Count down towards Africa Day 2013 celebration

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture mandated by the Provincial Government has chosen to use the commemoration of Africa Day as part of its social cohesion programme.

MEC Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha will spearhead Programmes building up to Africa Day raising awareness around issues of Xenophobia, gender based violence, rape, women and child abuse, drugs and substance abuse and lastly programmes of unity amongst citizens of KwaZulu-Natal. These societal issues cannot be over-looked, therefore a dialogue is needed to address them and find ways to eradicate them from society.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and the Education Department have given schools across the province a chance to participate during Africa Day building programmes. Chosen schools have been given themes and topics to research on African countries.

Debates, poetry, drama pieces, cultural dances and music are some of the activities that will be done as creative educational presentations. The series of school based activities will provide a platform to forge closer links among African communities to promote social cohesion, build a common identity and a sense of belonging for all people of the continent. Build up programmes will form part of the normal classroom activities without disrupting learning and teaching at schools.

“Civic education is a vital part of what we need to do to educate each other as citizens and raise awareness about the importance of Africa Day. We must all assist one another to understand the phenomenon of migration, the importance of unity amongst Africans and how others elsewhere in the world manage it to avoid misconceptions that manifest into prejudices against other fellow Africans,” said MEC Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha.

“We also call upon communities, religious, civil society, media and other leaders of society to work together and use these celebrations to encourage a sense of unity- speak with one voice and it is a great opportunity for all of us to celebrate our diversity.”

Activities building up to Africa Day Celebration