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Tel : 011-578-5653/4 Fax : 011-395-1070
Jornal Da Comunidade Portuguesa Na África Do Sul / Portuguese Community Paper of South Africa
ORGULHOSAMENTE PORTUGUÊS / PROUDLY PORTUGUESE WWW.PORTUGUESEFORUM.ORG.ZA
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Director Dr. Fernando S. Capão
Ano 6 Número 79
Octobro 2010
Embracing our independence O
ver the past few decades, the Portuguese population here in South Africa has grown considerably. This growth has mostly been fed by the influx of Portuguese families and individuals from our neighbouring Portuguese colonies in Angola and Mozambique. Many members of this community feel that due to the size of our population, the Portuguese Government should put more effort in supporting us by sending qualified Portuguese language tutors and professors and by funding community centres to not only teach the language but expose the community, especially the youth, to the traditions, customs, and the Portuguese culture as a whole. Teach them about the history behind our existence here in South Africa, as well as Portugal and Madeira. These centres would also play a vital role in terms of creating an environment for networking. After learning about these demands, I decided to further my research by interviewing a highly qualified and experienced individual in terms of knowledge and insight in this matter. His name is Professor André Thomashausen. Born in Germany but raised and schooled in Portugal, he understands the Portuguese way of life and the language more than most of us Portuguese South Africans. He even states that he speaks Portuguese better than German due to his childhood. Prof. Dr André Thomashausen is a professor of international law at the University of South Africa and is a qualified German barrister. This highly accomplished academic has, amongst many other undertakings and achievements, acted as legal counsel for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project; produced over 70 academic and general publications and has received the Exceptional Academic Merit Award of the University three consecutive times; and is even a sworn translator of the Supreme Court of South Africa in German, French, English, and Portuguese. He also consulted on peace strategies for Angola. A country in dire circumstances The interview highlighted the situation that was mentioned above, about the demands of some members of the South African Portuguese Community from the Portuguese Government. That they feel abandoned and unsupported. The conclusion of the interview with Professor Thomashausen was very clear and straightforward. We cannot expect support from a country that is struggling or actually unable to support its own as is. Portugal was hard hit by the global economic recession and several industries have died out resulting in hundreds of thousands of job-losses and an
Another idea mentioned in terms of networking would be the existence of small Portuguese centres not only in Portugal but throughout the CPLP offering advisory services to business and other contacts. This would enable global networking, for example, here in South Africa could be an academic who is writing a PhD in cultivating algae for some type of product. Through these Portuguese centres, this academic could come into contact with someone in Macau or Brazil who has worked on this before and learn from him or her. Prof Thomashausen states that the one-way street always back to Portugal is futile. We have tried it for forty years and it hasn't brought about much. Hence having to take things into our own hands. What is the CPLP?
influx of immigrants, both legal and illegal, from surrounding European Union countries, as well as other countries such as the Cape Verde Islands and Brazil. The crime levels have since rocketed and the people of Portugal are all experiencing harsh circumstances. It is because of this that we should not hold our breath in waiting for Portugal to step into our existence here in South Africa. It was also discussed that even if Portugal did send funding to build and maintain community centres, that it would be a waste if it did not appeal to the community, especially the youth, as it is the youth that need this kind of exposure the most. The sad truth is that it would be wasted funding, especially if Portugal itself is short of finances. Therefore we will have to make do without. Taking things into our own hands We as Portuguese South Africans should unite in order to enable essential networking and to effectively tackle the situation of our fading identity together. Instead of raising funds to build fruitless centres that would not sufficiently attract the youth, we could approach the matter of teaching them the history of our presence and our culture at a completely different angle. What do the youth of today like to do? What would interest them more than having to go to some centre simply to learn? Socialising and partying. Social gatherings could be organised and open to the public, but specifically aimed at the Portuguese youth. These gatherings could be themed, for example, The Dias Dance featuring a speaker that could shortly explain the history behind Bartolomeu Dias and his experiences and explorations of Southern
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Africa. The venue could be decorated with educational and informational paraphernalia that would represent Dias and his encounters. Another idea could be a Shipwreck Salsa, also featuring a speaker that would shortly explain how the South African coast is rich in Portuguese shipwrecks and what these ships and crew were destined for. Other events could be language related as well as cultural. The dress codes could be themed too. Before and after the speaker, the youth are free to have a good time, connect with others, learn from each other and dance the night away. A small entrance fee could be charged in order to raise funds for organising these events. A cash bar could also be a source of funding. Paraphernalia could also be sold that represent the theme of the event. These events could take place once every month provided the turnout is sufficient. What is your opinion on this suggestion? Do you think it would work? And would you, as our youth, be interested in attending such an event? Let us know on the contacts page of our website www.portugueseforum.org.za or on our facebook group page – Portuguese Forum South Africa. This is just one way of exposing the youth to their heritage. However, this does not solve the problem of our vanishing language. An idea that was brought up by Prof Thomashausen was that the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries / Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa) could recruit Portuguese lecturers from all its member countries. This way they could offer a diverse platform for the teaching of the Portuguese Language.
The Community of Portuguese Language Countries is an establishment involving the friendly co-operation of the governments of its member countries which are Portuguesespeaking (lusophone) nations that have Portuguese as an official language. I myself did not know much about the CPLP except for its existence. This is why I decided to take the liberty in providing you, the community, with a little bit of information that would further increase your knowledge and understanding of global lusophonic activities and initiatives. The CPLP was formed in 1996 with an initial seven members: Portugal; Brazil; Angola; Mozambique; Guinea-Bissau; Cape Verde; and São Tomé and Principe. In 2002, East Timor joined the organisation after gaining independence and became the CPLP's eighth member country. These nations didn't know much about each other but were linked due to the language as well as other cultural features. Being part of the CPLP, they are able to help each other with problems such as with economic or democratic issues. Meetings are held every month to discuss specific initiatives and projects. Some of the CPLP's main initiatives are: to combat poverty and starvation; the HIV-Aids programme; the development of entrepreneurial skills; and the development of public administration. Did you know that the CPLP declared the fifth of May to be a Lusophone Culture Day?
The first step to unite would be to join a nonprofit organisation that aims to unify and strengthen the Portuguese Community. Join the Portuguese Forum today. Visit our website www.portugueseforum.org.za, and leave a message. We will contact you. Força em unidade! Strength in Unity!