working together - minister of arts and culture · a national social cohesion summit report...

1

WORKING TOGETHER

TO CREATE A CARING AND PROUD SOCIETY

WALTER SISULU SQUARE OF DEDICATION, KLIPTOWN SOWETO, 4 - 5 JULY 2012

A NATIONAL SOCIAL COHESION SUMMIT REPORTWALTER SISULU SQUARE OF DEDICATION

KLIPTOWN SOWETO4 - 5 JULY 2012

WORKING TOGETHER

TO CREATE ACARING AND PROUD

SOCIETY

2

A NATIONAL SOCIAL COHESION SUMMIT REPORT

Foreword by the Ministry of Arts and Culture

A National Social Cohesion Summit, convened by the Department of Arts and Culture on behalf of Government, took place on the 4th and 5th of July 2012. The venue was the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Soweto, where the historic Freedom Charter was adopted.

A total of 2300 delegates, representing the diversity of our people, participated in the Summit and subscribed to a declaration renewing their commitment to building an inclusive and cohesive society.

This Summit was another step on our road to building a unified nation of people with diverse origins, histories, languages, cultures and religions.

We committed ourselves to convening social-cohesion and nation-building summits at provincial, local and community level within the next twelve months. National Government will work with the provinces and municipalities to ensure that this happens in preparation for a second national summit in 2014, coinciding with the 20th Anniversary of Freedom and Democracy.

This report, which summarises the proceedings of the Summit and serves as a reference document for our future work, captures the concerns and the commitments made and these will be processed as we implement the decisions of the Summit.

On behalf of Government, Dr Joe Phaahla, the Deputy Minister, and I would like to thank you for your contribution towards building an inclusive, non-racial and democratic society over the past 18 years.

We call on you to continue to foster unity; to spare no effort in building a nation of people who are caring and dignified, with a great sense of humility and mutual respect for one another; and to promote a conscious sense of being proudly South African, committed to the country and open to the continent and the world.

Paul MashatileMinister of Arts and Culture

Dr Joe PhaahlaDeputy Minister of Arts and Culture

3

WORKING TOGETHER



Contents

1. SUMMIT PROGRAMME 1

2. PURPOSE OF THE SUMMIT - ADDRESS BY MINISTER OF ARTS AND CULTURE 4

3. KEYNOTE ADDRESS - HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT ZUMA 6

4. DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION 10

5. OVERVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL SOCIAL COHESION SUMMIT 13

6. OPENING SESSION 14

7. Purpose of the Summit and keynote address 14

8. PLENARY SESSION 14

9. The role of the judiciary, parliament, legislatures, councils and political parties 15

10. PLENARY SESSION 19

11. Endorsement of the Summit 19

12. Comparative Experience from the African Continent 21

13. The role of labour, business and civil society 22

16. CLOSING REMARKS 26

14. THE SUMMIT COMMISSIONS 27

15. CONFERENCE DECLARATION 27

17. ANNEXURES 29

18. A NTIONAL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPING AN INCLUSIVE AND A COHESIVE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 56

1


DAY ONE – 4 JULY 2012

OPENING SESSION

Programme Director: Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Joe Phaahla

08:30 Singing of the National Anthem, led by the Soweto Gospel Choir

08:40 Interfaith prayers

08:50 Opening and welcome, on behalf of the Premier of Gauteng, Lebogang Maile, MEC

09:00 Purpose of the Summit, the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile

09:20 Poetry rendition, the National Poet Laureate, Professor Keorapetse Kgositsile

09:30 Keynote address, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma

10:15 Tea break

MORNING PLENARY SESSION


Facilitator: Dr Alex Boraine

10:30 The role of the judiciary in building a socially inclusive society, the Honourable Justice Yvonne Mokgoro

10:40 The role of Parliament, legislatures and councils in building a socially inclusive society, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Honourable Max Sisulu

10:50 The role of political parties in building a socially inclusive society: ANC, DA, COPE, IFP, ID, UDM, FF+, ACDP, UCDP, PAC, AZAPO and APC

12:25 Respondents

• Minister Paul Mashatile

• Minister Jeff Radebe

• Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

13:00 Lunch break


Facilitator: Dr Brigalia Bam

14:00 Messages of endorsement of the Summit on behalf of -

• The Most Reverend Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town

• Mr Herman Mashaba, Businessman and Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Leswikeng Minerals and Energy Limited

• The 1955 Generation, Ms Sophie Williams-de Bruyn

14:15 Comparative experience from the African continent, the South Sudan Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Cirino Hiteng Ofuho

14:30 The role of Labour in building a socially inclusive society:

• COSATU, Mr Zwelinzima Vavi

• FEDUSA, Mr Dennis George

• NACTU, Mr Narius Moloto

• Solidarity, Mr Flip Buys

14:50 The role of Business in building a socially inclusive society:

• BUSA, Ms Nomaxabiso Majokweni

• NAFCOC, Mr Lawrence Mavundla

• BBC, Mr Sandile Zungu

15:30 The role of Civil Society in building a socially inclusive society:

• Legal Resources Centre, Ms Zodwa Gumede

• Lead SA, Mr Yusuf Abramjee

• Foundation for Human Rights, Mr Hanif Vally

• Heritage Foundation, Major-General Gert Opperman

• Progressive Women’s Movement, Ms Xoliswa Bam

2

WORKING TOGETHER



16:00 Respondents:

• Minister for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Minister Collins Chabane

• National Planning Commission, Mr Joel Netshitenzhe

• National Planning Commission, Mr Mike Muller

16:30 Closure of day one

DAY TWO: 5 JULY 2012

COMMISSIONS

Programme Director: Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile

Facilitator: Director-General of Arts and Culture, Mr Sibusiso Xaba

09:00 Programme Director – Summary of proceedings from day one

Facilitator – Arrangements for Commissions

09:30 Commissions

• Presentation – 15 minutes

• Panellists – 5 minutes each

• Commission discussion – 2 hours

• Summary – 15 minutes

12:30 Lunch break

CLOSING PLENARY SESSION

Programme Director: Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile

Facilitator: Director-General of Arts and Culture, Mr Sibusiso Xaba

14:00 Report back from Commissions

• Economic inequalities

• Spatial divisions

• Social interaction, cooperation and solidarity

• Prejudice and discrimination

• National identity and unity

15:15 Tea break

15:30 Conference declaration read by Professor Willem Esterhuyse

15:45 Closing remarks by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile

3


COMMISSIONS:

Commission Economic inequalities Spatial divisions Social interaction, cooperation and solidarity

Prejudice and discrimination

National identity and unity

Content • Economic transformation• Unemployment• Poverty• Inequality

• Land reform• Urban and rural

development

• Socialsupport• Safetyandsecurity• Health• Education• Active,inclusiveand

faircitizenship• Rightsand

responsibilities

• Racism• Tribalism• Sexism• Xenophobia

• Language• Artsandculture• Religion• Values• Symbols,• Sportandrecreation• Communicationand

public discourse

Presenters Minister Naledi Pandor MsNandiMayathula-Khoza,MEC

DeputyMinisterMohamedEnverSurty

MinisterNkosazanaDlamini-Zuma

MinisterCollinsChabane

Respondents Dr Mirriam AltmanFather Smangaliso MkhatshwaMr Lumkile MtimdeMr Ravi Naidoo

MrNevilleChaineeMr Samadodo FikeniProf.AlanMabinAdv.SiphoPityana

Dr Alan BoesakDrMatholeMotshekgaDrFaizelRandera

MrNeeshanBaltonDrkgamadiKometsiTheRev.GiftMoerane

Minister Dina PuleProf.MuxeNkondoMr Miller MatolaMsThandiweSanduza

Facilitator Mr Xolani Gwala MrAshrafGarda Mr Sandile Memela MsNikiweBikitsha MsMasechabaMoshoeshoe

Rapporteurs Prof. Yunus BallimMr Percy Mthimkhulu

MsFebePotgieterMr Leonard Martin

Prof.KwandiweKondloDr Luli Callinicos

TheRev.FrankChikaneProf.AndriesOliphant

Ms Barbara MasekelaMr Leslie Dikeni

DRAFTING TEAM

Convenor: Mr Sibusiso Xaba All rapporteurs Mr Mduduzi Mbada Mr Sandile Memela Mr Joel NetshitenzheDr Trish Hanekom Ms Shalo Mbatha Mr Percy Mthimkhulu

President Zuma, Minister Mashatile, Premier Zille and Mr Mantashe at the opening ceremony of the Summit

4

WORKING TOGETHER



PURPOSE OF THE SUMMIT

ADDRESS BY MINISTER OF ARTS AND CULTURE, MR PAUL MASHATILE

Programme Director, Deputy Minister of Arts andCulture,DrJoePhaahla,His Excellency the President of the Republic of SouthAfrica,MrJacobZuma,Ourguestofhonour,theMinisterofCulture,YouthandSportfromSouthSudan,DrCirinoHitengOfuho,SpeakeroftheNationalAssembly,MrMaxSisulu,RetiredJudge,JusticeYvonneMokgoro,FormerSpeakeroftheNationalAssembly,DrFreneGinwala,Former first lady of the Republic of SouthAfrica, SisiZanele Mbeki, Ministers and Deputy Ministers,PremiersandMECsherepresent,Mayors and councillors,Members of Parliament and Members of ProvincialLegislatures,Leadersofpoliticalparties,Leadersofcivilsocietyorganisations,Leadersoffaith-basedorganisations,Traditional leaders,RepresentativesofChapterNineInstitutions,Former Truth and Reconciliation CommissionCommissioners,Veterans of the South African struggle for nationalliberation,Representativesoflabour,Representativesofbusiness,TheirExcellencies,MembersoftheDiplomaticCorps,Honouredguests,Membersofthemedia,

IwouldliketopayspecialtributetoInaPerlman,whosememorial service is taking place today. During theapartheiddaysmillionsofpeoplereceivedfoodthroughOperationHunger,anorganisationthatsheledtirelessly.

ThePeopleofSouthAfrica,MrPresident,in1955atthisveryKliptown,wherewearegatheredtoday,morethan3000delegates fromacross the lengthandbreadthofourcountry,representingallracialgroups,cametogetherfortheCongressofthePeople.ThedelegatescametoKliptownbybus,by train,bycar,onhorsebackandonfootandspenttwodayscraftingavisionforanon-racialandnon-sexistSouthAfricansociety.

As theyconvergedonKliptown, theywere inspiredbythesewordsofPixleykaIsakaSeme: “The greatest success shall come when man shall have learned to cooperate, not only with his own kith and kin but also with all peoples and with all life.”

ThosewhogatheredhereattheCongressofthePeoplein1955articulatedavisionofanalternativeSouthAfricansociety,onethatismorehumaneandinclusive.Likethosewhocamebeforethem,theyfurtherlaidthefoundationforaninclusivefutureforallSouthAfricans.

They declared boldly thatSouth Africa belonged toallwholivedinit,blackandwhite;thatallshallbeequalbeforethelawandthattherights of the people shallbe the same, regardless ofrace,colourorgender.

Mr President, just over 57yearssincetheadoptionofthe Freedom Charter weare back in Kliptown.Weare here to take stock oftheprogresswehavemadetowardsbuildingaNationalDemocraticSocietythat isunited,non-racial,non-sexist,democraticandprosperous.

LikethosewhoattendedtheCongressofthePeoplein1955,wehavecometoKliptownfromallcornersofourcountry,carryingwithustheaspirationsofallthepeopleof SouthAfrica. Like that generation of 1955, we willspendtwodaystogetheratthishistoricvenuetocraftashareddestinythatbelongstoallwholiveinit.

Consistent with the tradition of the Congress of thePeople, in thebuild-uptothisSummitweconductedanumberofcommunityconversationsacrossthecountry.Throughtheseconversations,wecreatedaplatformforSouthAfricanstodialogueonthekindofsocietyweseektobuild.

In October 2009, we convened a Social CohesionColloquiumtodiscussthestateofsocialcohesioninourcountry.Wehavealsodistributedforpubliccommentadocumenttitled:“ANationalStrategyforDevelopinganInclusiveandCohesiveSouthAfricanSociety”.

The greatest success shall come when man shall have

learned to cooperate, not only with his own kith and

kin but also with all peoples and with all life.

PixleykaIsakaSeme

5


Thisdocument,aswellas the inputswereceived fromour community conversations, will form the basis ofdiscussionsatthisSummit.ThisSummit,MrPresident,isalso in response to the call youmade in 2009 to thepeopleofSouthAfricatoengage inanationaldialogueonthekindofsocietyweseektobuild.

Youmadethiscall,MrPresident,fullyawarethatasSouthAfricans we are a nation that has a proud history ofdialogue and engagement.This history of dialogue andengagementhascarriedusthroughdifficultperiodsandhasseenusovercomemanyobstaclesinthedevelopmentofouryoungnation.

We have convened this National Summit on SocialCohesionunderthetheme:“Working together to create a proud and caring society”.

Guided by this theme wemust use this Summit tostrengthenefforts tobuilda more inclusive, caring,humane and proud nation.This Summit must alsoassist us to develop a setofsharedvaluesthatdefinewho we are as SouthAfricans and what kind ofsocietyweseektobuild.

Equally, we must find comprehensive responses toaddresstheconstraintsthatlimitouradvancetowardsamoreinclusiveandcohesivesociety.Wemustcomeoutof this Summitwith a clear programmeof action thatwe will implement jointly as government, civil society,business,labourandallotherstakeholders.

ThisprogrammemustassistustodeepenandexpandthegainswehavemadethusfartounitetheSouthAfricannation,tohealthewoundsofthepastandtostrengthensocialcohesionandnationalpride.

It is alsoour intention that at the endof this Summitthere should be a declaration, reflecting our collectivecommitment to the ideals of one nation, one country,onepeopleandanon-racialdestinyforallwholiveinit,unitedinourdiversity.

ThisSummitmustthereforenotbemerelyanothertalkshop.Rather,itmustmarkadecisivestepwearetakingcollectivelytoreachapointinoursocietywhereweputourcommonSouthAfricanessfirstbeforeanythingelse.ThisSummitmustalsoensurethatweuseourdiversitytopropelus towardsacommon future, rooted inoneoverridingSouthAfricanidentity.

LetuscontinuetoworktogethertobuildaSouthAfricansociety that is reflectiveofourcollectiveaspirations, asocietywecanallcallhome.

Let the dialogue continue!We look forward to yourcontributiontothesuccessofthisSummit.

Working Together to create a Proud and Caring Society

ThemeoftheNationalSummit on Social Cohension

6

WORKING TOGETHER



KEYNOTE ADDRESS

HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT ZUMA

TheMinisterofArtsandCulture,MrPaulMashatileandall Ministers and Premiers presentTheSpeakeroftheNationalAssembly,MaxSisuluThe Minister of Culture,Youth and Sport from SouthSudanDeputyministers,membersofParliamentandprovinciallegislaturesMayors and councillorsLeadersofpoliticalpartiesLeadersofcivilsocietyorganisationsRepresentativesofChapterNineInstitutionsVeterans of the South African struggle for nationalliberationMembersofthediplomaticcorpsMembersofthemediaFellowSouthAfricans,

We,asSouthAfricansfromallwalksoflife,aregatheredhere foracrucialdialogue.Wehavecome together todiscusshowtobringtolifewhatourforebearsleftus,alegacythatsaysthiscountrybelongstoallwholiveinit,blackandwhite.

ItwashereinKliptownthattheCongressofthePeoplein1955declaredboldlyintheFreedomCharterthatSouthAfricabelongedtoallwholiveinit,blackandwhite,andthatnogovernmentcouldjustlyclaimauthority,unlessitwasbasedonthewillofallthepeople.

This clarion call by that generation of visionaries andfreedomfighterswasindirectcontrasttotheviewsofthosewhoconceptualisedandestablishedtheUnionofSouthAfrica in1910.ThosewhoestablishedtheUniondidsoinordertodividethepeopleofSouthAfricaalongethnicandraciallines,layingthebasisforwhiteminoritydomination.

The non-racial and shared future envisaged in theFreedomCharterhasfoundexpressioninthepreambletoour country’sConstitution, namely,“We thepeopleof SouthAfrica, recognise the injustices of our past….Believe that SouthAfrica belongs to all who live in it,unitedinourdiversity”.

ThemottoinourNationalCoatofArms,whichmeansdiverse people unite, also gives expression to ouraspirations of a shared future that sees humanity asoneanddiversityasasourceofstrength.Wewerealsohere inKliptownonHumanRightsDay,21March,andreaffirmedourcommitmenttoourConstitutionandtheBillofRights,whichguaranteeshumanrightsforall.

Compatriots,wearealsomeetinghereduringthemonthof July, which is known asMoral RegenerationMonth.ThisisaninitiativeoftheMoralRegenerationMovementtoencourageandpromotepositivevaluesandacaringsociety in our country.We are also meeting during amonthknown for its positive spirit and celebration, asinJulywemarkthelegacyandbirthdayofourbelovedformerPresident,NelsonMandela,thefirstpresidentofafreeanddemocraticSouthAfrica.

Whenwe celebrateMadiba,we celebrate the triumphof the human spirit over adversity, the triumph of thepowerfulforceofforgivenessoverangerandretributionandthetriumphofthespiritoflovingourcountryandputtingSouthAfricafirstineverythingwedo.

President Zuma

7


ItisforthisreasonthatthisSummithasbeenconvenedunderthetheme:“Workingtogethertocreateaproudandcaringsociety”.Weareproudofourachievementsin burying apartheid and colonialism, and building anewsociety.Weareproudofthehistoryofselflessnessandthevisiondisplayedby the founding fathersofourdemocracy.

Our illustrious leaders from1912saidthatdespitethepainthatapartheid-colonialismimposedonus,weshould,forthesakeofthiscountryanditsfuture,trytofindawaytolivetogetherinpeaceandharmony,andbuildoneunitednation.AswegatherheretodevelopaNationalStrategy on Social Cohesion and Nation Building, weacknowledgethatthisisnotastrategythatgovernmentshoulddesignalone.

It is a national effort thatrequirestheviewsofmanysectors and stakeholders.And we are under noillusion that it is going tobe easy.The SouthAfricanNation is a product ofmany streams of historyand culture, representingthe origins, dispersal andre-integration of humanityoverhundredsofyears.

We have to build onenational identity out ofmultiple identities based

on class, gender, age, language, geographic location, andreligion.Whilstwehavemadeprogressininstitutionalisingthe principle of an inclusive citizenship since 1994,there are certainmatters that still cause divisions andfrustrations.

Thechallengesofpoverty,unemployment,homelessness,landlessness, and the divisions around race, class andgendermake it difficult to arrive at a socially cohesiveand united society as fast as we would want to. OurresponsibilityasgovernmentistoleadtheSouthAfricanpeople towardsanationaldemocratic society.This is asocietythatisunited,non-sexist,non-racial,democraticandprosperous.

Itisasocietywithavaluesystemthatisbasedonhumansolidarity and ubuntu, a society that promotes and

prioritisescaringforandrespectingothers.Itisasocietywherethereisqualityeducationandhealthcare,decenthousing,decentjobs,whereall feelsafeandsecureandwherethereisanimprovedqualityoflifegenerallyforallregardlessoftheirrace,colour,genderorcreed.

ItisasocietythatwasdescribedasfollowsbyPresidentNelsonMandeladuringhisinaugurationinMay1994:“Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves”.

LetthatmessagefromMadibainspireusaswedeliberateatthisSummit.LearningfromthosewhotookpartintheCongressof thePeople in1955and inpreparation forthisSummit,weconductedcommunityconversationsinvariouspartsofthecountry.

These conversations offered an opportunity for SouthAfricans to dialogue with each other on the kind ofsocietywe seek to build. SouthAfricans discussed thecriticalquestionofwhatitmeanttobeaSouthAfrican.

Many pointed to the success of the 2010 FIFA SoccerWorldCup,especiallywithregardtothepromotionofunityandnationalpride,asanexampleofwhataunitedSouthAfricashouldbe.Duringthatsoccertournamentwesucceededinpromotingnationalunityandinbuildingasenseofcommonnationhood.

SouthAfricans were united behind Bafana Bafana, ournationalsoccerteam,andinensuringthatthetournamentbecameasuccessinallrespects.Everycitizenbecameanambassadorofourbeautifulcountry.Itwasawonderfulmomentanditshoweduswhatispossibleifweputourcountryfirst,aboveallelse.

Weneedtoaskourselveswhetherthatisthestandardof SouthAfricaness thatwe are seeking, or if there issomethingmorethatwecanandshoulddotobuildtheSouthAfricandream.Indeed,thereisalotmorethatcandefineusasSouthAfricansandcanhelptocementunityandbuildthesocialcohesionwedesire.

First,oursocio-economictransformationprogrammeisaprimarytoolofnationalreconciliation,nationbuildingandsocialcohesion.Therefore, thecontinuousprogrammesofdemocratic transformation,aswell as theexpansionofbasicservicesandimprovingtheperformanceofthe

We, the people of South Africa, recognise the injustices of our past...believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity

President Zuma

8

WORKING TOGETHER



economy to create jobs, are all designed to create aunited,cohesivesocietywhereallhaveaccesstoabetterlife.

People will be more responsive to social cohesionmessages if there is hope and tangible examples ofmovementtowardsabetterlifeandeconomicfreedom.Asgovernment,weareseizedwiththatprogrammeofimprovingthequalityoflifeofthehistoricallyoppressedblackmajority,especiallythepoorandtheworkingclass,topromoteunityandsocialcohesion.

There are variousotherprogrammes that governmentis embarking on to promote unity, reconciliation,nation building and cohesion.Wemust emphasise thatreconciliationisacontinuoustwo-wayprocess,especiallyfor a society thathas gone through three centuriesofcolonialismandapartheid.

The heritage transformation projects that we areembarkinguponduring thisyear inparticular,will goalong way towards promoting reconciliation, unity andnation building. Government, through the DepartmentofArtsandCulture,hasidentified28heritageprojects.

Throughtheupgradinganddeclarationofhistoricsites,wewillensureamorerepresentativeandinclusiveSouthAfrican history and heritage.More important, this willalso contribute towards shared values and a commonnationalidentityinthecountry.

Furthermore, the building and maintenance of newmonuments and historic sites has a greater potentialtostimulateeconomicactivityandcreatemuch-neededjobsincommunitieswherethesesitesarelocated.Thesesiteswillalsocontributetowardsculturaltourismbothdomesticallyandinternationally.

WeoutlinedduringtheStateoftheNationaddressthatmuseumsandcentrestobeunveiledincludedthe1980MatolaRaidmuseuminMaputo,theNcomemuseuminKwaZulu-Natal,PhaseTwooftheFreedomParkmuseumandtheSteveBikoheritagecentre inGinsberg inKingWilliamstown.

WehavealsoprioritisedthehomesandgravesofformerANC Presidents and other national heroes includingThomas Mapikela, Lillian Ngoyi,Walter and AlbertinaSisulu, Griffiths and Victoria Mxenge, former PACPresidentRobertSobukweandothers.

Memorial sites to be prioritised include that of thePondoRevolt, thesitesof theFrontierWars, the1913revoltbyAfricanwomenintheFreeState,the1957anti-pass revolt bywomen inZeerust, theRocklandsCivicCentreinMitchellsPlain,wheretheUnitedDemocraticFrontwasformed,andtheGugulethuSevenmonumentinCapeTown.

WehavealsoprioritizedsitessuchastheWinnieMandelahouseinBrandfort,theDrJamesMorokahouseinThabaNchuandtheBramFischerhouseinWestdene.Duringlastyear’sNationalDayofReconciliationwewitnessedaveryimportantmilestoneinourendeavourstouniteallSouthAfricansbehindoursharedhistory.

TheFreedomParkandtheVoortrekkerMonumentsignedacooperationagreement,whichopenedtheaccessroadbetweenthetwoinstitutions.Thismeansthatvisitorscannowaccessbothmonuments,andunderstandthehistoryofbothcommunities,blackandwhite.

Theheritage programmewill continue, inorder to laythe foundation for a new democratic society with aninclusive heritage and symbols. Compatriots, this yearmarksthe20thanniversaryofSouthAfrica’sreadmissioninto internationalsport ingeneralandtheOlympics inparticular.We all know the powerof sport as a socialcohesiontool.

InthisregardwewanttoacknowledgetheincalculablecontributionofstalwartssuchasthelateSteveTshweteaswellaspeoplelikeSamRamsamy,DennisBrutusandJosiahThogwaneandmanyothersforrepositioningSouthAfricaintheinternationalfamilyofsportandrecreation.

Because of the value of sport in nation building,Governmentisnowinvestinginschoolsportmorethaneverbefore.Theschoolsportbudgethasbeenincreasedfrom 27,3 million rand in the previous year to 42,6million rand.Thus far,we havemanaged to register 11000outof27000schoolsforparticipationinthe2012SchoolSportLeaguesandCompetitions.

