Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, hon members of the NCOP, comrades and friends, the Ministry of Arts and Culture welcomes the opportunity to participate in this debate broadly to reflect on the meaning of Heritage Month to the people of South Africa. Heritage Month represents an opportunity for us as a nation to celebrate our rich and diverse cultural heritage.
It is an opportunity to reaffirm once more that what unites us far outweighs that which divides us; it is time to celebrate the profound power of our cultural heritage to help in the renewal of our society to promote patriotism.
Indeed, throughout this month, we must use our common heritage to promote national unity, reconciliation, and social cohesion, appreciating fully that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white. The theme for this year's Heritage Month is: "Celebrating South Africa's craft, our heritage".
During this month, as the Department of Arts and Culture, we pay tribute, particularly, to the crafters, many of whom are found in rural areas and have made a significant contribution to the development of our country's rich heritage. This year's theme presents an opportunity to highlight the socioeconomic impact of the craft industry in our country.
It also seeks to encourage further development and investments in the crafts sector of our economy. This theme recognises that, historically, crafts have been part of the South African economy, especially in rural areas. It takes into account that until recently the role that crafts have played in our economy has not been fully acknowledged.
It is for this reason that this year's Heritage Month activities are designed to raise awareness about the socioeconomic impact of the crafts sector. The Department of Trade and Industry estimates that South Africa's crafts sector contributes about R2 billion or 0,14% of South Africa's GDP, annually.
In addition, the sector provides jobs and income for approximately 38 000 people through an estimated 7 000 small enterprises. The crafts sector can also be used as a catalyst for rural economic development and for fostering expanded participation in the economy, especially by women. This is significant, particularly since one of the key priorities of this term of governance is the development and revitalisation of rural economies.
Furthermore, as the art of designing and producing craft products is handed down from generation to generation, members of communities have an opportunity to work together and impart knowledge and social values to each other, especially the youth.
This contributes to social cohesion and instils the culture of respect, discipline, and ubuntu. It is for these reasons that we continue to say that crafts represent both an economic activity and also a cultural practice.
While crafts made a significant contribution to the economy, it is the middle persons - and not the crafters themselves - that derive the most benefit from this sector. Another challenge which faces this sector is that, currently, most raw materials used in the production of craft products are imported and, therefore, unaffordable for many people.
Access to markets also remains a challenge for practitioners in this sector. Therefore, going forward, our task is to find appropriate responses to this and many other challenges facing this sector.
Since 1994, through numerous agencies, the government has provided resources to help to develop the craft sector of our economy. In the Department of Arts and Culture, through our Investing in Culture Programme, we have spent over R300 million over the past three years to support various crafts projects. This has led to the creation of jobs and contributed towards building sustainable livelihoods. Working together with all stakeholders, including the private sector, we must improve on these initiatives.
Our country is privileged to be home to no less than eight World Heritage Sites, namely, Mapungubwe, Robben Island, Vrede Fort Dome, the Cradle of Humankind, Cape Floral Region, Richtersveld, Isimangaliso Wetlands and Ukhahlamba Drakensburg. We have a responsibility to use these sites to further stimulate tourism in our country, thus contributing to the national effort to create decent work and build sustainable livelihoods.
In this regard, the Department of Arts and Culture as well as the Department of Tourism have begun a process aimed at developing synergies between heritage and tourism. It is important that we do this because tourists are often attracted to a particular cultural and heritage significance.
The highlight of Heritage Month is a Heritage Day celebration that will be held in the Sekhukhune District at the Ntwampe sports ground in the Moroke village in Limpompo. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to address this event.
I, therefore, take this opportunity to wish you, Chairperson, and the hon members a happy Heritage Month. We are looking forward to your continued support as we celebrate our country's rich and diverse cultural heritage. I thank you very much.
Chairperson, it is indeed an honour to participate in this debate today because it is an opportunity for the DA to say exactly what opportunities there are in our country with its diverse communities. This is a huge blessing received from the hand of God, and we, as His children, must make the utmost of His blessings bestowed upon us.
