Outcomes of the Reflective Meeting between the Social Cohesion Advocates and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
On December 1, 2023, the Social Cohesion Advocates (SCAs) met with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) at Ditsong Museum in Pretoria in a reflective meeting which was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms Nocawe Mafu. The meeting was opened by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Zizi Kodwa, who briefly joined the meeting virtually due to a prior commitment that has to do with International World AIDS Day.
In his opening remarks, Minister Kodwa underscored the significance of the SCAs programme in furthering the mandate of DSAC which include, among others, fostering reconciliation among South Africans and helping transcend the racial divisions of the past through sports, community engagements (public dialogues), and creative arts. In this regard, Minister Kodwa challenged the SCAs to implement visible and sustained initiatives that align with the principles of the South African Constitution, with a primary focus on fostering mutual tolerance, social cohesion, and the spirit of patriotism. Finally, Minister directed the Department to ensure that SCAs are featured in government initiatives as experts and activists for social cohesion and nation-building, to ensure that social cohesion finds expression in these national initiatives.
Deputy Minister Mafu acknowledged the steadfast role that is played by the SCAs throughout our country in advocating for an equal and inclusive South African society. Deputy Minister Mafu further urged the Department to ensure that the SCAs are provided with the necessary tools to ensure the optimum performance of the programme and that it effectively responds to the social cohesion and nation-building needs of our country. The Social Cohesion Advocates welcomed this and committed to continue fighting for a society that is free from, among others, racism, sexism, gender-based violence and xenophobia, and to revive its Rapid Response Task Team to swiftly respond to these and any form of a crisis that is likely to jeopardize peace, stability, and cohesion in our country.
The meeting culminated in augmenting the leadership structure of the SCAs by filling the Chairperson and the Deputy Secretary positions. In this regard, Adv. Sipho Mantula was appointed as the Chairperson of the Social Cohesion Advocates, while Ms Amanda Blankfield-Koseff earned a unanimous endorsement from SCAs as the Deputy Secretary. It is anticipated that these additions to the leadership structure will ensure the optimal contribution to the SCAs for the much-needed social cohesion and nation building cause of our country. The leadership line-up of the Social Cohesion Advocates Programme in the form of a Steering Committee now comprises:
- Chairperson: Adv. Sipho Mantula
- Deputy Chairpersons: Dr Cresencia Nyathi & Ms. Vinolia Mabele
- Secretary: Mr. Edwin Cleophas
- Deputy Secretary: Mrs. Amanda Blankfield-Koseff
- Spokesperson: Dr Balungile Zondi
The Social Cohesion Advocates enthusiastically welcomed the above office bearers and
encouraged support from South Africans across all provinces to embrace Social Cohesion as
a defining aspect of South Africa’s identity.
For further information, please contact Dr Balungile Zondi, Spokesperson for Social Cohesion Advocates, at 071 606 5062 or balungilezondi@gmail.com.