We are doing this because the production of futureOlympic gold medallists must start in our schools,including the disadvantaged schools in predominantlyblackresidentialareasinbothurbanandruralareas.Ourpromotionofsporttotheyouthisalsodirectedatyoungwomenandgirls.

9


Wesawearlieron, in thequalifier championships, thatourwomen’s teamsare leading thepack,withBanyanaBanyanaandthenationalwomen’shockeyteamqualifyingfor the2012LondonOlympics.This isdespite the stillskewedresourcingofwomen’steams,incomparisontotheirmalecounterparts.

Banyana Banyana and the women’s hockey team havemadeusproudthroughtheiractionsandcommitment.Wewishtotakethisopportunitytocongratulatealltheathletes and teams that have already qualified for the2012LondonOlympicandParalympicGames.

Government has invested more than R31 million tohelpTeamSAprepareforLondon.Wewishallofthemwellandwillbefullybehindthemastheyrepresenttherainbownation.Compatriots,inadditiontosportwecanlookatotherinstruments,suchasournationalsymbols,which are a collective expression of where we comefrom,ofwhoweare andwhatkindof futurewe seektobuild.

The on-going process ofgeographicalnamechangesand standardisation is also part of the tools ofbringing South Africanstogether, to promote acommon nationhood andcraft a new and inclusivenarrative for our country.In addition, Governmenthas developed the Use ofOfficial Languages Bill aspart of promoting socialcohesion.

The Bill is in response to the provisions of section 6of the Constitution that not only identifies 11 officiallanguages,butalsoobligesthestatetotakepracticalandpositivemeasurestoelevatethestatusandadvancetheuseofindigenouslanguages.

Section6oftheConstitutionprovidesthatnationalandprovincialgovernmentsmayuseanyofficiallanguageforpurposesofconductinggovernmentbusiness incourts,inpublicnotices,inofficialdocumentsandinlegislation.

Thissection furtherprovides thatnationalgovernmentand each provincial government may use at least twoofficial languages.TheConstitution also directs that allofficial languages enjoy parity of esteem and must betreated equitably,whichmeanswemust treat them asequalandaffordthemthenecessaryrespect.

This is an important step that we are taking towardsbuildinganinclusivesocietythatbelongstoallwholivein it.The languages spoken by the majority are beingmarginalizedandthisshouldbecorrected.

Another important part of promoting social cohesionis the protection and promotion of indigenousknowledgesystems.Thismay includepromoting formalindigenousknowledgeeducationandassistingindigenouscommunities to establish cooperative structures toorganisethemselves.

Compatriots,today’sSummitisanimportantgatheringofournewnation.ThisSummitconfirmsthatthepromotionofsocialcohesion,nationbuilding,andnational identityareonthelistofprioritiesforourcountry.Thejourneytowardsthekindofsocietyenvisagedbythosevisionarieswhogatheredatthisveryplacein1955islongandfullofchallenges.

Asweproceedalongthisjourney,wewillhavetoaskandanswerdifficultquestions.Wewillalsohavetoconfrontcomplexanduncomfortablerealities.However,asSouthAfricanswe haveonmanyoccasions provedourselvestobeanationthatthrivesandfindssolutionstodifficultproblemsthroughdialogue,discussionandreachingouttooneanother.

Itwasthroughdialogueandreachingouttooneanotherthatwewereabletoproducewhatisnowfondlyreferredtoasthe“SouthAfricanmiracle”.Wemustthereforelooktothe futurewithconfidencethatwhateverchallengesfaceus,willbeovercome.

This Summit must be yet another platform for us asSouthAfricanstodialogueamongourselves,reachouttooneanotherandmoveastepfurtherinbuildingatrulyunited,non-racial,non-sexist,democraticandprosperousSouthAfrica.ItismyhonourandprivilegetodeclaretheNationalSummitonSocialCohesionofficiallyopen!

Iwishyouallsuccessfuldeliberations.

As South Africans we have on many occasions proved ourselves to be a nation that thrives and finds solutions to difficult problems through dialogue, discussion and reaching out to one another.

10

WORKING TOGETHER



DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION

Preamble

AtthisSummitweareremindedofthesymbolismofourNationalCoatofArmsandtheFlag:“It is both South African and African; it is both African and Universal. It serves to invoke our distant past, our living present and our future as it unfolds before us. It represents the permanent yet evolving identity of the South African people as it shapes itself through time and space. Through this new Coat of Arms we pay homage to our past. We seek to embrace the indigenous belief systems of our people by demonstrating our respect for the relationship between people and nature, which for millions of years have been fundamental to our self-understanding of our African condition”.

Declaration

We, representatives from all sectors of our society,gathered at theWalter Sisulu Square of Dedication,Kliptown, Soweto, on 4 and 5 July 2012 to participateintheNationalSummitonSocialCohesionandNationBuilding,underthetheme“Workingtogethertocreateacaringandproudsociety.”

Wecamehererepresentingthediversityofournation,blackandwhite,womenandmen,richandpoor,youngand old, urban and rural, speaking different languages,with a diversity of beliefs, from many different places,seeking to fulfil the injunction of our Constitution“diversepeoplesunite”.

We came together to renew our commitment, andtomobilise and unify society in our on-going nationalmovementofhealingthedivisionsofourpainfulpastandestablishingasocietybasedondemocraticvalues,socialjusticeandfundamentalhumanrights.

InformedbythedeliberationsoftheSummitandinspiredbyourforebears,whoassembledatthissquare57yearsago toadopt theFreedomCharter,weherebydeclarethat:

1. Ourdiscussionswere informedbyourcommoncommitmenttotheinjunctionintheConstitutionoftheRepublicSouthAfrica,adoptedin1996,that“SouthAfrica belongs to all who live in it, bothblackandwhite,unitedinourdiversity”.

2. SouthAfricaisaunitaryandsovereignstatebasedondemocracy,theruleoflaw,thepursuitofequalhuman rights, non-racialism, non-sexism and theequalityofallpeople.

3. Ourpastwasbasedonracialandethnicdivisionsdevised to systematically exclude the majorityof South Africans from full and unhinderedparticipationinallaspectsofnationallifeandleftdeep and persistent social, cultural and economic divisionsandinequalitiesinsociety.

4. Advances have been made to entrench andconsolidatehumanrightsandrestorethehumandignityofallSouthAfricans.

5. The following factors make the task of unitingdiversepeoplestoworktogethertobuildacaringandproudsocietycomplexandchallenging:• Slow economic growth and transformation,

which result in widespread unemployment,poverty, inequality, and exclusion based onrace,ageandgender.

• Landlessness and homelessness amongmanySouthAfricansandthepersistenceofapartheidspatialdivisions,whichperpetuatepatternsofdisproportionatelandownershipandsegregation.

• Theburdenofdisease,inparticularHIV/Aidsandtuberculosis,whichexactsaheavytolloncommunitiesandsocietyatlarge.

• Uneven access to quality education andtraining,whichdeprivesyoungpeopleoftheknowledge and skills needed for social andeconomicdevelopment.

• High levels of crime and the abuse of theelderly, women and children, which affectcommunitiesandthreatensafetyandsecurity.

• Gender inequalities in households, theworkplace and society, which hinderthe advancement of women and gendermainstreaming.

• Racism and xenophobia, which perpetuatedivisionsandconflictincommunities.

• Servicedeliveryfailuresinlocalcommunities,whichleadtosocialinstability,disintegrationandconflict.

• Perceivedandactualcorruptioninthepublicandprivatesectors,whicherodeconfidenceandtrust.

11


Minister listening attentively at one of the commissions

This Summit recognises that social cohesion dependstoa largemeasureonourabilityassocietytoaddressthesechallenges. On the other hand, as a society weneedtocoherearoundavisionofabetterSouthAfrica,which we cannot attain if we do not work together.Consequently,toaddressthesechallengeseffectively,wethedelegatesresolve:

1. To mobilise society in its entirety to worktogethertobuildacaringandproudsocietybasedon shared values and a vision informed by thefollowingprinciples:• Constitutionaldemocracy• Ubuntu• Humanrightsandequality• Non-racialism,non-tribalismandnon-sexism• Inclusivityandsocialjustice• Redressandtransformation• Interculturalandcommunitycooperation• Socialsolidarity• Empowered, fair, inclusive and active

citizenship• Civicresponsibility• Unityindiversity• Nationalconsciousnessandidentity.

2. To work towards the implementation ofthe recommendations of the 2030 NationalDevelopment Plan as a long-term vision thatshould serve as a basis for partnerships acrosssocietytoattain theSouthAfricaofourdreams,soeloquentlyarticulatedintheConstitution.

3. To ensure that social cohesion and nationbuilding underpins all national, provincial andlocal government strategic priorities, inclusiveof integrated economic and social development,education, health, human settlement, land andruraldevelopment,safetyandsecurity,immigrationpolicies and programmes, arts, culture, languageand heritage development and preservation,and technological innovation, research anddevelopment.

4. Topromoteandpreserveall indigenousculturesandknowledge.

5. Toacceleratechangeby improving thequalityoflifeofallpeople,withspecialattentiontotheneedsoftheyouth,womenandpeoplewithdisabilities.

6. Thatthestatemustcontinuetobuildcapacitytodrive the socioeconomic agenda in the country,including absorbing young people and womeninto economic activity, employing professionals,investing in skills required by the economy, andinvestinginresearchanddevelopmenttorespondtothedemandsoftheknowledgeeconomy.

7. Tocontinue tofight any formsofdiscrimination,which are threats to social cohesion and nationbuilding.

8. To respect human dignity and equality, promotefreedom,democracyandtheruleoflaw,improvematerialwell-beingandeconomicjustice,enhancesound family and community values, upholdhonesty, integrity and loyalty, ensure harmonyin culture, belief and conscience, show respectand concern for all people, strive for justice,fairness and peaceful co-existence, and protectthe environment as contained in theCharter ofPositiveValuesadoptedbytheMoralRegenerationMovementin2008.

9. To expand existing national, heritage and otherhonours and awards to recognise individuals,organisations and communities that contributesignificantlytosocialcohesionandnationbuilding.

10. Todevelopanationbuildingprojectmanagementmanualandtoolkitforapplicationatalllevelsand

12

WORKING TOGETHER



to convene social cohesion and nation buildingsummits at provincial, local and community levelwithinthenext12months.

11. To convene a national social cohesion report-back and monitoring summit in 2014 when wecelebrate20yearsofourfreedomanddemocracy,andthereafteratfive-yearintervalsprogress.

12. To develop a detailed plan from the proposalsmade at this Summit, which will be presentedtothePresidentandCabinetonourbehalfbyagroupofeminentSouthAfricans.

In pursuit of these resolutions, we commit ourselves,and all sectors of society represented at this Summit,toworktogethertorealisetheidealsenshrinedinourConstitution, and assert that our organisations andinstitutionswillstrivetocontributeallwecantorealiseour commonnationalobjective to attain adecent andimprovingqualityoflifeforall, inasocietyunitedinitsdiversity.

We depart from this historic venue united in ourcommitment to building a nation that is caring anddignified, and has a great senseof humility andmutualrespectforoneanother.

Conclusion

Assetoutinthe1994ReconstructionandDevelopmentProgramme:“No political democracy can survive and flourish if the mass of our people remain in poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life. Attacking poverty and deprivation must therefore be the first priority of a democratic government.”

As representatives of all walks of society, we aredetermined to fulfil the vision of the 2030 NationalDevelopmentPlan:

“We have created a home where everybody feels free yet bound to others, where everyone embraces their full potential. We are proud to be a community that cares.”

Inter-faith prayers during formal proceedings

13


OVERVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL SOCIAL COHESION SUMMIT

Overview

TheSocialCohesionSummitwasheldfrom4-5July2012inKliptown,Soweto.TheSummitwasattendedbyoverathousanddelegatesfromacrossSouthAfrica,representinggovernmentandcivilsociety,businessandlabour,politicalparties and cultural and religious groups.A number ofeminentSouthAfricanswhoplayedaleadingroleintheemergence and shaping of a democratic society alsoparticipatedintheSummit.

TheSummittookplaceovertwodays,withanOpeningSession where the Summit Keynote Address wasdeliveredbyHisExcellencyPresidentJacobZuma.

The Plenary session alsoincluded an address by Minister Paul Mashatileoutlining the processleading up to and thepurpose of the Summit,and inputs on the role ofvarioussectionsofsocietyinbuilding social cohesion,namely legislatures andparliaments, government,political parties, labour, businessandcivilsociety.

The Summit receivedMessages of Endorsements from the Most ReverendDoctorThaboMakgoba,ArchbishopofCapeTown,MrHermanMashaba,andMsSophieWilliams-deBruynonbehalfofthe1950sgeneration.

Specialguest,theHonourableMinisterofCulture,YouthandSportfromtheRepublicofSouthSudan,DrCirino

HitengOfuho,addressedtheSummitonacomparativeperspective on social cohesion from the rest of thecontinent.

After the first day’s plenary sessions, all delegatesparticipated infiveCommissions,where the challengesof social cohesion were discussed in more detail.TheCommissions were organised around the followingthemes,withpresentationsanddeliberations:

• Economicinequalities• Spatialdivisions• Socialinteraction,cooperationandsolidarity• Prejudiceanddiscrimination• Nationalidentityandunity.

AllCommissionsreportedbacktothePlenary,givinganoverviewofthemainissuesandrecommendationsfromtheirdiscussions.

The Summit was concluded with the adoption of aDeclarationinthefinalplenarysession.TheDeclarationcaptured the speeches, discussions in commissions andplenaryandthemainintentandoutcomesoftheSummit.Minister Mashatile in the closing address thanked alldelegatesanddrewattentiontotheprocessesahead.

It was through dialogue and reaching out to one another that we were able to produce what is now fondly referred to as the “South African miracle”.

President Zuma

14

WORKING TOGETHER



PROCEEDINGS OF DAY ONE: 4 July 2012

OPENING SESSION

Purpose of the Summit and keynote addressProgramme Director – Dr Joe Phaahla, Deputy Minister

The Summit was opened with interfaith prayers.

TheProgrammeDirector acknowledgeddelegates andguests,includingthePresident,HisExcellencyPresidentJacobZuma; the host,Minister PaulMashatile; andDrCirinoHitengOfuho,SouthSudan’sMinisterofCulture,YouthandSport.

---

Opening and Welcome – MEC Mr Lebogang Maile

MemberoftheExecutiveCouncilforSport,Recreation,Arts and Culture, Mr Lebogang Maile, representingthe Premier of Gauteng, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane,welcomeddelegatesandguests,includingHisExcellencyPresident Jacob Zuma, the Speaker of the NationalAssembly, the Minister ofArts and Culture, MinistersandDeputyMinisters,thePremieroftheWesternCape,leaders of political parties, religious leaders, leaders ofdifferentsectorsofsociety,dignitaries,andallguestsanddelegates.TheMEChopedthataftertheSummit,SouthAfricawouldhave a comprehensiveplan forbuilding a

non-racialsociety,withrespectforoneanotherandthewilltoworktogetherforacaringandproudsociety.

Host, Minister Mr Paul Mashatile, was then introduced as was the Culture, Youth and Sport Minister of South Sudan, Dr. Cirino Hiteng Ofuho. National Poet Laureate, Professor Keorapetse Kgositsile, delivered a poetry rendition.

---

Purpose of the Summit – Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile

The purpose of the Summit was outlined by Mr PaulMashatile,MinisterofArtsandCulture.AshostMinisteroftheSummit,hewelcomedalldistinguishedguests.

---

Keynote Address – His Excellency President Jacob Zuma

InhiskeynoteaddressthePresidentremarkedthatthepurposeoftheSummitthathadgatheredSouthAfricansfromallwalksoflifewasa“crucialdialogue”.

InclosinghisaddressthePresidentdescribedtheSummitasaplatformforSouthAfricanstodialogue,reachouttooneanotherandmoveastepfurtherinbuildingatrulyunited,non-racial,non-sexist,democraticandprosperousSouthAfrica.

Soweto Gospel Choir singing the National Anthem

15


PLENARY SESSION

The role of the judiciary, parliament, legislatures, councils and political partiesProgramme Director – Dr Joe PhaahlaFacilitator – Dr Alex Boraine

DrBoraineintroducedthebackgroundpaper“A National Strategy for Creating a Socially Inclusive South Africa”, which had been prepared for the Summit.Dr Boraineemphasised that the strategy document would informthediscussionincommissions.

---

THE ROLE OF THE JUDICIARY – JUDGE YVONNE MOKGORO

JudgeMokgoroacknowledgedthePresident,distinguishedguests and delegates, and began by saying that socialcohesionhadbeenplacedhighontheagenda,andrightlyso.The Judge went on to refer to social cohesion assomething that held the community together throughsocialjustice.Pastinjusticesshouldbeusedasareferenceto create a different and better reality.The “EqualityClause” in the Constitution provided a basis for aninclusivesociety,withregardtorace,gender,sex,ethnicity,religion,age,disability,belief,culture, languageandbirth.TheJudgehighlightedthecourageofSouthAfrica,withaconstitutionaldispensationinwhichthestateprovidesforthebasicneedsofsociety.Sheremarkedthatotheremergingdemocracieshavefollowedthisexample.

The three arms of the state working together is asourceofgreatprideandglobalenvy,theJudgesaid.Thecourtsshouldatalltimesexercisetheirdutytoupholdconstitutional rights and the values of freedom. In thecontext of the separation of powers, each arm of thestate,oneofwhichisthejudiciary,hasitsmandatethatfeeds into the constitutional mandate.The Courts arenotanextendedarmofParliament,theyworkintermsoftheConstitution,andareuniquelyplacedtoadvancethepromisesoftheConstitution.InconjunctionwiththeDepartmentofJustice,pilotprojectshavebeeninstitutedby the Judiciary, forexample,addressing theexorbitantcostsoflitigation.

Inconclusion,JudgeMokgorosaidthatjudgesincourtsupholdaperspectiveandapproachthatfulfilstheroleofsocialcohesioninsociety.

ROLE OF PARLIAMENT, LEGISLATURES AND COUNCILS – SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, MR MAX SISULU

MrSisulu,onbehalfoftheNationalAssembly,expressedappreciation to delegates for their participation in theSummit at the historic site of Kliptown.The FreedomCharter thatwasdrawnupat thesite,andthatstatedthat “the people shall govern”, remained a beacon ofhopethatcouldbelookedupto,hesaid.

Intheeighteenthyearofdemocracy,SouthAfricacouldnowreflectonthecollectiveandindividualrolesthathadbeenplayedbyall.Thecountryhadanenricheddemocracywhere four successful democratic elections had beenheld and where there had been a seamless transitionfollowingeachelection.Nationbuildinghadbeenoneofthe goals for this term of Parliament,where initiativesandplanshadbeendevelopedtoachievethegreatergoalofsocialcohesion.

MrSisuluunderscoredtheimportance of assessingthe contribution ofdevelopment efforts to asense of belonging in thenation and encouragedworking together. “Socialcohesion” was not justa slogan but a buildingblock encapsulated in the FreedomCharter, he said. Itis important that the people of SouthAfrica be activeparticipants in finding solutions for the country. ThemembersofParliamentwereresponsibleforsafeguardingthe participation of all and actively seeking voices andopinionsfromallcornersofsociety.Rightsneededtobeenforceable.

Restoringthedignityofpeoplewasagoalofhighpriority.Hecommentedthat,unfortunately,thecurrentrecessionhadimpactednegativelyontheachievementofthisgoal.Unemployment had forced a redefining of our goals.Parliamenthad tobe the linkbetween thepeople andgovernment.Inconclusion,MrSisuluquotedfromformerPresidentNelsonMandela,thatalotstillhadtobedoneandto“...makethepointveryfirmly,[we]cannotsurviveunlessthematerialneedsofthepeople...areaddressed.”

We cannot survive unless the material needs of the

people are addressed.

Former President Mandela

16

WORKING TOGETHER



THE ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN BUILDING A SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

• African National Congress (ANC) – Mr Gwede Mantashe

Mr Mantashe, Secretary-General of the ANC,emphasised that theANCbelieved in a caring andproudsocietyandstrove forunity,democracyandprosperity.TheANCalsobelievedthatthepillarsofthelawshouldbeupheldandthatthemediashouldbeindependent.TheseprincipleswerelinkedtotheSouth African Constitution. The Preamble of theConstitutionreadthatSouthAfricabelongedtoallwholivedinit,bothblackandwhite.

MrMantashecalledforprogressandforobservationofunityandrespectfordiversity,builtonprinciplesofhumancivilisationandsocialjustice.Infurtheringtherightsof thenation, thereshouldbecollectiveaction.2012,theYearofUnityandDiversitythroughArts, Culture and Sport, contributed to nation buildingandsocialcohesion.IntheANC’sview,theStrategyDocument onNation Building and SocialCohesionhad tobe a living document thatwouldchangeinresponsetochangingconditions.

---

• Democratic Alliance (DA) – Premier of the Western Cape, Ms Helen Zille

AsleaderoftheDA,PremierZillewasverypleasedto address the Summit on‘”Creating a caring andproud society” and believed that more care andcohesion was needed.The DA believed that bothgovernmentandcitizensneededtotakemorepride,to care and to be passionate about the poorestof the poor because that could not be done bycitizens only. She elaborated that caring citizenswere ones who used their opportunities in life,whotookresponsibilityforusingthemasanactivepartnerintheirowndevelopmentandinthatofthecountry.TheDAbelieved that social cohesionwasabout people living together harmoniously, feelinga sense of belonging, and participating in the civicandsociallifeoftheircommunities,andthatitwasa partnership. The DA believed that there couldbe no nation building without active, responsible

citizensusingtheiropportunitiesforthebenefitofthecountry.Opportunityonlymadeadifference ifcitizensuseditandtherecouldbenoshortcutstosocialcohesion.

---

• Congress of the People (COPE) – Mr Phumelele Ntshiqela

TherepresentativeofCOPE,onbehalfoftheleaderofCOPE,MrMosiuoaLekota,stressedthattheSummithadtoproduceresultsandthatthedifferentcultureshad to ensure that a development programme beimplemented or else nothing would make sense,becausewithout that thedivisionsbetweencitizenswouldincrease.

---

• Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) – Mr Ben Skosana

Mr Skosana,onbehalf of the leaderof the IFP,DrMangosuthu Buthelezi, emphasised that if socialcohesionwasnotachieved,thenlawlessnesswouldprevail.The IFP believed that it was important tobuild partnerships through social cohesion, toachieveunityamongst thediversegroups inSouthAfrica. This required empowered citizens andshould begin in the classrooms and notmerely aseducationalcampaigns.TheIFPalsobelievedthattheviolent service delivery campaigns necessitated anunderstandingoflocalgovernment.

---

• United Democratic Movement (UDM) – General Bantu Holomisa

As leader of the UDM, General Holomisa waspleasedtoaddress theSocialCohesionSummit. In2008, the UDM proposed talking about economicemancipation and suggested that social cohesionshouldbeanintegralpartofitonaregular,ongoingbasis.Themajorityofcitizensneededtobeenabledtogeneratewealthforthemselvesandsolutionsforthelandneededtobefound.Othersocio-economicissues including infrastructure in neglected areas,food security, and the failing education systemneededtobeaddressed.

17


• Freedom Front (FF+) – Dr Corné Mulder

DrMulder,onbehalfoftheleaderoftheFF+,MrPieterMulder,notedthatthePreambletotheConstitutionclearlystatedthat“...SouthAfricabelongstoallwholiveinit,unitedinourdiversity”andtheFF+believed,if taken seriously, SouthAfrica would already haveachieved social cohesion.The FF+believed that thecurrentprocessforsocialcohesionwouldfailtoo,ifa true senseof belongingwerenot found.TheFF+believed that the surge of national pride throughartificial forms of nation building through manysportseventssuchasthe2010WorldCupwasnotsustainable and failed.They believed that successful,long-lastingsocialcohesioncouldonlybefoundwhentherewasreallyabetterlifeforall,includingminorities.Failures such as the disregard for all citizens withregardtohowtaxeswerespent,orofnamechangeswithout consultation, or the insult of removing thenamesofAfrikanerheroes,showedthegovernmentwasnotseriousaboutsocialcohesion.TheFF+calledfor a dedicated Department of MinorityAffairs toeradicatethealienationofminorities.

---

• African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) – Mr Raymond Thlali

MrThlali,onbehalfof the leaderof theACDP, theRev. Kenneth Meshoe, emphasised that theACDPsupportedthebuildingofacaringsocietyempoweredwith skills to transform their own circumstances.TheACDPbelieved that the achievement of socialcohesionwould lead to a sense of belonging.Theybelieved there should be regular social educationfor voters and citizens and a balance of opposingdemands; that citizens should be mobilised toparticipateinsocietyandthatpoliticalpartiesshouldplay a significant role in achieving this.TheACDPbelievedsocialcohesioncouldonlybebuiltifcitizens’rightswereobservedandtherewasafairallocationofresourcesforall.

