02-11-2012: City of Johannesburg to honour fallen heroes and heroines in sports, arts and culture
The City of Johannesburg in collaboration with Vhutsila Arts Ensemble and the public broadcaster, SABC2, will co-host the Siyabakhumbula Awards in honour of fallen heroes and heroines in the discipline of arts, culture and sports this Saturday, 03 November at the Gallagher Estate, Midrand.
The MMC for Community Development Chris Vondo said these awards align to social cohesion which is key bridging cultural and racial divides.
He added that this initiative, Siyabakhumbula, forms part of other key programmes of the City whose emphasis include:
• Honouring artistic and sporting talent and artistic expression;
• Promote cultural renewal, support for cultural differences, and freedom of expression and fully integrate cultural dimension in the personal, family and occupational development of citizens;
• Foster cultural diversity and mutual respect between cultures; and
• Increase awareness on Arts and Cultural issues.
The Community Development Department, through its Arts, Culture and Heritage programme, has been embarking on a vigorous programme to commemorate apartheid era stalwarts through the development and erection of iconic monuments, hosting flagship events, programmes and projects, naming of parks and streets amongst others.
The latest and significant project that the department embarked on was the naming of a park in Dhlamini Soweto, Petrus Molefe Exteme Park, after one of the first members of Umkhonto WeSizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC).
“The renaming of streets and parks after apartheid era stalwarts and other community activists should be viewed as a reminder of their selfless contribution to end a system which was rejected by the majority of our South African society. Therefore, their sacrifice should always encourage us to do more to improve the lot of our people”.
“It is for this reason that as the City of Johannesburg is proud to collaborate with Vhutsila Arts Ensemble in honouring our heroes and heroines, albeit posthumously”, the MMC Vondo said.
This year, a total of 20 families will be recognized. Among those whose contribution will be acknowledged is Friday Mavuso, founder of the Self Help Association, an organization based in Soweto to help people living with disabilities to become self-sufficient.
Ends
Issued by
Eddie Mokoena
Stakeholder Liaison Officer
Tel: 011 407 7208
Mobile: 079 885 8641
Email: EddieMo@joburg.org.za
