PhD Candidate Presents Paper at International Conference

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PhD candidate in Information Studies in the School of Social Sciences, Mr Mpubane Emanuel Matlala, recently presented a paper at the South African Cultural Observatory Third International Conference. The conference was held at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth from 7-8 March 2018.

Matlala joined 65 speakers from different countries in different sessions that included papers on urban culture and the creative city; the expanding role of film; new directions in technology, digital and innovation; opportunities in employment, soft skills and training and education; international trade; heritage and tourism; and more broadly the nature and make-up of the creative economy.  

The aim was to provide the opportunity to conduct a deep analysis of both the creative economy’s potential and the current realities facing the sectors and industries. This will help the policy, planning and strategic imperatives – a critical outcome since the White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage is being reviewed. The programme itself was constructed to reflect a diverse mix of cultural content from academics, researchers, practitioners and artists in order to explore the universal to the particular, and marry views from the ground-up with the top-down.

Matlala’s paper titled Exploring conflict versus consensus pertaining to cultural rights and participation in the context of migration:  a case study at Manganeng Village examined the notion of core rights as enshrined in chapter two of the Constitution of South Africa Act 108 of 1996. In particular, focusing on how African people enjoy their cultural rights, as well as the challenges they face in the process of cultural participation in urban areas. ‘I argued that individuals’ rights are fundamental to allow full participation in cultural activities that gives the individuals the right to choose the culture they want to participate in and have access to cultural activities within their environment.

Participation in own cultural activities can create opportunities for diverse people to simultaneously operate in the same environment sharing mutual cultures and creating an atmosphere of tolerance but it also can be problematic. Therefore, discussed cultural life by giving specific case studies covering rights such as religion, expression, the right to use own language, the safeguarding of culture in the diverse environment.

The reflection on the conference; it consisted of keynote speakers, parallel sessions and participatory workshops. It generated multidisciplinary, lively and productive discussions, and promoted networking among participants from different backgrounds. I learned a lot about the different cultures, the importance of knowledge transfer in heritage and culture and received great feedback and support from professionals in our audience. I also find them very helpful for learning about new areas and publications. As a speaker, I am always keen to get feedback from the audience as it is a way of testing out ideas and my thinking.

Conferences are a good way to keep abreast of the latest techniques, get new ideas for our research, and meet other groups working in our area. I initiated partnerships with other colleagues who participated in the conference for possible future co-publications in the field of cultural studies. I anticipate that the feedback I received from fellow participants in the conference will help me to broaden my scope of global developments in culture and especially to improve my academic research. Overall, the conference inputs provided useful insights into global problems, where humanity is increasingly confronted with complex, interconnected social and environmental problems that span disciplines, knowledge bases and value systems.

‘It was such a great opportunity and honour to attend and present in one of the prestigious international conferences. I learned new information, consolidated that I had read before, and came away with a sense of what a creative economy is like and how it can be applied in the contemporary society. It was a watershed moment and through participation that lent to the many debates and discussions that were prolific in every formal and informal corner of the conference,’ said Matlala.

Words: Mathodi Fred Motsamayi