Hon Chairperson, hon members, the annual commemoration of Africa Day reminds us of the impressive strides the mother continent of Africa has made since the dark days of brutal colonial rule. It has not only been due to self-determination and excellent political leadership that Africa has been able to free herself from the yoke of oppression, but also largely due to a cultural value system that put the welfare of society above that of an individual.
While diverse and varied in nature, African cultures share one commonality. They are all built fundamentally on the principle of collective solidarity around survival issues. This defining feature of African cultures served as a propeller for the liberation agenda. If culture refers to the behaviours and beliefs characteristic of a particular social or ethnic group, or if it refers to how we do things, then we should therefore ask ourselves whether enough is being done to preserve the elements of our cultures that give us a distinctive identity. This is because our cultural values and practices are critical in understanding the dynamics behind any thriving nation, community, business or organisation. They define the daily realities of our people, their attitudes and reactions to controversial artwork and hold the key to the success of many nations around the world.
Thus, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the African cultural renaissance through dialogue, we must question the extent to which we, the peoples of Africa, have neglected African culture, while accepting Western culture in toto. We should remain cognisant of the fact that any cultural renewal strategy that strives for excellence in Africa is likely to fail unless it is meaningfully linked to the continent's unique cultures. I thank you, hon Chairperson.