Fidel Castro will personally receive his Ubuntu Award that was bestowed on him by the National Heritage Council (NHC) of South Africa on 24 September 2008 in Mapungubwe. He could not travel to South Africa (SA) to receive this prestigious award because of his state of health. The Acting Ambassador at the time, Enrique Orta, accepted the award and confirmed that Ubuntu is similar to the belief that has kept Cubans together for many centuries.A formal ceremony where the former President of Cuba, Dr Fidel Castro will receive the award will be held on 16 April 2009 at the National Museum of Decorative Arts hosted by the Minister of Culture, Mr Abel Prieto in Vedado, Cuba.
The Ubuntu Campaign is a national campaign that seeks to restore the positive African cultural values to build a better society. The values are respect, love, forgiveness, honesty, compassion, humility and unity. Sonwabile Mancotywa, Chief Executive of the NHC says:Â "The public that we have consulted over the years in reviving Ubuntu, adopted the idea with undivided interest. The documentaries that were developed and broadcasted are testimony to the views of the public on the need to restore this philosophy". This campaign is introducing leaning areas that will be integrated into schools and prisons as modules for learners and offenders as a starting point.
The annual Ubuntu Award is honouring persons who have consistently lived the humanitarian values of the African philosophy of Ubuntu. The first and second awards of this campaign that revives awareness of the people who upholds values of humanity were received by Nelson Mandela and Kenneth Kaunda in 2006 and 2007 respectively. An independent Ubuntu Advisory Panel selects the recipient based on an extensive motivation.
The NHC strives to be the leading agent for the preservation, protection and promotion of the South African heritage, both tangible and intangible, for sustainable development. It was established by parliament to, amongst the other, advise on policy, coordinate the heritage sector, facilitate transform of heritage, provide funding to projects and create awareness.
Source : Ends /avb
Date : 09 Apr 2009 09:40
