Harmonious society a priority – Kathrada

WORKING together to create a proud and caring society is everyone’s responsibility.

Those were sentiments of former freedom fighter Ahmed Kathrada at the opening of the three-day uThungulu District Social Cohesion Summit at the Richards Bay sports ground on Friday.

Kathrada said society must bring about harmony in culture and belief and strive for justice and co-existence.

‘We must promote human dignity and equality, uphold honesty, integrity and show respect for all people.

‘We must ensure the aim of the freedom charter is achieved, and fight poverty and unemployment. We are all responsible to contribute to a solution and develop our country,’ he said.

The Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, addressed attendees on the National Social Cohesion Programme under ‘We are Africa’ slogan.

He referred to the recent national xenophobic attacks as non-African and that people need to promote peace and friendship.

‘We are all Africans before we are South Africans. It is important to celebrate who we are and not take others for granted.

‘The doors of learning and culture should be open to anyone. Africans are known for their generosity and Ubuntu. It is not African to fight each other,’ said Mthethwa.

Poet Lebo Mashile conveyed a message of peace through her poem, while the Empangeni High School brass band entertained the dignitaries.

Various schools participated in a debate posing the question ‘What defines the South African nation and what needs to be done to build a kind of society we can all be proud of?