---

• Pan African Congress (PAC) – Ms Andiswa Mjali

Ms Mjali, on behalf of the leader of the PAC, MrLetlapaMphahlele,statedthatthePACbelievedthatmoraldegeneration,lackofidentityanddiscipline,andlackofaccesstoresourcesfosteredfurtherdisparity

and widened the gap between representatives andtheso-calledrepresented.ThePACbelievedthatthedistortionsofhistory,thedehumanisationofpeopleand thedispossessionof land couldnotbeerased.In 1959, Robert Sobukwe addressed these issues,saying“…howmenshallliveinfellowship,harmonyand peace”.The PAC believed there should be ajust distribution of resources as a prerequisite forsocial cohesion, and thateducation shouldbeusedtoliberatetheyoungandreintroduceAfricannormsandvaluesthatwerelacking.ThePACalsobelievedthattheAfricanroyaltyhadaroletoplay.ThePACwas committed to being part of and supportinginitiativestorestoredignity.

---

• Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO) – Mr Strike Thokoane

MrThokoane,onbehalfoftheleaderofAZAPO,MrJacobKotiDikobo,paidtributetoTsietsoMashinini,aleaderofthe1976Sowetouprising,MbuyisaMakhubo,the19-year-oldwhocarriedHectorPetersonafterhewasshoton16June1976,andSteveBiko.AZAPObelievedinpeoplefirstandnotedthatengagingwiththesocialcohesionprocesshadtoresultinadifferentoutcome for SouthAfrica; it should transform thenation and bring people together.AZAPObelievedthatissuesofprincipleneededtobeaddressedandself-enrichmenthadtobestopped.

---

• African People’s Convention (APC) – Mr Themba Godi

AsleaderoftheAPC,MrGodiemphasisedthatsocialcohesion should be used to build new values andrestorehumanity.He stated that the SouthAfricanhistorical context should be taken into account toappreciate the challenges SouthAfrica had not yetaddressed and that that needed tobedonewithinacontext thatembracedAfricanism,withadistinctgoal to support andpropagate all thatwasAfrican.Currently,SouthAfricanssimplyhadlegalcitizenship.Thetragedyofalienationexperiencedbythepeoplesof theNorthern andWesternCape needed to berecognized and addressed, and they needed torediscoverthesenseofselfasdescribedbyKwameNkrumah. Inequalities also had to be addressed tohelppeoplemoveforward.Thestatealsoneededtobeactiveinshapingtheeconomy.

18

WORKING TOGETHER



RESPONDENTS

• Minister Paul Mashatile

The Minister commented that many of the issuesraised by political parties could be addressed and debatedfurther incommissionsontheseconddayof the Summit. He emphasised that partnershipswereneededtoachievethegoalsofnationbuildingandsocialcohesion.HeunderlinedthattheSummitneededtohavepracticaloutcomes.

• Minister Jeff Radebe

The Minister echoed and agreed with the pointmade by Judge Mokgoro on the independence ofthejudiciary,andstatedthatitshouldbeguaranteed.He reported thatGovernmenthadno intentionofinterfering with the independence of the judiciaryand that theproclamationofanofficeof theChiefJusticewas a step towards the total independenceofthejudiciary,includinganadministrationthatwasmanagedbythejudiciaryitself.

With regard to social cohesion, the Ministercommented on the importance of the equalityof people across race, culture and gender, as acornerstone of the South African Constitution,with emphasis on acceleration of the participationofwomeninparticular,inpolitical,economic,social,educationalandculturalspheresoflife.Withthisinmind,intermsofpoliticalparticipation,heobservedthatweshouldbeproudthat,since1994,therehadbeenariseinthenumberofwomeninParliament.Hedrewattentiontoprinciplessuchasdemocracy,human rights and equality, non-racism, non-sexism,non-tribalismandunityindiversityascoreprinciplesfor social cohesion. He proposed that, in buildingconsensusonanationalstrategyonsocialcohesion,mainstreaming social inclusion and combatingnepotism, patronage and corruption should bemonitored.

TheMinistercommentedontheindicatorsofsocialcohesion and nation building. He commented thatcrime hindered free social integration of people,resultinginthebuildingofhighwallsandfences.Heobservedthatchallengesofgenderequityandsocialexclusion confined women to reproductive anddomesticrolesinthefamily.

Withregardtocorruption,theMinistercommentedon perceptions that corruption had a racialcharacter and observed that thatwould not assisttheachievementofcohesioninsociety.Theapproachshould be to act against corruption wherever itwas present in any form. He emphasised that thecategorisation of black Africans as unwanted andillegalbecauseofthecolouroftheirskinsisdivisive.Racismofthiskindshouldalsobefoughtagainst.Heconcludedthatsocialcohesionshouldbeanationalcall inclusiveof forgivenessandacceptanceofeachotherandoftheeventsofthepast.

• Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

TheMinistercommentedthatforsocialcohesiontobereal,equalityhadtobeunderstoodandpractised;there had to be no superiority among people;entitlementbecauseofracecouldnotexist;equalitymeant equality in any form for everybody. TheConstitution resonatedwith theFreedomCharter,which stated that“SouthAfricabelongs to allwholiveinit”.Thismeansnoentitlementtoanyparticulargroup.Minorities should not be treated separatelyanddifferentlyas theConstitutionwas inclusiveofeverybody.

The Reconstruction andDevelopment Programme(RDP) needed to be continued, in a people-centred and driven way, which again resonated with theFreedom Charter, which stated that “the peopleshall govern”. Parliament should reach out moreand involve people in governance and servicedelivery.Peopleshouldnotbepassiverecipientsofgovernmentprogrammes.

TheFreedomCharteralsocalledforthepeopletoshareinthecountry’swealth,andthathadtoincludeaccess to education and health, access to the lawand other important services. Jobs, unemployment,povertyandinequalityneededtobeaddressed.Therewere poor countries with greater social cohesionbecause therewas less inequality.Theenvironmentinwhichpeoplelivedneededtochange.Segregationofresidentialareasneededtobeaddressed.

Lastly,thestateneededtobeanactivestate,withoutreliance on markets to transform society. Equalityin all formswas a prerequisite for social cohesionbecausewithoutequality, social cohesionwouldbedifficulttoachieve.

19


PLENARY SESSION

Endorsement of the SummitComparative experience from the African ContinentThe role of labour, business and civil society

Programme Director – Dr Joe PhaahlaFacilitator – Dr Brigalia Bam

SUMMIT ENDORSEMENTS

• The Most Reverend Doctor Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town

The ReverendXolaniDlwati read amessage onbehalf of Archbishop Makgoba, who could notpersonally attend the Summit. In his message,the Archbishop shared his thoughts on socialcohesion,statingthatheendorsedtheobjectivesof the Summit and encouraged this first step inthe process. He gave assurance of his prayersfor the Summit and the actions that came of it.Preoccupation with failings should not becomethe focus since that would drag people down.In the same breath, however, failings neededto be acknowledged and faced, with the aim ofovercomingthem.Alsoneededwasacommitmentto high aspirations following the leadership ofthosewhosignedtheFreedomCharterandthoseordinarySouthAfricans,fromallwalksoflife,whodreamedofabetterSouthAfrica.

Our best hopes for the nation, not our worstfears,shoulddriveournation.Thegoalofacaringsocietyshouldguideusandnotholdusback,theArchbishop said. He referred to Saint Paul who,in a letter to thePhilippians, said that“whateveris true,whatever is honourable,whatever is just,whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whateveris commendable; if there is any excellence orpraise,letyourminddwellonthesethings...”Withthis inmind,theArchbishopadded,whateverthedifficulties that must be counted or named, weshould never take our eyes off the prize, neverdoubtwhatcoulddirectus toall thatwasgood;weneededtohavethecouragetoreachforit.

• Mr Herman Mashaba

Lungisani Ndlovu, a learner at Isaac MhlambiSchool inSasolburg, readamessageonbehalfofMr Herman Mashaba, who could not personallyattendtheSummit.

“I believe that those of us who live in SouthAfricatodayaretheheirstoeverythingthatmanhas strived to do to createone human family. Itis significant that SouthAfrica is considered theCradleofHumankindtoday.

Those of us who are citizens of this beautifulnation have been chosen by history and fate tobringtorealitythegreatesthumanexperimentonearth:Togiveahumanfacetotheworldthroughthe realization of a non-racist, non-sexist anddemocraticsocietyinAfricaandtheworld.

IhaveknownnootherhomeexceptthelifethatI was born into and lived throughout my life inSouthAfrica. Much as one cannot wish away ordeny the legacy of colonialism and apartheid onallour lives, I believe that the last18yearshavemarkedaturningpointinoureffortstobuildajustandequalsociety.

I am a product of poverty, unemployment andits consequences. But there is no doubt that aspatriotic citizens we can overcome hurdles thatconfrontus.Iseemyself–andmanyotherresilientbeings–asanexampleofwhatmancanachieve.

It is for this reason that Ibelieve that theSocialCohesion Summit is one of themost importanthistorical events to take place in South Africaoverthelast22yearssincethereleaseofNelsonMandela.This is an important national initiativethatseesallSouthAfricans fromallwalksof life,race, class and background coming together tobringintorealityallouraspirationsandhopes.Itistimeforallofustowalkthetalk.

Iamacaringandproudcitizenofthiscountrywhoisveryhappytoalignhimselfwiththissignificantinitiative. I–togetherwithmillionsofother like-mindedpeople–amveryhappytocontribute inanywaythatIcantohelppropelthisSouthAfrican

20

WORKING TOGETHER



Dreamintoapracticalreality.Itisuptous,especiallythroughwhatwedoinourconduct,behaviourandattitude, to bring into reality everything thatwehavefoughtforoverthecenturies.

I believe that SouthAfrica can give the world ahumanface.

Youcancountmein.”

---

• Ms Sophie Williams-de Bruyn, on behalf of the 1950s generation

Ms Sophie Williams-de Bruyn addressed theSummit.

“Fellow SouthAfricans, just over 57 years ago, Iwasoneof themore than3000 SouthAfricansfromacrossthelengthandbreadthofourcountrygathered here in Kliptown at the Congress ofthePeopletodefineanalternativeSouthAfricansociety; a society that was just and equal andwherehumandignitywasguaranteed.

WemethereinKliptownasequalsirrespectiveofrace, colouror creed and adopted theFreedomCharter,whichistodaythebasisofourdemocraticConstitution and carries our aspirations of ashared future that belongs to all who live in it,blackandwhite,unitedinourdiversity.

It ismysingularhonour that57years later Iamback here inKliptownoncemore to join SouthAfricans from all walks of life to take stock ofthe progress we havemade in building the kindof society envisaged by the 1955 generation offreedomfighters.

A summit of this nature, where we, as thisgenerationofSouthAfricans,candialogueonthekindofsocietyweseektobuild,isindeedatimelyintervention.

This Summit will no doubt move our countryforward along the path of unity, non- racialism,non-sexism,democracyandprosperityforall.

ItrustthatthisSummitwillexpandanddeepenthegainswehavemadethusfartounitethepeopleofSouthAfrica, tohealthewoundsofourunhappypastandtopropelustowardsasharedfuture.

Fellow South Africans, let us continue to buildaproudnation thatwecan all call home; a truerainbownationthatisatpeacewithitselfandtheworld.

I congratulate all those who made this Summitpossible.We look forward to the outcomes ofyourdeliberations.

IwishyouallasuccessfulSummit.”

21


COMPARATIVE EXPERIENCE FROM THE AFRICAN CONTINENT – SOUTH SUDAN MINISTER OF CULTURE, YOUTH AND SPORT, DR CIRINO HITENG OFUHO

TheMinisterbroughtgreetingsfromthenewRepublicofSouthSudan.HestatedhisbeliefthatthecountryhadalotincommonwithSouthAfrica,withover200yearsofstruggle.HerelayedthemessagefromSouthSudanthat“thedoorforinvestmentiswideopen”.

The Minister commented that South Africans werenot the only people who faced challenges with socialcohesion and that similar challenges were facedelsewhereinAfrica.Hesuggestedthatagreaterimpactcouldbemade throughacontinental agenda for socialcohesion inAfrica. He proposed that the problems ofethnicity shouldbe fought throughsocialcohesionandrelationshipsbuiltamongpeople.HeexpressedtheviewthatthechallengesofethnicdiversityinAfricashouldbeconfrontedhead-on.

TheMinisteridentifiedthefollowingsixkeyissuesforattention to foster socialcohesion:

1. Leadership: Strong leadership was needed forequitable sharing of power, including politicalpower.

2. Electoralsystemswereasourceofdiscontentandanindependentelectoralcommissionwasessentialtoensuretransparency.

3. Executivepowersneededtobesharedequally.

4. The Legislature should not be compromisedand should be strengthened through institutionbuilding.

5. Public participation needed to be built throughconsensus.

6. Traditionalandculturalarrangementswerecritical.

Inconclusion,hewarnedthatgreedfosteredalackofcohesion.

THE ROLE OF LABOUR, BUSINESS AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN BUILDING A SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

In introducing this session, Dr Brigalia Bam shared her appreciation for the opportunity created for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to participate in the summit process. She expressed confidence in the shared commitment to partnerships with government in creating social cohesion in the nation.

THE ROLE OF LABOUR IN BUILDING A SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

• COSATU – General Secretary, Mr Zwelenzima Vavi

MrVavi congratulated President Zuma and theMinister of Arts and Culture on the presentinitiative to achieve a caring and proud SouthAfrica.Heasked ifwehadachievedthe idealsoftheFreedomChartertocreateopportunities,toopenthedoorsoflearningandculture.Henotedthat itwassadthatthesehadnotbeenachievedandthatmillionsofSouthAfricanswerestilldeniedsocio-economicrightsassetout intheFreedomCharter.

Henotedthetriplechallengesofunemployment,povertyand inequalityandstatedthattherealitywasthattherewasa36%unemploymentrateandthatSouthAfricawasstilloneofthemostunequalnations.OnbehalfofCOSATU,heurgedthattheplanunderdiscussionbeimplementedtoavoidtheSummit becoming merely another talk shop. HemadeanappealthattheSummitfocusesonissuesthatmatter.

---

• FEDUSA – General Secretary, Mr Dennis George

MrGeorgestated thatFEDUSAbelieved thatallmenandwomenwerecreatedequal.HeoutlinedthattheFederationhadtransformedandcurrentlymore than 65% of members were black. TheFederation’s view was that a quality educationwas thebest gift that couldbe given to a SouthAfrican child and that those who stood in the

Greed fosters a lack of cohesion

22

WORKING TOGETHER



wayofqualityeducationhad toberemoved.HeconcludedbysayingthattheviewofFEDUSAwasthatitwasbettertoappointawhitepersonwhowascommittedtothedisadvantagedthanablackpersonwhowasnot.Toughdecisionssuchasthisneededtobemade.

---

• NACTU – Vice-President, Mr Mamaponya Makgoba

Mr Makgoba stated that it was the view ofNACTUthatsocietyshouldbeawarethatsocialcohesioncouldonlyberealisedwhenthegapsandinequalities were addressed in earnest and thattherehadtobeawilltodothat.NACTUbelievedthatthereneededtobeawilltoprotectworkersthat social cohesion was critical, and that socialcohesionshouldnotbeaonce-offprocess.

---

• Solidarity – General-Secretary, Mr Flip Buys

MrBuysstatedthatSolidaritybelievedtheSummitwastimely,owingtowidespreadconcernsinSouthAfrica.HesuggestedthattherewasaneedtobuildtrustandSolidaritywascommittedtobeingapartof that.However, Solidaritywarned that buildingtrust could not be a once-off process and thattrustshouldbebuiltatall levelsandamongstallsectorsandcommunities. Solidarityalsobelievedthat there should be education around wagenegotiations.

In conclusion, Solidarity expressed the view thatit was time to renew the national dialogue onissuesthataffectedcommunitiesinordertobuilda harmonious, inclusive society with a focus onbuilding two important values, namely unity andreconciliation.Solidarityreachedoutinfriendshiptoconstructivelyworktogether.

THE ROLE OF BUSINESS IN BUILDING A SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

• Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) – Ms Nomaxabiso Majokweni

BUSAparticipatedinNEDLAC,aplatformthat,ifusedappropriately,wouldembedsocialcohesionand build trust.The principle of goodwill bore adirectrelationshiptobuildingtrustandeconomicrelationships. BUSA believed that that could beachieved. However, BUSA also believed that ifunemploymentwasleftunattendedto,itcouldbearecipefordisaster.BUSAbelievedthatthatcouldbeovercomebyaddressingthesupplyside,throughbridgingthegapbetweentheeducationsystemandthe working world by working on interventionsfor the youth. BUSA believed transformationwas important to build social cohesion and thatsocial cohesion was not sustainable withouttransformation. In conclusion, BUSA commentedon the need to embrace gender transformation,theimportanceofcreatingeconomicdevelopmentzones, the necessity of closing the pay gaps, andtheimperativeofbusinesstoleadbyexamplebyworkingtogetherandnotinisolation.

---

• NAFCOC – Mr Lawrence Mavundla

NAFCOC congratulated Minister Mashatileand the government for organising the Summit.NAFCOCnotedthatracialpatternsofownershipwerevisibleontheStockExchangeandexpressedconcern that townships were excluded fromparticipation in the economy. NAFCOC calledforregulationofbusinesstoensurelocalcontent.Inconclusion,NAFCOCstatedthatSouthAfricawould not achieve peace if the majority wereexcludedandifthecurrentlevelsofunemploymentandpovertycontinued.Transformationwasneededforpeacefulco-existence.

23


• Black Business Council (BBC) – Mr Sandile Zungu

TheBBCapplauded the initiative andunderlinedcontributionsofotherspeakersontheimportanceofbuildingpartnershipstobuildacohesivesociety.TheBBCcommentedthatbuildingafalsesenseofsocialcohesionshouldbeavoidedandemphasisedtheimportanceofparticipationinthemainstreamoftheeconomy.TheviewofBBCwasthatbusinesshadtobeat thecentreof initiativessuchas theSummit to implement measures to build social cohesion and to evaluate their performance. Hecalledon theSummit tomakeacommitment toget ridof corruption andwork towardspositivevaluesandaworkethicthatportrayedpatriotism.Citizens should askwhat they could do for thiscountry andhow they could grow the economy.Social cohesion should be an inclusive growthmodelthatwassustainableinordertoaddressthetriple challenges of unemployment, poverty andinequality.Inclosing,theBBCstatedthattrustwasfundamentalandthatsocialcohesionshouldbeacollectiveundertaking.

---

THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN BUILDING A SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

• Legal Resources Centre -– Ms Zodwa Gumede

TheLegalResourcesCentreusesthelawtoprotectthose who are marginalised and unprotected.It ismadeupofdiverseorganisations thatworkeverywhereandwitheveryone,andpartnerwithgovernment in actions to build social cohesion.Ms Gumede reminded the Summit that therewas no one idea that would solve all problems,butthatprogresswasastep-by-stepprocess.Shecommented that therewasaneed todeterminewhatsocialcohesionactuallymeantandsuggestedthatitmeantthatpeaceandharmonywereinplace.Shesaidthatthathadbeenachievedtoacertainextent inSouthAfrica,withtheConstitution,thecourts, including the Equality Court, as well asinformalcourtsthatsafeguardpeaceandharmony.

MsGumedeconcludedbysayingthatcivilsocietyshowedtolerance,whichwasneededasastartingpointtoachievesocialcohesion.Italsospokeoutwheneventstookplacethatthreatenedsocietyinanyway.SheproposedthatthemediaplayaroletosharewithcommunitiestheencouragingnewsofsocialcohesionthatwasbeingbuiltattheSummit.

---

• Lead SA – Mr Yusuf Abramjee

MrAbramjeesaidanactivecivicsocietywaswhatLeadSAwastryingtocreate.Asocietywithnationalpridewheretherewasarealisationthatadifferencecouldbemade.HeexplainedtheinitiativebyLeadSAtosupporttheSouthAfricanOlympicteambyinstituting“TeamSouthAfricaFriday”,encouragingpeople towearanySouthAfricansportsshirt insupportandsolidarity.MandelaDaywasalsoadaythatLeadSAwassupportingandheurgedall tosupport, as events like those certainly helped toachieve social cohesion. He expressed the viewthat Government had to be held accountableregardingtheachievementofsocialcohesion.LeadSAmadeacallofactionforeveryonetostandupforwhatwas right andwhatwasdecent, and tostandupand leadSouthAfrica. Ifwedidn’t,whowould?

---

• Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) – Mr Hanif Vally

The view of the Foundation for Human Rightswas that the struggle for human rightswaswelldocumented and celebrated in this country.Therewas a struggle for justice, including socialjustice, resulting inagreatConstitution thatwasa source of pride. Poverty could be combatedby providing capabilities such as adequate healthcare, quality education and sustainable economicopportunities;thesewererightsthatwereinourConstitutionandshouldbeupheld.Thereshouldalsobeasubjugationofpowertothelawinpursuitofamoreequalsociety.TheFHRwasconcernedthat material status was more important andrespondedtotheaspirationsofyoungpeople.Theeffectofthatwastheerosionofsocialcohesion.

24

WORKING TOGETHER



• Heritage Foundation – Major-General Gert Opperman

The foundationassociated itselfwith theaimsoftheSummitandsawtheorganisationasanagentof constructive change that could play a part incontributing to social cohesion. Social cohesionwas especially important considering the historyof South Africa and we needed, with pride, tobuildapositivefutureto leavetothechildrenoftomorrow.InattendingtheSummit,thefoundationwished to reach out and contribute to breakingdownracialdivisions.HeconcludedbycommentingthatbuildingabridgeofcooperationbetweentheVoortrekkerMuseumandFreedomParkMuseumwas a good example of creating social cohesionaroundwherewecamefromasapeople.

---

• Progressive Women’s Movement – Ms Xoliswa Bam

The ProgressiveWomen’s Movement sought toempowerwomeninallmattersthataffectedthemin respect of the social ills of the nation. It wasinformed by theMillenniumDevelopmentGoals,such as“the emancipationofwomen and justiceforall...”–aquotefromthelateO.R.Tambo.

Genderequalitywassmarteconomics;itimprovedthewellbeingofchildrenthroughtheinvolvementofwomen.SouthAfricacouldbecommendedforpromotingwomen’srights,butonthesamenote,there was more to be done to reduce povertyand increase opportunities for women. Ms BamconcludedbysayingthattheProgressiveWomen’sMovementwasworkingcloselywiththeeducationministrytocontributetosocialcohesion.

RESPONDENTS

• Ministry for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation – Minister Collins Chabane

The Minister reminded delegates of the racismconference, which was a building block towardssocialcohesion.Heremarkedthatsocialcohesionneeded to be based on sound political principles and that the leadership needed to be sound.SouthAfricawasdiverseand theSummithad tocontributetosocialcohesionandnationbuilding.TheMinisterurgedthatawiderangeofissuesbedebatedincommissionsandsolutionsbefound.

The Minister commented that participation innationaldays,meanttobringSouthAfricatogether,could be improved. He suggested that we wereattentivebutimpatientwhendealingwithdiversity,aswedidnotvalueopposingviewpoints.

On reaching the twentieth year of democracy,South Africa needed to review how far it hadprogressedincreatingacohesivesocietyandnation.He reminded delegates that trust and honestywere critical ingredients for social cohesion andremarked that exclusive organisations created incohesivesocieties.

HeurgeddelegatestofocusonactionsthatboundSouthAfricansandtofightagainstwhatkeptthemapart. He concluded by stating that the mediawere an important medium of communicatinginformation but noted that if the media playeda negative role it undermined cohesion. Heunderlinedtheimperativeupontheprivilegedandstrong to reach out to the underprivileged andweak.

25


• National Planning Commission – Mr Joel Netshitenzhe

MrNetshitenzheemphasisedthat indealingwithsocial cohesion, people’s material conditionsdid matter; but that there was a need to avoidreductionism.Rather,weshouldalsoappreciatethatideas and attitudes could congeal independentlyofeconomicconditions.Toattainsocialcohesion,societyneededtodealwithpovertyandinequality;but at the same time, to deal with povertyand inequality required a certain level of socialcohesion.Itwasimperativetoworktowardssocialstabilityandtopursuesocialinclusivity;andtothatend,toforgeasocialcompactamongallsectorsofsociety.

Itwasencouragingthatallsectorsappreciatedthatourlevelsofpovertyandinequalitywouldimperilboththerichandthepoor.Othershavesuggestedthat inequalitywas an equal opportunity disease.A national development plan could be used toengagetheseissues.Inthiscontext,leadersofeachsector should not only pursue benefits for theirconstituencies; but also pose to themselves thequestionofwhatcontributionsandwhatsacrificesthey could make to attain the common good.Trade-offsanddifficultchoiceswouldneedtobeidentifiedbytheleadership.

