Deputy Minister Speeches 2014 - 2010
Thank you for inviting us to speak at this important colloquium themed; “Living Heritage and breathing into it”. We are pleased that the Joy of Jazz has been taking place in the month in which we are celebrating women’s month and as part of celebrating women the line-up continues to ensure that more women perform.
Allow me to begin by welcoming all of you to this important occasion - the official opening of the Hope and Optimism Exhibition at the Ditsong Museum, Pretoria.
Allow me to begin by welcoming all of you to this important occasion - the official opening of the Hope and Optimism Exhibition at the Ditsong Museum, Pretoria.
Six days ago on 10 May 2013 we celebrated 19 years since President Nelson Mandela took the oath office as the first President of a democratic South Africa. This was the beginning of the Reconstructive leg our long walk to Freedom after centuries and decades of struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
Six days ago on 10 May 2013 we celebrated 19 years since President Nelson Mandela took the oath office as the first President of a democratic South Africa. This was the beginning of the Reconstructive leg our long walk to Freedom after centuries and decades of struggle against colonialism and apartheid. That journey took us to the adoption of our constitution in March 1996 which has been hailed as one of the most progressive in the world
The year 2012 has been the year of Heritage for the Department of Arts and Culture. From the start of the year, South Africans have marked important milestones and anniversaries, notably the centenary of the formation of the African National Congress here in Mangaung. It is a year which we have also described as the year of unity in diversity, a year in which we strengthen the work we are doing in building an inclusive society.
I feel honoured to be here with you today to officially open the Botleng Public Library. Being here in Delmas in this year 2012- When we celebrate our liberation heritage; brings back memories of two major Treason trials which took place here in Delmas in the mid-80’s, one of which I attended on few occasions.
Let me firstly express my appreciation for this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the budget vote of our department, Arts and Culture for 2012/2013.This debate takes place in an important year in our history, that of the centenary of the oldest liberation movement in our continent the ANC. We are indeed a privileged generation to bear witness to this major historic epoch.
It is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to contribute to this debate on the budget of our department for 2012/ 2013.This year 2012 is a very important one for us in the Arts, Culture and Heritage Sector. This is so because this is a year when we mark one hundred years of the establishment of an institution which became the cornerstone of the building of a free, non-racial and democratic South Africa which we were able to start building in earnest in 1994.That institution is none other than the African National Congress.
This year we celebrated the 17th anniversary of our freedom under the theme “working together to unite the nation, promote democracy and protect freedom”. This was in recognition of the journey we have travelled since the watershed 27 April 1994 elections which ushered in the current democratic order.