Chairperson and hon members, the topics that will be discussed at this year's Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, Assembly in Quebec, Canada, are the overall theme which we are debating now, which is, "Citizenship, identity, linguistic and cultural diversity in a globalised world".
The theme of the first Standing Committee on Peace and International Security is "Enforcing the responsibility to protect: The role of Parliament in safeguarding civilians' lives". The theme of the second committee is, "Fair trade and innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable development". That of the third committee is, "The use of media, including social media, to enhance citizen engagement and democracy". The hon Kubayi will be presenting a paper in the third standing committee and the hon Ramatlakane will be presenting a paper in the first standing committee. I would like to wish them well in their work at the IPU as they represent our Parliament.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states in section 3(2):
All citizens are equally entitled to the rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship.
I think we need to ask ourselves, as members here in this House, whether we are doing sufficient work, both as Parliament and as Members of Parliament to ensure the realisation of what the Constitution says in section 3(2).
A further question we need to ask ourselves is whether the citizens of our country fully understand their rights, benefits and privileges, as well as what their duties and responsibilities are. I would want to submit that we need to do a lot more work in engaging with the citizens of our country.
During the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup, we saw a level of unity and national pride on a score not often witnessed in our short history as a new democracy. Not only did the country unite behind our soccer team, but what was of particular significance was the display of and identify with our national flag. As a country, we have made progress in creating a national identity.
However, what does concern me at times is the possible lack of identity with some of our national days. Political parties are being invited to attend and often participate in many of the celebrations of our national days. However, I would submit that we, as a Parliament and members in our constituencies, need to do a lot more work in mobilising communities and informing them about what these national days signify.
Section 6 of our Constitution recognises 11 official languages. Again, we need to ask ourselves whether, here, as a Parliament, we are doing sufficient work to promote the use of the 11 languages. Committee meetings and the business of this House are generally in English. Perhaps we should be doing more to promote the use of our official languages in our work, here in Parliament, in committees and in the House. I also think that we, as Members of Parliament, need to lead by example. We also need to be sure that we are able to speak more than one language.
Sections 30 and 31 of the Constitution state:
Everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice, but no one exercising these rights may do so in a manner inconsistent with any provision of the Bill of Rights.
It further states:
Persons belonging to a cultural, religious or linguistic community may not be denied the right, with other members of that community - a) to enjoy their culture, practise their religion and use their language; and b) to form, join and maintain cultural, religious and linguistic associations, and other organs of civil society.
As a country, we are diverse and extremely rich in culture, religion and language. I think that we should be taking a lot more time to learn and gain more understanding about each other's culture, religion and language. As we take time to learn about each other, we will find that many of the suspicions and mistrust which we have about each other will start to diminish.
During the recent National Summit on Social Cohesion, President Jacob Zuma stated:
Today's summit is an important gathering of our new nation. This summit confirms that the promotion of social cohesion, nation-building, and national identity are on the list of priorities for our country. As we proceed along this journey, we will have to ask and answer difficult questions.
We will also have to confront complex and uncomfortable realities. However, as South Africans, we have on many occasions proven to ourselves to be a nation that thrives and finds solutions to difficult problems through dialogue, discussions and reaching out to one another. It was through dialogue and reaching out to one another that we were able to produce what is now fondly referred to as the South African miracle.
As a country, I think we all need to admit that we have made progress, but we must also ensure that we continue along the road of unity in diversity.
Parliaments, including our own Parliament at the IPU, need to ensure that their respective governments, amongst others, promote intercultural dialogue to bridge cultural differences; preserve cultural identity; nurture the diversity of cultural expressions; promote mutual interaction; support and empower individuals, communities and organisations involved in initiatives aimed at promoting acceptance and respect of cultural diversity; and to combat the spread of cultural illiteracy, which often refers to a lack of the ability to accept cultural difference and to welcome them without being unsettled by them.
As I conclude, together as Members of Parliament in this Parliament, let us increase our efforts in promoting unity, reconciliation, nation-building and cohesion. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.