For that to happen, we needed to establish orstrengthen informal platforms of interactionin particular. Mr Netshitenzhe asked if formalplatformssuchasNEDLACwerecapableofplayingthat role, as the tendency in those structureswas for sectoral leaders to come with frozenmandates. The Millennium Labour Council andtheWorking Groups needed to be resuscitated.It was also important for leaders to have thecourage to communicate unpopular decisions totheir constituencies. Society should also strivefor community mini-compacts on such issues aseducation, crime, local job-creation and economic opportunities. Mr Netshitenzhe also made thepointthattheassumptionofresponsibilitybycivilsocietydidnotliberatethestatefromitsleadershipresponsibilities.Oneelementofthestate’srolewastobreaklogjamswhensocialpartnersdeadlockedandcouldnotreachagreement.

• National Planning Commission – Mr Mike Muller

MrMuller commentedon the important roleofprofessionals,forexample,engineers.Heobservedthat the geography of SouthAfrica separated usfrom each other. Engineers designed residentialareastokeeppeopleapartresultinginatownshipclose to Sandton, for example, seeming to be inanother country. He posed the challenge thatimprovement of basic needs be accomplishedwithout strengthening division, but bringingSouth Africans closer together. He urged thatthe location of human settlements should notreinforcedivisionsinsociety.

Mr Muller also commented on access to information,whichreflectedinequalitiesinsocietyasnoteveryonehadaccesstoinformationfromthepublic broadcaster. He again urged professionalstousethetoolsattheirdisposaltobringpeopletogetherandworkagainstwhatkeptpeopleapart.He concluded by saying that professionals couldcontribute in different ways to bringing societytogetherandimprovingsocialcohesion,insteadoffurtheringdivision.

26

WORKING TOGETHER



CLOSING REMARKS BY DEPUTY MINISTER PHAAHLA ON THE CLOSURE OF DAY ONE

Deputy Minister Phaahla closed day one of the Summit.

“Iwould liketothankyouforyourattentionandtimespentonthefirstdayoftheSummit.

WehaveheardvariousinputsfromH.E.PresidentZuma,theSpeakeroftheNationalAssembly,MrSisulu,retiredjudge, Justice Mokgoro, and from the guest speaker,MinisterDrOfuhofromSouthSudan.Allthesespeakersspokewith passion on the need towork together tocreate a caring andproud society.Thiswas echoedbyleadersofpoliticalparties,civilsocietyandbusiness.

Wearepleasedandgratefulthatyoucameheretothishistoricplacetocontributetowardsnationbuilding.Yourbeinghereisproofofyourpassionforsocialcohesion.

Iwouldalsoliketostressthattomorrow;weneedyoutobeincommissionsand,asMinisterMashatilesaid,letuscomeanddiscusshowbestwecancreateacaringandproudSouthAfricansociety.IntheCommissions,allofuswillhaveanopportunitytodiscussopenlyandfreelythekindofsocietytoweseektobuild.

OurultimategoaltomorrowistoagreeonaDeclarationthatwillcapturethespiritofourdeliberations.Equally,wemustagreeonaProgrammeofActionthatwewilljointlyimplementasgovernment,business, labour,civil societyorganizationsandallotherstakeholders.ThisProgrammeofActionmustassistustotakeforwardwhatweagreedonatthisSummitandmostimportantly,itmustensurethatwemakenewanddecisiveadvancesinourquesttobuildaninclusiveandamorecohesivesociety.

Thank you all for participating today. See you alltomorrowat08:30sharp.”

This concluded the deliberations of the first day of the Summit, Dr Bam thanked all the speakers and emphasised that delegates would have an opportunity to participate in the commissions the following day.

Deputy Minister Joe Phaahla and Director-General Sibusiso Xaba

27


PROCEEDINGS OF DAY TWO: 5 JULY 2012

The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile, welcomed delegates. He acknowledged that delegates had listened to many inputs the day before. He explained that the second day was structured to give a voice to all delegates to participate.

The Minister acknowledged and thanked all the ministers and leaders from different sectors of society who would participate as panellists in the Commissions. The Rapporteurs and Drafting Team would prepare a draft summit declaration, which, once adopted, would be presented to President Zuma for report back to Cabinet. Stakeholder participation in the report back to the President would be discussed as part of the way forward.

The Minister noted the President’s comprehensive input and reminded the conference that all inputs were to be taken into account during Commission discussions.

THE SUMMIT COMMISSIONS

TheDirector-GeneralexplainedthattheSummitwouldbedividedintothefollowingfivecommissions:

1. Economicinequalities2. Spatial divisions: Urban and rural development

impactonsocialcohesion3. Social interaction, cooperation and solidarity:

Socialsecurity,rightsandresponsibilities4. Prejudiceanddiscrimination5. National identity and unity: Arts, culture and

symbols.

TheCommissionswereaskedtoaddressthe followingthree issues, which would be incorporated into theSummitdeclaration:

1. Assessmentofwhereweareasanation2. Identificationofchallenges3. Proposals of actions to contribute to social

inclusivityandnationbuilding.

The Summit Plenary adjourned for Commissions andreconvened in the afternoon for reports from theCommissionsontheirdeliberations.

Rapporteursreportedtotheplenaryasfollows:1. Economicinequalities:Prof.YunusBallim2. Spatialdivisions:DrLeonardMartin3. Social interaction, cooperation and solidarity:Ms

Luli Callinicos 4. Prejudice and discrimination: The Rev. Frank

Chikane5. Nationalidentityandunity:MsBarbaraMasekela

TheCommissionreportsareattachedasanAnnexure.

CLOSING PLENARY SESSIONCONFERENCE DECLARATION

ProfessorWillemEsterhuysereadtheDraftDeclarationoftheSummit,withitsintroduction:

“The Summit reminds us of the symbolism of South Africa’s national coat of arms and the flag. It is both South African and African. It is both African and universal. It serves to invoke South Africa’s distant past and the present. It pays homage to the past and embraces a future where the indigenous belief systems are respected and embraced. Kliptown, Soweto, the site of the adoption of the historic Freedom Charter on the 4th and 5th of July 2012”.

TheDeclarationwasadopted.

28

WORKING TOGETHER



CLOSING REMARKS MINISTER OF ARTS AND CULTURE, MR PAUL MASHATILE

Minister Mashatile thanked President Zuma inabsentia,theMinisterofCulture,YouthandSportfromSouth Sudan, Dr Cirino Hiteng Ofuho, and MinistersNkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Naledi Pandor, Jeff Radebe,Collins Chabane, Richard Baloyi, Gugile Nkwinti andDeputyMinistersAndriesNelandEnverSurtyfortheircontributiontotheSummit.

The Minister gave a brief summary of key issuesdealt with at the Summit, including the Speaker ofParliament’s presentation on activism by ParliamentandthepresentationofJudgeMokgorounderliningtheimportanceofbuildinga societyunderpinnedby socialjustice. The Minister expressed appreciation for theinputs of political parties and commented that theseinputs would be taken seriously. He also thanked therepresentativesof labour, business and civil society forpresentationsontheircrucialroleinnationbuildingandsocialcohesion.HethankedtheChiefWhip,DrMatholeMotshekga, the Chairperson, Ms Thandiwe Sanduza,andMembersof thePortfolioCommitteeonArtsandCulture, Premier Helen Zille, General Bantu Holomisa, dignitaries, religious leaders and traditional leaders fortheir participation. The Minister specifically thankedthemediafortheircoverageoftheproceedingsoftheSummit. Finally, the Minister thanked all delegates, theDeputyMinister forArts andCulture,Dr Joe Phaahla,theDirector-General,MrSibusisoXaba,andthedraftingteam,includingDrTrishHanekomandtheMapungubweInstitute for Strategic Reflection for their roles in thesuccess of the Summit. The Minister also expressedappreciationfortheinputsofpresentersandthesupportofuniversities,theprivatesectorandallserviceproviders.

Inconclusion, theMinisterexpressedhisviewthat theSummithadbeenagreatsuccess.Hesaidthatdelegateshad reconfirmed their commitment to building a non-racial,non-sexist,democraticsocietyandhadcommittedthemselves to working together to build a caring andproudsociety.Heemphasisedthatthebuildingofsocialcohesionhadtocontributeto improvingthequalityoflife and that partnerships in building a caring societyshouldbeestablishedatalllevelsintheprivateandpublicsectorstorealisethis.Stakeholderswereencouragedtomainstreamissuesofsocialcohesion,toadvancenation

buildingandtoparticipateandbeinvolvedincontinuedengagement on the challenges of nation building andsocialcohesion.

The Minister committed government to continuedengagement on nation building and social cohesion,including report-back meetings in provinces and incommunities.Healsoconfirmedthecommitmentinthedeclaration toa follow-upsummit in2014, tocoincidewith SouthAfrica’s twentieth year of democracy.TheMinister encourageddelegatesnot tobecome tiredoftalking, engaging and acting, and urged that talking andactinggohandinhand.TheMinisterreportedthatadatewould be determined for a representative delegationto hand over the Summit Declaration and report toPresidentZumaattheUnionBuildings.

Finally, the Minister encouraged delegates to continuewith the legacy started in 1955, when the Congressof the Peoplemet inKliptown to adopt the FreedomCharter.

29


ANNEXURESCOMMISSION REPORTS

The Commissions received presentations and responses from panellists. There were vibrant and robust discussions and contributions from participants in all the Commissions. The detailed issues and written submissions of delegates will be addressed in the detailed programme of action and in further consultations in provinces and communities. The commission reports summarise key issues of substantive consensus and significant proposals made by the commissions.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES

Facilitator: Mr Xolani GwalaPresenter: Minister Naledi PandorPanellists: Dr Mirriam Altman Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa Mr Lumko Mtimde Mr Ravi NaidooRapporteurs: Prof. Yunus Balim Mr Percy Mthimkhulu

THE COMMISSION NOTED THE FOLLOWING:

1. Thewell-beingofpeopleiscentral.

2. Socialcohesionrequiresactiveparticipationbyallsocial institutions inclusiveofgovernment, labour,businessandNGOs.

3. Addressing economic inequalities is a necessarybut not sufficient element in developing socialcohesion.

4. Acleareconomicpolicyframeworkisarequirementfornationbuildingandsocialcohesion.

5. The capacity of the state to turn policy intopracticeneedstobeincreased.

6. Thereisaneedforstrong,reliableandindependentmonitoring structures on performance andaccountabilityofgovernment,sincewhatwehavenowisnotworkingadequately.

THE FOLLOWING ISSUES TO BE INCLUDED IN APROGRAMME OF ACTION:

1. There needs to be agreement on what “SouthAfricaness”means.

2. There should be an increased focus on youthdevelopment in terms of education, training andeconomicopportunities.

3. Trust in government shouldberestored throughaction that eliminates inefficiencies, crime andcorruption.

4. There should be increased investment andfocused development on rural development andagriculture, including addressing land ownership,skillsdevelopmentandsupportforcooperatives.

5. Measures should be put in place to identifysuccessful initiatives at community level and toleverage and replicate these to scale throughinstitutionalpartnerships.

6. Strategiesshouldbedevelopedformobilizingskills,talents and abilities of SouthAfricans, especiallyyoungpeople.

7. Theparadigm,“it takes a village to raise a child”shouldbeappliedtoreinforceanddeveloppositivevalues,includingasenseofcommunityandhumansolidarity.

8. Multilingualism, the learning of each other’s’languages,mustbepromoted.

9. Indigenousknowledgesystemsmustbepromoted.

30

WORKING TOGETHER



REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON SPATIAL DIVISIONS

Facilitator: Mr Ashraf GardaPresenter: MEC Nandi Mayathula-KhozaPanellists: Mr Neville Chainee Mr Somadoda Fikeni Prof. Alan Mabin Adv. Sipho Pityana Rapporteurs: Dr Leonard Martin Ms Febe Potgieter

THE COMMISSION NOTED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Thechallengesoflandandspatialdivisionswefacein2012havetheirroots inthelegacyofcolonialdispossession,andwereentrenchedbysubsequentapartheid policies of segregation and deliberateunderdevelopment.

2. These legacies characterise the geographical andspatial realities which, two decades after ourtransition to democracy, persist and continue to defineSouthAfrica.

3. The commission agreed these are especiallymanifested as persistent landlessness, lack ofaccess to land and difficulties to access financeforlandredress.Thishasledtothepersistenceofruralexclusionandmarginalisation,withregardtoeconomicandsocialactivityandotheramenitiesandinfrastructure.

4. In addition, and especially after 1994, we haveseen continuous and accelerated rural to urban migration,asaresultof thesocialandeconomicproblemsafflictingruralcommunities.

5. Emerging differences in our understanding andapproachestosection25oftheConstitution,andwhetheritprovidesanenablingclausetoaddressthe historical injustice with regard to land. Thecommission agreed that the‘willing seller, willingbuyer’, was not a principle of the Constitution,butinsteadwasintroducedasanapproach.Italsoagreedthatithadseriouslimitationsandfailedtoaddresstheurgenciesofthishistoricallegacy.Thereisthereforeaneedforalegislativeframeworkthat

giveseffecttotheconstitutionalprincipleofajustandequitableapproachtothismatter.

6. The commission also heard inputs fromrepresentatives of the Khoi-Khoi people, urgingacknowledgement of the particularity of thehistorical injusticewith regard to this importantsection of our population, and the need in ournationaldeliberationsaboutland,theConstitutionandothermatterstoembracefullinclusivity.

7. Thecommissionheardofcommunityexperiences,wherelandclaimswerelodgedand15yearslatertherewere still delays and inadequate responsesfrom authorities and feedback to communities,leadingtogreatfrustration.

8. Althoughwehavemadeprogressoverthelast18yearstowardsmeetingbasicneedsandaddressingthe social backlogs, there are critical policy gaps.Theseincludethefollowing:• Aninclusiveapproachtohousing,wherethe

state, through RDP houses, addresses thepoorestsection,andthebanksthoseearningabove R10 000 a month, but the missingmiddle which covers the vast majority arenotcateredforinourpolicy.

• The challenges of land usage, absenteeagriculturalandminingland,lackoflandclosetoplaceofeconomicactivities,sellingoflandby local government to private developersandgeneralactivitiesoflandgrabs.

• The urgent need for a land audit, in ordertounderstandthenatureof the imbalancestoday, and therefore the interventions thataretargeted.

9. The commission acknowledged that among thechallenges we face in addressing this matter isfinding the balance between black aspirationsandwhite fears and that thismustbe addressedthrough dialogue. We must therefore includelandownersinthediscourse.Wealsorecognisedtheneed foramind-shift thatequatessuccessfulagriculturewithwhitefarmersandreducesblackfarmingactivitytosubsistencefarming.Ifwewanttohavesuccessfulagrarianreform,wemustensurethatwe talk about a truly inclusive approach toagriculturaldevelopmentandfoodsecurity.

31


10. Wemustmovebeyondthepessimismandcynicismthatoftencharacterisesourpublicdiscourse,andembracethecan-doattitudethatgaverisetoourdemocratictransitionof1994.

11. The commission agreed that Government mustensurethatcommunitiesandthegeneralpopulacehave information, are educated and have clarityaboutitsprogrammes,inordertofacilitatepeople’sparticipationintheirowndevelopmentandensurethat they can give feedback on the effectivenessandimpactofsuchprogrammes.

12. The importance of integrated planning, acrossdepartmentsandspheresofgovernmentwasraisedas a critical aspect of government programmesthat need to be reviewed and strengthened. Inthis regard, the commission urged the necessityfor clarifying the roles of local government andtraditionalleadershipintheallocationandusageofland,sothatweareabletoaddresstheimperativesoffoodsecurity,agrarianreformandlandusage.

THE FOLLOWING ISSUES TO BE INCLUDED IN A PROGRAMME OF ACTION

1. The commission recognised that although landrelatedtohistoricalinjustice,itwasalsoacriticalresource for economic prosperity.Therefore,wehastopaymoreattentiontothefollowing:• An urgent and on-going national dialogue

ontheissuesof landassetoutabove,andwhatweneedtodooverthenextdecadestodealdecisivelywiththislegacy.

• Speed up the land restitution process, andfacilitate corrections with regard to the1913cut-offpointthatexcludesparticularlythe Khoi and San communities, as well asthose thatwere unable tomeet the 2008deadline.

• Capacitating cooperatives, so that theyare able to contribute to agriculturalproductivityandfoodsecurity.

• Gestures from the white community as ashowofgoodwillthroughcontributingtheirskillsandexperience,includingland.

• Drawing on indigenous and experientialknowledge of our people, sharinginformationandresources.

2. The commission urged that in order to build aSouthAfrica that belonged to all, we needed anhonest,robust,yetrespectfulandinclusivedialogueabout our past and on all the critical challengesfacingustoday.

3. Themotto“in themidstof diversity theremustbeunity”isimportant,andthereforegovernmentmustplayarole inencouragingnationaldialogueandconsensusonthesechallengesandtheroleofeachsector inoursocietytoenableustoreachthesegoalsintheshortestpossibletime.Wemustcelebrateourmultipleidentities,butwemustalsoallcelebrateandcontributetowardsbuildingourSouthAfricanidentity.

32

WORKING TOGETHER



REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON SOCIAL INTERACTION, COOPERATION AND SOLIDARITY

Facilitator: Mr Sandile MemelaPresenter: Deputy Minister Mohamed Enver SurtyPanellists: Dr Alan Boesak Dr Mathole Motshekga Dr Faizel RanderaRapporteurs: Prof. Kwandile Nkondo Ms Luli Callinicos


1. ThelegacyofcolonialismandapartheidisonethatwillnotendsoonandSouthAfricaiscurrentlyoneofthemostunequalsocietiesintheworld.

2. Women over the years have been those mostaffected by the system of apartheid and are stillaffectedwithinthenewdispensationbyracialandgenderdiscrimination.

3. The Khoi-San community, and other minoritygroups, have still not been effectively integratedintoSouthAfricansociety.

4. The SouthAfrican Constitution is an importantinstrument for the protection of the rights ofcitizens.

5. Although there have been achievements since1994, programmes of service delivery need tobe sped up to achieve social cooperation, andsolidarityamongsttheSouthAfricancitizenry.

6. Challenges of transformation and building unityandreconciliationamongstdifferentracialgroupsremainandsocialcohesionrequiresadherencetovaluesofhumancompassionandsocialsolidarityandthereshouldbenoxenophobia,prejudiceorethnicity.

7. Thereisevidenceofnarrownationalismemergingwithin the country,which is limiting and slowingdowntheprocessofsocialinteraction.

8. Measuresareneededtoeffectivelymanagecrimeandfightcorruption.


1. The programme of action should give effect tothe values enshrined in the Constitution andincorporatemeasurestohealthenationandforgesolidarity through conversations and dialoguebetweendifferentracialandinterestgroups.

2. Youngpeopleshouldbe taught thevaluesof theconstitutionandthisshouldbepartoftheschoolcurriculum.

3. The concept of Ubuntu is embedded inAfricanphilosophy and should be adopted as a nationalethic to create a socially inclusive society, withconsiderationofthemonthofJulybeingdeclared“UbuntuMonth”.

4. SpecialattentionshouldbegiventotheintegrationofminoritygroupssuchastheKhoi-San.

5. Specialattentionshouldbegiventotheintegrationof economically disadvantaged groups into themainstreameconomy.

6. The programme of action should deepen thesocialconsciousnessoftheSouthAfricancitizenry,especiallythepreviouslydisadvantaged,withregardtounderstandingtheirrightsasfreecitizenswithresponsibilities.

7. Programmestospeedupservicedelivery,includingland reform, and to fight crime and corruptionare prerequisites for nation building and socialcohesion.

33


REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION

Facilitator: Ms Nikiwe BikitshaPresenter: Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-ZumaPanellists: Mr Neeshan Balton Dr Kometi The Reverend Gift Moerane Dr Faizel RanderaRapporteurs: The Reverend Frank Chikane Prof. Andries Oliphant

THE COMMISSION NOTED THE FOLLOWING:

1. The biggest challenge is to unite the populationaround a common programme against racism,tribalism,sexismandxenophobia.Socialcohesionand nation building cannot be legislated andimposed. It must be internalized by everyone asagentsofchangetoeradicateinequality,prejudiceanddiscriminationincreatingabetterlifeforall.

2. Racism is not unique to South Africa, as wasevident at the World Conference on Racismhosted by SouthAfrica in 2001, and four formsof discrimination – racism, tribalism, sexism andxenophobia–arerootedinthefundamentaldenialofthehumanityofothers.

3. RacistattitudescontinueinsectionsoftheSouthAfricanpopulation,havingbeenembeddedforsolonginapartheidlaw,ineducation,insociallifeandintheheartsandmindsofwhites.

4. The struggle to achieve a non-racial society isembedded in the history of SouthAfrica, whendeep bonds were forged between blacks andwhites in the faceofdivisions.TheconstitutionalfoundingofSouthAfricaasanon-racialandnon-sexist society is therefore a legacy to build ontodayandinthefuture.

5. TheCommissionrecalledtheobservationof theReverend Beyers Naude that there can be nohealing without reconciliation; no reconciliationwithoutjustice;andnojusticewithoutrestitution.

6. WhileSouthAfricahasexcellentpolicies,dialogue

and debate are needed to understand whatprevents society from addressing the problemsfacingthecountry.

7. The commission observed that there weremany obstacles to achieving the constitutionallyenshrined economic and social rights and thattoachieveequalityand inclusionrequiredhumanmagnanimity,big-heartednessandaleapoffaithinordertoovercomethepast.


1. To achieve greater social inclusion thereshould be country-wide and community-basedcampaigns, supported by materials and manuals,onsocial justiceandactionagainstprejudiceanddiscrimination.

2. Discriminatory statements should be censured,includingxenophobicstatementssuchasreferenceto small businesses in townships being ownedby Pakistanis, as pronounced on day one of theSummit.

3. The National Action Plan to Combat Racismadopted at the World Conference on Racismshouldbeimplemented.

4. ANationalTrainingProgramme forEducators toeducate learnersonracism,sexism, tribalismandxenophobiashouldbedesignedandimplemented.

5. The continued use of racist terminology in theclassificationofpeopleandinpubliccommunicationshouldbeabolished.

6. Government should enter into a social contractwith society to combat racism, tribalism, sexismandxenophobia,includingtheacceleratedredressofinjusticesofthepast.

7. SpecialattentionshouldbegiventotherightsoftheKhoi-San,includinglandrights.

8. Specialattentionshouldbegiventotherightsofthedisabled toensure their full access topublicservicesandamenities.

34

WORKING TOGETHER



9. ConsiderationshouldbegiventoFreedomDayin2014,beinganopportunityforwhitepeoplewhowish to apologise for past injustices to do so inpublic.

10. A shared South African identity should bepromoted.

---

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON NATIONAL IDENTITY AND UNITY

Facilitator: Ms Masechaba MoshoeshoePresenter: Minister Collins ChabanePanellists: Mr Miller Matola Prof. Muxe Nkondo Ms Thandiswa SanduzaRapporteurs: Ms Barbara Masekela Mr Leslie Dikeni


1. Thelegacyofcolonialismandracismareobstaclesto social inclusion, nation building and thedevelopmentofanationalidentity,hencetheneedforallSouthAfricans tocontinuestrivingagainstthislegacyandthecontinuingracism.

2. The constitutional founding of SouthAfrica as anon-racial and non-sexist society is a legacy tobuildontodayandinthefuture.

3. The challenge is to rally all SouthAfricans fromallwalksoflifebehindthevaluesandidealsoftheconstitution.

4. The process of nation building is not a once-offprocess,butratheranon-goingsocialprocess.

5. Policiesatlocal,provincialandnationallevelmustcontribute to the processof nationbuilding andsocialcohesion.

6. Allpoliticalpartiesshouldbeinvolvedandengagedintheprocessofnationbuilding.


1. Thestate,includingalldepartmentsinallspheresof government, must lead the process, involvingsocietyatlarge,ofbuildingunityamongstallSouthAfricans and re-affirming the values enshrined inthe constitution to build a non-racial, non-sexistSouthAfrica.

2. The programme of action should provide fordiscussion forums at local government level fordialogue and the development of understandingandreconciliationtocontributetonationbuildingandsocialcohesion.

3. MechanismsshouldbefoundandimplementedtoinvolveallSouthAfricanracialgroupsincelebratingthenationaldaysofthecountry.

4. Special attention should be given to involvingreligious communities in the process ofreconciliationandnationbuilding.

5. PlansfortransformingtheSouthAfricaneconomyshould includespecificobjectivesofchangingthecurrentracialinequalities.

6. Thecurriculumatschoolsshouldincludelearningmaterial that will contribute to the process ofnationbuilding.

7. Arts, culture and sport are important vehicleswhichmustbeused tobuildunityanda sociallycohesivesociety.

8. Mechanismsshouldbeputinplacetoassessandmeasure progress in nation building and socialcohesion.

35


ANNEXUREPRESENTATIONS

Opening and Welcome – MEC Lebogang Maile on behalf of the Premier of Gauteng, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane

TheHonourablePresident,MrJacobZuma,HonourableGovernmentMinistersheretoday,Members of the Executive of the Gauteng ProvincialGovernment,Religiousleaders,Leadersofdifferentsectorsofoursociety,Alldignitariespresent,Distinguishedguests,Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mr President, on behalf of the Gauteng ProvincialGovernment, letme take thisopportunity towelcomeyou and all the delegates attending this importantgathering.

