Neo-liberalism (a modified form of liberalism tending to favour free-market capitalism) was identified as a negative influence on African culture and its heritage.
This was said on Heritage Day on 24 September by cultural activist, Joel Lekgetho at the Thusong Youth Centre in Alex.
In an exclusive interview with Alex News, Lekgetho of NPO Bokamoso Centre for Restorative Justice said neo-liberalism was based on Western values and opposite to the African essence, ethos and moral approach to life which emphasised communalism (a principle of political organisation based on federated communes).
He said neo-liberalism, instead, introduced individualism which indoctrinated people to mind their own business. This, he said, made parents, families and communities shun and laugh at those regarded as failures such as drug addicts and forced those who were ostracised to gravitate towards crime for survival.
He added that as a result of neo-liberalism, attempts to reinvigorate African culture to help reinstate citizens’ self-awareness and self-pride, failed because it had captured the leaders of political liberation who enjoyed the privileges of individualism at the expense of the masses. “The renewal is essential to liberate people’s minds and make self-pride a daily-lived commitment centred on Ubuntu, which emphasises that we be each other’s keeper and accountable to our communities.”
Lekgetho also urged schools, churches and other community institutions to participate in the cultural renewal by teaching authentic African history, culture and practices to encourage children to respect and feel comfortable with their cultural heritage from a young age. “Churches should preach more in African languages and teach Ubuntu to encourage congregants to respect those of other denominations and atheists and to regard them as equals.”
He further advised parents to speak to their children in their African language and to greet other children on the street so that they too could learn to respect others. “This will help reduce crime as more people will get acquainted with each other from the greetings and feel safe in each other’s presence,” concluded Lekgetho.
Refoloe Kunou, of NPO Bontle BoAfrica, the event organisers, said he hoped to see residents returning to their Africanness and restoring and preaching self-love as an antithesis to crime. “This will also encourage girls and boys to take pride in their natural beauty and avoid decorating themselves with weaves [hair styles],” said Kunou.
Read: Nothing African about weaves
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