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MORAL: Paul Mashatile

 We would like to create an opportunity for dialogue. We believe that sometimes South Africans talk past one another 

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This will be the focus of discussions at a two-day summit on social cohesion which starts today at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto.

The summit was sparked by artist Brett Murray's controversial painting which showed President Jacob Zuma with his private parts exposed.

Zuma will open the summit where the discussion will focus on how South Africa - a nation with diverse cultural groupings - can learn to tolerate and respect one another. The summit will be attended by business, labour, religious groupings and political parties.

Mashatile, whose department is hosting the event, said the aim was to assess the progress the country had made in building a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.

"We would like to create an opportunity for dialogue. We believe that sometimes South Africans talk past one another.

"It can only be through engagement where we can be able to see what the challenges facing us are, particularly because we come from a divided past, where people still see each other according to the colour of their skin and ethnic background," he said.

Mashatile said the summit was important because "we still pick up elements of racism in society where people still see each other in terms of us and them - 'We are the Afrikaners and they are the blacks'.

"We want to move to a situation where we can say we are South Africans before we see each other as black or white, Sotho or Zulu and Xhosa or Shangaan. We are South Africans first and foremost.

"Our diversity is a source of strength because we are proud of who we are. Unity must be foremost," he said

Mashatile added that such a summit would have to reconvene every two years to check on progress, particularly as the government was grappling with the problem of implementing policies that would create equality. - nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za

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Thu May 23 12:39:41 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 4, 2012

MGEEZ

Without trying to be negative; but to me the summit is a clear waste of tax payers money. We know that south africans are racist to the core; tribalists of the worst kind and the most zenophobic lot in the african continent; all you need to do to see this just read the social media or newspapers daily!!!! The media is replete with stories of racism; tribalism and all the evil isms
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Jul 4, 2012

Pointman

Money spent for nothing, An artist just expressed what the president inspired. Since he is spending our money, he should disclose what the catering bill amounts to and who got the contract. Mashatile's uncouth spending habits is well known.
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Jul 4, 2012

BaleliM

Why wasted money on the damn spear issue? Can you not have a conference to deal with the many issues that affect south african as a whole rather than the ego of JZ?
How about the increase on rapists/family killings/ lack of service delivery and so on?
@ Mgeez, hit the nail right on the head!!
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Jul 4, 2012

1andonlybucs

Racism will never end. we can try to pretend it has but really?. for some ,yes. but those are the ones that did not grow with the hatred of another colour.
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Jul 4, 2012

DjEp

@BaleliM
100%, why not put money where is due service delivery?
Clearly it shows that we are led by puppets and brainless idi.ots
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Jul 4, 2012

Papage

Start with oneself Minister, you took money ment for developing Alex and now you tell us to respect one another, you never respected Alex people, they are still leaving in appoling conditions to say the least, so please spare us that respect.
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Jul 4, 2012

Korea

Fokof man and voerstek talk talk talk and talk what are you going to do about it mr minister??? All the anc minister and mec needs a warm klap and shut their mouths because all they do is talk and talk with no action. Where is the solution after talking your ka.k while enjoying the good life!!!
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Jul 4, 2012

LBS

The majority will only learn to respect each other when the government respects the people as a whole, and not only the individuals they are 'connected' to.
Whenever we (the general population) are seen to be bridging the gap, another politiciain spouts rubbish and pulls out the race card fuelling division one way or another.
The government maintains and promotes the racial division because it is the only way they can retain power - by dividing and conquering.
MGEEZ sums things up well - another waste of taxpayers money!!
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Jul 4, 2012

MORNACH!ES015

Fisrt of all they must disband the likes of Afriforum and AWB...Ten we can talk !
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Jul 4, 2012

xhosagirl

I went to ANC galler dinner with my husband last month this people are spending our money big time, expensive food,drinks, entertainment(if not chomi,Winnie Khumalo) and the people who are waiting in long queues to vote them in power are not even invited
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