Conference aims to ask questions on cohesion

On November 7 and 8, the Seventh Courageous Conversations Conference will be held at Ncome Museum near Dundee.
This year’s theme is Social Cohesion or Social Coercion – Bridging the Divide, and was inspired by the words of Professor Bheki Mngomezulu who, when speaking at the 5th Courageous Conversations Conference in 2017, stated although South Africa in theory is one nation, it remains divided.

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“While some have moved on with the view to meet those on the other side of the racial divide, others have remained embedded and rooted in the past.”
This year’s conference theme also makes reference to the symbolic ‘Reconciliation Bridge’, which was built across the eNcome River in 2014 and links two sides whose history relating to the 1838 battle at Blood River/Ncome became a symbol characterising years of suspicion and ill feeling.
Since 1994, attempts have been made to overcome the chasm, but the following questions remain:
– Since the birth of democracy, to what extent have we as a nation made progress towards achieving social cohesion? Do some still have to be coerced into the idea of nation-building, reconciliation and social cohesion?
– How successful have efforts been to build a unified nation?
– Are we forging or forcing social cohesion?

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– Are we just talking or are we actually doing something to bridge the divide?
The conference is organised by uMsunduzi and Ncome Museum, together with The Voortrekker Monument, The Heritage Foundation, Freedom Park and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture.
All are welcome to attend.
For more information and to book your place, call Ms Sewell on 033 394 6834 or Mrs Henning on 033 394 6834, or alternatively send an email to lbarnwell@msunduzimuseum.org.za or ehenning@msunduzimuseum.org.za
To present a paper at the conference, call 033 394 6834 or email ehenning@msunduzimuseum.org.za.
Abstracts can be submitted by August 31.
There are no conference registration fees.
A wide selection of accommodation is located in and around Dundee, and delegates are advised they are responsible for and must organise their own transport and accommodation.
For more information and updates, follow uMsunduzi and Ncome Museums on Facebook.