Media Releases 2014 - 2010
Cannes, 20 May 2012: Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile and his Irish counterpart Minister Jimmy Deenihan signed a co-production treaty on Sunday, aimed at boosting the film industry in both countries. The treaty was signed at the 65th Cannes Film Festival.
Mashatile said the treaty, would bring new opportunities for those within the film sector. "We are very happy today to see that this relationship is going to grow, because culture is about people to people relations. But also whatever we do, the film industry and so on, we are also helping to grow our economies, create jobs for people and more skills for people."
The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) in conjunction with the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and Rhodes University is pleased to announce the opening of the Centre for Training, Research and Education (CenTRE) in Grahamstown, South Africa.
Working closely with the Department of Arts and Culture, SAHRA has established a Centre for Training (CenTRE), Research and Education to address the need for ongoing professional development in the heritage sector.
A triumph over oppression is how Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile described the arrival today, of the remains of Klaas and Trooi Pienaar. “We saw the removal of our people, taken to far-away lands for research purposes as part of colonial oppression -- it is part of how our people were disrespected. We have triumphed over that evil.” he added.
The couple’s repatriated remains arrived at OR Tambo Airport early Friday morning from Vienna, Austria. The Pienaar’s bodies were illegally exhumed in the Northern Cape back in 1909, and shipped to Austria, where it was used in medical studies by world renowned Austrian anthropologist, Dr Rudolph Poch.
Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile and Ambassador Benavides Orgaz of Spain today signed a Programme of Co-operation (POC) to strengthen bilateral relations between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Spain in the fields of arts and culture for the years 2012 to 2015.
The POC covers areas in the Archive, Culture and Heraldry spheres.
Department of Arts and Culture signed an agreement with Spain in February 2004 during the First Session of the South African / Spanish Annual Consultations.
This paved the way for bi-lateral cooperation between the two countries.
The Department of Arts and Culture is in the process of returning the remains of Klaas and Trooi Pienar from Vienna, Austria. Klaas and his wife Trooi were exhumed from their graves by an Austrian Anthropologist Rudolf Poch in 1909 and illegally taken to Austria. At the time of exhumation; Poch claimed to be doing research on Dwarfism. Klaas and Trooi Pienaar were not the only people whose bodies were stolen by this anthropologist. In addition to human remains, he also stole san rock paintings.
PRETORIA: Speaking at the signing of a cultural agreement between the Republic of South Africa and the State of Palestine, Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile, said that today marks an important day as we “strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the people of Palestine and South Africa”.
He emphasised that “we are cementing people to people contact between our countries by signing an agreement on cooperation in the fields of art and culture” and that the agreement should be seen as “a practical expression of our commitment to use arts, culture and heritage to promote a better, humane and more caring world”.
CAPE TOWN: Speaking at the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture in response to public hearings on the South African Languages Bill, Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile, emphasized the importance of multilingualism.
"Language is in Chapter 1 Section 6 of the Constitution which shows it's importance. Those who wrote the Constitution envisaged two primary legislation, the establishment of PANSALB to address multilingualism in society as well as legislation on the use of official languages in the provision of government services."
"Official languages must enjoy parity of esteem and must be treated equitably. This is what the Bill hopes to achieve."
The Department of Arts and Culture and the National Youth Development Agency have joined forces to support young South Africans with an ambition to excel in the Arts, Culture and Heritage Sector. On Friday, 27 January 2012, the two parities will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will signify the start of a partnership that aims to enhance the employability of youth in the Arts, Culture and Heritage Sector through the Trendsetter Initiative.
The Trendsetter Initiative is a 12 months apprenticeship and trade skills programme that has the following process cycle:
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile, will open the popular Buyel’Ekhaya Annual Music Festival at the Buffalo Cricket Park Stadium in East London.
The Festival commences through showcasing developing talent from the East London area during the day. Thereafter, Zahara, Asanda Bam, Zakes Bantwini, Oliver Mutukudzi, Pu2ma, Professor and Caiphus Semenya are amongst the star musicians who will be headlining the main event.
The Department of Arts and Culture has supported this Festival as part of the Mzansi’s Golden Economy Strategy that supports Cultural Events and Touring Ventures.
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Workshop on the African Cultural Renaissance and launching of African Cultural Renaissance Campaign for Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Member States
Invitation to representatives of the media to attend the opening ceremony
WHAT: Two-day workshop on the African Cultural Renaissance and launching of African Cultural Renaissance Campaign for the SADC region. The launch is jointly convened by the African Union Commission and the Government of the Republic of the Republic of South Africa.
WHO: Statements will be delivered at the opening ceremony by: