Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE CONFERENCE ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND LINGUISTIC COMMUNITIES ON HERITAGE DAY ON 24 SEPTEMBER 1998
Minister Valli Moosa will be leading a One-Day Consultative Conference on Section 185 and 186 of the Constitution.
This section of the Constitution makes provision for a Commission to be established on the promotion of the rights of linguistic, cultural and religious communities.
The deputy President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, will officially open the conference. Several Cabinet Ministers, Diplomats, Premiers and MEC's responsible for Cultural Affairs will also attend.
In preparation for the Conference, extensive consultation has begun in the form of debates in the National Assembly and Provincial legislatures from 4th August. Public hearings have also been conducted. This is part of Government's ongoing programmes aimed at building National Unity ad the promotion of peace and tolerance in South Africa. It is also part of the Constitutional Education programme, which emphasises the rights of all citizens.
The Conference Delegates will come from across the country and represent communities and languages as diverse as the Amandebele, the Phuti, as well as San, Tamils and the Griqua. Special interest groups such as the proponents of a Volkstaat will also be present.
On invitation of the Department of Constitutional Development, submissions relating to the work and composition of the Commission were received from the entire spectrum of affected interest communities, and discussion at conference will focus on:
Objectives of the Commission
A report on the conference will be circulated to all interested parties, so that all communities can form part of the process toward their full recognition within a united South African nation.
Issued by the Department of Constitutional Development, 22 September 1998
Enquiries: Ando Donkers at (012) 334 0888/9 Fred Barron at 082 4567545