Arts and Culture Minister, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, will meet with Social Cohesion Advocates to discuss ways in which to strengthen nation-building and social cohesion and eradicate racism. This discussion will contribute in charting a way forward for the development of sectoral and national plans to build social cohesion, combat racism and eradicate discrimination in South Africa. Social Cohesion Advocates are a group of eminent South Africans who play a prominent role in building a nation that is caring, dignified and where there is mutual respect for fellow South Africans and humanity at large.
“As we enter a new year, it is important that as a country, we take stock of the progress we are making in building a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa. In recent weeks, we have seen that much remains to be done to build non-racialism in particular. Therefore I am inviting social cohesion advocates to participate in a forum that will contribute towards strengthening nation-building and eradicating racism in our country,” said Minister Mthethwa.
This meeting is expected to drive a broader nation-building and anti-racism agenda and plan for a bigger engagement with a wide range of stakeholders that is envisaged to take place on 01 February 2016.
“While the nation-building project has made many advances in the first 21 years of freedom, the current reality point to mind-sets that need to be changed. We need to focus on what unites us. We need to dwell on the importance of raising consciousness, and a fundamental re-inventing and re-imagining of some among us, so that equality and inclusivity become engrained in all our people, who together should work towards a better life for all.” said Minister Mthethwa.
As mandated by Cabinet, the Department of Arts & Culture has the responsibility to coordinate and mobilise society to promote Nation-Building and Social Cohesion as envisioned by The National Development Plan Chapter 15.
The programmes of the department actively encourage the fostering of national unity and the building of a nation.
Sectoral plans on nation-building and social cohesion and combatting racism will culminate in a national gathering later in the year.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Thursday, 21 January 2016
Time: 8h30
Venue: Cedarwoods - Woodmead, Johannesburg
RSPVs:
Obed Makgoale
E-mail: ObedM@dac.gov.za
Tel: 012 441 3713
Cell: 079 311 8546
For enquiries, contact:
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
E-mail: LisaCo@dac.gov.za
Teresa Magidela
Cell: 060 601 7724
E-mail: TeresaM@dac.gov.za
