Cultural diplomacy must not be relegated to the periphery of the international relations discipline, but used to solve conflicts among nations to avoid military solutions.
This was said by South Africa’s ambassador to Canada and former minister of labour Membathisi Mdladlana at the annual Pondo Culture and Heritage Festival at the weekend.
He said there was a need for the softer, cultural aspects of nations to be emphasised in diplomatic negotiations.
“Cultural diplomacy should not be secondary to political and economic diplomacy but must function as an intrinsic and necessary component,” Mdladlana said.
By deploying culture, the values, traditions and identity of nations could be used to strengthen relations, enhance socio-cultural cooperation or promote national interest.
The former minister lamented the use of war to settle disputes or resolve problems.
“The aim of hard power is to conquer or coerce through military means. This is a very bloody form of diplomacy.
“International and regional relations these days seem to favour hard power. Everybody is bombing and killing innocent civilians.
“Soft power is a better alternative to persuade and to convince through culture, values and ideas.
“Corporations need to be aware of differences between cultures in their strategic decision-making and they must adopt cultural diplomacy models into their agenda and operations,” Mdladlana said.
This year’s Pondo Culture and Heritage Festival was held at Lwandl’olubomvu Great Place in Matshona village near Ntabankulu on Saturday.
The event commemorates Lwandl’olubomvu traditional council head Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau, a struggle activist and ANC MPL who died on June 26 1996.
Sigcau was killed in a car accident near Mount Frere, leaving behind his wife Nombethe Sigcau and three children – a son, Jongilanga, and two daughters, Stella Sigcau II and Zamafaku. Sigcau was the son of AmaMpondo King Botha Sigcau and younger brother of the late Eastern Pondoland King Mpondombini Sigcau.
The festival promotes and shares Mpondo culture and heritage with other nations. It also aims to promote ubuntu, patriotism, moral values and traditional talent.
Chairman of the festival Chief Jongilanga Sigcau said the festival sought to promote unity in diverse cultures in South Africa.
During the festival, revellers were treated to cultural music, traditional dance, horse parades and exhibitions.
BaPedi’s Chief Mampuru Mampuru III and AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu said the festival could unite nations and promote peace and harmony in the world.
Both urged other traditional leaders to follow suit.
Among those who were honoured for distinguishing themselves in various fields, were:
The late SABC traditional music DJ Saba Mbixane; well-known fashion designer Sonwabile Ndamase; Daily Dispatch traditional affairs correspondent and Mthatha bureau chief Lulamile Feni; Mpondo comedian Nomakhisimsi; Maskandi singer Ntombethongo and entrepreneur Thukela Mthembu.
Mbixane and Ndamase both received a Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau Life-Time Award respectively. Feni received the Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Memorial Award for his work in traditional affairs.
Nombethe Sigcawu received the Queen MaMjoli Sigcau Award for her role in promoting tennis.
Visitors came from all over South Africa and from some foreign countries. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za.
Using cultural diplomacy to solve issues peacefully
This was said by South Africa’s ambassador to Canada and former minister of labour Membathisi Mdladlana at the annual Pondo Culture and Heritage Festival at the weekend.
He said there was a need for the softer, cultural aspects of nations to be emphasised in diplomatic negotiations.
“Cultural diplomacy should not be secondary to political and economic diplomacy but must function as an intrinsic and necessary component,” Mdladlana said.
By deploying culture, the values, traditions and identity of nations could be used to strengthen relations, enhance socio-cultural cooperation or promote national interest.
The former minister lamented the use of war to settle disputes or resolve problems.
“The aim of hard power is to conquer or coerce through military means. This is a very bloody form of diplomacy.
“International and regional relations these days seem to favour hard power. Everybody is bombing and killing innocent civilians.
“Soft power is a better alternative to persuade and to convince through culture, values and ideas.
“Corporations need to be aware of differences between cultures in their strategic decision-making and they must adopt cultural diplomacy models into their agenda and operations,” Mdladlana said.
This year’s Pondo Culture and Heritage Festival was held at Lwandl’olubomvu Great Place in Matshona village near Ntabankulu on Saturday.
The event commemorates Lwandl’olubomvu traditional council head Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau, a struggle activist and ANC MPL who died on June 26 1996.
Sigcau was killed in a car accident near Mount Frere, leaving behind his wife Nombethe Sigcau and three children – a son, Jongilanga, and two daughters, Stella Sigcau II and Zamafaku. Sigcau was the son of AmaMpondo King Botha Sigcau and younger brother of the late Eastern Pondoland King Mpondombini Sigcau.
The festival promotes and shares Mpondo culture and heritage with other nations. It also aims to promote ubuntu, patriotism, moral values and traditional talent.
Chairman of the festival Chief Jongilanga Sigcau said the festival sought to promote unity in diverse cultures in South Africa.
During the festival, revellers were treated to cultural music, traditional dance, horse parades and exhibitions.
BaPedi’s Chief Mampuru Mampuru III and AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu said the festival could unite nations and promote peace and harmony in the world.
Both urged other traditional leaders to follow suit.
Among those who were honoured for distinguishing themselves in various fields, were:
The late SABC traditional music DJ Saba Mbixane; well-known fashion designer Sonwabile Ndamase; Daily Dispatch traditional affairs correspondent and Mthatha bureau chief Lulamile Feni; Mpondo comedian Nomakhisimsi; Maskandi singer Ntombethongo and entrepreneur Thukela Mthembu.
Mbixane and Ndamase both received a Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau Life-Time Award respectively. Feni received the Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Memorial Award for his work in traditional affairs.
Nombethe Sigcawu received the Queen MaMjoli Sigcau Award for her role in promoting tennis.
Visitors came from all over South Africa and from some foreign countries. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za.
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