14 March 2000
Up until now, the concept of an African Renaissance has been regarded as being `emotional to the intellectuals and intellectual to the masses', abstract to some and amorphous to others.
In reality, the concept of a renaissance in Africa proposes that the peoples of this vast and diverse continent can and must look to their future positively and with an optimism based on an understanding that there exists in each and every one of us the potential to improve our lives collectively and individually.
Although grounded in realism and determination, the idea of an African Renaissance must still substantively grip the imagination of the masses before it can become a truly potent force in our society.
How is this to be achieved?
Translating the notion from concept to reality requires a special, dedicated approach, the success of which can only be assured if responsible leaders - empowered with adequate resources - initiate a structured and goal-orientated programme of activities.
This process started early in 1999 when the provincial, national and international leadership came together to organise and stage a series of events in Durban, aimed at promoting the ideals of an African Renaissance, and at securing the `buy in' of a broad spectrum of South African leaders for this vision.
The 1999 activities included a very successful one-day conference, attended by some 400 intellectuals and political, community and business leaders, wherein the many facets of planning and delivering meaningful progress towards our renaissance were discussed and debated. A cultural event, staged at the Playhouse, brought together some 350 performing artists and an audience of 1 400 to enjoy and explore cultural diversity. Thirdly, a formal banquet was held at ICC Durban, attended by 1 000 leaders, thinkers, movers and shakers.
A highlight of the 1999 programme was the attendance of former President Nelson Mandela, who officiated at the banquet, and former Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, who officially opened the conference, joined by senior cabinet members and leaders from commerce, industry and organised labour.
A group of African-Americans, led by the Reverend Joseph Lowry, who had returned to South Africa to assist in catalysing the renaissance and the programme of activities and the presence of the USA delegation captured the media's interest and resulted in widespread local, provincial and national coverage in the press and on radio and television.
Importantly, these activities established Durban as the cradle of the Fledgling renaissance movement in southern Africa, symbolism that has been recognised by the country's premier proponent of the renaissance, President Thabo Mbeki. The African Renaissance must be viewed in the context of its continental importance. This is not a homespun initiative focusing exclusively on addressing localised social, political, cultural and economic issues. It represents a vision, a set of ideals and practical objectives that have equal relevance to conflicts and turmoil in southern Africa, in the Great Lakes Region, the DMR, sub-Saharan Africa and in places as far away as Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Wherever Africa's potential is being contained through warfare, conflict and polemics, and in every region and country in Africa where social and economic progress is being frustrated because of inadequate resources and capacity, there exists the opportunity for a renaissance-led approach to finding solutions.
It is therefore essential that substance be given to the renaissance ideal and that these concepts transmute into real, measurable and practical programmes of activity. We in KwaZulu-Natal have taken the lead in facilitating debate as to exactly how this should happen. To this end, we are to put in place a special programme aimed at bringing together the best minds in order to unpack the steps necessary for the African Renaissance to take its place in reality.
This special programme comprises four principal events, namely:
A delegation of African-American civic leaders is to visit Durban in time to coincide with the aforementioned events this year's delegation is the be led by Dr Andrew Young, former Ambassador of the US Government and former Mayor of Atlanta. Dr Andrew Young's delegation is to actively seek out opportunities to assist South Africans to give substance to the African Renaissance. Through its powerful lobby, this delegation has already elevated the status of the renaissance onto the US Presidential agenda.
Issued by: Office of the Minister Department of Transport KZN