Let us first look at the meaning of the term "craft" for it to give us an eagle's view of what we have here. "Craft" refers to a set of opportunities and activities that involve a person's skill, innovation and dedication to produce a desired object. It is also viable to bring out an art piece which either has a utilitarian or decorative value or even both.
The principal materials used to create crafts are wood, stone, clay, glass, textiles, metal, cement and paper. We find crafts in the categories of handicrafts or traditional crafts.
Craft is as old as human beings. In saying this, we, as people, have lost the real value of what craft could do to promote opportunities, the economy and employment in communities, and what it could do for South Africa. Traditional crafts are done in old ways. Their methods, tools and techniques have been used for centuries. Some crafts are done by modern inventions - with new tools, techniques and media.
Voorsitter, Suid-Afrika het 'n multi-kulturele samelewing en gemeenskap, vol diversiteit en verskille. Juis hierin l die rykdom wat ons sukkel om te ontgin, omdat ons en ons kinders in moderne ontwikkeling vasgeval het. Ons moet onsself daaruit ontsluit, met ander woorde, 'n balans moet gekry word. Hierdie multi-kulturele karakter het die potensiaal en kapasiteit om 'n noemenswaardige ekonomie te genereer waaruit maatskaplike voordeel vir die nasie getrek kan word.
Die vraag kom soos 'n refrein na vore: Verstaan en gebruik ons die potensiaal en dinamiek van kuns en kunsvlyt ten volle? Juis hierin l die ope geleentheidsgemeenskap wat so oud is soos die mensdom self en reeds op verskeie gebiede gebruik word. Dit is glad nie 'n nuwe begrip nie.
Kom ons ondersoek hierdie geleentheid verder. Die moderne samelewing stroop ons jeug en volwassenes van die talente wat ons van God ontvang het. Die Bybelse uitdrukking s: Moenie jou talente onder 'n maatemmer verberg nie. Laat ons van die een penning nog meer maak, en dit l juis in kuns en kunsvlyt opgesluit. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Chairperson, South Africa has a multicultural society and community, filled with diversity and differences. This is precisely where the wealth that we are struggling to develop lies, because we and our children got caught up in modern development. We need to free ourselves from it; in other words, we need to find a balance. This multicultural character has the potential and capacity to generate a significant economy which could be to the social benefit of the nation.
The question rings forth like a chorus: Do we fully understand and utilise the potential and dynamics of arts and crafts? Herein lies the very open opportunity society that is as old as mankind itself and is being used in various areas. This is by no means a new concept.
Let's explore this opportunity further. Modern society strips our youth and adults from their God-given talents. The Biblical expression says: Don't hide your light under a bushel. Let's use the one penny to make even more, and this can be done through arts and crafts in particular.]
Let us celebrate our crafts and our heritage everyday in the real sense of the word, from the young to the old. South Africa is the best country in which to celebrate an industry that has morphed from an expression of creativity to a form of producing crafts, natural resources and recycled products. Our rich history of cultural expressions is particularly defined in crafts.
A nation is built by celebrating its common identity and pride and by building cohesion and sustainable communities to showcase its museums, galleries, heritage and other tourist attractions. We must never try to erase our history in South Africa, and this characteristic is currently shown by the ANC government in trying to wipe out a certain piece of history in certain areas of our country. We must use history to cause those coming after us to never do it again because of the ills it has created. Our diversity lies in all of this.
National Craft Month is a great reminder to tell the kids about the potential of fun they could have, although they've grown widely accustomed to movies and video games as a form of entertainment. Childhood is the most fragile time of our lives, and it is of utmost importance that our kids are well prepared for whatever life has to show them later on.
Kids love making things. Therefore, we must also use this opportunity in our schools. This method of education is less and less seen and used in our schools, and the curriculum must include craft and other forms of handiwork for our learners. The benefits are huge and enormous, such as the following.
