Museums could play a crucial role in forging racial harmony in South Africa, said KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mrs Weziwe Thusi.
Speaking at the International Museums Day celebration in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, earlier today, Thusi said museums were a mirror of society on which its actions were being reflected.
“Sixteen years into our hard-earned democracy, it is no secret that our country still faces a number of challenges towards the achievement of social harmony. It is for this reason that the theme for this year, Museums for Social Harmony, becomes even more relevant.
“Over the past 16 years our country has earned international respect for being the only African country to achieve a smooth transition between apartheid rules into a democratic government. We are known internationally as the rainbow nation for our ability to put aside our differences and live side by side as South Africans.
It is therefore with great concern that we have witnessed incidents that seek to test us as a nation on our commitment to social harmony and indeed social cohesion,” MEC Thusi said.
She also challenged museum practitioners to double their efforts in ensuring that previously disadvantaged communities were assisted in realising the value of museums so that they could also preserve their heritage.
“As apolitical organisations, museums have an exclusive duty to educate our communities about a nation’s past, present and indeed future in a manner that contributes to social cohesion. Museums are indeed a mirror that reflects the heart and soul of any nation. As a democracy in its teenage years, we must utilise museums properly and effectively in order to unleash their great potential in building cohesive societies by promoting tolerance, multiculturalism and social harmony,” said MEC Thusi.
For more information, contact:
Ncumisa Fandesi
Tel: 033 264 3400
Cell: 083 447 0958
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
18 May 2010