WehopethatafterthiscrucialSummit,SouthAfricawillbepresentedwithacomprehensiveplanonhowwe,ascitizens,shouldtakeourcountryforwardandcompletethequestforaunited,progressiveandnon-racialsocietyinwhichallpeoplewouldrespectandloveoneanother.

We believe that this event, which brings togetherGovernment,civilsociety,religiousgroups,andbusinessleaderswillbeabletoprovideuswiththeanswersonhowpeople inoursocietycan liveuptothethemeofthisSummitby“workingtogethertocreateacaringandproudsociety”.

Finding answers to the questions of building socialcohesion inourcountryshouldnotbeadifficult thinggiventhatwehavealreadylaidasolidbasethatmakesitpossibleforustotakewell-considereddecisions.

The fact that the Summit is taking place in Kliptownshould inspire us all because it was also in this veryplacewhereourelders convened theCongressof thePeople,animportantmeetingin1955thatbroughtSouthAfricansofallbackgroundsandracestogetherinorderforthemtodeliberateonthekindofSouthAfricathattheywouldliketolivein.

The Freedom Charter was adopted and became theguidingcompass in the liberationstruggleagainstracial

segregation and its attendant apartheid doctrine. Butwhat ismost importantabouttheFreedomCharter, isthatitistheverydocumentthatformsthebasisoftheConstitution thatwehave today. Inessence, thevaluesthatourpredecessorsaspiredtoandadoptedattheendoftheirmeetinghereinKliptownweretrulyreflectiveofthepaththatSouthAfricaneededtotakeforittobethetruedemocracythatitistoday.

Today South Africa is a democracy anchored by asolid Constitution which is regarded by many peoplein the world as the best Constitution because of itscomprehensiveprotectionoftherightsofallpeople.

Whenyouthinkaboutthekindofsocietythatweneedto build in this country, delegates to this importantSummitshouldbeguidedbythevaluesexpressedintheFreedom Charter and the Constitution which remindus that SouthAfricabelongs to allof us, united inourdiversity.

FellowSouthAfricans,youmustusethisasanopportunityto reflect on the progress that our country hasmadeinrelationtoissuesofnationbuildingsincedemocracywas ushered in in 1994.While we acknowledge ourindisputable successes and progress,we should not beafraidtoidentifyweaknesses,highlightourconcernsandexpressouraspirationsforthefuture.

And, like the delegates who were there when theFreedom Charter was adopted, we should never beafraidtoexpressourthoughtsonwhatwethinkshouldbepartofthevaluesthatwouldhelpusstrengthenourdemocracy and build a progressive country that ourchildrenwouldbeproudof.

Honourabledelegates, as youmay all know,on18 Julypeople across the country will be marking the 94thbirthday of SouthAfrica’s first democratically electedPresident, Nelson Mandela. His life and conduct havebecomethelightofhopeformanyintheworldbecauseof his dedication and commitment toending apartheidandbringingdemocracyandfreedomtoourcountry.Heistheembodimentofnon-racialismandequalitythatweshouldallemulateinourdailylives.

TheformerPresident’slifeandconvictionsshouldteachallofusthatweshouldalwaysbeselfless,standforthetruthandseektodoforourcountryeverythingthatwillbenefitallpeopleandfuturegenerations.

36

WORKING TOGETHER



Allofusherehavethepowertotransformourcountryandmake imprints thatwill not be erased.This beginswithourtakingthosesmallstepstoreachouttoeachother,respecteachotherandworktogethertobuildaunitedcountryfreeofprejudiceandinjustice.

Inessence,thegreatestbirthdaygift thatthisgatheringcangiveMadibaisthecrafting,deliveryandcommitmentto a covenant that will see all SouthAfricans from allwalks of life living together as one nation, loyal andpatriotictotheflag.

MrPresident,may I also take this opportunity to urgedelegatestoviewMandelaMonthasaninspirationtousethisSummitas thespace tochampionandadvocate inonevoicetheconstructionofnationhoodinaprosperouscountry in which racism, poverty, unemployment andinequalities liveonly in themuseumof themind- thememory.

Turning the tide is in our hands and converting thedreamsandaspirationsofourpeopleintorealityisalsowithinourreach.Letusmarchandworkinunison.

Thankyou.

--- National House of Traditional Leaders – Kgosi Phopolo Pontsho Maubane

‘The role of the NHTL in building a socially inclusive society’

ProgrammeDirector;andallprotocolobserved,

WearegratefultotheDepartmentofArtsandCulturefor affording us an opportunity to participate as theNational House ofTraditional Leaders in this historicSummit.Indeedaconferenceofthisnaturerefreshesourthinkingandunderstandingofourever-evolvingsociety.

Based on our motto which says ‘Unity in Diversity’,we can cite the fact that South Africa has a uniquecompositionofculturalgroupseachoneofthemwithitsowndistinctiveculturalidentity,andtogethertheyformpartofapowerfulandcolourfultapestry,demonstratinghowdifferentcommunitiescanco-exist inapanoramicSouth African Society. In this way, ethno-centricity inthe treatment of any cultural complex can be avoided.

Similarly,valuejudgements,whichweretheorderofthedayinthenottoodistantpastandwhichexisteventoday,canalsobeavoided.Therefore, it isvery important forpeopleto learntounderstandtheculturalpracticesofdifferentcommunities.

Amongother responsibilities, as custodiansof cultures,customs, values and traditions,wework inpartnershipwith various entities such as PanSALB, where thepromotionoflanguagesisemphasised,hencewebelievethatlanguageismorethanjustameansofcommunication,itistheessenceofourbeing,theverycoreofoursoulasAfrican people, the medium of our memories, thelink between space and time, the basis of our dreams.Inotherwords,whenyoueraseapeople’slanguage,youerasetheirmemory.

Bearing inmind thatdifferentpractices andbeliefs canbeattributedtotheculturalandgeographicenvironmentfromwhencetheyhavesprouted,the issuesofabillofrightsand‘Ubuntu’shouldbetakenintocognisance,andthatisthereasonwhyweworkinpartnershipwithamongothers, theMoralRegenerationMovement (MRM), theSouthAfricanHumanRightsCommission(SAHRC),theCommissionforthePromotionoftheRightsofCulturalReligiousandLinguisticCommunities(CRL),theNationalHeritageCouncil(NHC),tomentionafew,andwehaveproducedgoodresults,inanattempttoinculcateaspiritof‘Ubuntu’withinfamilies,communities,workplacesandlifeingeneral.

In conclusion, we need toemphasize the importanceof culture in an endeavourtopromotesocialcohesion.This will assist in healingthewoundsofthepastandwillevencontributetowardsnationbuilding.TheWhitePaperonArts,CultureandHeritagehasthistosay,“ArtsandCulturemayplayahealingrolethroughpromotingreconciliation.Ourapproach toculture ispremisedoninternationalstandardsinwhichcultureisunderstoodasanimportantcomponentofnationallife,whichenhancesfreedom.Cultureshouldnotbeusedasamechanismofexclusion,abarrierbetweenpeople,norshouldculturalpracticesbereducedtoethnicorreligiouschauvinism.’’

With these few words, allow me to pause and wishyouallthebestinwhatyouseektoachieveduringtheSummitonsocialcohesionandbeyond.

Arts and Culture may play a healing role through

promoting reconciliation

37


African National Congress – Mr Gwede Mantashe‘The role of political parties in building a socially inclusive society’

ItisfittingandappropriatethatweconvenethisNationalSummitonSocialCohesioninKliptown,Soweto,andinthemonthinwhichwecelebratethelegacyofourchiefarchitect for peace and reconciliation, uTata NelsonMandela.

WhenpeoplespeakofSouthAfrica’sroadtodemocracyandthestruggletoliberatethemajorityofitspeople,thewordstheychoosetousetodescribeusare“amiraclenation”, the“rainbow people”, achieving a“negotiatedrevolution”andtheyregardourtransitionfromapartheidtodemocracy“oneofthegreatestpoliticalachievementsofthiscentury”.Weareallthesethingsandmore.Butwearenotperfect.

The impact of years of separate development and thelegalized discrimination against the majority of SouthAfricansbasedonrace,havecreatedenormousanddeepwoundswhichcannotbeundoneinamere18years.Thescarshavecreateduntoldsufferingwhichwe,asanation,willspendmanyyearsandperhapsgenerations,tryingtorecoverfrom.

SouthAfrica’s long and often troubled road to nationbuilding and social cohesion has been difficult yetnecessary, painful yet hopeful and a never-endingworkin progress.The struggle for common citizenship, thestrivingtoinculcatecommonvaluesandenhancerespectfor the diversity which exists amongst all our peoplehasrequiredremarkablewisdomandclarityofthoughtby visionary leaders who first drafted theAfrican BillofRightsoftheAfricanNationalCongressin1923andlatertheAfricanClaimsBillofRightsof1943,callingfor,amongstothers,thefreedomofmovement;therighttoequality,includinggenderequality,freedomofexpression,freedom of economic activity, freedom of religion,theright to languageandcultureand theright to self-determination.

These provisions and their consolidation providedthe basis for the ANC’s 1955 Freedom Charterwhich addressed fundamental human rights andwhich eventually found expression and realizationinSouthAfrica’swidely laudedConstitutionandBillof Rights.That theANC pioneered and forged thewayaheadtotheadoptionofaBillofRightsforthe

countrycannotbedisputed.Thatwecontinuetofindwaystobuildournationanddevelopsocialcohesionthroughourplansofaction,policiesandframeworksisequallyindisputable.

Whenweattainedtherighttovoteandchosefreedom,weall succumbed to theeuphoriaof themoment.Webelievedthen,andrightlyso,thatifwecouldoverthrowtheevilsystemthatwasapartheid,wecouldbuildatrulynon-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society. It felt atthatpointthatnothingwasimpossible.

Ourfirsttestincomingtogetherasanation,unitedinour diversity was to ensure that the Constitution ofourlandislegitimate,credibleandacceptedbyallSouthAfricans.

Tothisextent,theprocessofdraftingtheConstitutioninvolved many South Africans in the largest publicparticipationprogrammeevercarriedoutinSouthAfrica.Afternearlytwoyearsofintensiveconsultations,politicalparties represented in the Constitutional AssemblynegotiatedtheformulationscontainedinthetextoftheConstitution, which represents an integration of ideasfromordinarycitizens,civil societyandpoliticalpartiesrepresented inside and outside of the ConstitutionalAssembly. Thus our Constitution represents thecollective wisdom of the SouthAfrican people arrivedat by general agreement. It is no wonder that apartfrombeinglaudedaroundtheglobeasoneofthemostprogressiveconstitutionseverwritten, italsoservesasaninspirationtothosecountrieswhichseektoemulateourinclusiveprocessofdemocracy.

Our secondmajormilestone in attempting to heal thenationandsetusonourpathtoreconciliationandnationbuildingwastheTruthandReconciliationCommission.

Ourbelovedicon,NelsonMandela,speakingattheSpecialDebateon theReportof theTruth andReconciliationCommission had this to say: “It would be well tounderlineattheoutsetthatreconciliationtouchesuponvirtuallyevery facetofour life as anation.TheTRC isan important component in thatprocess, and itsworkisacriticalmilestoneina journeythathas juststarted.Wesaythisadvisedly,forSouthAfricanscannotabdicatetheirresponsibilityforreconciliationbyshiftingittotheTRC,or gloating at its perceivedweaknesses.Nor canthetaskofreconciliationbeconfinedtonarrowlegalese.Aswereachedoutacrossthedivisionsofcenturiestoestablishdemocracy,weneednowtoworktogetherin

38

WORKING TOGETHER



allourdiversity,includingthediversityofourexperienceandrecollectionofourhistory,toovercomethedivisionsthemselves and eradicate their consequences” (25 Feb1999).

The option in SouthAfrica to embark upon theTRCand the granting of amnesty to the perpetrators wasmoretoadvancereconciliationandreconstructionthanto exact any kindof retributive justice.The underlyingthinkingwas that ifwe spoke about our suffering, if itwasacknowledgedandsharedwiththepeopleofSouthAfrica,wecouldstartonajourneyofhealing.

AsChairpersonoftheTRC,ArchbishopDesmondTutustated:“Reconciliation is liable to be a long-drawn-outprocesswithupsanddowns,notsomethingaccomplishedovernight and certainly not by a commission, howevereffective. Reconciliation is going to have to be theconcernofeverySouthAfrican. Ithas tobeanationalproject to which all earnestly strive to make theirparticular contribution by learning the language andculture of others; by beingwilling tomake amends byrefusingtodealinstereotypesbymakingracialorotherjokes that ridicule a particular group; by contributingtoacultureofrespectforhumanrightsandseekingtoenhance tolerancewith zero tolerance for intolerance;byworking foramore inclusivesocietywheremost, ifnotall,canfeeltheybelong.”

However, in SouthAfrica today, the process of socialcohesion, nation building and reconciliation remainsunderthreatfromtheveryrealdisparitiesbetweenrichand poor, black andwhite,women andmen, rural andurban.Thesewideninggapsbetweenthehavesandhave-nots continue to undermine our reconciliation effortsandposeagreatthreattonationbuilding.

TheNational PlanningCommission (NPC) Report hasidentifiedmanyfaultlineswhicharetriggerstoderailingunityandstabilityinthecountry.Theyhaveidentifiedthefollowing“faultlines”:

• The pervasive, divisive effects of institutionalizedracismwhereby“hundredsifnotthousandsoflawstoseparatepeople,tobanishthemfarfromtheirplacesofbirth, tomovepeopleandtosubjugatethem, and to implement these laws,wasbuiltonsophisticated institutional machinery used todepriveblackpeopleingeneralandAfricanpeople

in particular from decent education and healthcare,housing,jobsandfromplacesofworship.”

• Classdivisionswhichparallelracialclassification• Socialfragmentation• Language• Exclusion• Genderandsex• Unemployment• Unequalexperienceofthelaw• Incompletehealingprocess.

AsArchbishopTutu so succinctly declared:“For unlesshouses replace the hovels and shacks in which mostblacks live, unless blacks gain access to clean water,electricity,affordablehealthcare,decenteducation,goodjobs, and a safe environment - things which the vastmajorityofwhiteshavetakenforgrantedforsolong-wecanjustaswellkissreconciliationgoodbye.”

The NPC report correctly states that identity playsakey role in shaping thenational values. It argues that“SouthAfricahaschosennottocreateameltingpot,butratherapotjietocelebratediversity.Yetabindingfactorisrequired.Whatbindsus?SouthAfricansareboundbya shared geographic space, a commonmodern history(however differently experienced), and a Constitutionwithfourcorevalueswhicharenon-racism,non-sexism,socialsolidarityanddemocracy.”

Weexperienced thisduringourhostingoftheFIFAWorldCupin2010.Ourdeepsenseof patriotism and pride in all things SouthAfrican was clear for all to see.We worethe Bafana Bafana shirts with pride, we flew our flagseverywhere (onourcars, fromourroofsandweevenwrapped ourselves in them) andwe sang our nationalanthem with pride.The rugby events in Soweto werelauded for bringing about racial harmony and we didindeeddemonstrateour“unityindiversity”.

However,itseemedthattheeuphoriawhichprevailedandthepatriotismthatwentwiththesuccessoftheevent,has taken a knock. Current global economic turmoil,corruption which is slowing down service delivery,povertyandunemploymenthaveallhadpolarizingeffects.

AsZaydMinty suggests,“ Even as scientists argue thatracedoesnotexistbeyonda societal construct,SouthAfricanscontinuetotalkaboutIndians,Coloureds,whites

Unity in Diversity

39


andblacks-withoutrecognizingthedividesthatdeepenasweusetheseterms.Ourdebatesandterminologiesareracialisedinexactlythesamemouldasourapartheidpast.”

Wehave seen the issueof race; class and identityplayitselfout in themedia, latelyandwith frequency,whenallegations were made about the City of CapeTownbeingracist, followedbyresponsestothoseallegationsbypoliticalleaders,politicalanalystsandordinarycitizens.Then the DA youth poster which generated heateddiscussions about race; theWestern Cape Premier’s“refugee” comments about Eastern Cape scholarsand her “professional black” comment in reparteewith amusician andmore recently, the Spear painting,an offensive and degrading depiction of the country’sPresident.Clearly,noneofthesearehelpfulinassistingustobuildsocialcohesion.

There is a genuine victimhood felt by most whiteSouth Africans that policies of affirmative action andBlack Economic Empowerment discriminate againstthem and they are often termed “reverse racism”.This is anextremely simplistic termwhichnegates thedehumanizing effects of decades of apartheid on themajorityofthepeopleinthiscountry.Underapartheid,blacksweregivenaninferioreducationandonthewholerestrictedtomuchworsejobs.TheEmploymentEquityActin1998triedtomaketheworkforce“morebroadlyrepresentative of our people” across the board. Butmorethanadecadelater,whitesstillholdthree-quartersof senior jobs in private businesswhereas blacks have12%, the exact reverse of their share in the workingpopulation. Among the 295 companies listed on theJohannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), blacks account forjust4%ofchiefexecutiveofficers.

Soclearly,whenwetrivializetheeffectsapartheidhadonthemajorityofthepeoplebyclaiming“reverseracism”,we deny non-white people not only the suffering theyenduredunderapartheidwhichburdensthemtoday,butalsotheprivilegesthatmanywhitesreceivedandwhoseeffectscontinuetoshieldthemfromtheharshrealities.However,wehave the ability toengage as anationonthese issues, without being defensive, without ego,withoutpolitickingandposturing.Allitrequiresofusistobeopen,empatheticandhumbleandtolistenwithoutprejudice.

NevilleAlexander believes that we should rethink thewaysinwhichwearetryingtobringaboutwhatwerefer

toashistoricalredress,sothatwedonotunintentionallyperpetuate racial identities. Here, he says, we are notdealingwithaminoritysyndrome.BlackSouthAfricans,thosewhowereoppressedandexploitedinthepreviousdispensation on the basis of so-called skin colour,constitutethemajorityofthepopulationofSouthAfrica.They have the civic power to insist on new ways ofsharingwhatever revenue the state can raise from theproductive activities of all the citizens of the countryand, in theory, through their control of parliamentarypower, they can reshape theway inwhichwe identifyourselves,even if thisprocess takesgenerationsratherthandecades.Thebasicissuethatwemustgrapplewithistheoptimalrelationshipbetweenournational(SouthAfrican)identityandallmannerofsub-nationalidentities.

Our“SouthAfricaness”whichwecelebratethroughourConstitutionisthegluewhichcontributestoandbindssocial cohesionandnationbuildingand therefore is animportantpillarinourunityindiversity.

Equally, the question of interfaith and the role it playsin nation building and social cohesion cannot be over-emphasised. President Zuma’s call for the religiouscommunity topartnerwithGovernment toestablishacohesiveandcaringsocietyhasresultedintheformationandlaunchoftheNationalInter-FaithCouncilofSouthAfrica.As its collectivemission, theNational Inter-faithCouncilofSA(NICSA)will“helpfulfiltheSouthAfricandream of unity in diversity” working to build socialcohesion, working towards eradicating poverty andsocial ills and building partnerships with communities,Parliament,Government,NGOsandthebusinesssector.”

The recent centenary celebrations of the ANCdemonstrated this collective inter-cultural approachand sets out a good formula for unity in diversity andcooperationamongstculturalgroups.As Iconclude, letme leaveyouwiththewordsofouricon,NelsonMandela:

“As we take stock of our accomplishments and shortcomings we should not, by a slightest of chance lose sight of our once ambitious dream for education, total economic participation, democracy and freedom for all. The struggle for democracy has never been a matter pursued by one race, class, religious community or gender among South Africans. …The challenge is to foster a nation in which all people, irrespective of race, colour, sex, religion or creed, can assert social cohesion fully” (2008).

40

WORKING TOGETHER



Democratic Alliance – Premier Helen Zille

‘The role of political parties in building a socially inclusive society’

There are no short cuts to social cohesion

This is an extract of the speech delivered by Helen Zille on 4 July 2012 at the National Social Cohesion Summit in Kliptown, Soweto.

I am pleased to be addressing the National SocialCohesion Summit, the theme of which is ‘creating acaringandproudsociety’;becauseIbelievethatweneedmorecareandcompassioninoursociety.

And we need to take more pride in discharging ourresponsibilities,whetherasmembersofgovernmentorasprivatecitizens.

Whatdoesthismean?

Itmeansagovernmentthatcarespassionatelywhetherlearnersgettheirtextbooksontime.Becauseifwedon’tequip our children with the education and skills theyneed to take advantage of their opportunities,wewillneverhaveacohesivesociety.

Itmeanscitizenswhocareaboutusingtheiropportunitiesin life, and who take responsibility for using them,becauseeverycitizen isanactivepartner inhisorherowndevelopmentandthatofthecountry.

Opportunity only makes a difference if you use it.And there can be no nation building without active,responsible citizens using their opportunities for thebenefitofthecountry.

IntheWesternCape,theDAgovernmenthasprioritisedsocial inclusion asoneofourmainprovincial strategicobjectives, because inclusive societies are cohesivesocieties.

And we have learnt a few lessons. First, there are noshortcutstosocialcohesion.

Socialcohesionisaboutpeoplelivingtogetherharmoniously,feelingasenseofbelonging,andparticipatinginthecivicandsociallifeoftheircommunities.

ItisanintegralcomponentofwhatweintheDAcalltheopen opportunity society for all.When individuals feelempoweredandfamiliesarefunctionalandcommunitiesareconnected,thereislesscrime,substanceabuse,childabuse,unemploymentand,ultimately,lesspoverty.Andsosocietycoheres.

Inacohesivesociety,childrengrowupunderstandingthatyoubecomefreebyusingyouropportunities.Peoplearesafe, sheltered and nourished.And they recognise thatlearningopensthedoortoprosperity.

Social cohesion isn’t something that the state canimposeonsociety.Nogovernmentcan,byitself,‘create’a cohesive society, or foist a common culture upon apassivepopulace.

In cohesive societies, progress is achievedthroughpartnershipsbetweengovernment,citizens, civil society and business. Eachhas a role and specific responsibilities.That is why theWestern Cape Government has adopted the slogan“BetterTogether”tocaptureandconvey itsmessagetothepeopleoftheWesternCape.

Social cohesion also means balancing rights withresponsibilities. Individuals, communities, andgovernmentsmustalltakeresponsibility.Somustparents.Thisiscritical.Oursocietyisdeeplydamagedbecauseofabsentfathersandfatherswhowon’ttakeresponsibilityfortheiroffspring.

Ifparental–andespeciallypaternal–responsibilitydoesnotbecomeengrainedinSouthAfrica’snationalculture,thensocialcohesionwillremainapipe-dream.

Finally, social cohesion requires us to choose policiesthatcreateopportunity, lessendependencyandrewardresponsibility. And in making and implementing thosepolicies,ofcoursewemustacknowledgeandunderstandtheterriblelegacyofthepastthathasleftthemajorityof SouthAfricans socially excluded. But the onlywaywearegoingtoachieveaninclusivesocietyandsocialcohesion is by extending opportunities and providingsupport–mainly througheducationand training– toindividuals who must then use those opportunitiesthroughhardworkandcommitment.

That is the real path to creating a caring and proudsocietyandasuccessfulSouthAfricainwhicheveryonecanlivealifetheyvalue.

Better Together

41


Inkatha Freedom Party – The Honourable Mr Ben Skosana, on behalf of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi


TheIFPappreciatestheopportunitytoparticipateinthisimportantSummit.Asapoliticalpartywith37yearsofexperienceinbringingpeopletogetheracrossalldivides,we have a vital contribution tomake when discussingsocialcohesion.

WehaveconsideredthediscussiondocumentpreparedbytheDepartmentofArtsandCulture,andadoptedbyCabinet,titled“DiversePeopleUnite:WorkingTogetherto Create a Caring and Proud Society”. In this briefpresentation,weoffertheIFP’sperspective.

It is abundantly clear, as the discussion documentindicates that South Africa has not achieved socialcohesionintheeighteenyearsofdemocracysince1994.Socialcohesionwasnotanaturalby-productofpoliticalenfranchisement.As the IFPoftenpointedout,wehadcreatedanewSouthAfrica,butwehadyettocreatethenewSouthAfricans.

The IFP is pleased to note Government’s recognitionofthefactthat,intheabsenceofresponsiveaction,thereality of social fragmentation will continue.We havealways been concerned about thenarrative createdbyirresponsibleelectionpromises.

