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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 24 Sep 2008 Title: Let's Celebrate our Dance, our Heritage Cultural heritage is important to the identity of a society and dance, songs and art-forms have been beacons of hope and comfort in times of need for many centuries, write Proffesor Ndawonde and Bathandwa Mbola. September marks national Heritage Month in South Africa and this year's theme - 'Celebrating our Dance, Our Heritage' - encourages dance as a prime means of artistic expressions, expanding and exploring new territory. "Heritage Day celebrations will be an expression of pride in multinational dance; it will promote indigenous dance, and encourage new dancers, especially among the youth," said the Department of Arts and Culture in a statement on Heritage Month. Launching Heritage Month recently the Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan said dance celebrates the grace of the human body, the human body's energy and its inexhaustible capacities for total body articulation through every kind of inherited or learned movement. "Dance is one of the greatest gifts Africa and her people have offered the world and had its modest beginning at social gatherings. "In every part of our country dance is a component of rituals and rites. We dance when a child in born; we dance when the child reaches puberty; we dance when the youth passes into adulthood; and we dance at weddings; at parties and at funerals," he said. Heritage month aims to create a stage for the African community to unite, celebrate and preserve Africa's indigenous cultures through traditional dance and music. The Director of Flatfoot Dance Company, based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Lliane Loots told BuaNews that dance and songs help African societies reinforce cultural and historical self-awareness. "The cultural aspects such dance and music plays a critical role in nation-building processes by giving people tools to understand their identity. "It is very important for us to celebrate and preserve our cultures because they are the foundation of our lives and contribute to mutual understanding between societies and people." This year's celebrations are an expression of pride in multicultural dance and promotes indigenous dance while also encouraging new dancers particularly among the youth. Ms Loots said monuments and art treasures make a shared past visible and thus strengthen inter-cultural ties. She said however it was very essential for South Africans to exchange their cultures and understand their values to prevent prejudice and hate. The MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sports in Western Cape, Cameron Dugmore said South Africa's rich and unique cultural heritage has a profound power to promote national unity and strengthen national-building, reconciliation and patriotism. "Our identity is born out of diversity, yet bound together by values of democracy, equality and the values of our Constitution. "In South Africa, dance tells a story of the origin, evolution, growth and development of our society. It has the potential to transcend and unite all population groups regardless of their culture, race, creed, ethnicity, gender or age." Mr Dugmore said celebrating our dance heritage provides not only an opportunity to showcase diverse and unique heritage but also includes designs of costumes and dresses associated with various dance performances. Professor Nhlanhla Mathonsi of School of IsiZulu and Cultural Studies in University of KwaZulu-Natal said Heritage Day should be used as tool of exchanging cultures to ensure the citizens of Africa appreciate other cultures to prevent racial discrimination among the South Africans and Africans. "Cultural exchange also enriches our own lives by inspiring new forms of artistic expression and providing fresh insights that broaden our horizons. "Cultural exchange and activities can also exercise a more powerful influence than military task forces or political delegations." To celebrate the month, South Africans can learn the national anthem, this because South Africa is the only country to have a national anthem composed in five different languages. According to the Arts and Culture department, our anthem is a reflection of the diversity of our nation and the words of each verse proudly proclaim the love we all have for this awesome country. South Africans could also learn one more of our 11 official languages and explore the culture attached to it but most important is to learn to live "Ubuntu" - "I am because we are" - and show hospitality and warmth to fellow countrymen and visitors alike. - BuaNews |
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