Cyril urges citizens to be tolerant of foreigners, the poor

In his Heritage Day address on Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africans to celebrate the diversity of cultures in SA and to be more hospitable towards foreigners.

Ramaphosa referred to the spirit of Ubuntu, encouraging South Africans to show compassion to people “especially those less fortunate”, and also to “those from foreign lands who have sought refuge here”.

He added: “We are, as South Africans, a friendly and hospitable people, and it is inconsistent with our values to be xenophobic. I am proud that at many workplaces, schools and institutions, our brothers and sisters from other countries have joined the heritage celebrations.

“As Africans we are one people with a shared history and a common destiny.”

He also used Heritage Day to highlight the exploitation of SA artists. “In the colonial era cultural symbols, artefacts, music, art and literature were brazenly stolen from Africa. In today’s modern age, this exploitation has taken new forms such as plagiarism, cultural and intellectual property appropriation and copyright theft. Struggling artists are taken advantage of and strong-armed into giving up their rights and their royalties.”

Ramaphosa said the government was working to protect SA artists, which will in turn preserve the country’s heritage. “Through their songs, dance, paintings, storytelling, sculptures and other form of art, artists carry on their shoulders the heavy responsibility to transmit our heritage from one generation to another. Artists must therefore be paid their dues.”

He said the new Copyright Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly this month will help protect artists, including with the collection and distribution of royalties. “We’re determined to use the law... to preserve our cultural heritage.” –