P Jordan on 2006 anniversaries

12 May 2006

“All government anniversaries are bound together by one theme, Age of Hope:
Through Struggle to Freedom. All the anniversaries are stepping stones towards
the realisation of the South Africa’s Constitution,” said Dr Z Pallo Jordan
Minister of Arts and Culture and chair of the Inter Ministerial Committee on
anniversaries.

Dr Z Pallo Jordan was speaking at a briefing on anniversaries hosted by the
International Marketing Council (IMC). Present were Minister Naledi Pandor and
Deputy Ministers Sue van der Merwe, Ntombazana Botha and Dr Jean Benjamin. Dr
Jordan briefed the media on Bhambatha Rebellion and highlighted the fact that
the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) is collaborating with the Provincial
Government of KwaZulu-Natal, where the main celebratory event will be held on
10 June in Greytown. Planned is also the reinstatement of iNkosi Bhambatha ka
Mancinza as the iNkosi of the Zondi people in Greytown. Additionally, Bhambhata
and Sigananda have been nominated posthumously for National Orders for their
role in the uprising.

Regarding the commemoration of the June 16 uprising, Minister Jordan
indicated that a rally would begin at Morris Isaacson to the Hector Pieterson
Memorial in memory of the uprising, which took place in 1976. A plan is
underway to unveil a statue of Hector Pieterson, which will be similar to the
iconic picture taken by Sam Nzima.

Also in the pipeline are major celebrations commemorating the Women’s March
of 1956, there will be an enactment of the march to the Union Buildings on 9
August 2006. There would be similar marches in all the provinces and all these
events would be linked by satellite. As part of the celebrations a Divas
Concert will be held plus another showcase featuring best young women artists
in jazz, Maskandi and Afro-Jazz. A sculpture by acclaimed artist Noria Mabasa
will be unveiled in anticipation of it forming part of the exhibition in the
proposed Women’s Museum in Welkom. Leading up to this event would be
competitions in poetry, tapestry, pottery and visual arts. There would be a
substantive craft exhibition at Mahlamba Ndlopfu opened by the First Lady later
in the year.

Another date to be observed is the 19 October, in commemoration of the death
of Samora Machel at Mbuzini in Mpumalanga Province, at the site of the air
crash.

Minister Naledi Pandor outlined specific events, which the Department of
Education will roll out. These follow:

* Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of Soweto youth Uprising. Here
learners will participate in a National Language Festival and a national
concert on 15 to 16 June in Gauteng. Learners will focus on the celebration of
the indigenous languages through poetry reading, debate and public speaking. A
national concert will showcase performing talents in music dance and drama of
all learners from all provinces. South African composers have been commissioned
to compose choral music that will be performed on the final day of the National
School’s Choral Eisteddfod, highlighting themes of this year’s commemoration in
July 2006.

* Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the women’s march to the Union
Buildings: a girls’ conference will be held in august under the banner of
Gender Equity in Education. Girl learners from all provinces will be invited to
participate in a conference involving key ministers whose departments’ service
delivery impacts on the provision of girls’ education, including success and
challenges that will help fast track the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals.

* There will also be a Poetry Competition for Girls.

* As part of this comprehensive programme the Department of Education (DoE)
has embarked on a partnership with the Apartheid Museum, which will showcase
material from the 1976 Uprisings including partnerships. School material will
be developed out of this collaboration.

* Lastly a multi-lingual documentary titled “30 years on,” will be
produced.

Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe outlined various initiatives, which all of
South Africa’s embassies and missions abroad will observe significant dates on
South Africa’s calendar to highlight the importance of these anniversaries.
There will be a special collaboration with the government of India to
commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha.

Dr Jean Benjamin summed up a comprehensive list of dates within their
calendar to highlight commemoration. This includes Child Protection Week from
29 May to 4 June in which the 10th Anniversary of the Constitution will be
observed.

Enquiries:
Andile Xaba
Cell: 082 377 6627

Sandile Memela
Cell: 082 800 3750

Premi Appalraju
Cell: 082 375 2939

Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
12 May 2006