Particularlyasweapproachedthe1994elections,manyofourpeople,wholackedexperienceandunderstandingas fully enfranchised citizens, took thepromiseof jobsand houses to mean that these would fall from thebenevolenthandofademocraticallyelectedgovernment,regardlessofeconomicrealitiesandthetremendoustaskofredistributionandgrowththatlayahead.

Many of our people thought their vote would bringan immediate change in their circumstances. But, asthe discussion document points out, in our contextof economic underperformance, challenges such asunemploymentandhealthcarehavesharplydeteriorated.Itmustbesaidthateconomicunderperformanceisnottheonlyculprit,forcorruptionandalackofpoliticalwillhaveplayedasubstantialrole.

There certainly is a breakdown between Governmentand the citizenry.Asmuch as a poor understandingoftheresponsibilitiesofcitizenshipcome intoplay in themanyviolentservicedeliveryproteststhathaveeruptedacrossourcountry,wemustacceptthatthebreakdownbetweenthisGovernmentanditspeople,andthespecificfailingsofGovernment,havecreatedthispowderkeg.

One thinks of the failure to replace a culture oflawlessness, ungovernability, indiscipline and lack ofrespectforauthoritywiththeabsoluteruleoflaw.

Inthespiritofcohesion,theIFPwillrefrainfrompointingouttheoriginofthecultureoflawlessness.Ratherthansaying,“Wetoldyouso”, letuspointtoawayforwardthatweknowcanwork.TheIFPhasvastexperienceingovernance.Butmorethanthat,wehaveexperienceinmobilisingdiversepeopleunderacommoncause,undercircumstancesofwidespreadpoverty,limitedresources,socialunrestandpoliticalantagonism.During the nineteen years the IFP led the erstwhileKwaZuluGovernment,wewerefacedwiththechallengeofcreatingsocialcohesioninadversecircumstances.Wetookmanyinitiatives,andmanyweresuccessful.Butletusfocusonjusttwo.

The first was the implementation of good citizenshipclasses at primary school level. In the language of thediscussion document, we sought to educate youngpeople“regardingtheirresponsibilitiestoeachotherineverydaysituations.”

ThefactthattodaySouthAfricahasnurseswhodonotnurse and teachers who do not teach highlights thebasicmisunderstandingofgoodcitizenshipprevalent inour society. Indeed, even the poor levels of customerserviceinpracticallyeverysphereofourserviceindustrypoints toapoorgraspof the responsibilitiesof active,participatorycitizenship.

TheIFPagreesthatsocialcohesionrequiresempoweredcitizenship, fair citizenship and inclusive citizenship.But we believe that empowered citizenship begins inclassrooms,notmerelyineducationcampaignsthatarecostlyandhavelimitedreach.

In KwaZulu we saw clear and positive results fromimplementing good citizenship as part of the schoolcurriculum. Evidence of long-term success is the factthatduringthelasteighteenyearsofdemocracy,IFP-led

42

WORKING TOGETHER



municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal have not experiencedthe violent service delivery protests that have plaguedothermunicipalities.

The second initiative the IFP took to create socialcohesion was necessitated by the vastly inadequateresources allocated to governance in KwaZulu. Thecorrelation here is the continual underfunding of localgovernment, which severely limits what municipalitiesareabletodofortheircommunities,particularlyinruraland impoverished areas. InKwaZulu,we instituted theRand-for-Rand partnership with communities, wherebygovernmentmatched fundingraisedbycommunitiestobuildhouses,schools,clinicsandotherinfrastructure.

Letmebeclear.TheIFPisnotadvocatingraisingtaxesasameanstocoercecitizensintocontributingmore.Ourmiddleclassisalreadysubjectedtosomeofthehighestpersonalandcorporatetaxburdensintheworldaswellasindirectformsoftaxationwhich,bytheirnature,areregressiveandunjust.Themiddleclassisshrinkingoutofexistence,reducingtheeconomicspace intowhichthepooraspiretograduate.

What the IFPadvocates ismovingournationalpsycheaway from a welfare mentality and an entitlementmentality, towards the empowering cultureof self-helpandself-reliance.Wewantcitizenstoexperienceasenseofsharedownership,asenseofbeingpartofthesolution.Thiscreatesinclusivecitizenship,wherecitizensbecomeactive participants in identifying challenges, designingsolutionsandworkingtowardsanagreedoutcome.

The manifestations of social fragmentation, such asracism,xenophobia,violenceagainstwomenandchildren,and high levels of crime, cannot be solved throughpolitical enfranchisement. Clearly there is a need forsocialandeconomicreform.Yetthediscussiondocumentpostulates that economic development cannot createsocialcohesion.

HeretheIFPmustsoundanoteofwarning.Thereisavastdifferencebetweencreatingasemblanceofnationalunity,andcreating true inclusivity.HoldinganationalSummitonsocialcohesion ispointless ifGovernment is,atthesametime,determinedtopursuepoliciesthatexcludeordisempowersomesegmentsofourpopulation.

We are concerned about Government’s systematicprocess of dismantling traditional social structures, by

disempowering traditional leadership from fulfilling itsvitalroleinruraldevelopment.

We are also concerned about the social impact ofimminent legislation dealing with Black EconomicEmpowerment and Employment Equity, which istantamount to mandatory legal discrimination.Astonishingly, the discussion document makes fast-tracking BEE a high priority,while admitting thatmostBEEdealsdonotempowerworkersorcommunitiesinanymeaningfulway.Ifwearegoinginthewrongdirection,runningfasterwillnothelp.

There isnohidingthefactthattherace issue isSouthAfrica’snationalquestion.Therearecitizenswhowereborn intoademocraticSouthAfrica,whowillvote forthefirsttimein2014,whowillstillbedeniedemploymentandopportunitiesforadvancementbasedonthecolouroftheirskin.Thisisathornyissue,butithasrealimpactonoureffortstocreateinclusivecitizenship,faircitizenshipandempoweredcitizens.

Ourgoal,afterall, istocreateanarrativebased on fact that says, “South Africansare socially diverse, yet common in theircitizenship.”

The definition of nation building in thediscussiondocument isbackward looking,seeking only to redress the past, ratherthanidentifyingasharedfuturegoal.

There areother statements in thedocument that giveSouthAfrica reason for concern.One is the admissionthat slow economic growth is a consequence of ourGovernment’seconomicpolicies.Anotheristhat25%ofouradultpopulationremains illiterate.Thereisasharpdeclineinsecondaryschoolenrolment.Reportedcrimehasincreased.Lifeexpectancyhasdecreased.Andamongthemanychallengestosocialcohesion,allbutonerankhigh.

There is one further point the IFP must raise. Thediscussiondocumentexpressesaflawedpremise. Ifwemovefromthispremise,wearelikelytostumbleonthepathahead.Thepremiseisthatour“societyhasovercomethedeeppoliticalschismsofthepast”.Byimplication,wehaveachievedpoliticalreconciliation.Unfortunately,thatisnotthecase.

South Africans are socially diverse, yet common in

their citizenship

43


ThereisanoutstandingagendaofreconciliationbetweentherulingPartyandtheIFPwhichmustbefinalised,forthe sake of national unity.As theANC celebrates itscentenary, political violence is being commemorated;through a biased lens and in the absence of a truthfulaccountofthePeople’sWar.

There are still 400 leaders andoffice bearersof theIFPwhose assassination goes unexamined.There are20 000 victims of political violence whose memorysuggeststhattheprocessofreconciliationshouldnotbesweptoffthetable.AndtherearestillANCleadersat national levelwhoperpetuate divisive propagandaagainst the IFP, bringing tribalism into our nationaldiscourse.

TheroleoftheIFPinbuildingasociallyinclusivesocietyistorepresentthevoiceofSouthAfricanswhofacethemanifestationsofsocialfragmentationeveryday,andfeelincreasinglydisempowered.

---

United Democratic Movement – The Honourable General Bantu Holomisa


Programme Director, Political Colleagues, Ladies andGentlemen,

Introduction

Wearepleased tobehere today toparticipate in thisSocial Cohesion Summit.This debate is long overdue.DuringtheStateoftheNationdebatein2008,Iproposedthataneconomicindaba,onthescaleofCodesa,shouldbehostedtotalkabouttheeconomicemancipationofour people. In his response, former PresidentThaboMbekisaidthattherewasgreatmeritinthisideaandthatthematterofsocialcohesionshouldformpartofsuchanindaba.Lateasitmaybe,wehaveatlaststartedwiththeprocessoffindingsolutionstoourcountry’sproblems.As a nation, we should have this kind of debate on aregularbasiswiththeexpresspurposeoftryingtohealthewoundsofourdividedpastandcontinuebuildingonthegainswehavemadetotransformSouthAfricaintoawinningnation.

Lookingback,wemustdeliberatelymeasureourprogresssince1994,becausetruefreedomisnotaonce-offevent,butanongoingprocess.

Atthemomentanger,resentment,racismandethnicitysimmer beneath the supposed Rainbow Nation.Corruption, poor service delivery and the growinglevels of poverty, unemployment and inequality makethedreamofacohesivesocietyunattainable.ThisbleakpictureleavesmanySouthAfricans,particularlythepoor,disillusioned.

Indespair,ourpeopletendtoexpressthisdisillusionmentby resorting to violence and lawlessness when theyprotest, even if they have a legitimate reason to airtheir grievances.These challenges stand in the way ofsuccessfullybuildingacohesivenationalongthelinesofthis Summit’s theme of“...creating a caring and proudsociety.”

Purpose of the summit

WemustemergefromthisSummithavingidentifiedtheissuesthatresultin,orexacerbate,thedivisionsthatexistamongstourpeople.Wecanattributethesedivisionstoavarietyofcauses,butthemostimportantmatterthatwehavetoaddress,andwehavetodothisurgently, isthe fact that themajorityofourpeoplearenotactiveparticipantsinoureconomyandarenotabletogeneratewealthforthemselves.

ThisSummitwouldhavefailedinitsduty,ifweleaveherewithout endorsing the need for an Economic Codesathat would be tasked to address macro-economicpolicies, because there has been no consensus on thisissueamongstSouthAfricans.Suchaconventionshould,in particular, come upwith solutions to the importantissuesofthelackofaccesstocapital,aswellaslandandproperty ownership.With due respect, NEDLAC hasfailedthecountryontheseimportantissues.

44

WORKING TOGETHER



The issues

Socio-economicfreedomandsocialcohesiondependoncertainbasicconditionsthataffectcitizens’physicalability,andarealsodirectlylinkedtotheirdignity,includingthefollowing:

• Jobs - the previously disadvantaged must beuntangled from the malaise of poverty andunderdevelopment. To do this there must beproductiveemploymentandadecent livingwageforourpeople.Inthelongrun,foodsecuritycanonlybeachievedandhungerbeatenifpeoplehavejobs.

• Education -without knowledge and skills peoplecannotmakeinformeddecisionsandachievetheirgoals,andsoenhancetheirlivelihoods.

• Health - people need to be healthy and haveadequatehealth care inorder to reach their fullpotentialandshareinthebenefitsofademocraticsociety.

• Security - people who feel under siege fromcriminals in their homes, neighbourhoods andplaces of work cannot fully concentrate onpursuingtheiraspirations.

• Propertyownership -withoutownershipof landand property people are unable to participate actively in the economic and social life of thecountry.

Whentheseconditionsarelackingorinadequate,socialcohesion and economic freedom for all cannot beachieved.

Solution: government must do more

Ourpointofdeparture is that socio-economic changecan only be achieved by a government that is willingto invest in itsowneconomyand itspeople,especiallyconsideringthehistoryofourcountry.

This is a philosophy that says: “Government must domore”anditstandsinstarkcontrasttothethinkingthatgovernment must do less, and everyone else must domore.Inorderforthistobeachieved,weshouldresolvethatgovernmentmust:

• reversethedecisionofde-industrialisationwhichledtomillionslosingtheirjobs;thereisaneedto

reintroducethoseincentiveschemes,becauseourbusinessesarecompetingagainstproductsthatareheavilysubsidised;

• review the funding model of our expensiveeducation system which fails to produce skillsrequiredbyemployers;

• relook at the rural and urbanisation strategy, asthecurrentpolicieshaveallowedpeopletobuildanywheretheylikeresultinginourcitiesbecomingslums;

• start integrating the former homelands andtownships’infrastructureintothedevelopedpartsofthiscountry;

• takeanotherlookatoursystemofbudgeting-arewe allocating resources according to the size ofthepopulationoritsneeds;

• address South Africa’s failing food securityprogrammes;

• buildaninternaleconomiccapacityinourcountryto minimise the growing xenophobia which isspawnedbycompetition for scarce resourcesbylocalsandimmigrants;

• constantly review South Africa’s internationaltrade tariffs and duties to protect developinglocal industries, encourage exports, increaseinternationaltradeandsupportinboundtourism;

• urgentlyaddressrampantcrimeandlawlessness;• ensure that the civil service, government

departments and state-owned enterprises arerun effectively and are free of corruption sincecorruption in government slows GDP growth,causes distortions in the economy and resultsin inefficiencies that increase the cost of doingbusiness and it also discourages the culture ofpayingtax;

• lead in the promotion of entrepreneurshipamongstourpeopleandremovethebureaucraticstumblingblocks;

• continuetocontributetopeaceandstabilityinsideourborders,withour immediateneighboursandtherestoftheContinent;

• make the environment a priority today, or ourchildrenandtheirchildrenwillfacegreathardshiptomorrow.

Role of political parties

Inorder to strengthenourmulti-partydemocracyandtopromotethechecksandbalances,moreworkhasto

45


bedonetoleveltheplayingfieldwhenitcomestotheresourcingof political parties. In this regard, there is aneedtoputlegislationinplacewhichgovernsthefundingof political parties.There is also a need to introduceelectoralsystemswhichwouldimproveaccountabilitytotheelectorate.

Closure

It is critical that we recognise that a responsiblegovernment cannot sit back and depend on marketforces alone. In the final analysis the needs of everycitizen are rooted in the need for a decent job andincome.Thereforemassiveunemploymentisattherootof every significant challenge facing SouthAfrica today,andthisincludessocialcohesion.

Ithankyou.

---

Freedom Front +, Dr Corné Mulder


Chairperson,

the preamble to our Constitution clearly states: “Wethe peopleof SouthAfrica…Believe that SouthAfricabelongstoallwholiveinit,unitedinourdiversity.”Thisisaverystrongstatement.Ifthisstatementweretakenseriouslywewouldalreadyhavehadsocialcohesionandwewould, to a largeextent,have succeededwith truenationbuilding in SouthAfrica.However, that is clearlynot the case.Themere fact thatweneed tohave thisnational summitonsocialcohesionandnationbuilding18 years after 1994, is a clear indication thatwe havefailed.

South Africa is one of the most diverse societies inthe world.We are a country of many races, cultures,religionsandlanguageswithadividedpastanddifferentperspectives on history. It is also true that overmanycenturies we have become economically entwinedanddependentonone another.Weall share the samegeographicalareaatthesouthernpartofAfrica-calledSouthAfrica.Thisisourcommonhomeandcountry.ThepeopleIrepresentalsohavenoother.Theyalsobelieve

in Unity inDiversity. But then, we should respect andaccommodate diversity and stop paying superficial lipservicetothisreality.Thiscountryislargeenough,withsufficient potential and opportunities to provide roomandspacetousallunderthisbeautifulAfricansun.Thisispossible,butthenweneedthebestrecipefortruesocialcohesionandnationbuilding.Webelievethatthecurrentrecipe has failed and itwill continue to fail because itemphasizes only one part of the truth of this countryanditspeople.

Truenationbuildingandsocialcohesionwillnotsucceedif we merely continue to stumble from one sportinghighlighttothenextwithoutsuccessfullycreatingatruesenseofbelongingamongstallofourpeoples.ItstartedwiththeRugbyWorldCupinSouthAfricain1995.Thenin2003itwastheWorldCricketCup.ThenCapeTown’sOlympic bid followed in 2004, but failed.Then we hadthe 2010 Fifa SoccerWorldCup. Every timewe had asurge of national pride, that soon thereafter dwindledand disappeared in the sand. This artificial process ofnation building never succeeded in creating a long-lastingsenseofbelongingandtruenationhoodwiththepeopleandcommunitieswithinSouthAfrica.Thatiswhyitwassoeasy for JuliusMalematocompletelypolariseoursocietywithhis incitingstatements.That iswhywesawwhat happened to our societywhen the so-called“Spear”paintingappeared.Wecanhaveasmanysportingeventsaswelike,butitwillnevercreatealong-lastingandsustainablefeelingofbelongingandcreateatrueplaceforeveryoneinthesun.

Successful social cohesionandnationbuildingwillonlysucceedwhenwe have real unity in diversity.When itisfoundedonareal“betterlifeforall”.When“all”alsoincludes minorities.When equal opportunities meansequalopportunitiesforall.Whenyourchildren,butalsomy children, know that they will not be discriminatedagainstforthisorthatreason.

Iunderstandverywellwhat theHon.Presidentmeanswhenhe says that name changesof streets and townsare alsopartof fostering social cohesion. I understandthisandwerecognisethatitisonlyfairandjustthattheheroesoftheANC’sstruggleberememberedinthatway.However-ifthatrecognitionmeansthatitmustbedonebyremovingthenamesofAfrikanerheroes,thenwearenot busywith nation building and social cohesion, butwithalienationandnewconflicts.

46

WORKING TOGETHER



Weall knowthat there is apoliticalmajority inSouthAfrica, but it is also true that we have various otherminorities,includingpoliticalminorities.MayIremindusallofthefollowingprovisionintheFreedomCharter:

All National Groups Shall Have Equal Rights!

“There shall be equal status in the bodies of state, in the courts and in the schools for all national groups and races;

All people shall have equal right to use their own languages, and to develop their own folk culture and customs;

All national groups shall be protected by law against insults to their race and national pride.” (Changing names of towns and streets named after my heroes is an insult to my national pride.)

South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black andwhite.Whatdoesthis“belong”mean?Thoseissuesthataffectminorities,dowehaveanysayoverthem?Atthemoment the answer is no.Only appeasement.We paytaxesbuthavenosayoverwhathappenstoourmoney.Wehavenosayinhownamesarechangedandhowourheroesarebeinginsulted.

The Freedom Charter continues and states that nogovernmentcanjustlyclaimauthorityunlessitisbasedonthewillofallthepeople.Notthewillofthemajority,butthewillofALLTHEPEOPLE...Dominoritieshavenosay?

TruesocialcohesionandnationbuildingwillonlysucceedifweacceptandbuildonalltherealitiesofSouthAfrica.Ourminoritiesarepartofthisreality.Thetestforatrueconstitutionaldemocracyishowyouaccommodatetheminoritiesandcommunitiesinyourcountry.SouthAfricawillalsonotescapethistest.

The Commission for the Promotion and Protectionof the Rights of Cultural, Religious and LinguisticCommunitieshas failed. Since its inception ithasdonenothingtopromoteorprotecttherightsofminoritiesandcommunities.IfweareseriousaboutsocialcohesionandnationbuildingthetimehascometocreateanewDepartmentofMinorityAffairs.Adedicateddepartment,

whichwill fosterasenseofbelongingandwillsucceedin the eradicationof the increasing senseof alienationcurrentlyexperiencedbyminoritiesandcommunities.

We have a dream.A dream of buildinginSouthAfricaa strongnationofhappypeople.ASouthAfricaconsistingofhappy,prosperous and peaceful communities,minorities and peoples. A South Africawherenoonefeelsalienatedfromhis/hercountryofbirth.Wherethere isaplaceunderthisbeautifulAfricansun foryourchildren,butalsoformine.Itcanbedone.

---

PAC – Ms Andiswa Mjali


Honourable President,TheHon.MinisterofArtsandCulture–MinisterPaulMashatileTheProgrammeDirector–DeputyMinister,Dr.J.PhaahlaDistinguishedguestsandeverybodythathasgracedthisoccasion,onbehalfofthePACleadership,Igreetyouall. ThePanAfricanistCongressofAzaniaishonouredtobeinvitedtoparticipateinthisimportantsummit. Today,thissummittakesplaceagainstthebackgroundofmomentouseventsinourdemocracyandsocialstanding.Eighteenyearsofourpoliticaldemocracyhasresultedinanumberofsocietaldisordersordisarray,namelymoraldegeneration,moving away fromAfrican traditions andculture(thusadoptionofwesternculture),lackofidentity,lack of discipline, disempowerment, further societaldivisions (as opposed to reconciliation), no access toland,furtherdisparitiesbetweenthehavesandthehave-nots,awideninggapbetweentherepresentativesandthesupposedly represented, unemployment, deterioratingeducationsystem.Thelist,ladiesandgentlemenisendless. Onewonderswhyafter18yearswewouldbegintohavea summitof thisnature. In a countrywhere therehasbeenalotofdistortionwithregardstoourhistory,onewouldexpectwhatwearecurrentlywitnessing.Lestweforget,theslavetrade,landdispossession,dehumanization

A dream of building in South

Africa a strong nation of happy

people.

47


of theAfrican people can never be erased from ourminds; therefore societal disorders need not be takenfor granted. It should be borne in ourminds that thehopes and dreams of our people have been shattered;theyhavelosttheirhopefromtheirownbrotherswhomtheythoughtwerefightingfortheirliberation.

QuotingfromourfoundingPresident,RobertMangalisoSobukwein1959,hesaidaboutsocialrelations: “The basic question confronting theAfrican people isidenticalwiththathasfacedmankindfromthebeginningof time itself: the problem of man’s relations to hisfellowman.Itisthequestionofhowmanshalllivewithfellowmaninfellowship;inoneandinpeace.Manmovesandhashisbeinginasocialenvironment.Inabsenceofsociallifetheeconomicquestionwouldfallaway.Manisthereforeasocialbeingandnotaneconomicanimal.Toliveinharmonywithhisfellowmen,manmustrecognisetheprimacyofthematerialandspiritualinterestsofhisfellowmen.Itisonlywithinsuchaset-upthatthehumanpersonalitycanbefostered.” As the PanAfricanist Congress ofAzania, our rolecanneverbeisolatedfromthewholepoliticalsociety,including Government. We believe that for socialunitytobearealityandnotadreamthefollowingisnecessary: 1. Politicalpartiesneedtobecapacitatedthroughfair

andjustfunding.Asthingsstand,smallerpartiescanhardly afford to assemble a team of researchersas a skewed party funding restricts parties fromoperating at maximum potential. If Governmentconsidersthisreality,itcanresultincollectivityinunityofpurpose.

2. Social inclusivity should entail a fair and justdistributionofmeansofproduction,includinglanddistribution(inurbanandruralareas).Thetendersystem isoneexamplewherewe seeunfair andunjust issuing to close friends of those workingwithinthegovernmentsystem.

3. Educationprogrammesshouldbeusedasatoolofliberating the young and theold. Social cohesionwill be possible when learners are taught abouttheirtruehistory,traditionsandculture(therebyappreciatingothersindifferentcultures),including

developingotherimportantskills.Africanlanguagescontinuetobeunderminedandassuchthisfosterstheapartheidlegacyofdivideandruleaswefailtorecognizethatbeforebeingethnicallyorpoliticallydividedweareallpartofthehumanrace.Currently,only one language enjoys supremacy over therest and as such further promotes disparities inensuringthatourAfricanlanguagesthriveandarerespected. Eurocentric values are entrenched attheexpenseofAfricannormsandvaluesandthishasledtothebirthofizikhothanijusttonameafewasthesepracticesareforeigntoourcontinent.

4. The African Royalty (Amakhosi/Dikgosi) ishistorically part of the African socio-politico-cultural landscape. We believe that their roleshould never be taken for granted in movingtowardssocialcohesion.

In conclusion, as the PACwe are committed and shallsupportandformpartofinitiativesthataimatliberatingoursocietiesandrestoringAfricandignity,societalvalues,moralsandculture.Wefirmlybelievethatthisshouldbeacollectiveeffortthatwillresultincollectiveresults. Ithankyou!

---

African Christian Democratic Party – Mr Raymond Thlali


Programme director, President of the Republic of SA,theHon.JacobZuma,MinisterofArtsandCulture,theHon. Paul Mashatile, Cabinet Ministers present, MECs,members of parliament and provincial legislatures,leadersofpoliticalparties,honourableguests,LadiesandGentlemen-allowmetosay,allprotocolobserved.

TheACDP appreciates theopportunity afforded by theDepartmentofArts andCulture to contribute towardsthe production of a “Draft Social Cohesion Strategy”.However,wehopethatthisisnotjustanothertalkshow.

Socialandeconomicdivisionswithinoursocietiesremainstumblingblockstothetotalemancipationofourpeople.It

48

WORKING TOGETHER



isafactthatsocietiesremainfragmentedintermsof,interalia,race,gender,class,urbanandruralsettings.WiththeinceptionofDemocracyin1994,thechallengesremain.• Healingthedivisionsofthepast.• Creating a society based on people’s aspirations

andparticipation.• Addressingthenegativeindicatorsofsocialcohesion

andsocialinjusticee.g.incomeinequalities.

