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Rethinking National Celebrations for Social Cohesion |

Proposing innovative strategies to enhance national commemorations, fostering unity and shared experiences in South Africa. |

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Rethinking National Celebrations for Social Cohesion |

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  1. TOWARDS RECONCEPTUALIZING COMMEMORATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS OF NATIONAL DAYS PRESENTED BY: ACTING DIRECTO-GENERAL

  2. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. DISCUSSION • IMPLEMENTATION PLAN • PROGRESS THUS FAR 5. ORGANISATIONAL AND PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS 6. OTHER ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED

  3. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 To suggest a new approach to the organisation and hosting of national celebrations and commemorations 1.2 To ensure that commemorations and celebrations contribute to national reconciliation, nation building and social cohesion 1.3 Establish lasting impressions and influence as well as make significant impact on the national psyche and national consciousness. 1.4 To introduce new and innovative ways of encouraging all sectors of the South African society to actively participate in national celebrations and national commemorations. 1.5 To promote and enhance the understanding of meaning and significance of national celebrations and national commemorations as well as their potent symbolism.

  4. 2. DISCUSSION 2.1 Some South African national celebrations and commemorations are held annually – Freedom Day, Youth Day and Heritage Day 2.2 National days are usually big and sometimes spectacular events that are characterised by an official and a cultural programme 2.3 15 years since the advent of a new democratic, post-colonial and post-apartheid political dispensation 2.4 commemorations and celebrations have not succeeded in bringing the different South African communities together

  5. 2. DISCUSSION(CONT-) 2.5 These days have been observed mainly by the African section of our population 2.6 The majority of White, Indian and Coloured sections of our population do not attend and observe these ceremonies 2.7 The vexing question has been the reason for this conspicuous disinterest 2.8 Communities that show less interest have felt sidelined by the post 1994 political order 2.9 Africans dominating the political scene and thus foregrounding their heritage, history and legacies 2.10 Feelings of alienations have been compounded by the format of commemorations and celebrations – rally format

  6. 2. DISCUSSION(CONT-) 2.11 Very few commentators have looked at the complexity and diversity of our national memory, which is often characterized by conflicts, contestations and very rarely co-operation 2.12 Commemorations and celebrations should build the nation with a common vision 2.13 Become agents and catalysts for a national catharsis and therapy 2.14 Public debates, conversations and other forms of performances should enable the South African citizens to tell their stories, relate their experiences, unload their frustrations and anxieties, share their visions and aspirations and participate in the shaping of the new society

  7. 2. DISCUSSION(CONT-) 2.15 Departure from events driven commemorations to thought provoking and education-oriented commemorations 2.16 Citizens of this country should derive meaning in commemorative and celebratory activities 2.17 Reflect on their past experiences in order to understand the present circumstances and to chart new visions for a united and cohesive society. 2.18 Amplify and magnify publicity around national commemorations and celebrations 2.19 Mobilize all the sectors of the South African society including public and private institutions

  8. 2. DISCUSSION(CONT-) 2.20 Museums and galleries, archives and libraries, playhouses and theatres, community halls should mount and hostprogrammes 2.21 Private institutions such as banks, retail stores should flight messages that are supportive of these themes. 2.22 “Depoliticizing” commemorations and celebrations. 2.23 Different political leaders sharing platforms echoing messages of support to the occasion 2.24 To focus more on what binds rather than what divides South Africa as a nation

  9. 3. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 3.1 Although DAC will lead in terms of the development of a conceptual and strategic framework on national days 3.2 Sister departments responsible for particular themes will still lead in as far as the month long activities are concerned 3.3 Concentration and investment in the development of the young minds/the youth 3.4 Partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Higher Education 3.5 Encourage discussions and debates; competitions in essay writing, poetry, songs, dance; encourage the holding of public/memorial lectures, workshops and symposia; izimbizo and makgotla in various communities 3.6 Promote the staging of theatrical productions and re-enactments 3.7 Promote the proliferation of documentaries and docudramas; the mounting of mini and blockbuster travelling exhibitions, reproduction of photo albums and diaries

  10. 3. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (cont-) 3.8 Collection of relics and memorabilia 3.9 Encourage the recording of oral reminiscences/histories in the form of orally produced and reproduced family or community narratives, and the production of various forms of publications 3.10 These activities will ensure the emergence of an informed society that knows and treasures its legacies 3.11 National appeal to South Africa’s diverse communities. 3.12 Activities to take place at different regions and to be cognisant of regional and local interests 3.13 Our heritage institutions, public and private institutions, organs of the civil society, non-governmental and community based organizations

  11. 4. PROGRESS THUS FAR 4.1 As members will have seen during the past year, all political parties represented in the National Assembly are invited to speak as a matter of principle during national events 4.2 The response from leaders of political parties has been extremely positive 4.3 The social cluster departments now render a basket of services like ID Applications, Social Grants, Health Services and Voter Registration

  12. 5. ORGANISATIONAL AND PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS 5.1 appoint officials whose mandate will be to develop a national strategy on the organisation and hosting of national days 5.2 public hearings in all provinces with a specific aim of soliciting views from all South Africans on the content and form of national days

  13. 6. OTHER ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED 6.1 Conduct an audit to identify all organised cultural organisations/formations from different communities and conduct public hearings and workshops in order to produce a blueprint strategic framework for commemorating and celebrating national days 6.2 Forge a partnership with the Department of Communications so that the two departments can explore efficient and effective ways of disseminating information to the broader South African society 6.3 Both the Department of Arts and Culture and Communications should consider ways of galvanising and mobilising their associated institutions as other vehicles and champions of the new approach of celebrating and commemorating national days

  14. ThankYou 14

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