Firstly, creativity is healthy and relaxing. It builds dexterity and motor function since one's hands and mind are used to create. Secondly, creativity relates to lots of mental ideas, problem solving and comprehension.
Dit ontwikkel die mens se selfbeeld en -erkenning. Dit sal juis ons kinders op skool leer hoe om hul verstand te gebruik, hoe om te dink en hoe om te evalueer.
Derdens, kinders leer ook hoe instruksies gevolg kan word, en watter ouer sal nie daarvan hou dat hul kinders hul instruksies en leringe volg nie!
Die doel heilig die middele, en dit is een van die middele wat gebruik kan word om dwelms en bendebetrokkenheid by ons jeug aan te spreek.
Elke jaar in September word Erfenisdag gevier en die regering kies 'n tema. Vanjaar se tema, "Celebrating Craft, our Heritage", moet in murg en been, van dag tot dag, van skool tot skool, en van gemeenskap tot gemeenskap vasgevat en ontwikkel word. Die geleenthede wat dit bied, moet ontgin word. Die oplossing vir al die probleme in ons land, l opgesluit in die diversiteit van die nasie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[It develops one's self-esteem and self-recognition. It could teach our children who are in school how to use their intellect, how to think, and how to evaluate.
Thirdly, children learn how to follow instructions, and what parent would not be pleased when his or her child was following his or her instructions and teachings!
The end justifies the means, and this is one of the means to address drug abuse and gang involvement amongst our youth.
Heritage Day is celebrated every year in September and government chooses a theme. This year's theme, "Celebrating Craft, our Heritage", must be firmly incorporated and thoroughly developed on a day-to-day basis, from school to school and community to community. The opportunities it creates should be developed. The solution to all our country's problems lies in the diversity of the nation.]
The heritage awards event of this year honours six South Africans for their contributions. The awardees this year are: the late Alfred Nokwe for theatre; Johny Clegg for music and social cohesion; Noria Mabasa, an accomplished sculptor and wood carver; the late Bheki Mseleku for music; Nanda Soobben, a Durban-based animator and arts educator, and Jay Pather for dance. [Interjections.] I thank you. [Time expired.]
Chairperson, let me express my grattitude to the ANC for having entrusted it to me to debate on this phenomenal theme of celebrating our craft, which is very close to my heart. Every year the month of September revives our spirit in terms of taking pride in and valuing our cultural practices and traditions.
Crafts play a vital role in our lives, especially in the rural communities. It promotes the values of ubuntu, social cohesion, and gives us an identity. Furthermore, it promotes tourism and contributes to our economy.
The Freedom Charter says that:
The government shall discover, develop and encourage national talent for the enhancement of cultural life;
All the cultural treasures of mankind shall be open to all, by free exchange of books, ideas and contact with other lands;
The colour bar in cultural life, in sport and in education shall be abolished.
During the dawn of democracy in 1994, we removed all the apartheid clauses that created a division; instead we created a rainbow nation where we could celebrate our diversity and affirm our beliefs that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.
The above is guaranteed in the Freedom Charter and further affirmed in the Constitution of the country. The equality clause under section 9 of the Constitution provides that the state may not unfairly discriminate, directly or indirectly, against anyone on the grounds of ethnicity, colour, social origin, belief or language.
The celebration of our culture, crafts and heritage has been in existence even long before the democratic dispensation. However, not so much cognisance was given in terms of exercising and demonstrating our heritage proudly to other nations.
After 1994, this sector was given a lot of attention and made a priority. In a global world, arts, culture and heritage are often given high priority as they assist the country in terms of income- generating opportunities.
Originally, crafts were a traditional skill of black people, especially from the rural communities and farms who would manufacture during their spare time. Traditional people have been specialising in work such as indigenous wood items, grass mats, pots and paintings. Gradually people graduated to producing serious traditional beadwork attire such as necklaces, bracelets and belts.
Through this artwork rural communities have been using this skill to express their natural creativity and to generate skills and income. Normally women would gather in small groups and work together, singing or even sharing a pot of food. This has promoted the building of the spirit of ubuntu, unity, peace and solidarity amongst the locals. On a large scale this has contributed to nurture the families and develop their communities.
