Following Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s congratulatory meeting last week, where he appointed Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode as the nations arts and culture Ambassadors to the world, the Minister officially handed over Cultural Diplomacy Ambassador certificates to both Master KG and Nomcebo at the DSAC offices in Pretoria on Friday afternoon.

The Minister was joined by DDG Cynthia Khumalo as well as other Department Officials. Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode were accompanied by their Management team from Open Mic Productions. The media were invited to join the ceremony online.

Minister Mthethwa said “We are happy today and we are here to say indeed, you are our Ambassadors and will be working closely with the Department over the next 24 Months. The key objective of our Cultural Diplomacy Programme is to exchange our cultural goods and services with the world, to showcase what we have, with an emphasis on the continent, which we worry that young people know very little about. It is crucial that we strengthen our friendships on the continent because we are African”.

The Minister added “We also need to ensure that our creatives are in sync with their counterparts on the continent. This continent will be a prosperous one if young people are able to share and to build strong relations. People need to know our culture and the best way is through our creatives. We have a duty to ensure that Africa and the image of Africa rises. We have no doubt in our minds that you are going to continue to do us proud. The Department and the Government are fully behind you, to support you to continue raising the flag of our nation high.”

Media enquiries:
Masechaba Khumalo: Spokesperson (Minister)
Email: MasechabaK@dsac.gov.za
Zimasa Velaphi: Head of Communications (Arts & Culture)
Email: ZimasaV@dsac.gov.za

Issued by Department of Sport, Arts and Culture