Society
SA Deputy Minister Emphasizes Need To Silence Divisive Narratives Between South Africa & Nigeria
adding that they must forge ahead together.
The Deputy Minister in the South African Presidency, His Excellency Kenneth Morolong, has said South Africa and Nigeria will continue to work together to play a role in achieving the “Africa We Want”, adding that they must forge ahead together.
Morolong made this disclosure at a round table discussion on the “Media’s Influence in Shaping Africa’s Indispensable Relationship: Nigeria and South Africa”, when the third cohort of the ongoing MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP)visited him in Pretoria, South Africa.
He emphasized the need to silence the divisive narrative of a hegemonic contest between the two nations, stating, “This narrative is divisive and should be silenced. We must forge ahead together to achieve the Africa we want.”
He acknowledged the power of the media in shaping the narrative of Africa’s indispensable relationship, quoting Malcolm X, “The media is the most powerful entity on earth… it has the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power.” Morolong charged the media to utilize their power effectively to enhance relations between South Africa and Nigeria, promoting collaboration that benefits the entire continent.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted the significance of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) established in 1999, which has led to the signing of 34 agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries.
The event was part of the MTN MIP’s study visit to South Africa, designed to equip media practitioners and innovators with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in a rapidly evolving media landscape and to provide opportunities for Nigerian journalists to interface with their South African counterparts.
Also at the visit to the Nigerian House in Pretoria, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, recounted the long-standing relationship between both nations, especially during the apartheid, stressing why it must be strengthened.