Boineelo Service Club in Ipeleng, Mamusa Municipality in North West, is where elderly people come together on a daily basis to do handwork at this club. This helps them to exercise their hands and also become mentally strong. This gives them an opportunity to talk about their history.
It is very important to maximise the use of institutions like Mmabana in Mafikeng, which used to be the best in crafts. We cannot allow these centres to vanish. Due to the nature of this trade, it is very informal and not legislated. The producers become vulnerable to manipulation. They become victims. They are always cheated and do not get value for their items, which are normally bought at a very low price from them and sold at a very high price either locally or abroad. From there these items would be exported and branded, yet these are proudly South African products.
It requires of us as parliamentarians to empower our people economically and also give these people the necessary skills, eg, financial management and marketing skills so that they can benefit from their work. We also should look into encouraging young people to take this as a career and give them the necessary support.
This month reminds us of who we are and where we come from. Today we have become very Eurocentric in terms of our dress code, the food we eat, the manner in which we relate to one another, the houses we stay in and even to the extent of the medication we use. We have kind of neglected the value of our origin. It is always of great importance to remind ourselves of our own origin and go back to the basics.
There used to be a difference in the dress code of a married and unmarried woman, but today it is not easy to say that. If we compare the dress code of South African women to that of other African countries like Ghana and Nigeria, they are very proud of their African attire.
The beads that we wear often have meaning. To a large extent, it is believed that our traditional dress code, including the beads, have the power to connect us to our ancestral spirits. In Tshivenda, IsiNdebele, Sesotho and IsiXhosa cultures there is a certain manner in which the community would paint their houses. It's a technique. They use different colours that symbolise who they are.
We have become more reliant on Western medication and have neglected the value of African herbs and the role they have been playing for centuries in preserving the rural communities. They further have a role in combating diseases such as HIV and Aids, cancer and diabetes.
Ke tshwanetse go tlhalosa gore mo malatsing a a fetileng jaaka Maaforika re ne re na le ditlhare tsa rona tse re di dirisang tse gompieno di fetoletsweng fela mo sekgoeng. Sekai, motekwane o ne o dirisiwa go fodisa sehuba; lengana le ne le dirisiwa go fodisa sehuba; kgobemetsing e gompieno e bidiwang lavender, ke tee e e neng e thusa go fokotsa kgatelelo ya madi le mogalakane o re o bitsang aloe gompieno, o ne o thusa go fokotsa kgatelelo ya madi le mala a a segang. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[I have to explain that in the past as Africans we used to have our own medicine that we used which is being westernised nowadays. For example, weed was used to cure flu, lengana was used to cure flu; kgobemetsing, which is called lavender nowadays, is a tea that helped to reduce blood pressure, and mogalakane, which we call aloe nowadays, was used in helping to reduce high blood pressure and stomach ache.]
Let us all enjoy Heritage Month. Thank you. [Applause.]
Chair, hon Deputy Minister, indeed the Constitution of our beloved country clearly states that the people of South Africa believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
South Africa has a rich cultural heritage that is evident in our diverse cultural expressions, oral traditions, craftsmanship, social practices, rituals and festive events, which have always been celebrated and passed on from generation to generation.
We in the ID believe that heritage plays a crucial role in nation-building. Indeed, in our efforts to bring about social cohesion, we will need a return to the Nelson Mandela years of reconciliation so that we can begin to replace mere respect for each other's cultures with a celebration of these cultures as if they were our own.
We in the ID believe that we must also see Heritage Month 2009 within the context of the global economic meltdown - a phase of recession that has in turn resulted in large-scale job losses. It is imperative that we show solidarity with the poor through our actions. The ID would therefore like to take this opportunity to call on all South Africans to give in the spirit of ubuntu, share what we have and get involved in work that will improve our communities.
