12 November 2003

The News Editor

Media Briefing -Cultural Diversity Celebration - Durban Documentation Centre - 12 November 2003 at 11H30

The KZN Department of Education will be hosting a Cultural Diversity Celebration on Sunday, 16 November 2003, which coincides with the arrival of the 1860 Settlers at Dockside 17 Point Waterfront, also known as Amanzi Shed.

The Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Narend Singh will brief the media at the Durban Documentation Centre, Derby Street, Durban on Wednesday, 12 November 2003 at 11H30 on the Cultural Diversity Celebration. It also gives the Government of KwaZulu-Natal an opportunity to honour all cultural groups that have settled in KZN for their contributions to the development of the Province.

This day, 16 November 2003 is a symbolic day in the historical calendar of South Africa, when the first ship, the SS Truro arrived in Durban carrying indentured labourers from India in the year 1860. In recognition of this historic occasion, the Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Narend Singh together with the Chief Executive Officer, Professor CRM Dlamini have arranged a multi-cultural programme of music, songs and dance, reflecting all the cultural groups of the Province. Various exhibition stalls by cultural groups will be on display from 10H00 onwards. The cultural performances will begin at 14H00 on stage outside Dockside Shed 17. The well-know musical groups Luxmi Stars and Saraswathi Impressions will be in attendance catering for the different linguistic groups. There will also be folk and classical dances. Some of the cultural groups that will be participating in this nation-building exercise will include the Afrikaans, Portuguese, Italians, Greek, French and Irish Communities. The guest speaker will be the Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr LPHM Mtshali.

At 17H00 a symbolic arrival of a ship that will carry Minister Narend Singh with other key personalities together with the immigrants, cultural groups will be welcomed by Zulu traditional dances and the South African Navy Band. Professor Joy Brain will officially hand over a CD Rom, to the Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Narend Singh which will contain the ships lists of passengers for easy research. The entire proceedings will culminate in a spectacular fire works display. Members of the Media are invited to give coverage to this historic nation-building event.

Mandla Msibi
Director: Communication and Public Relations
Tel.: (035) 874 342
Cell: 083 461 6253 
Fax: (035) 874 3640

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