Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane used her speech at the BRICS Media Forum to highlight the important role the media played during apartheid.
Mokonyane said the media helped mobilise people against apartheid, enlightening activists about the interconnection of the Struggle with other people’s struggles the world over.
She addressed 38 mainstream media organisations from BRICS countries as well as some African countries on the second day of the forum held at the Westin Hotel.
The gathering, considered the biggest media forum yet, kicks off the BRICS heads’ of state summit in Joburg next week. It was hosted by Cai Mingzhao, president of Chinese News Agency Xinhua News and Dr Iqbal Survé, chairperson of the BRICS Business Council and Independent Media, under the theme “BRICS Media Co-operation - Fostering an Inclusive, Just World Order”.
Mokonyane also referred to the dualistic nature of media during the dark days of apartheid, where any person could be a patriot, on the one hand, and a so-called “terrorist” on the other.
Mokonyane said the forum coincided with the centenary celebrations of Nelson Mandela and Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu.
She said the centenary celebrations of these two icons had a significant impact in bringing diverse South Africans together and galvanised the spirit of national pride and Ubuntu.
“It was during apartheid that the white media referred to these two icons of our Struggle as ‘terrorists’, only because they had fiercely and fearlessly fought against apartheid, which the UN referred to as a crime against humanity.
“Accordingly, any person could be a patriot, on the one hand and a so-called “terrorist” on the other, depending on which side the media was looking at them. The history of our Struggle has, in many ways, demonstrated the dualistic nature of media in our country,” Mokonyane said.