural development plans in the overall programmes for economic and social development.
“There is a wind of change and self-determination blowing through the African continent. It carries us with it. It is in this context that South Africa ratified the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance last October.
“We have devoted the entire month of May to Africa Month as we celebrate and interrogate our African identity, arts and culture, music and cuisine, among others. In fact, we are delighted to host some of Africa’s best minds in our quest for total liberation and self-determination through the arts, culture and heritage sector,” said Mthethwa.
Enquiries:
Sandile Memela
Cell: 082 800 3750.
