Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu will today deliver the Nelson Mandela public lecture in Accra, Ghana.
The Deputy Minister, who is in Accra as part of South African Cultural Season, is expected to deliver the lecture under the theme ‘Nelson Mandela: Be the Legacy’ at 11am.
This year, South Africa marks the centenary of the life of democratic South Africa’s founding father. Madiba, as he was affectionately known by his clan name, would have turned 100 on 18 July. He passed away on 5 December 2013.
“This is also the theme for the Africa Cultural Seasons. In line with this theme, the programme will celebrate the centenary of Nelson Mandela through music, dance, fashion and design, exhibition, craft and other cultural expressions,” said the Deputy Minister ahead of the lecture.
The lecture will follow after the tour of the exhibition at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). The exhibition, which opened on Monday, forms part of the Department of Arts and Culture’s South Africa Cultural Season programme.
The programme, said the Deputy Minister, aims to showcase South Africa’s artistic and cultural talent and promote regional integration in order to support efforts towards expanded trade of cultural goods and services.
“The Africa Cultural Seasons will contribute to the implementation of the African Union Charter for African Cultural Renaissance and African Union Agenda 2063.
“These both elaborate on the importance of Africa’s total emancipation and development, and call for Africa to unite in cultural diversity and African Renaissance through creative and cultural industries,” said Sotyu.
The Cultural Seasons will also celebrate and embrace the centenary of Mama Albertina Sisulu, under the theme ‘A Woman of Fortitude’.
Sotyu said both Mandela and Sisulu left an indelible mark on the history of their peoples.
Born in the Eastern Cape, the struggle heroine would have turned 100 on 21 October.
The line-up of the weeklong celebrations include artists such as Mafikizolo, Gaddafi the poet, Berita and musical director Zwai Bala, as well as talented dancers from Luthando Dance Academy.
The programme, which will end on Friday, will be accompanied by a strong audio visual narration depicting a strong South African story line. – SAnews.gov.za
