In a spirited keynote address at the official National Heritage Day event held at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Deputy President Paul Mashatile urged South Africans to embrace their culture, heritage, and indigenous knowledge.
Reflecting on the nation’s history, Mashatile reminded the audience of the longstanding struggle for a “non-racial, non-sexist democratic, united, and prosperous society”.
He called for the burial of divisions that have plagued the country and impeded its progress towards the vision set forth by former president Nelson Mandela in 1994.
The deputy president emphasised the importance of safeguarding the nation’s interests while forging a future firmly rooted in democracy, social cohesion, economic prosperity, and enhanced unity amidst diversity.
Mashatile also highlighted the significant role of arts and culture in the country’s social transformation agenda.
He underscored how the sector has played a pivotal role in the anti-apartheid struggle, serving as a unifying force that rallied support for the end of an oppressive system.
“As South Africa, we have been fighting for a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united, and prosperous society,” stated Mashatile, echoing the enduring aspiration of the nation.
“We need to bury any divisions so that we can be the great nation that president Nelson Mandela envisioned in 1994.”
Furthermore, he expressed his belief that the arts and culture sector has a crucial role to play in shaping the country’s future, emphasising the sector’s potential to contribute significantly to social transformation and unity.
“I believe that arts and culture has a role to play in the social transformation agenda of our country,” he said.
“This sector played a key role in the anti-apartheid struggle, uniting us and rallying support for the end of an oppressive system.”
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