As members of the community, we need to focus on local cultural crafts, getting to know our provinces and helping to preserve our heritage. I would like to extend this and say that if you can go to the Northern Cape, to the Kalahari, you can go and see original crafts and the beauty that crafts can do, so that our children can keep this and learn from this.
Heritage Month is a time to reflect on our constitutional responsibility to develop our South African culture. Part of this means nurturing our indigenous languages and supporting South African literature. We must develop all languages to have equal status in our day-to-day lives, and not only equal status in our Constitution.
Allow me to quote from Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe when he said, and I quote:
Here is a tree rooted in African soil, nourished with waters from the rivers of Africa. Come and sit under its shade and become, with us, leaves of the same branch and branches of the same tree. We dare not compromise, nor dare we use moderate language in the cause of freedom.
I thank you.
Chairperson, hon members, on the 24th September of each year, we consciously remember what each of the cultural groups in our country contributed to the rich tapestry that makes up South African life. It is appropriate that Heritage Day comes at the beginning of the spring season. Africans at home and the Diaspora, irrespective of their colour or their social background, must rise to the call of cultural renewal and celebrate our crafts.
As Eric Arthur Blair puts it, he who controls the past controls the future; he who controls the future controls the present.
Cope acknowledges that 24 September signifies the call for South Africans to reinvent themselves and take very seriously their cultural lessons and values. This House is a microcosm of the diverse and rich cultural heritage, yet how much do we know about each other's culture?
In Europe, September is also time to remember heritage because without the knowledge of heritage, we cannot know ourselves. This year, Sweden celebrated European Heritage Day on 13 September by focusing on the theme, namely, "Sweden-Finland, a shared history". Therefore, as Cope, we recommend that we always remember in our celebration of heritage and crafts in this country to acknowledge that the majority of people do not actually take this day very seriously.
But this is not so with the Zulu people. The day of 24 September was celebrated for a very long time as King Shaka Day, and that will happen again this year. It is right and proper that we should dip into history to understand how we became who we are and learn to know who we want to be.
Heritage is priceless, and crafts are also priceless. Heritage cannot be treated in a frivolous manner. Heritage walks with a person and such a person gives and begets respect. The greatest blemish that our country suffers from comes from the rampage of criminality that is prevalent everywhere. Criminals generally have no awareness of culture, history or heritage. Our schools are becoming notorious for violent behaviour. An unawareness of heritage spawns such violent behaviour and criminality.
People who experience no connectedness with iconic figures of the past, music, dance or literature will obviously have no moral compass. Even if what happened in the past was not glorious, it serves to teach and to inform.
Civilisation occurs when we select the positives from the negatives. When people act together for the good on the basis of the good that they inherited, they stimulate arts, culture, music, craft, literature and dance.
For four days in September, people in the UK are offered open doors to castles, churches, houses and other buildings of great architectural value. They pay nothing and are welcome to explore places and buildings that would normally be closed to them. [Interjections.] Thank you very much, Chairperson. [Time expired.]
UMntwana M M M ZULU: Mhlonishwa, Mphathisihlalo, mhlonishwa Phini LikaNgqongqoshe Wezobuciko Namasiko, amalungu aleNdlu ahloniphekile, ngithi thina njengabantu baseNingizimu Afrika singeze sakuphika ukuthi siyizizwe ngezizwe ezinamasiko azo ehlukene.
Esibuye siziqhenye ngakho njengabantu balelizwe ukuthi zivumeleke zonke lezi zizwe nezizwana ezikhona ukuba zenze leyo mikhutshana yazo. Njengelungu elihloniphekile likhulume ngokuthi thina laphaya KwaZulu siyaye sikhumbule Inkosi uShaka. Inkosi uShaka siyaye siyikhumbule njengombumbi nomqambi wesizwe samaZulu lapho kutholakala khona abantu abayizigidi eziyishumi nanye kuleli lizwe laseNingizimu Afrika.
