eThekwini Mayor-His Worship Councillor James
Nxumalo
Honourable Members of the Arts and Culture
Portfolio Committee
Distinguished guests
Department officials
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen.
Let me extend my sincere gratitude to the organisers of this all-important conference for inviting me to come and address you.
It is important to note that this conference takes place amid the centenary celebrations of the struggle waged by our forebears against the atrocious system of apartheid. We are also aware that the month of January has been dedicated to celebrate the legacy of John Langalibalele Dube, a freedom fighter who was passionate about indigenous languages, culture and heritage. His well-documented work of literature speaks volumes in this regard. As the current generation, we have to take a leaf from the sterling work done by Mafukuzela and encourage the people of this country to read and write so as to preserve our heritage.
Therefore, the stakeholders gathered here today have an unenviable task of brainstorming strategies and plans that can assist the people of this province to take keen interest in writing and reading, particularly in languages that were previously marginalised. We also expect this gathering to provide us with innovative ways to improve service delivery in our libraries, museums and archives.
Ladies and gentlemen!
As the Department of Arts and Culture, we believe that libraries play a critical role in empowering communities through the provision of information. To enhance service delivery in this area, the National Treasury gave us a funding of R45 million this year for the recapitalisation of libraries. This process entails bringing all municipal libraries under the provincial government. Our commitment to improve access to library services continues to bear fruits.
This year, we have completed the construction of a new Regional Library Depot and a public library in Mbazwana in northern KwaZulu-Natal which will be opened to the public in the next few months. Another four libraries are nearing completion in Nkandla, Ntambanana, Dannhauser and Qhudeni. Plans are also afoot to build the first library in Maphumulo Municipality this year which will boast a study space and computer facilities for the community.
I am also pleased to announce that this department has procured 16 mobile library units which have been deployed in rural areas. This brings to 20 the number of mobile units the department has provided to the previously underserviced communities.
This year, we are going to be hard at work to upgrade our ICT infrastructure as we have embarked on an ambitious project to automate all our libraries. To respond to the call of creating decent work, the department has spent over R30 million this year to address staffing problem in all municipal libraries.
Programme Director!
As stakeholders in the preservation of culture and heritage, archives are an integral part of our work. Our traditional function of the Archives, the Repository Management and Records Management has not only kept our heritage in good standing but has also helped our Provincial Administration to run like a well-oiled machine. I want to take this opportunity to thank the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal for the support they have given to us whenever they are called upon to do so.
However, I must point out that there are a few areas that need immediate attention. We must, as a matter of urgency, attend to the state of the archive repositories in Pietermaritzburg, Durban and Ulundi as they are no longer suitable for their function. I am aware that plans are underway to address this problem.
Ladies and gentlemen!
On the issue of museums, my department has deemed it fit to conduct a full study into the state of museums in this province. The findings point to the fact that whilst there is a willingness to transform museums and make them fully inclusive and accommodative of our diverse histories, the look and content of them simply does not reflect South Africa as we know it today.
I am pleased that a lot of ground has been covered to provide direction and financial support to the museum sector. The budget to run and manage museums has improved remarkably to resuscitate the state of all public museums which were in a state of collapse and disrepair.
To ensure that this situation does not occur in future, the department is considering to take over some of the municipal museums, a process referred to as the provincialisation of museums. Consultations are taking place to ensure that this process runs smoothly. Furthermore, the department is currently finalising the provincial policy on museums. Such a policy, which will be finalised by the end of this year, will enable us to effect necessary changes within the museum sector.
In our quest to provide access to museum services, the department has acquired two mobile museums to make museum services accessible to all. Over the years, we have also increased the number of our affiliated museums to 39 in the province.
Programme Director!
Another aspect of this conference is about the development of languages. At this point, let me remind the delegates that the struggle to promote African languages and their relevancy in the 21st Century has been a journey fraught with complexities. These efforts commenced long ago when people began to be extremely concern about reducing African languages to a written form to preserve cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge.
I have no doubts in my mind that these efforts were not in vain hence we have converged here today to hail the well-thought-out words and experiences which have been reduced into written expressions. Let me hasten to say that regardless of all these attempts, African languages continued to suffer and almost became extinct due to political and economical forces at the time. Credit must be given to language activists like Mafukuzela who against all odds fought tirelessly against the system to promote and preserve African literature. Today, we are enjoying the fruits of their toil.
These language activists conquered both the Anglicisation and Afrikaanisation of the South African society which was aimed at marginalising indigenous languages. Today, we are proud that South Africa has a constitution which affirms all spoken languages in the country.
As the Department of Arts and Culture, we are acutely aware that our literature writing plays an important role in social cohesion and nation building hence we have committed ourselves to support budding writers who endeavour to preserve African languages.
Ladies and gentlemen!
The United Nations warns us that when our languages fade, so does the world’s rich tapestry of the cultural diversity. This warning won’t have any bearing on us if we put indigenous literature at the centre of our political discourse.
Delegates!
At this point, let me express my profound gratitude to the publishers who have over the years supported this venture. Our government promotes public private partnership to enhance service delivery. Therefore, your efforts have not gone unnoticed as they have contributed in taking literature exhibition to greater heights.
You have also unlocked the doors for the aspirant writers. As a result, this has dispelled the notion that publishers are reluctant to publish literary work written in African languages because it is not economically viable.
Program Director!
I want to single out Maskew Miller Longman and Oxford University Press. Maskew Miller Longman will be launching the books that won in the 2010/11 literature competition. Oxford University Press on the other hand, has sponsored the 2011/12 Literature Writing Competition. They have committed to publish all six winning entries, (three novels and three drama) if the manuscripts merit publication and have also provided R44 000 of the price money which will be enjoyed by best aspirant writers.
I also want to make a call to public and private institutions who are custodians of information and knowledge to reach out to poor communities who don’t have access to valuable information that can change their lives for the better. South Africa can only win the battle against poverty and underdevelopment if we have an informed society. Customary to this event, is acknowledgement of one or two seasoned writers.
Therefore, the 2011/12 literature exhibition is no exception to the rule hence I pronounce the name of Gcina Mhlophe as one such living legends. Undoubtedly, our token of appreciation for her contribution may not be equated to her meaningful contribution, but as the saying goes, “You do not look a gift horse in the mouth”, I urge you to accept it as it comes from the bottom of our hearts.
If I reflect on the success of this event, I am convinced that, had it not been for the contribution and support of the eThekwini Municipality, this would not have been a success. I therefore want to take this opportunity to thank His Worship, the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor James Nxumalo and his staff for their support to language and literature development.
In closing, I want to assure you that the department will continue to establish and support reading and writing clubs in order to implant the culture and the love of reading. In conjunction with the department of education, we have embarked on a programme to support up and coming writers as many of them are still at school.
This is evidenced by the presence of Mayizekanye High School, Maphumulo Primary and Vuka Primary School from KwaSwayimane that have functional reading and writing clubs.
Let me take this opportunity to wish you a successful conference.
Thank you.
