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EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

SPEECH BY PREMIER STOFILE AT THE PREMIERS AWARDS, ARTS AND CULTURE

EAST LONDON

30 MARCH  2000



The ethnic groups as well as the sub-cultural units represent the totality of the history and culture of our different communities and the 
South African nation, which we are trying to build. A great deal of flexibility and sensitivity is going to be needed as we try to be 
faithful to Sections 30 and 31 of the Constitution of the R.S.A. (Act 108 of 1996).

Some schools use purity of race, a sovereignty of a people bound together by history, language and culture to justify the existence of 
ethnicity and nationalism. A kind of biological organism based on real or mythical common descent and purity is then used to justify the 
uniqueness of a group. This is the kind of monster that gave birth to the nightmare that Hitlers Trite Reich became; an entity that 
demanded total loyalty to itself by individuals and patriots.

The USA on the other hand was founded on the basis of common citizenship and equal political rights. It was hoped that this would give 
birth to a common patriotism in which all ethnic nationalities were supposed to be dissolved. We know that such a "melting pot" did not 
dissolve every culture. The White Anglo-Saxon and Protestant culture became the norm. All other cultures were expected to share in that 
culture. Today the US is canvassing for an alternative vision of "multi-cultural" pluralism. They see this as being more realistic and 
democratic. These experiences challenge us in Africa, South Africa and in the Eastern Cape to find a reconciled balance between the levels 
of group consciousness like culture, language, Arts, ethnicity and nationalism on the one hand and democracy and inclusiveness on the other 
hand.

The challenges confront us at a time when we are exposed to global influences and local transformation. We are constantly bombarded by 
foreign culture, theatre and art forms that threaten to marginalise ours. They come at a time when we are battling to redefine ourselves in 
the language of the new South Africa. At the time when we are expected to make a big contribution to the Dawn of the African Century and to 
the African Renaissance. Yes, Arts and Culture are not static. They are dynamic and interchangeable. But this cannot be a one way traffic 
without being a colonialism of a Special type. Surely there are good things that are uniquely ours.

We may be very poor as a Province in a number of material sectors. But we offer a cultural and Arts kaleidoscope that is second to none in 
the R.S.A. Our wealth of talent and variety often goes unrecognised until those who can have to migrate to Gauteng. Both government and 
especially the private sector are challenged to change this trend. We must scout for talent and then develop and nurture it. This way we 
will make a more qualitative contribution to nation-building. We will produce a richer and fuller form of Arts and Culture. Our nationalism 
will benefit greatly from this. It will neither be narrow nor paranoid.

Let our diversity be a source of richness rather than a source of conflict. The doors of Culture and Art development must be open to all. 
Let us lead the country and encourage the other Provinces to follow. May those who have cheque books feel moved to help.

Congratulations.

REV. M.A. STOFILE
 PREMIER : EASTERN CAPE

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