The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Mr. Nathi Mthethwa in collaboration with the University of Zululand will today, Thursday, 27 May 2021 host Africa Month Public Lecture at the University of Zululand, Richards Bay campus in KwaZulu-Natal at 18h00. The lecture features the renowned author, Sociology Professor, Founder and Director of the Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society, Prof. Kwesi Prah as part of 2021 Africa Month Celebrations.
The lecture is hosted under the national theme for Africa Month 2021, “The year of Arts, Culture and Heritage: in the year of Charlotte Maxeke,” since this year we are also celebrating the centenary of Charlotte Maxeke, a great daughter of the African soil who dedicated her life to the service of her people. Aspiration 5 of Agenda 2063 envisions ‘An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics and aims to ensures that the creative arts are major contributors to Africa’s growth and transformation; through restoring and preserving Africa’s cultural heritage and nurturing its languages. At the core of this lecture, is the NESCO’s declarations of the next ten years as the “Decade of Indigenous Languages” (2022 – 2032) to focus on Indigenous language users’ human rights and is seized with the development of a Global Action Plan of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Languages together with its stakeholders.
“It is thus also fitting that with these developments, South Africa as part of its African Month celebrations engages in a festival of ideas and a conversation on indigenous languages as integral to Africa’s economic development and sets the agenda on matters pertaining to Africa’s cultural development”, stated Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
Since 2015, we have embarked on an annual Africa month Colloquia programme including a keynote lecture. This year’s programme focuses on discussions pertaining to languages, social and economic transformation; writing community, writing history, writing self; magazines and the renewal of Africa’s literary culture; new initiatives and writing from the continent and Africa’s long day of literature.
As part of the Africa month celebrations and Ministerial outreach programme, Minister Mthethwa and the Deputy Minister, Nocawe Mafu will this Thursday and Friday host the following activities in Durban, Richards Bay, and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal:
- The Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa will also on Friday, 28 May launch the book as part of Africa Month celebrations in partnership with the University of Zululand. The event will take place at the University of Zululand Richards Bay campus at 09h00am.
- Also on Friday, 28 May, Deputy Minister Nocawe Mafu will hand-over computers to Wushwini Arts Centre. The handover is hosted at Wushwini Pan African Centre, in Inanda at 13h30 as part of Ministerial outreach programme.
- Then followed by the Africa Month Colloquium in collaboration with Wushwini Pan African Centre also hosted by the Deputy Minister Mafu as part of Africa Month. This colloquium seeks to deepen awareness and consciousness of our African arts and culture and, to strengthen socio-economic integration amongst the people of Africa. The event also takes place at Wushwini Pan African Centre in Inanda at 15h00.
- Also on Friday, 28 May, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture led by Minister Nathi Mthethwa, in collaboration with the Luthuli Museum will host a virtual a memorial lecture to honour Chief Albert Luthuli as part of commemorating Africa Month. This webinar will take place at 10h00. Members of the media and the public are encouraged to join / follow event via the link: https://zoom.us/j/92746114800?pwd=bktWeXBmZnM2YWxyRU9pNDBHYkR5dz09
Webinar ID: 927 4611 4800 : Passcode: 826667
NB:- To adhere to COVID regulations media is encouraged to RSVP prior to attending physical events.
Members of the public are urged to follow these activities live from DSAC social media platforms below:
Facebook: @SportArtsCultureRSA
Youtube: @SportArtsCultureRSA
Twitter: @SportArtsCultur
RSVPs : Madimetja Moleba, Cell: 066 301 4675 / E-mail: MadimetjaM@dsac.gov.za
Media enquiries:
Ms. Zimasa Velaphi (Head of Communications and Marketing) / cell: 072 172 8925 / Email: zimasav@dsac.gov.za
Ms. Masechaba Khumalo: Spokesperson (Minister), Cell: 082 858 4415 / Email: MasechabaK@dsac.gov.za
Issued by the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture