Everyone who lives in SA must feel at home

THE Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is the most renowned document. And it is not without good reason.

Its preamble reads: "We the people . believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity."

This was written in different times that required a specific approach to build social cohesion, nurture a spirit of nation building and identity for the world's youngest and most celebrated democracy.

But you still find individuals and organisations that hanker after a past that is dead by making impractical pseudo-nationalist calls that "Africa belongs only to Africans".

It would seem that the biggest stumbling block to man living in love, peace and harmony is the desire of those who hanker after a dead world instead of embracing the new winds of change that blow us all towards "one human family under one heaven".

Unless we translate the principles, ideals and values enshrined in the Constitution into individual behaviour, conduct and attitude, we will neither obtain our fair share of happiness nor develop to be the most successful nonracial, just and equal society.

If we want to achieve the national goals of what Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile defines as an "empowered, fair and inclusive citizenry", then we will have to allow everyone who lives in SA to feel at home.

Long before the dawn of democracy, South African political leadership in the calibre of men like Pixley ka Isaka Seme had declared that there could be no world peace without justice and equality for all, irrespective of race, class or background.

Seme was not only a visionary and prophetic African intellectual leader. He was also a hybrid product that combined the African and European cultural and educational experience. He was an African man who sharpened his intellectual skills in Europe.

Behind those who espouse African nativism, you often find a curious assumption that it is still possible in this post-colonial and post-modern world to stay pure and undiluted by global events. Even former German dictator Adolf Hitler failed in his ambitious project to create a pure white race.

It is one thing to call for diversity to help those who want to sustain their shallow and myopic nationalistic identity and cultural chauvinism if they want to. I am all for my father's Zulu nation, culture and language. I am delighted that some Xhosa or Ndebele men still go to the mountain for circumcision in their passage to adulthood.

But the notion of "Africa for Africans" - in the sense of cultural exclusion and discrimination - is different from encouraging and affirming diversity. And those who espouse authenticity in terms of belonging and land ownership must do their thing without rejecting those who differ with them.

What does it mean today to say: "Africa for Africans, though?" Are we to stop descendants from Indian slaves and European conquerors from considering this their home? What should we say to Johnny Clegg when he calls himself a "white Zulu"?

"They have stolen our land and killed our culture and identity," the radical Pan Africanists may say. You will notice that this suggests that South Africa belongs only to a particular type of African.

But this claim can no longer be sustained. This is not to justify monopolisation of the land and wealth in the hands of a few white and black elites. In fact, this is the biggest threat to social cohesion and nation-building: economic injustice and social inequality.

If we want to provide a solution to the biggest challenge that confronts mankind today, then we must come up with a declaration of a practical programme for social cohesion.

It is with this idea in mind that President Jacob Zuma announced the forthcoming social cohesion summit to be held in Kliptown on July 4. He appointed Mashatile to spearhead this most important initiative: make South Africa to belong to all who live in it.

• Memela is the chief director for social cohesion in the Department of Arts and Culture