Esingakuphiki ukuthi siyingxenye yezwe laseNingizimu Afrika lilonke kodwa njengezigidi eziyishumi nanye zabantu siyakwazi ukuthi umuntu owahlanganisa isizwe esingangaleso sikwazi ukuthi simkhumbule ngemikhuba yakhe ayenza ukulwela ukuhlanganiswa kwabantu.
Ngithi-ke Mhlonishwa Ngqongqoshe kwizinselele ezibhekene nathi sonke akusho ukuthi uwedwa njengoNgqongqoshe. Sonke njengezakhamuzi zaleli lizwe kufuneka sikukhuthaze ukuthi sibekezelelane uma esinye isizwe sizigqaja ngamasiko aso ngoba iNingizimu Afrika inezizwe ezinhlobonhlobo futhi ngeke sakuphika lokho. Uma singakuphika lokho singabe sikhuluma ilumbo lokuqhatha abantu.
Ngithi ke ngiyamhalalisela uhulumeni ngoba lolu suku usalwenza lwabasemthethweni. Kufuneka futhi uhulumeni ezilimini zomdabu zase-Afrika sikufake ukuthi bakithi ingane uma ingakwazi ukukhuluma ulimi lwayo lwebele isiZulu, isiXhosa noma isiSotho njengolimi lokuqala kuyihlazo esizweni. Ngiyabonga Mphathisihlalo. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[Prince M M M ZULU: Hon Chairperson, hon Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, hon Members of this House, we as South Africans cannot deny that we are one of the countries with different racial groups who have their own cultures.
What we are very proud of as the people of this country is that all these racial groups are allowed to practise their customs. As the hon member has said, in KwaZulu-Natal we commemorate Shaka's Day. We commemorate him as the person who unified and founded the Zulu nation, which count for an estimated 11 million of the population of South Africa.
We cannot deny that we are part of South Africa, but as 11 million people we are able to commemorate a person who founded such a big nation by remembering the battles he fought in, in order to unify these tribes.
Hon Minister, I am therefore saying that you are not facing these challenges alone; we are also faced with them. As the citizens of this country we have to encourage tolerance when one racial group shows pride in its culture because we cannot deny that South Africa has diverse racial groups. If we deny that we would be lying to ourselves and that can cause people to fight.
I salute the government for making this day official. The government also needs to emphasise that with regard to African languages, if a child cannot speak his or her mother tongue which can be isiZulu, isiXhosa or Sesotho as a first language, that is a disgrace to the nation. Thank you, Chairperson.]
Thank you very much, hon Zulu. I hope not everybody picked up what I picked up during the interpretation.
Hon Chairperson and the House, during the dawn of democracy in 1994, with the removal of apartheid laws, the birth of a new nation in which the celebration of cultural diversity and affirmation of beliefs that South Africa belong to all who live in it, black and white, was realised. The Constitution of the Republic, under the equality clause, section 9, provides that, and I quote:
The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds ... ethnic or social origin, colour ... belief, culture, language ...
Under section 31(1) it further stresses that -
Persons belonging to a cultural, religious or linguistic community may not be denied the right...
a) to enjoy their culture, practise their religion and use their language ...
I was just reminding the House about this clause. To affirm the above constitutional provisions, the ANC-led government put in place the Chapter 9 institution the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities.
One has to acknowledge the fact that South Africa is a country with a rich cultural heritage. Through the ANC-led government, a space has been created for all cultural groups to enjoy and demonstrate their heritage with no fear of intimidation.
Heritage and crafts have been in existence long before the democratic dispensation. Since 1994 this sector has been given a lot of attention and priority. In the global world arts, culture and heritage are often given priority as they assist the country in terms of recognition of its nation status. Originally crafts were a traditional skill for black people, especially those from the rural communities and farms to manufacture during their spare time.
Traditional people have been specialising in work such as indigenous wood items, grass mats, grass baskets, etc. Through this art work the rural communities have been using their skills to express their natural creativity and to generate skills and income. Normally women would gather in small groups, and work together. While working, they would sing together or even share a pot of food.
