Minister of Arts and Culture (DAC), Paul Mashatile invites the media to the signing of a Cultural Agreement between South Africa (SA) and the Republic of the Congo on 16th of November 2012 at the SA National Library. Together with his Congolese counter-part Mr Jean-Claude Gakosso, Mr Mashatile will sign an agreement which aims to strengthen cooperation on Arts and Culture.
This Agreement will serve as an implementation plan for the Agreement of the Joint Commission of Co-operation (JCC) signed on October 28, 2010. The agreement is in line with SA’s participation in the Festival of Pan African Music (FESPAM) which seeks to market South African artists and products in the central African country.
A delegation comprising of International Relations, Cultural Development, the National Library of South Africa and the Association for Independent Recording Companies (AIRCO) was sent by DAC on April 2012 to identify possible projects that can be rolled out. The two countries are to cooperate in the following fields: Music and Technical Services, Heritage, Museum and Archive, Libraries, Books and Reading.
In the fields of Heritage, Museum and Arts, South Africa will assist Congo-Brazzaville in the preparation of sites that could qualify for World Heritage status; and both countries shall actively participate in heritage related programmes supported by the global body, (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) UNESCO.
As for Music and Technical Services, the Republic of Congo will be invited to participate during Moshito Conference and Exhibition. South Africa shall provide technical training services in the productions of Festival for Congolese Youth.
In terms Libraries, Books and Reading, the National Library of both countries will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before the signing of the Minister. In line with the MoU South Africa will provide Congo with technical assistance on conservation, digitalisation and the restoration of books. The two libraries have discussed and agreed that the content of the MoU and shall undertake to sign it as soon as it is translated in French.
Date: Friday, 16 November 2012
Time: 08h30
Venue: National Library of South African: No 75 Thabo Sehume (formerly Andries), Pretoria
Media enquiries:
Teresa Magidela
Cell: 082 933 9156
Tel: 012 441 3626
E-mail: MackL@dac.gov.za
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076
Tel: 012 441 3084
E-mail: Teresam@dac.gov.za
