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The Minister of Communications Ms Faith Muthambi says the SABC has a crucial role to play in the promotion and protection of our culture and heritage.

The Minister was speaking at the end of Indoni Cultural Festival which was held in Durban from 10 to 11 October in Durban. The festival is sponsored by among others, the SABC and Department of Arts and Culture.

The festival was established and launched in 2011 and it is a youth empowerment organization chaired by Dr Nomcebo Mthembu. It was created to promote the development of young people through arts and culture, promoting moral regeneration, promoting the appreciation of cultural diversity, promoting social cohesion among the various cultural groups of South Africa and advocating pride for one’s heritage among young people. The project is aimed at helping young people develop strategies and approaches that will arm them in avoiding and dealing with the effects of the social effects facing our society today. Dr Mthembu is also an Executive Committee Member of the Abathembu nation.

The Minister also congratulated the winners. The overall winner was Indoni YamaZulu Nomkhosi Nzuza; the runner up was Indoni YamaSwazi Nolungelo Shongwe; The Face of Indoni prize, which is selected based on the finalist with the most votes went to Indoni YamaNdebele Thobile Chilli; and the Miss Ubuntu Prize, which is awarded to the finalist who demonstrated kindness, humanness, warmth and compassion towards all around her during the period leading up to Miss Cultural SA in Durban, went to Indoni YamaTsonga Kanetani Mathebula.

The festival which started on Friday was attended by Minister Mthethwa of Arts and Culture, Minister Nhleko of Police, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mr Obed Bapela and Minister Muthambi.

Speaking at the event, Minister Muthambi said, “We are very proud to have witnessed our different and diverse cultures on display through exhibitions, fashion shows and then on Saturday the pageant! It is projects like Indoni that will help bring moral regeneration to our youth and to restore core values and pride in our identities,”

“Media have in general have an integral role to play in building social cohesion and we encourage more young people to take such initiatives seriously and play their part in creating a better nation that celebrates its people,” said Muthambi.

Issued by Government