Wearealsooftheopinionthattheseandotherobjectivescanbeachievedby,interalia,• Building a caring society, the citizens of which

are empowered, skilled to fend for themselvesthereby contributing positively to the economyof their country and transforming their owncircumstances marked by poverty, joblessness,crime,corruption,homelessness,tomentionbutafew.

• Transformingthematerialcircumstancesofsociety.• Ensuringtheinclusionofpeopleinsocialrelations

inacoherent,constructiveandproductiveway.• Addressingthesocialandeconomicdivisionsstill

existing along the lines of income, language andpoliticalparty.

TheACDPthereforesupports thecreationofacaringsocietyandaunited,non-racialnation.

Theimportanceoftheroleofpoliticalpartiesinachievingthisoutcomecannotbeoveremphasized,namely-

• helpingSouthAfricancitizenstodevelopasenseofbelonging;

• encouragingasharedvisionamongitsdiversecitizensonthefutureoftheircommunityandsociety;

• developing a broadly shared set of public valuesandnormsforsocialconduct;

• promoting respect and tolerance irrespective ofpoliticalandideologicaldifferences;

• encouraging regular interaction and cooperationamongitsdiversemembers;

• aggregating and articulating the needs andproblems as identified by members, supportersandcommunitiesatlarge;

• socializing and educating the electorate andcitizens in the functioning of the political andelectoral system and the generation of generalpoliticalvalues;

• balancing the opposing demands and convertingthemintogeneralpolicies;

• activating andmobilizing citizens intoparticipatinginpoliticaldecisionsandtransformingtheiropinionsintoviablepolicyoptions.

Political parties are, therefore, directly or indirectly,institutionalized mediators between civil society andthose who decide and implement the decisions. Byimplication, all political parties play a significant role inbuildingasociallycohesivesocietyandmustassuchbetakenseriouslydespitetheirsize,ideologyorinclination.

Inconclusion,alloftheabove-mentionedrolesofpoliticalparties in building a socially inclusive society can beachievedifandonlyifthefollowingrightsandobligationsareobserved:• Freedomoforganisation;• freedomofspeech;• fairandpeacefulcompetition;• mediaaccess,fairreportingand,finally,• fairallocationofresourcesforpoliticalintervention.

Ithankyou

---

FEDUSA – Mr Dennis George

‘The role of Labour in building a socially inclusive society’

Honourableguests,colleagues,comrades,compatriots,SouthAfricahasheld four freeand fairelections since1994; carried out the truth-and-reconciliation process,and firmly established an independent constitutionaljudiciarybasedonaBillofRightswitharelatively freepress. Yet, the country’s economic, ethnic and socialproblemsareseriousenoughtoposearealchallengetoouryoungdemocraticsystem.

This situation has prompted many South Africans tospeculatewhetherournationwillaccomplishitspromiseasAfrica’spowerhouse.OurConstitutionisourfirstrealsocialcompactthathasunitedourpeopleandreleasedusfromthechainsofapartheid.

49


Our people tend to remember our rights. However,with every right comes anobligation. We as FEDUSAalignourselveswith theprincipleofChapter15of theNational Development Plan “We feel we belong.Wecelebrate all the differences among us.The welfare ofeachofusisthewelfareofall.”

FEDUSAhasworkedveryhardandmadetoughdecisionsto unite black andwhiteworkers since the formationofourbelovedorganisation in1997.Wewere called awhite tradeunion federation, thiswasdeeplyoffensiveand hurtful, but I am grateful to our former FEDUSAPresident,MaryMalete,who encouraged us to remainfaithful to the principle that all men and women arecreatedequalandthatthecolourofyourskindoesnotdeterminetheintegrityofyourheart.Years ago, after thenegotiationofourprecious labourlegislation, it was very tough for our negotiator, LeonGroblerandmyselftogoandexplaintoourmemberstheimportance of the implementation of the EmploymentEquityAct, to ensure thatwe redress the injustices ofthepast.

A recent study byNaledi actually found that FEDUSAhastransformedtobemorethan65%representativeofthedemographicsofourcountry,andwehavetothankallofourAffiliatesforthisachievement.WearearguablythemostdiversetradeunionfederationinSouthAfrica.

Iamveryproudofthebolddecisionsthatour leaderstook in the interestofour country. Itwasnowonder,whenPresidentZumadeliveredhiskeynoteaddressatour5thNationalCongressthathethankedFEDUSAforbeingtherainbowfederationofSouthAfrica,representingblack,Coloured,Indianandwhiteworkers.

Organised Labour has a critical role to play in equalpartnershipwithGovernmentandbusinesstocreateanenvironmenttoensurethatqualityeducationisdeliveredfromGradeRtoourhighereducationinstitutions.

QualityeducationisthebestgiftandopportunitythatwecangivetotheSouthAfricanchild.Qualityeducationisthecornerstoneofanyprogressiveandforward-lookingsociety,whichiscommittedtopromotingsocialcohesionandnationbuilding.

Itwas for that reason thatwe signedon to theSocialAccordonBasicEducationwithGovernment,Business

and Community, we travelled to a deep Eastern Capevillage in the rain to meet with parents, learners andofficials of the Basic Education Department on aSundaytoexplaintheimportanceofmakinguseoftheopportunitytoobtainaqualityeducation.FEDUSA was, however, dismayed when we witnessedafterwardsthattheteachers intheEasternCapewentonago-slowwhentheirgrievanceswerenotaddressedadequatelybytheEasternCapeGovernment.Wewereeven further shocked when anNGO had to take theLimpopoAuthoritiestoCourtoverthenon-deliveryoftext-books.

Thosewhostandinourwaytodeliverqualityeducationto our childrenmust be removed from the educationsystemirrespectiveofpoliticalaffiliation.Wedon’thavetowaituntil2030toachieveourgoaltodeliverabetterandqualityeducationinordertogiveapoorchildbetterlifeopportunities.

It is also better to appoint a committedwhite personwhoisdisciplined,ontimeatschoolandwhoiswillingtogotheextramiletohelpourdisadvantagedchildren,thantositwithablackpersonwhodoesnotcareforthewell-beingofourchildren.

Poor-quality education undermines our efforts toprovidedecentworkandaccesstohighereducationforourlearners,whichinturnresults inkeepingourpoorcommunitiesinpovertyandunder-development.

ThetimeallocatedistooshorttodealwiththeotherchallengesthataffectsocialcohesionbutFEDUSAiscommitted to building a non-racial and non-sexistdemocraticsocietyfreefrompoverty,inequalityandunemployment.

Wewillhave tomaketoughdecisions inmanyareas toturnthesituationaround.Itwilltaketrueleadersandrealstatesmenwhorisetothetoptomakethedifference!

Ithankyou.

50

WORKING TOGETHER



NACTU – Mamaponya Makgoba

‘The role of Labour in building a socially inclusive society’

ProgrammeDirector;PresidentoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica;Ministers;MECs;Magoshi;Comrades;LadiesandGentlemen,GoodAfternoon.

IamhererepresentingtheGeneralSecretaryofNACTU,Comrade Narius Moloto, who said I should bringgreetingsfromtheleadershipandtheentiremembershipofNACTU.

NACTUwouldliketocongratulatetheDepartmentArtsandCulture and theMinister forhavingorganised thissocialcohesionsummitatatimewhenthereisalotofuncertaintyandintoleranceseemstobeheightened.Wewererequestedtotalkabouttheroleof labourinbuildinga socially inclusive society. Labour ismadeupofmenandwomenwhoformpartofthesocietiestheycomefrom.

AsNACTU, we continuously analyse the environmentthatweoperate inandmoreoftenthannot,wecometo the conclusion that as a country, as a nation ourcommonalitiesaremorethanourdifferences.Butwhatisholdingusbackandlackingisthatweareholdingontoclassifications thatwe inherited andwe allow them tothrive.

Inrepresentingworkersandtheworkingclassthereisaneedtobecognisantofthegapsthathavebeenbroughtaboutbythechangesthecountryhasundergone.Astheyhavewidenedat an alarming rateweas a country, areunabletodealwiththemandwealsodonothavetherequiredwilltocreatetherequirednumberofjobsandwebelievethatsocialcohesionwillberealisedifthegapsthataretherearebeingaddressedinearnest;andthereiswillfromalltoseethatitisrealisedandachieved.

For social cohesion tobe realised,webelieve it isourroletoprotectworkers fromany formofslavery,as itseemstobethetrendthesedays,Thussocialcohesionisacriticalprocessthatshouldatalltimesbeencouragedsothattheyouthortheyoungworkersofthiscountrywillallfeelthattheyareinacountrywhichwasfoughtforbytheirforefathersandmothers.

Inconclusion,asNACTUwebelievethatthisSummitshouldnotbeaonce-off.Itshouldserveasthebase-linethatweusetodealwithsocialcohesionandweneedtoalsouseittochangehowwedealwitheachotherforabettercountry.

We also need to agree that for social cohesion to berealised,issuesthatarecriticaltobebuildingblocksforanynationtowinshouldbewhatwenurture ifwedonotwanttofail.

1. The issue of language should be what we payattentionto.

2. The issueofEducationshouldbewhatweprideourselves in; and thus as NACTU we stronglybelievethatitisnotonlyinLimpopowherebookswerenotdelivered.

3. It should be our effort to work to make surethat does not happen again. Because for socialcohesiontowin,allourchildrenmustbetreatedfairlyinordertoleveltheplayingfield.

4. We also should work tirelessly to eradicatepoverty, and make the lives of ordinary SouthAfricansbetter.

Ithankyou.

51


Legal Resources Centre – Ms Zodwa Gumede

‘The role of Civil Society in building a socially inclusive society’

Programmedirector,thehonourableMinister,MrPaulMashatile,otherdistinguishedofficialsandallpresentheretoday,

MynameisZodwaGumede;IamfromtheConstitutionalLitigationUnit(CLU)attheLegalResourcesCentre.

The LRC is a human rights organisation which usesthe lawtoprotectthevulnerableandthemarginalised,particularly those who suffer discrimination by reasonof race, class, gender, disability or by reason of social,economicandhistoricalcircumstances.Weworkwith communities in the furthest cornersofthecountryasfarasourresourcescantakeus.

I am here to speak about the role of civil society inbringingaboutsocialcohesion.

Organisedcivilsocietyismadeupofmanyorganisationsrepresentingdifferentfacetsofoursocietyfromallwalksof life.As a civil society we are everywhere, workingwith everyone from all walks of life. Because we areeverywhereweplayavitalroleinbuildingparticipatorydemocracy.

Organised civil society, in the form of NGOs, oftenpartners with government to drive various publicprogrammes,beittoreachouttothedisaster-strickenareas or to intervene in home-based care in helpingwith the HIV/Aids pandemic, and all sorts of otherthings.

Thereisnomasterplan,noonebigideaorbigthingthatwhendoneoraccomplished,willsolveallSouthAfrica’sproblemsorwillhavetheresultofinstantlyjoiningpeopletogether.Witheverybabystepwetake,weapproachtheidealofsocialcohesion.

Wemust,however,berealisticinwhatwehopefor.

Whenwesaysocialcohesion,whatexactlydowemean?Doweexpectdifferentpeopletobesociallyinteractiveonaregular/dailybasis,tolivelifeasonebighappyfamily

orarewecontentwithanationthatcoexistspeacefullyandinharmonywithoutanywarsandhatred?Ifitispeaceandharmonywehopefor,toacertainextent,wearewellonourwaytoachievingthat.Iheardsomespeakersearliersayingithasbeensolong,therearenopositiveresults,themethodhasfailed.Idaretosay,wehaveactuallyachievedquitealot.

We have a constitution that pretty much protects usfromallforeseeableevils,andifthelinesarecrossed,wehavethecourtstovindicateourrights.

We even have special courts, particularly the equalitycourt,whichislessformalandwassetupspecificallytodealwithunacceptablebehaviourwhichcanreasonablybeconstruedtocausehatred.Inotherwords,behavioursthosecreatedivisionandcausehatredinsociety.

Civil society is in the forefront in bringing aboutsocietalchanges.

Oneof the character traits expectedof civil societyistolerance.

Ofcourseinordertocreateacaringandproudsociety,werequiremuchmorethanmeretolerance,theidealiscohesion.Butinacountrywithourhistory,toleranceisdefinitelyastart.

Anothertraitthat isknownofcivilsociety isthattheyspeakoutwhenthevaluestheystandforarethreatenedinanyway.

When young girls wearing mini-skirts are attacked atthetaxirankinNoordStreetJohannesburg,civilsocietytakestothestreetsandspeaksout.

When women and children are abused, civil societyspeaksout.

When there are xenophobic attacks against foreignnationals,againcivilsocietyspeaksout.

When Government fails to deliver basic services, civilsociety speaks out and with help from organisationssuchastheLRC;wetakethemtocourtwhennecessary.WeknowthatastheLRCwearesometimesnotverypopularwithGovernmentaswebringendlesslitigationagainstvariousstatedepartments.

52

WORKING TOGETHER



Wedosobecausewebelieve inourConstitutionandwebelieveinourgovernmentwhichiswhyweholdyoutotask.Ifwedidn’tbelieveyoucoulddowhatyouhaveundertakentodo,wewouldnotbother.

Haditnotbeenforwomen’smovements,manyabusedwomenwouldnot come forward.Had it notbeen forinstitutionsliketheLRC,manyofthepoorpeoplewouldnothaveaccesstojustice.Thisisso,notbecauseourlegalsystem does not allow everyone access to justice, butsimplybecausetheydonothavethefinancialmuscleandtheknow-howtobringcasestocourt.

Thequestionis,doalltheselaudableactionsbyorganisedcivilsocietybringaboutsocialcohesion?Theanswer isabsolutelynot.Onemayhopethatifthingsarerunningsmoothly, it is easier forpeople to focusonbuilding acaring and proud society, butwhen people are hungry,havenobasicservicesandfeelfrustratedandangrythereisverylittleinterestinbeingnicetoeachother.

Sowhatneeds tohappen?As civil societyweneed tocontinuedoingthegoodworkthatwedo.Weneedtocontinue speaking out and educating our people.Weneed to continue promoting public dialogue and thespiritofforgivenessandhealing.

WeneedtocontinueworkingtogetherwithGovernmentininitiatingprogrammesthatservethenation.Asanationwehavecomeaverylongway.Romewasnotbuilt inoneday.Ithasonlybeen18years.Ourpeoplearestillveryangry.Wemustberealisticaboutourexpectations.Taketheexampleofrunningasewingmachine.Ittakesaboutaminutetoruinthefabricbutwhenyouhavetoundothat,youcanspenduptoanhour,orforever.Thesamegoesforundoingtheevilsofthepast.

Civilsocietymustcontinuemobilisingandlobbyingourpeopletomoveforward.

Wemusteducateandencouragedialogue.

When we disagree, we must do it in a constructivemannerandwemustalwaysrememberthateverylittlebitcounts.

Themedia isapowerful tool.Letusmakeuseof it tobuildthenation.

Heritage Foundation – Major-General Gert Opperman


1. TheHeritageFoundationwould like toassociateitselfwiththethemeoftheconference,i.e.toworktogether tocreateacaringandproudsociety inSouthAfrica.

2. TheHeritageFoundationsees itself as apositiveagentofchangeinthecountry,takingfromthepastwhatisgoodandwhatinspiresus,butatthesametimealsolearningfromthelessonsofthepast,tocontextualize all in the present, but even moreimportanttousethatasabasetoreachouttoabetterfutureforallinourfatherland.

3. The Voortrekker Monument and The HeritageFoundationhave taken the initiative in a numberof ways to promote reconciliation and nationbuilding.Iwouldliketomentionafewexamples.

3.1 LiaisonwithandassistancewiththetrainingofanumberofstaffmembersoftheApartheidandtheHectorPetersonMuseums.

3.2 MoUwith FreedomPark.TheVoortrekkerMonument obtained the funds for theconstruction of the linking road betweenFreedom Park and the VoortrekkerMonument from the Lotto Fund, and alsomanagedthewholeproject.

3.3 Active liaison with Liliesleaf Museum.Weprovided much-appreciated inputs to thelatter re marketing of itself as a touristdestinationinChina.

4. TheHeritageFoundationwasestablishedtohelptake care of all threatened heritage resources,not only those of theAfrikaans-speaking part ofthe population. Accept the fact that previouslyadvantagedcommunitieswillhavetoworkharderto take care of their own heritage resources, asGovernment is concentrating on addressing theimbalancesofthepast.

53


5. If empowered to do so by the Department ofArts and Culture, the Heritage Foundationwould bewilling to do evenmore in respect ofthreatened heritage resources, but regrettablyit receives no state subsidy and therefore doesnothavethenecessaryresourcestoplayabiggerrole.Thedemand for its services is neverthelessincreasing by the day, especially at provincial andlocal government level,where serious neglect ofheritageresourcesisbeingexperienced.

6. TheHeritage Foundation already assists SAHRAinrespectof thecareandmaintenanceofABW-concentrationcampcemeteries,aswellasBurghergravesandPOWgravesandcemeteries,inSouthAfricaandabroad.

7. TheHeritageFoundationalsoplayedakeyroleinKZN, re the constructionof a pedestrianbridgeovertheriverbetweentheNcomeMuseumandtheBloodRiverHeritageSite.

---

Foundation for Human Rights – Mr Hanif Vally


A. Introduction

• The political culture of a country crystallizesarounditsconstitution.

• Each national culture develops a distinctiveinterpretationofthoseconstitutionalprinciples–inthelightofitsownnationalhistory.

• A ‘constitutional patriotism’ based on theseinterpretations can take the place originallyoccupiedbynationalism.

• Human social life rests on our capacity to havemoreorlessclearcommunicationwitheachother.We communicate - to paraphrase Descartes -thereforeoursocietyprogresses.

• The potential for transforming the world andarriving at a more humane, just and egalitariansociety is through the realization of the humanpotentialforreason.

B. Poverty and Human Rights

• “Millionsofpeoplearesystematicallydeprivedoffundamentalhumanrightssimplybecausetheyarepoor.”

• From a human rights perspective, poverty canbedescribed as thedenialof a person’s right toarangeofbasiccapabilities.Povertyismorethanjustalackofincome.Povertyisalsoaboutpowerandinequality.

• Povertyiscausedbylackofcapabilitiesorfreedomssuchastherighttoeducation,health,shelter─asopposedtothetrickle-downthesis.

• A poor person is one who is deprived of basiccapabilities–suchasthecapabilitytobefreefromhunger,toliveingoodhealth,tobeliterate,tohavesocialsecurityandsoon.

• Inthelanguageofrights,onemaysaythatapoorpersonisoneforwhomanumberofhumanrightsremain unfulfilled – such as the rights to food,health,educationandsoon.

• Personslivinginpovertyaredeprivedoftheirrighttodignity.

C. Constitutional Provisions on socio-economic rights

Foundingprovisions

Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free thepotentialofeachperson;• Section 1:The Republic of SouthAfrica is one

sovereign, democratic state founded on thefollowingvalues:a) Humandignity, theachievementofequality

and the advancement of human rights andfreedoms.

• Section2:ThisConstitutionisthesupremelawoftheRepublic;laworconductinconsistentwithitisinvalid,andtheobligationsimposedbyitmustbefulfilled.

• Section 3: There is a common South Africancitizenship.Allcitizensare–a) equallyentitledtotherights,privilegesand

benefitsofcitizenship;• Section10:Everyonehasinherentdignityandthe

righttohavetheirdignityrespectedandprotected.• Section26:AdequateHousing.• Section27(1)(a):Righttohealthcare,food,water,

socialsecurity.

54

WORKING TOGETHER



• Section 27(2): Within available resources;progressiverealisationoftheserights.

• Section29:Education.• Section8:Alltheserights,civil,politicalandsocio-

economicareenforceable.• The phrases “available resources” and

“progressiverealisation”allowgovernmenttosettime-linesandprioritise.Itdoesnotallowforanindefinitedeferment.

• Therecognitionofatimedimensionandtheneed for prioritization are common featuresofallapproachestopolicy-making.

• The distinctiveness of the human rightsapproachisthatitimposescertainconditionsonthesefeatures,sothatthepursuitofhumanrightsisnotreducedtomererhetoricinthenameofprogressiverealization.

D. Inequality and Social Justice

Whatisitaboutunequalsocietiesthatcausethedamage?

• Itissuggestedthattheanswerliesinthepsycho-socialareasofhierarchyandstatus.

• Thegreater thedifferentialbetweenthehavesandhave-nots, the greater importance everyone placesonthematerialaspectsofconsumption;whatbrandofcaryoudrivecarriesfarmoremeaninginamorehierarchicalsocietythaninaflatterone.

• It’stheknock-oneffectsofthisstatusanxietythatfinds socially corrosive expression in crime, ill-healthandmistrust.

E. Civil Society

• Checks and balances based on principles byMontesquieuinthe18thCentury.

• Still have the division between the Judiciary,LegislatureandtheExecutive.

• RoleofExecutiveandLegislaturegettingblurred:party discipline, proportional representation lists, patronage.

• Important role for civil society to reinforcedemocracy.

Role of civil society

• Researchonsocialandeconomicproblems.• Lobbyingandadvocacy.• Campaigns.• Supportingthegovernmentondeliveryofrights.• Mediation with government departments to

improveservicedelivery.• Litigation to force the state to comply with its

constitutionalandlegalobligations.• Peacefully confronting government through

protests and petitions when the state fails tocomplywithitsconstitutionalandlegalobligations.

---

Progressive Women’s Movement – Ms Xoliswa Bam


As representative of a women’s’ movement I standhere to speak on behalf of the ProgressiveWomen’sMovement and its role in building a socially inclusivesociety.Ithereforespeakfromagenderperspective.

• First,tomanythemovementisfairlynew,butithasbeenaroundsinceMarch2007whenitwaslaunched.

• The main focus areas of the movement areeconomic empowerment, skills development,gender-based violence, HIV/Aids and the healthprogramme.

• ThisSummitaimstoformulatestrategiesthatwillassistinaddressingthesocialillsthatareplaguingour society andmakes it imperative to diagnoseanddissectthesocialproblemsconfrontingusasapeople.

55


EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

Themobilizationofwomenisthetask,notonlyofwomenalone,orofmenalone,butofallofus,menandwomenalike, comrades in thestruggle.Themobilizationof thepeopleintoactiveresistanceandstruggleforliberationdemandstheenergiesofwomennolessthanthatofmen.Asystembasedontheexploitationofmanbymancaninnowayavoidtheexploitationofwomenbythemalemembersofsociety.Thereisnowayinwhichwomeningeneralcan liberatethemselveswithoutfightingtoendtheexploitationofmanbyman,bothasaconceptandasasocialsystem.(O.R.Tambo,14September1981)

EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN AND DEMOCRACY

The liberation of women is a fundamental necessityfor the revolution, a guarantee of its continuity and acondition for its success (Machel,1973). Inhisopeningaddress to the first conference of the MozambiqueWomen’sOrganisation(OMM)in1973,SamoraMachel,PresidentofFrelimo,affirmedthatwomen’semancipationwasanintegralaspectofrevolutionarystruggle.

EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE

Genderequalityissmarteconomicsascountrieswhichcreate betteropportunities and conditions forwomencanraiseproductivityandimproveoutcomesforchildren

EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN MUST BE ATTAINED BY ALL

GENDER EQUALITY MUST BECOME A LIVEDREALITY

MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE

SOUTH AFRICA IS DOING WELL IN PROMOTING WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND PARTICIPATION

SOUTH AFRICA STILL NEEDS TO DO MORE TO REDUCE POVERTY AND IMPROVE ACCESS TOECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

PWMSAhasnowformedatrust.

Object of the trust

• Thetrust isanon-profitorganizationofapubliccharacter, established for theobjectofpreparingand providing disadvantaged learners with skillssupport(educationalandsocial)andscholarshipsforhighereducationstudies.

The trust will do this by doing the following:

• Providingacademicsupporttothelearnersbefore,duringandafterthescholarship.

• Collaborating with higher education institutionsbothnationallyandinternationally.

• ServingasalinkbetweentheschoolsandtheFETs:• Assessment and placement of learners in FETs,

nationally and internationally • Provision of bridging programmes based on the

learners’needsandcareeraspirations.• Collaborating with government and other

institutionswiththesamegoal.• Providing information and personal development

trainingtothelearners,includingcareerguidance.• Developingprogrammes that empower the youth

todealwithissuesrelatedtotheirhealthandwell-being,andimprovingtheirqualityoflife.

Conclusion

In this way PWMSA hopes to grow and continue tomake society a better place for all and for women inparticular.Furthermore,throughparticipatingwithinFETstructures and working closely with the Departmentof Education, it will not only contribute to individualpersonal development but also to social cohesion andthedevelopmentofoursocietyasawhole.

