Hours before Humans Rights Day, the inaugural provincial social cohesion dialogue hosted at the Tramways building in South End on Wednesday ensured the conversation about charting a path for SA remained a top priority three decades into democracy.
A rich panel discussion facilitated by veteran journalist Cathy Mohlahlana, under the theme “Who are we? Exploring our SA identity, 30 years into democracy” brought diverse perspectives into the spotlight.
Safety and security political head Stag Mitchell’s welcome opened the inaugural event headlined by the Eastern Cape sports, arts and culture department.
“It’s important to reflect on how far we’ve come in the past 30 years,” Mitchell said.
“But we also need to look at how we can improve and move forward as a country.”
Sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe delivered the keynote address.
“We need to be one as a people of this province; different races, cultures and ethnic groups,” she said.
“The challenges we face know no colour, political organisations or affiliations.
“But, if we’re united, we can fight and defeat the social ills happening in our communities and achieve unity.”
Kontsiwe said social cohesion must be all-inclusive by transcending SA’s borders.
“We wish for [social cohesion dialogues] to go beyond SA,” she said.
“We’re starting out as a provincial government, first focusing on the Eastern Cape, and as time goes on, it will spread nationally and on the continent.”
In a celebration of culture, a Khoi and San group performed a riveting dance, with four members of the Geetanjali Academy of Arts showcasing a Rajasthani dance called Ghoomar.
The panel discussion invited contributions from renowned actor, playwright and director Dr John Kani, World Council of Churches co-founding member of the Programme to Combat Racism Dr Brigalia Bam and sports, recreation, arts and culture deputy minister Nocawe Mafu.
The Herald editor Rochelle de Kock added her voice to the insightful dialogue.
“It shouldn’t be that I’m totally confused [about] who I am when I look in the mirror,” an impassioned Kani said.
“Apartheid was legislated.
“It didn’t happen because we were wishing it or not.”
“How then do we change a country without legislating the change?”
Bam began by lauding the diverse turnout at the event, saying the answer to social cohesion would not come from the government alone.
The 91-year-old gave a brief historical account of pre-democracy SA and her involvement with churches and political parties.
“I think this beginning is a way for us as a collective to try to get it right,” Bam said.
“The involvement, respect and care for other people are values we must retrieve.
“We must find a way forward as a collective.”
Mafu said the democratic government sought to build a nation belonging to all as espoused in the Freedom Charter.
“As we celebrate 30 years of democracy, we need to pause and reflect [on whether] we’ve built a SA that belongs to all and where everybody feels they’re part of the country.
“The reality is that national holiday celebrations are largely black.
“You don’t find the other minorities, which might simply say other minorities don’t feel the democracy belongs to them.
“This dialogue is critical in giving us pointers about things we’re not doing right.”
De Kock said: “We’re a nation that’s lost its way.
“People are angry, disillusioned and feel they were sold a lie.
“We see it in the streets every morning.
“In our city, vandals, crime and recurring protests have taken over.
“This is what South Africans have become and, unfortunately, [some] political parties will take advantage of that, further creating divisions along racial lines.”
HeraldLIVE