A son of Benoni who began his journey as a learner in the classrooms of William Hills Secondary School and matriculated in the Class of 76 has reached the global stage with his appointment as co-chair of the BRICS Civil Forum 2026 Culture Working Group.

Dr Rajendran Govender’s appointment represents a proud moment for Benoni, the town where he grew up, completed his schooling and began his lifelong commitment to education, culture and community development.

Today, Govender serves as a commissioner of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission (CRL Rights Commission) and as a board member of the Pan South African Language Board.

He also serves on various national and international structures focusing on cultural governance, heritage preservation, social cohesion and international cooperation.

The appointment as co-chair of the BRICS Civil Forum 2026 Culture Working Group forms part of the official BRICS Civil Forum process under India’s BRICS Presidency.

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The Forum is coordinated by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, and brings together civil society organisations, academics, policy experts and cultural practitioners from BRICS countries to strengthen people-to-people cooperation and contribute towards policy discussions ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Govender said his appointment is a reminder to Benonians of the important role local communities and schools play in shaping future leaders.

His early years in Benoni laid the foundation for a career that has spanned education, arts and culture administration, research, cultural rights, language preservation and international engagement.

After completing his schooling at Actonville Primary School and William Hills Secondary School, he returned to the institution as an educator, before also serving at Liverpool Secondary School, where he continued his passion for empowering young people through education.

“Benoni gave me my foundation. It was here that I learnt the value of education, community and service.

“The teachers who guided me and the learners I later taught reminded me that every community has the potential to produce leaders who can make a difference in the world.”

He said the classroom remains one of the most powerful spaces for transforming lives.

“Teachers do not only transfer knowledge; they inspire possibilities. The impact of education extends far beyond the classroom and can influence generations.”

As co-chair of the BRICS Culture Working Group, Dr Govender will lead international discussions on key issues including:
• cultural heritage preservation and transmission;
• indigenous knowledge systems;
• protection of languages and cultural diversity;
• cultural diplomacy;
• sustainable cultural development;
• tourism as a vehicle for economic empowerment; and
• the role of civil society organisations in safeguarding heritage.

He believes South Africa’s diversity provides important lessons for the international community.

“South Africa demonstrates that diversity is not a weakness; it is a strength. Our languages, religions, traditions and histories collectively tell the story of who we are.”

The BRICS Culture Working Group will also explore practical programmes to strengthen cooperation between governments, civil society organisations, cultural institutions, universities, museums and communities.

Dr Govender emphasised that communities must remain central to cultural preservation.

“Communities are not simply audiences of culture; they are the custodians of heritage. Culture survives because people live it, practise it and pass it from one generation to another.”

The sessions will commence through virtual engagements, followed by high-level deliberations in New Delhi, India, in August, where recommendations will be consolidated as part of the broader BRICS Civil Forum process.

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