19 February 2007

As Minister of Arts and Culture I have made a commitment to the growth, development and promotion of every aspect of our national culture. The arts, especially the theatre, played a significant role in the transformation of South Africa into a unified, non-racial democracy by constantly challenging the dogmas of racial superiority by depicting the simple humanity of all people.

The future of South African theatre resides in the thousands of our people who attend the theatre to share the joys and the sorrows, the laughter and the tears of stories depicted on the stage by skilled actors and players. That future is being moulded daily by the artists, the managers, the owners and promoters whose commitment to this discipline has kept theatre in our country alive.

South Africa is particularly rich in the materials that make for good dramas. By tapping into this seam, South African playwrights and dramatists have in the past produced exceedingly moving works that have made a mark on the stages of the capitals of the world. South African theatre can continue to entertain, amuse, delight and uplift audiences at home and in the world at large by exploring the unique features of our experience as a nation.

While government policy attempts to correct the skewed distribution of theatre resources; the imbalances in the skills base and the neglectful practices of the past, we also want to encourage the advance of theatre as an artistic discipline with great promise. The Naledi Theatre Awards recognizing excellence in all spheres of the theatre, will continue to enjoy the moral support of the Ministry of Arts and Culture.

I wish all the nominees for this year’s awards good luck. To those who did not make the list, we say the theatre has a proud history and a promising future. Persevere and next time might see your name among those of the nominees.

Z. Pallo Jordan.
Minister.

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