Inspiring change

Sport, arts and culture

Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi has launched the National Identity Campaign in an attempt to strengthen relations among South Africans.

Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi launched the campaign, in partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Education, at Mochochonono Primary School, in Moletsane, Soweto recently.

The campaign includes promoting the singing of the national anthem, reciting the Preamble of the Constitution, distribution of the South African hand flags and publications on national symbols as well as a CD toolkit on how to sing the national anthem.

The campaign comes after South Africa recently witnessed a number of racial incidents.

“South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white. South Africa, like many African countries, emerged from an oppressive, divisive and colonial system, which created a fragmented society,” Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi said.

Government has identified nation building and social cohesion as one of the priorities for the current mandate period, as envisioned in the National Development Plan and detailed in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework 2014 - 2019.

“The SABC is proud to be partnering with the Department of Arts and Culture and this further entrenches the SABC’s vision of inspiring change through enriching, credible, relevant and compelling content that is accessible by all,” SABC’s Group Executive: Corporate Affairs Sully Motsweni said.

The nine-week long radio campaign will include promos, fillers, interviews and discussions on various education and current affairs programmes, in all 11 official languages.

The National Identity Campaign was launched under the slogan, “Afurika Tshipembe lashu”, meaning Our South Africa.