at the gala dinner and opening of the Exhibition on Ten Years of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Red Location Museum, Port Elizabeth
14 December 2006
Thank you Programme Director
Father Micheal Lapsly
TRC Commissioners
Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Metro,
Honourable Ms Nondumiso Maphazi
The Mtimkulu Family
International Guests from the Continent and Abroad
Friends
Ladies and Gentlemen
A very good evening!
Thank you for inviting me to address you this evening and to share my
thoughts on the subject I have been requested to speak on, namely, "The
contribution of arts and culture to issues of memory, healing and
reconciliation of a nation." Firstly, I wish to express my deep-felt sympathy
and convey my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones
during the struggle for freedom. Also to pay tribute to the cadres of the
liberation movements who fell during this very difficult period in our country.
I also want to pay tribute to all fellow South Africans who toiled, resisted
and fought the yoke of oppression. This evening we are gathered to affirm those
noble efforts and the humanity in all of us.
This then implies that we are gathered tonight also to reflect and look back
� not in anger but with a sense of triumph; emerging out of our past struggle
for democracy with triumph. And this is where memory emerges as a critical tool
not only for reflection but to also assist us in defining ourselves and the
character of our nation. Of course, memory is not neutral.
Nations throughout the world define and distinguish themselves through their
culture. Zakes Mda says "broadly speaking, culture refers to a people's way of
life. This includes their perceptions and actions that distinguish them as a
people, or identify them as distinct from others. A culture derives its
qualities from the political and economic conditions that exist in society. At
the same time a culture determines the regeneration of these conditions."
Throughout Zakes Mda's description one cannot escape that memory and history
permeate his understanding of culture. When we look at the heritage landscape
of our country, taking for example the visible memorialisation in the form of
statues and monuments, or for that matter the names of our villages, dorpies
and cities � a specific memory and history emerges. To a large extent it still
reflects a distorted picture of our country, and not the multicultural mosaic
that we are.� a mosaic that is at peace with itself and the world.
This mosaic is the contemporary legacy which we are building upon and
consolidating. These are the seeds of the contemporary and future memory which
we are planting for generations to come. And since we are talking memory, I
also want to take this moment to remind us of the words of former President
Mandela on the occasion of Opening of the Third Session of Parliament in 1996.
He said "All of us, all South Africans, are called upon to become builders and
healers. But, for all the joy and excitement of creation, to build and to heal
are difficult undertakings. We can neither heal nor build, if such healing and
building are perceived as one way processes, with the victims of past
injustices forgiving and the beneficiaries merely content in gratitude.
Together we must set out to correct the defects of the past."
Such correction will give us a different memory. A memory that will cast a
different South African character � a character which portrays a nation that
cares for its citizens, a nation with values, rights that cherishes its
constitutionality. A nation imbibed with Ubuntu. This is the memory which our
heritage institutions are safeguarding and promoting through exhibitions, or
collections of historical and contemporary papers and records which continue to
shape our history, and therefore the memory of this beautiful land.
First President of a democratic Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama noted that "a
nation without a past is a lost nation. A people without a past is a people
without a soul." Some people narrowly define arts and culture in terms of its
one popular and easily accessible actitivity, and that is song and dance.
Whereas, the core function of our portfolio is about the custodianship and
shaping of the character and the soul of this nation. The moral and ethical
tenor of this nation is contained in our languages. Our proverbs and idioms
continue to express our humanity, first to ourselves and to others. We console
each other with an adage such as "lalani ngenxeba!" to appeal for healing and
acknowledging a painful reality which has befallen a family or a nation. There
can be no healing without a national conversation which seeks to understand and
explain the history of our country as well as the prospects of our collective
future as South Africans. We will heal when we confront the pain through
talking, writing, filming, painting, singing about our history and its memory.
These will be our powerful testimonies to ourselves and lessons to share with
the world. We will not heal if we hang on to the pain. The presence of a pain
in our hearts has never been good for our health. Let us hold onto memory and
relinquish the pain.
Throughout the world we find tragedies which befell nations. In some cases
these nations have not successfully reached a resolution on their pain. Their
approach to themselves and interaction with the world is still seen through the
eyes of pain. We are able to heal as South Africans because we define our
liberation as the triumph of human spirit over pettiness and evil.
Therefore we look to the Preamble of our Constitution which states:
"We, the people of South Africa,
Recognise the injustices of our past;
Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land;
Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country;
and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it,
United in our diversity."
We will heal and reconcile as a nation when we accept, honour and respect
each other's cultural and linguistic rights. There can be no reconciliation
where there is intolerance of diversity. As the Ministry of Arts and Culture we
will work tirelessly to ensure that all our voices and identities are not only
heard but are respected as well. We will at all times ensure that the values
which are embedded in our flag and the national Coat of Arms are understood,
cherished and protected, so that this beautiful nation can all stand up
together and bellow the historic melody of: "Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrika."
To all the Commissioners of the TRC and especially to the Chairperson, our
beloved Arch, and all the people who worked tirelessly in the TRC to give our
nation/country hope for reconciliation and healing, thank you for the enormous
work and sacrifice you made. Today we can see the fruits of your labour � we
are a triumphant nation.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
14 December 2006
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za/)