These items would be sold to the tourists. They would divide the income generated amongst themselves. Due to the nature of this informal trade, it was not legislated. As time went by the locals became vulnerable to manipulation. They became victims. They could not get value for their items. These items would be bought for a very small amount from the locals and the buyer would sell it at a very high price, either locally or abroad.
In his 1997 Heritage Day address on Robben Island, former President Nelson Mandela, stated inter alia that, and I quote:
In an earlier period Afrikaners celebrated their heritage in song and ceremony; in festivals and carnivals; in the selling of their own wares and buying items associated with their heritage; and by working the history of their communities into everyday artefacts, as the women of Hlabisa weave their stories into baskets.
The ANC strives to facilitate and celebrate cultural production that captures the diversity, complexity and vibrancy of all South Africans and recognises that a flourishing cultural life is vital to the well-being of South Africa. At its 52nd National Conference at Polokwane, the ANC reaffirmed our belief that arts and culture is a cornerstone of any national democratic society and a fundamental pillar in the transformation of our society.
Traditional cultural expressions such as the design and production of crafts are handed down from one generation to another and are constantly evolving, developing and being created within the community. They reflect the community's cultural and social identity and are created for commercial, religious and cultural purposes. Manifestations of traditional cultural expressions include basket weaving, crafts, instrumental music, songs and pottery.
Crafters have over the years produced a vibrant crafts legacy by using natural resources and recycled products such as plastic bags, paper, cardboard boxes and wire, among other things, from their communities. There's a lot of new work in traditional media, with artists constantly developing the African crafts repertoire. These include pretty tableware, Christmas tree decorations, magnificent embroidered cloths and also bed linen.
The sculptor Phutuma Seoka is another artist who has taken a traditional form and given it a personal twist. In his case, the carving of figures using the inherent curves and forks of tree branches, common in the Venda region, is used to create a cast of eccentric characters. More than a decade ago Comrade Wally Serote, then an ANC MP, said that the arts and culture in South Africa, if properly organised, could become a very good provider of revenue because there are some arts and crafts which are uniquely peculiar to South Africa. He said we are looking at a possible multimillion rand industry, and that the craft industry would be developed to benefit women in rural areas in particular. He added that these women have the skills, but need resources, infrastructure and business capacity.
The crafts industry has gradually moved from being just a mere expression of individuals' skills to entrepreneurship. Practitioners still lack protection from exploitation. The imbalances between rural and urban areas must also be addressed.
Lastly, recognising therefore that South Africa is home to a unique and diverse crafts industry that produces a wide range of craft products across different styles and genres, we also realise that it bodes well for rural development, which is one of the priority areas for the current administration. We must not miss the opportunity to highlight the socioeconomic value of the crafts industry and encourage further development and investment in it. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, firstly, let me take the opportunity to thank hon members for their contribution. Quite clearly, everybody said the importance of heritage cannot be overemphasised, but also that we should continue to celebrate heritage on a daily basis.
However, during this month, it is particularly important as we chose the theme of craft to really ensure that the work of all those women in rural areas, who are trying to produce one form of craft or the other, is promoted and that they are protected and exposed to markets beyond our shores.
There are lots of people who come to this country and are impressed by what we produce. They want to buy these goods. We must make sure that our people are not exploited and that they can derive value through money for what they produce. But at the end of the day, the crafts reflect who we are as a nation. As the Department of Arts and Culture, we will continue to promote crafts as part of our heritage in our country, and make sure that we promote crafts from all over South Africa because we are in a process of building one nation. Therefore, it is important that we recognise the diversity that exists.
I want to particularly encourage hon members to visit some of the heritage sites that we have in the country. As I have said, we have more than eight World Heritage Sites. I am sure that members have taken time to visit some of them; if not, please do so. You can take your children and expose them to these important areas of heritage in our own country.
But I want to conclude by thanking members for their constructive contribution to the debate, and agree that going forward we must continue to work together to ensure that our country can continue to thrive as a united country in its diversity - with various cultures. But at the end of the day, we must ensure that we remain a strong nation. Thank you very much. [Applause.]