56

WORKING TOGETHER



!KE E: /XARRA //KE:

WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A CARING AND PROUD SOCIETY

A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPING AN INCLUSIVE AND

A COHESIVE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

- Nelson Mandela

57


1. Introduction

This is a draft National Strategy on Social CohesionandNation-Building developed by theDepartment ofArtsandCulture (DAC). Intended forpubliccommentandrevision, itrespondstotheongoingandunfinishednationalprojectwhichbeganwiththetransformationofSouthAfrica intoaconstitutionaldemocracy in1994–this being the building of a just societywhich upholdsandembodies theprinciples andvaluesof an inclusive,non-racialdemocracy.

Morespecifically,itrespondstoOutcome12ofthesetof 12Outcomes adopted by Cabinet in January 2012.Itdoessobytakingtothenationaldemocraticprojectembarkedon in1994, furtherwithinthemedium-term,a framework coveringApril 2010 to March 2014.Assuchitrepresentsthemostrecentstageinthenationaldemocratic project. It unfolds against the historicalbackground of the stark divisions and inequalitiesproducedbytheexclusivist,oppressiveandexploitativesocial systemsof colonialismandapartheidwhichheldswayoverSouthAfrica formostof itsmodernhistory.And theadvancesmade since1994 inovercoming thislegacy.

This strategy is therefore oriented towards the SouthAfricanmeaningsofsocialcohesionandnation-buildingembeddedas theyhappen tobe inAfrican social ideasand cultures and their dynamic interactionwith othercultures.All human societies, at both local-communitylevel and larger intercommunity- and national-life level,requiresetsofsharedvalues,norms,visionsandgoalstosecureco-operationandfosterbondsofbelonging.InthecontextofSouthAfrica,theconceptofubuntuarticulatesa social humanismof interpersonal care, sharing and acommitmenttothegreatersocialgood.

2. Purpose

ThepurposeofthisdocumentistoproposeaNationalStrategy on Social Cohesion and Nation-Building forSouthAfrica,by:

• Proposingathemeforthestrategy• Proposingavisionforsocialcohesionandnation

building• Proposingprincipleforsocialcohesionandnation-

building• Formulatingaproblemstatement• Assessing advancements in social cohesion and

nationbuildingmadesine1994• Contextualising social cohesion and nation-

building• Conceptualising social cohesion and nation-

building• Definingsocialcohesionandnation-building• Proposingprinciplesofsocialcohesionandnation-

building• Identifying Indicators threatening to social

cohesion• Recommendingsocialcohesionandnation-building

strategiesandprogrammes

DrivenbytheDAC,thisisanationalstrategythat,byitsverynature, is intergovernmentalandcross-sectorial. ItsurveystheterrainwithaviewtoproposingcontextuallyinformedandmeasurablesocialcohesionprogrammesatalllevelsofsocialandpubliclifeinSouthAfrica.

3. Vision

Thisnationalstrategyaimstocontributetothecreationofacaringanproudsocietyinformedbyavisionbasedon:

Freedom, Democracy and JusticeRights and Responsibilities

Equality and InclusionShared Values and Symbols

Unity and Diversity

58

WORKING TOGETHER



4. Theme

The preamble to the Constitution of South Africadeclares:“WethepeopleofSouthAfrica…believethatSouthAfricabelongstoeveryonewholivesinit,unitedinourdiversity”.

This is reiterated in the motto on the National CoatofArmsbythe/Xamexpression !ke e: /xarra //kewhichliterallymeansdiversepeopleunite. It thusenjoins thecitizens to unite in a sense of belonging and pride. Itis combined with the DAC’s work on social cohesionembarked on under the theme “Creating a CaringSociety” by adding“proud” en enjoining everyone toparticipate, it reads:“WorkingTogether to Create aCaringandProudSociety”.

5. Problem Statement

In 1994 SouthAfrica emerged from a long history inwhichrace,ethnicityandculturewereusedasthebasisfortheimpositionofadivided,unequalandhierarchicalsociety that excluded the majority of the populationfromcitizenship.Thispolitical andeconomicorderhadfar-reachingramifications.

Afteralmost18yearsofdemocracy,despitetheprogressmadeinimprovingthequalityoflifeofthevastmajorityof the population, the realities of poverty, inequality,unemployment, homelessness and landlessness remainstark. In some instances, such as unemployment andhealth, the situation has deteriorated sharply. In thiscontext of economic underperformance andminority-and middle-class privilege, the phenomena of violentcrime and abuse of women, children, the elderly andforeignnationalshavetakenondisturbingproportions.

The effect of all this was the systematic alienation ofthemajority of the population fromnational and localstateinstitutions.Thisalienationwasfollowedthroughatall levelsofsociety, leaving in itswakeadeeplydividedsociety.

Whilemuchprogresshasbeenmadesince1994onmanyfronts,socialexclusionsstillpersist.

As the Delivery Agreement for Outcome 12 pointsout, while the constitution and its Chapter Nine

Institutions have laid the foundations for an inclusiveandjustrelationshipbetweenthecitizensandthestateatdifferent levelsofgovernment,aswell aswithotherpublicandprivateagencies,theeffectiverealisationofthefullparticipationofall citizensremainsunevenAtbothnational and local government levels, from the SouthAfrican Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and theCommissionforGenderEquality(CGE)totheIntegratedDevelopmentPlanning(IDP)oflocalgovernmentanditswardcommitteesystem,theimpactofthesebodiesandprocessesisnotoptimal.

Widespreadservicedeliveryprotests,the outbreak of violence againstforeignnationals,highlevelsofcrime,gender violence, child abuse, chronicdiseases and corruption indicate a breakdownbetweenthegovernmentandthecitizens,ontheonehand,andthedisregardforpeacefuldemocraticactionandhumanrightsvaluesamongcitizens,ontheother.Incombination,these have resulted in the spread ofdissatisfaction and volatility in manydeprived communities across thecountry.

Evidence suggests that theconstitutional recognition ofcitizenship alongwith the rights andresponsibilities that go with this isnot firmly embedded in society andconcretised in everyday life.This gulf between formalcitizenshipandrealityliesattheheartofthebreakdownsbetweencitizensandpublicinstitutionsaswellaswithincommunities.

Accordingly, when this problem has been recognised,the challenge is to implement planned and outcomes-directed interventions that will fully empower citizensand foster the democratic norms and values of suchcitizenship.Howtoenhancesocialcohesionandnation-building and full democratic citizenship is outlined asfollowsintheServiceDelivery This is integral to building a cohesive society, workingtogethertoachievesharedvaluesandobjectiveswhichinturncontributetointerculturalsocialsolidarityandthecrystallisationofasharedSouthAfricanidentity.

“We the people of South Africa … believe that South Africa belongs to

everyone who lives in it, united in our

diversity”

ThepreambletotheConstitutionof

SouthAfrica

59


6. Advances in Social Cohesion and Nation-Building Since 1994

Sincetheattainmentofanon-racialdemocracyin1994,SouthAfrica has, in relation to the problem statementoutlined above,made enormous strides in overcomingthehistoricallyentrenchedinequalitiesandexclusionsofcenturiesofminorityrule.Thecountryhasconsolidatedthe process of building an inclusive, non-racial anddemocraticsocietyoverthelast18years.

• Aconstitutionaldemocracy,basedontheruleoflaw,subjecttotheprovisionsintheconstitutionandtheseparationofpowers,hasreplacedtheraciallyexclusive and non-accountable parliamentarypoliticaldispensationsofthepast.

• Legislatures, at all three levels of government,havebeen established forwhich representation iscontestedinanunrestrictedmulti-partysystem.

• The once fragmented political geography ofapartheid and the physical segregation of peoplealongracialandethniclinesnolongerhasanylegalforce.Eventhoughthespatialimprintsofthepastare still visible,many communities have graduallybecomemoreintegrated.

• As an independentAfrican country made up ofdiversepeoplesandcultures,SouthAfricahasbeenhardatworkincreatingasocietyinwhichall itscitizensarevaluedasequalhumanbeingswiththesame rights regardless of race, ethnicity, gender,religion,languageorlocation.

• Economicandpropertylawswhichonceexcludedthe majority of the population have beenabolishedandaccess toresourcesandeconomicopportunities are no longer the preserve of aracialminority.

• Thediverselanguages,culturesandreligionsofthesociety enjoy constitutional protection and therighttodevelopment.

• A single national education system at primary,secondary and tertiary levels as replaced thesystem of segregated, ethnic-based and BantuEducation. This has resulted in the attainmentof universal access to primary education well

aheadof the2015 targetdateof theMillenniumDevelopmentGoals.

• In a drive to eradicate extreme poverty, as thebasisforcreatingacaringsocietyandsecurethematerialwell-beingofitsmembers,comprehensivemeasures have been taken which combine cashgrants with a range of social wages related tofreeprimaryhealthcareforall,subsidisedhousing,electricity, water, sanitation, refuse removal andtransportation, including the transfer of homeownership of to renting residents in urbancommunitieshistoricallysegregatedanddesignatedastownship.These interventionshaveresulted inthedeclineofabsolutepovertyfrom11.3%in2000to5%in2006,droppingcontinuously.

• Equality,ofpersons,acrossrace,genderandcultureisacornerstoneoftheSouthAfricanconstitution.In this regard, emphasis has been placed onacceleratingtheparticipationofwomeninpolitical,economic,social,educationalandculturalspheresof life. In terms of political participation, therepresentationofwomeninParliamentincreasedfrom27.8in1994to43.3%in2009.Inprovinciallegislaturesitinincreasefrom25.4%to42.4%overthesameperiod.

• Oncethepariahoftheworld,SouthAfricahas,fromtheinceptionofdemocracybecomeabeaconforthepeacefulresolutionofconflictathome,onthecontinentandglobally.Participatinginworldaffairs,SouthAfrica has worked for the transformationinter-continentalandintercontinentalinstitutions.

• It has successfully organized and hosted majorinternational economic, cultural and sportingeventsincludingthe2010FIFAWorldCup.

• ThedraftNationalDevelopmentPlan:Vision2030envisages an inclusive growth path through theimprovement of education and skills; investmentin science and technology; public infrastructure;industrial development; accelerated land reformand food security; the expansion of employmentopportunities; safety and security; urbandevelopment; a national health-care system andthe further reduction of poverty and inequalityin the ongoing project of building a unified andcohesivesociety.

60

WORKING TOGETHER



Advancesmade in relation to these and other criticalareasofsocialcohesionandnation-buildingarefurtheroutlinedinsection18ofthisdocumentwhichdealswiththedevelopmentindicators.

7. Principles of Social Cohesion and Nation-Building

This strategy on social cohesion and nation-building isbasedonthefollowingprinciples:• ConstitutionalDemocracy• HumanRightsandEquality• Non-racialism,Non-tribalismandNon-sexism• UnityinDiversity• Inclusivityandsocialjustice• RedressandTransformation• IntergroupandCommunityCo-operation• SocialSolidarity• ActiveandParticipatoryCitizenship• CivicResponsibility• NationalConsciousness

Theseprinciplesserveasthetouchstonesofthisstrategy,and are aimed at fostering greater cohesion withindiverse communities and national unity between themandacrossthecountry.

8. The Constitutional Basis of Social Cohesion and Nation-building

TheConstitutionofSouthAfricahasadirectbearingonsocial cohesion and nation-building.As mentioned, thePreambledeclaresthat“SouthAfricabelongstoallwholive in it, united inourdiversity”.Asunderlinedby theSouthAfricanHumanRightsCommission,thisembracesevery inhabitant of the country, both citizen and non-citizen.

It further stresses the indivisible unity, under theConstitution, of the country’s diverse people. It setsasoneof its aims“to improve thequalityof lifeof allcitizens and free the potential of each person”. In thisregard it isnotapassive legaldocumentreplacedbyatransformativeone.

Section 1 affirms “non-racialism and non-sexism” asfoundational values and principles. In the light of thisSection 9(1) declares that“[e]veryone is equal beforethelawandhastherighttoequalprotectionandbenefitof the law”.Accordingly, Section 9 (3) stipulates:“Thestate may not unfairly discriminate against anyone ononeormoregrounds,includingrace”.Thesameappliesto gender. Section 10 enjoins:“Everyone has inherentdignityandhastherighttohavetheirdignityrespectedandprotected”.TheseprovisionsalongwiththeBillofRightsandotherprovisionsformthebasisoflawsandconstitutethelegalfoundation of a democratic South Africa required toproactivelycorrectinjusticesofthepast.

61


9. DAC Initiatives on Social Cohesion and Nation-Building

The arts, cultural, social cohesion and nation-buildingmandateoftheDACcapturesinitsvision:

TodevelopandpreserveSouthAfricanculturetoensuresocialcohesionandnation-building.

Thismandatederivesfromitsroleaspubliccustodianofthediversecultures,languagesandheritageofthepeopleofSouthAfricaandasthenational leaderinprovidingpublicsupportforthedevelopmentofinnovationacrossthefullspectrumoftheartsascreative,economicandsocialpractices,andasbearersofadynamicsociety.Asaconsequence,hedepartment’sprogrammescovertheadministrationof arts andculture in society, language,heritagepromotionandconservation,nationalarchives,records,librariesandheraldry.

Theseprogrammes,integraltothesocialandculturallifeofsociety,arecarriedoutwithinspecifiedconstitutionalandlegalframeworksofthecountry.Hence,theDAC’sBaselineDocumentonSocialCohesionVersion5(2010)pointsoutthattheDAChasovertheyearsembarkedonseveralresearchactivitiesandprojectsrelatedtosocialcohesionandnation-building.

• In 2004, the DAC commissioned the SocialCohesionandSocial Justice inSouthAfricastudyconducted by the Human Sciences ResearchCouncil(HSRC).

• TheJuly2007CabinetLekgotlaapprovedamacro-social strategic framework aimed at addressingthenegativeindicatorsofsocialcohesionidentifiedinANationintheMaking.

• In October 2009 a Social Cohesion Colloquiumwith the theme “Building a Caring Nation” washeldtodiscussthestateofsocialcohesioninSouthAfrica. It recommended that a National SocialCohesionConferencebeheldandthatcommunityconversationbeheldleadinguptothis

• A perception survey on social cohesion wasconductedinKwaZulu-NatalinthecommunitiesofKwaCeza,Nquthu,UmbumbuluandZwelinzima.

Theseinitiatives,activitiesandplansaimedatpromotingsocial cohesion and nation-building, assumed a new

urgency after 12 Outcomes were adopted at the 20-22 January2010CabinetLekgotla. Asawhole, the12Outcomes constitute a comprehensive implementationand delivery model that requires departments andinstitutions across government and public institutionsto lead effectively and to deliver high-impact outputswithintheframeworkofthestrategicpolicies,plansandprioritiesofgovernment.

Theoutputs specific to theDACare the last three inthe listabove. IntheDeliveryAgreement(2010), theseoutputs,designatedasOutcome12BhasbeenassignedtotheDepartmentofArtsandCulture.Outcome12A,comprising the first four listed, has been assigned tothe Department of Public Service andAdministration(DPSA).Outcome12Bencompassesanempoweredfairandinclusivecitizenship.

10. Conceptualising Social Cohesion and Nation-Building

This sectionproposes a rethinkingof the conventionalassignment of social cohesion and nation-building assecondary and intangible by-products of the primaryprocess of economic development. It conceptualisessocial cohesion and nation formation as interrelatedand society-wide processes. In terms of this, allspheresofsociety–economic,social,legal,culturalandenvironmental – are to be understood and treated associal processes.They garner legitimacy and impact indirect relation to theextent towhich theycontribute,directly and indirectly, to enhance the material, social,culturalandphysicalqualityof lifeofasociety,both itscitizenryandothermembers.

This conceptualisation of economic developmentpermeatestheDeclarationandProgrammeofActionofthe1995WorldSummitforSocialDevelopment(WSSD)on to the Freedom Charter, the Reconstruction andDevelopmentProgrammeandtheConstitutionofSouthAfrica.

62

WORKING TOGETHER



11. Convergence of Social Cohesion and National Development Priorities

Thepolicyenvironmentwithinwhichthisstrategymustbesituatediscomplex.It involvesasetofinterrelatedandoverlappinginitiativesatnationalleveltowhichithastobealigned foroptimal impact.The followingare themostimportantinitiatives:

Inorder toeffect therepositioningofSocialCohesionandNation-buildingtoarticulateandalignwitheconomicand social development strategies and policies, it isnecessarytoestablishtheextentofconvergenceornon-convergence.

Tothisendconvergencetablesareconstructedtogaugethefollowingpoliciesandtheirpriorities:

• ElectoralMandate:2009-2014• Draft National Development Plan: Vision 2030

(DNDP)• NewGrowthPath:2010-2014:(NGPP)• IndustrialPolicyActionPlan2010-2014(IPAP)• The Millennium Development Goals: 2000-2015

(MDGS)

A high correlation between the national developmentpoliciesandsocialcohesionlistedaboveisevident.

12. Defining Social Cohesion and Nation-Building

12.1 DefinitionofSocialCohesion

Socialcohesionisdefinedasthedegreeofsocialintegration and inclusion in communities andsociety at large, and the extent towhichmutualsolidarityfindsexpressionitselfamongindividualsandcommunities.

Intermsofthisdefinition,acommunityorsocietyis cohesive to the extent that the inequalities,exclusions and disparities based on ethnicity,gender,class,nationality,age,disabilityoranyotherdistinctionswhichengenderdivisionsdistrustandconflictarereducedand/oreliminatedinaplannedand sustained manner. This, with communitymembers and citizens as active participantsworking together for the attainment of sharedgoals designed and agreed upon to improve thelivingconditionsforall.

12.2 DefinitionofNation-Building

Nation-building is theprocesswherebyasocietyofpeoplewithdiverseorigins,histories,languages,cultures and religions come together within theboundaries of a sovereign state with a unifiedconstitutional and legal dispensation, a nationalpublic education system, an integrated nationaleconomy, shared symbols and values, as equals,to work towards eradicating the divisions andinjusticesofthepast;tofosterunity;andpromotea countrywide conscious sense of being proudlySouthAfrican,committedtothecountryandopentothecontinentandtheworld.

Accordingly,anation isconceivedasasocial formationbasedon theunity and equalityof itsmembersconsisting the following shared and recognisedattributes:

• SharedOriginandhistory• Aninternationallyrecognisedterritory• Aunitarysovereignstate• Asinglejudicialsystem• Ashareeconomy• Singlepubliceducationsystem• Nationallyrecognisedlanguages• Nationallyrecognisedcultures• Nationallyrecognisedreligions• Sharedvalues• SharedSymbols• Asharednationalconsciousness

In South Africa, the diverse cultures, languagesandreligionsshouldnotbeseenas impedimentsto national unity given the statutory equalityaccordedtoallcitizens.Thechallengeistodeepenand broaden these aspects to fully include allSouthAfricans.

63


13 Dimensions of Social Cohesion and Nation-Building

AccordingtoCloeteandKotze,followingDeWit,socialcohesionconsistsoffivedimensions.Thesearethefirstfivelistedbelowtowhichanadditionalthreeareadded:

• Belonging• Inclusion:• Participation• Recognition:• Legitimacy• Sharedvalues• Co-operation• Belief

14. Resources of Social Cohesion and Nation-Building

AccordingtoEmery&FloraandJimCavayecommunityand social development is based on eight resourcesreferredtoasformscapital:Theseare:

• EnvironmentalCapital• Culturalcapital• Humancapital• Socialcapital• Politicalcapital• Financialcapital• Constructioncapital

Inthelightoftheabove,asocietysuchasSouthAfricaasacohesiveandunifiedsocietyshouldbecharacterisedby:

• Asenseofbelongingforallitsdiversecitizensandmembers

• A shared vision among diverse citizens on thefutureoftheircommunityandsociety

• Abroadlysharedsetofpublicvaluesandnormsforsocialconduct

• Equalopportunitiesfordevelopmentandadvanceforall people, regardlessof their culture, gender,status,age,abilityandregion

• Positive valuation of diverse cultures, languagesandreligions

• Respectandtoleranceforpoliticalandideologicaldifferences

• Regular interaction, exchange and co-operationamongitsdiversemembers

• Respect for constitutionally-based laws,international law and local regulations complyingwithsuchlaws

• A high level of awareness of the rights andobligationsofcitizens

• AproudconsciousnessofbeingSouthAfrican

• Activeparticipationofcitizensinpublicinstitutions,decision-making processes, projects, events andcelebrationsatalllevelsofsociety

• Democratic and peaceful resolution of disputesanddisagreements

• Welcomeandintegrationofimmigrantsintosociety

• Transparent and accountable handling of publicaffairs by public representatives and governmentofficials

64

WORKING TOGETHER



15. Interrelationship of Social Cohesion and Nation-Building • Social cohesion is generally community-based and

locatedatamicro-sociallevel,whileitis,atthesametime,underpinnedbyanationalsenseofbelongingandtheextentoflegitimacyofsocialinstitutions.

• Intercommunity cohesion, since the gap betweenthetwolevelsabove,inacountrythesizeofSouthAfrica, is relatively vast, and an intermediate levelof social cohesion is necessary.This relates to theprovincesthatconstitutethedistrictandprovincialormeso-levelsofintercommunitylife.

• Nation-building, on the other hand, is nationallyorientedandthuslocatedatthemacro-sociallevel.

Anintegratedstrategyofsocialcohesion,therefore,mustengageandlinkupwithallthreelevelsofpubliclife.

16. Measuring Social Cohesion and Nation-Building

Tomonitorandmeasurethe impactofsocialcohesionandnation-buildingpoliciesandprogrammes, indicatorsareneededthat:

• Clearly determine the nature and extent of thespecificproblemofinequalityandsocialexclusion

• Bebothquantitativelyandstatisticallyvalidatedaswellasqualitativelyandexperiencebased.

• Be generally agreed upon and accepted bypolicy-makers, programme managers, communityparticipants;

• Becontext-specificandadaptable;

• Bealignedtothepatterns,tempoanddirectionofchange;

• Be revised and adjusted in response tonewandunforeseendevelopments;

• Be attainable and adequately resourced andsupported;

• Bebenchmarkedandinterpretedforcomparativepurposes,locally,nationallyandinternationally.

It requires drawing on quantitative indicators, that is,objective, national, provincial and local developmentindices, combined with experiential personal data,analysisandinterpretation.Thedesign,whileattentivetoglobalbenchmarks,mustberigorouslygrounded intheparticularitiesofSouthAfrica.

65


17. Building Consensus on a National Strategy for Social Cohesion and Nation-building

• Mainstreaming social inclusion and nationformation in development plans and initiativesnationally,regionallyandlocally.

• Mobilisationofallthekeyparticipants,stakeholdersand institutions

• Buildingnational support for thestrategyand itsobjectives

• Involvingcommunitiesatallstagesofplanningandimplementation

• Buildingtherequisitecapacityandskills• Ensuringtransparencyandaccountability• Combatingnepotism,patronageandcorruption

18. Indicators of Social Cohesion and Nation-Building

• SlowEconomicGrowthandTransformation• UnemploymentandSocialExclusion• Poverty,InequalityandSocialExclusion• Households,LandandSocialExclusion• HealthandSocialExclusion• UnevenAccess to Quality Education and Social

Exclusion• Crime,Safety,SecurityandJustice• GenderEquityandSocialExclusion

• Discrimination: Racism, Tribalism, XenophobiaandSocialExclusion

• YouthDevelopmentandSocialInclusion• Perceptions of Corruption and Basic Service

Delivery• SocialSupport• ActiveCitizenshipandIdentity

19. Conclusion

The above indicates that while the prospects ofbuilding a caring andproudsociety inSouthAfrica arenot completely hopeless. Even so, there are significantimpediments and challengeswhichhave tobe tackledin an urgent and sustainedmanner. If this is not done,the spectre of social disintegration and conflict couldbecomeareality.Asinthepast,itisimperativetoworktogethertocreateacaringandproudsociety.

Minister Dlamini Zuma and Minister Mashatile with a delighted delegate.

66

WORKING TOGETHER



Nkosisikelel’iAfrikaMaluphakanyisw’uphondolwayo,

Yizwaimithandazoyethu,Nkosisikelela,thinalusapholwayo.

Morenabolokasetjhabasaheso,Ofedisedintwalematshwenyeho,

Oseboloke,Osebolokesetjhabasaheso,Setjhabasa,SouthAfrika—SouthAfrika.

Uitdieblouvanonsehemel,Uitdiedieptevanonssee,Ooronsewigegebergtes,

Waardiekranseantwoordgee,

Soundsthecalltocometogether,Andunitedweshallstand,

LetusliveandstriveforfreedomInSouthAfricaourland.

National symbols of South Africa

67


PrivateBagX897PRETORIA0001T:+27(12)4413000F:+27(12)4413699

PrivateBagX9011CAPETOWN8000Tel:+27(21)4655620Fax:+27(21)4655624

www.dac.gov.za

working together - minister of arts and culture · a national social cohesion summit report...

Documents