The Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa leads various government departments, civil societies, and private organisations in celebration of Africa Month celebrations to encourage and strengthen socio-economic and political integration within the continent.
These objectives speak to the Africa Month theme; we are Africa - Opening the doors of learning and culture to promote peace and friendship from Cape to Cairo.
The month of May will provide a strategic platform and network for conversations about the African continent.
As part of the celebrations, the Department of Arts & Culture has planned an exciting programme of activities for the month of May and beyond through various forms of arts such as literature, theatre, film, fashion, seminars, exhibitions, lectures and panel discussions amongst others.
The following activities will take place between Saturday, 16 May and Tuesday, 19 May 2015:
- Official opening ceremony for Africa motherland revival to take place on Saturday, the 16th of May at Funda Community college in Soweto, Johannesburg at 11h00.
The official opening will be followed by series of workshops and seminars which are aimed at finding solutions on how Creative Arts can be used as a tool for social cohesion and no violence against foreign nationals.
- We Are Africa Fashion Spectacular, where top South African fashion designers will join their Pan-African counterparts for WeAreAfrica Fashion Spectacular to be hosted on 16 May 2015 at 6 Amanzi Street in Riverside, Nelspruit at 18h30.
- The Department of Arts and Culture in collaboration with Arts Cape will launch the Creative Arts Incubators on the 18th of May 2015 at Arts Cape Theatre Centre in Cape Town at 18h00 as part of the immediate initiative of the innovation hub under the theme Arts Empowered. This is in response to the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) strategy to unleash the economic potential of the creative sector through large scale investment as well as the National Development Plan (NDP). This requires the department to utilise the creative industries to grow an inclusive economy, build skills and promote active citizenry, leadership and partnerships, among others.
The Incubator Programme is an empowering ecosystem that provides artists and communities with tools, resources, and support to learn, connect, and ultimately be absorbed by the industry.
- The Africa Month Dialogue and lecture titled ‘What it means to be African’ will take place on 18th of May at Centre for the Books in Cape Town at 18h00.
This lecture will be delivered by internationally acclaimed, Somali-born writer, Professor Nuruddin Farah, who is regarded as one of the greatest contemporary fiction writers in the world.
The respondent to the lecturer will be Nigerian born Professor Harry Garuba, an academic; writer, poet and an associate professor at the Centre for African Studies at the University of Cape Town.
- The Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa will on Tuesday the 19th of May deliver the 2015/16 Budget Vote Speech at the Old Assembly at Parliamentary Precinct in Cape Town from 16h40.
Mthethwa and his deputy, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi will announce and outline this year’s budget plans and strategy for the financial year.
These activities are part of the Africa Month programme to promote African identity, entrench African values and ethics as well as strengthen existing collaborations in the continent.
“We believe our programme will contribute to the attainment of the African Union’s vision 2063 which strives for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena,” said Mthethwa.
The month of May is also used to promote the African Union flag and anthem during the month.
Government encourages all residents in the Republic of South Africa, the rest of the African continent and the African Diaspora to participate in the Africa Month activities.
Enquiries:
Sandile Memela
Cell: 082 800 3750
