Dr Mathole Motshekga, founder of the Kara Heritage Institute, has emphasised the urgent need for South Africa to restore the dignity and pride of its people through a radical cultural transformation.

Speaking on the sidelines of the C20 South Africa launch event held at The Capital on the Park in Sandton on Monday, Motshekga called on the nation to embrace its rich cultural identity, which is essential for fostering knowledge and enhancing dignity.

According to the Kara Heritage Institute, founded in 1982, the African people have a rich ancient history and an indigenous cultural heritage that is at risk of being lost in the tide of contemporary global influences.

Motshekga believes that, by reigniting awareness of our proud African heritage and reawakening our consciousness of values, which is at the core of Africa’s spiritual heritage, Africans can revive the dignity and true equality of all humankind.

The three-day C20 South Africa launch event, which kicked off on Sunday and concludes on Tuesday, has brought together scores of representatives from various civil society organisations tasked with developing their policy proposals to be submitted to the government ahead of the G20 Summit later this year.

With 14 working groups engaged in developing various policy proposals to effect change in their respective space, Motshekga welcomed the participatory democracy, which is at the centre of the C20 South Africa’s mandate.

Motshekga indicated that South Africa, with its diverse culture, indigenous languages, and traditions, should embrace its colourful heritage to build on its knowledge.

“We have nine provinces, and each province presents us with its own set of cultures and languages. We are the people rich in culture and should indeed encourage our cultures to flourish. When someone is taught in their language, there is a sense of pride that comes with it, and I think that should be encouraged in our children, as this enhances their sense of pride and identity.

“In essence, there should be a radical cultural transformation that must happen for all of South Africans and the rest of the continent to realise its full potential,” he said.

Among the focus areas of the 14 working groups are Women and Gender Equity, People to People Interaction and Solidarity, Poverty Alleviation and Food Sustainability, Democratic Governance, Civic Space, Anti-Corruption and Access to Justice, Cultural Diversity Recognition and Embracement, Trade and Sustainable Development, and Digital and Inclusive Economies.

“As African people, at the beginning, we believed in participatory democracy and not representative democracy, where we elect leaders every five years to represent us. This is where all the elders, women, and young people would gather and resolve community issues.

“With the introduction of representative democracy, we elect people for five years. I love the fact that C20 and this process, which is the gathering of civil society, brings participatory democracy,” he stated.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za 

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