
=====================================================================
The power of language and litrature: WordFest
=====================================================================

Speeches and Media Releases
 Sports, Arts Culture

[         w

 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 SPEECH BY MR MAX MAMASE, ACTING MEC FOR DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE
 AT THE WORDFEST, GRAHAMSTOWN
2 JULY 2000



The power of Language and Literature

Chairperson,
Cultural activists
 Ladies and Gentleman, good day.

Thank you for inviting me to speak at this very important event.

WordFest is one of our Provincial events that seek to promote and develop language and literature throughout the Eastern Cape. This 
project provides an opportunity and a platform to writers, poets and cultural activists to explore and expose their creativity through the 
use of language. We would like to acknowledge and appreciate the role of the Provincial and National Arts Council, the Institute for the 
Study of English in Africa (ISEA) and Rhodes University for the meaningful and rewarding partnership that we share on this project.

The writers

In the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, we have a great respect for the writers who are participating in this festival as 
well as the organisers of this project.We have respect for these artists, not only because they have talent, but also their strength and 
determination to succeed against all odds. We are proud to be associated with this arts community.

The role of Educational Institutions

From the onset, I would like to pay tribute to Rhodes University for valuing arts education and for continuing to support one of its 
institutes, the ISEA (Institute for the Study of English in Africa) under the able leadership of Professor Laurence Wright.We believe that 
educational institutions at tertiary, secondary, primary and foundation levels are facing enormous pressures and challenges on curriculum 
choices. The choice by the University to support arts education in schools and in communities is commendable.

As we come face to face with South Africa after apartheid, social and economic challenges such as:

* the low levels of discipline in our educational institutions,
* crime,
* unemployment,
* the increasing threat of HIV/Aids,
* the depreciating moral and ethical values in some quarters;

We realise that all of us in the Arts Community have to play a constructive role by contributing towards addressing these challenges from a 
cultural perspective. Surely the value of the arts and culture extends beyond the aesthetic and entertaining aspects!

Chairperson, we believe that the Arts Community can assist South Africa in inculcating the culture of caring, learning and teaching in our 
educational institutions and the society at large. The culture of caring, learning and teaching should definitely not only be about the 
teaching of physical science and mathematics during the entire school day.We believe that it can be about restoring and exposing the youth 
to inclusive and holistic learning experiences.These experiences have to invariably include language and literature.

This arts and cultural awareness should go beyond the classrooms and the lecture theatres to embrace community reflections and 
participation.And that is the reality of this Word Festival, for it seeks to expose this tapestry of talent, diversity and excellence.

The participation of Writers and Storytellers from various community associations is encouraging.

Today and in the following days during this festival we will be celebrating this talent, diversity and excellence. We are celebrating our 
South African heritage.

The past, present and the future

As much as we have struggled before to accomplish this, the much of the powerful oral and cultural tradition of our people was retained.Now 
as we celebrate our new multi-cultural democratic society, the time is ripe to gather that which has survived, to re-establish our once 
rich and vibrant culture.With our new government, we can now all celebrate our cultural heritage without fear that it will be used to 
consign us to some kind of ethnic compartments.Now is the time to rediscover our cultural roots to ensure that all that is good in our 
culture is passed on from one generation to the next.

Conclusion

In the form of celebrations and festivals such as WordFest, our culture enables us to assert our identity and how we want others to see us.

Democracy has introduced a rediscovery of our arts and cultural heritage. It has introduced possibilities for professionalism and 
maximisation of economic benefits in arts and culture. It has introduced opportunities for community development.

Festivals such as these are a result of the fruits of this rediscovery of our heritage and we urge artists and communities to take up this 
challenge!

Through these festivals we can liberate ourselves emotionally, intellectually, and in our capacity to fulfil our potential as human 
beings.By so doing, our people are able to take their rightful places in the social, political and economic life of our communities.

I Thank You

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About the Eastern Cape | Documents
 Economy | Structures | International Relations | Links
 Premier's Office | Speeches & Media Releases
 Top of Page

---------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Eastern Cape

Premier's Office

Structures

Documents

Speeches & Media Releases

International Relations

Economy

Links


