SADC ministers to drive cultural agenda

WINDHOEK – The 2004 Pretoria Statement of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Colloquium of Ministers of Culture has not been implemented because of a lack of structures.

Minister of Youth, National Service, Sports and Culture, John Mutorwa, told journalists at a recent media briefing that this year’s colloquium – held in Windhoek – had agreed on setting up three structures to oversee the implementation of the Pretoria Statement and the new priorities recommended at the latest Colloquium. The structures include the appointment of a Director General and Permanent Secretaries who will in turn establish a Forum.Experts in culture will have to meet with the Director General and Permanent Secretaries prior to the Ministers’ Colloquium.In addition, teams will be identified and appointed by the Director General and Permanent Secretaries to drive the execution of projects identified, he said.Mutorwa said the Colloquium had eight priorities to the Pretoria Statement.These focus on cultural exchanges within the SADC region, undertaking cultural studies and research and poverty eradication through arts and culture initiatives.The Ministers said the SADC Secretariat, African Union and Nepad needed to put culture at the centre of development, adding that they had decided that a follow-up workshop be held for these three bodies to explore the position of culture.Mutorwa said the Ministers also reviewed the establishment of a SADC Culture Trust Fund and resolved that the Director General and Permanent Secretaries’ Forum explore the modalities for setting up the Fund.Among others, the two-day colloquium discussed the role that cultural exchanges could play in promoting regional integration in the SADC region and the role of culture in social cohesion and justice.Those attending the meeting included Ministers from South Africa, Angola, Mauritius, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.- NampaThe structures include the appointment of a Director General and Permanent Secretaries who will in turn establish a Forum.Experts in culture will have to meet with the Director General and Permanent Secretaries prior to the Ministers’ Colloquium.In addition, teams will be identified and appointed by the Director General and Permanent Secretaries to drive the execution of projects identified, he said.Mutorwa said the Colloquium had eight priorities to the Pretoria Statement.These focus on cultural exchanges within the SADC region, undertaking cultural studies and research and poverty eradication through arts and culture initiatives.The Ministers said the SADC Secretariat, African Union and Nepad needed to put culture at the centre of development, adding that they had decided that a follow-up workshop be held for these three bodies to explore the position of culture.Mutorwa said the Ministers also reviewed the establishment of a SADC Culture Trust Fund and resolved that the Director General and Permanent Secretaries’ Forum explore the modalities for setting up the Fund.Among others, the two-day colloquium discussed the role that cultural exchanges could play in promoting regional integration in the SADC region and the role of culture in social cohesion and justice.Those attending the meeting included Ministers from South Africa, Angola, Mauritius, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.- Nampa