The Minister of Arts & Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa will host a special social cohesion community conversation at the Youth Centre in Chartsworth in Durban on Friday 13 March from 8h00 –11h00.
The event is expected to be attended by more than 500 people including civil society, religious leaders and government officials.
The purpose is to provide a platform for individuals, organisations and communities from all sectors of in the area to dialogue and map a way forward to create “a caring and proud society”.
In fact, community members are encouraged to attend to participate to ensure that the progress review on nation-building and social cohesion will be consultative and representative of ordinary South Africans.
Why Chatsworth?
Chatsworth is a large suburb created in the 1960s to house the predominantly South African citizens of Indian-descent. The suburb is situated in the South of Durban, South Africa and is roughly bordered by the Umhlatuzana River in the North and Umlaas River.
The Indian people in Chatsworth are not homogeneous groups but come from various religious denominations. Much as the area is predominantly Indian, it has become an example of a melting pot characterised by cosmopolitan community that is a home for all.
At the heart of the community is Indian culture that serves as the nucleus of the society. But this area is open minded and receptive and has transformed itself into a fully-fledged suburb of Durban with significant industrial development. In fact, the building of new infrastructure has contributed to the growing intellectual capital and business environment of Durban
Primarily, Chatsworth has been chosen because is a kaleidoscope of cultures with the Zanzibar, Pakistan, Chinese, Zulu, Malawi and Zimbabwean communities, among others, all living together harmoniously.
Thus the purpose of the Imbizo is for the Minister to encourage the ongoing living in unity and harmony in this area for a positive trickle-down effect to other societies.
Social Cohesion Context
The 2012 National Social Cohesion Summit entrusted the Department of Arts & Culture to lead and coordinate conversations throughout the country to encourage active citizen participation in find solutions to challenges to national identity and unity.
In fact, the follow up National Social Cohesion Report-back Sand Monitoring Summit will take place in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape on 30th March.
The Chatsworth event is part of the build-up programme, thus the aim of the community conversation it to measure and review progress or lack of progress on the implementation of the July 2012 National Social Cohesion Summit resolutions.
In fact, this community conversation will measure the opinion of society on nation-building and social cohesion and solicit opinion on building an inclusive society.
Some of the objectives of the conversations of the conversations include the following:
- To recommit on the discussion on the type of South Africa we desire to build and the values we want to promote
- To project a platform for government and its stakeholders to review and resolve challenges facing the South African society
- To popularise programmes, projects and campaigns of social cohesion
- To promote social cohesion, nation-building and national identity as a condition for a better life for all
- To encourage public participation in the social mobilisation campaigns
- To strategise on the country vision and dream.
Media is invited to attend the Minister’s Imbizo as follows:
Date: Friday, 13 March 2015
Time: 8h00-11h00
Venue: Chatsworth Youth Centre, Durban
RSVP:
Baile Maunye
Cell: 060 974 9692
E-mail: bailem@dac.gov.za
Sthandiwe Kgoroge
Cell: 076 363 1825
E-mail: SthandiweK@dac.gov.za
Enquiries:
Sandile Memela
Cell: 082 800 3750
E-mail: sandilem@dac.gov.za
