The City of Tshwane Speaker of Council, Cllr Mncedi Ndzwanana, engaged residents of Ga-Rankuwa during a human rights dialogue hosted by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature at Thabong Lodge photos supplied
By Mzwandile Khati
Media Relations Specialist in the City of Tshwane
The City of Tshwane Speaker of Council, Cllr Mncedi Ndzwanana, engaged residents of Ga-Rankuwa during a human rights dialogue hosted by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature at Thabong Lodge
on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
Held under the theme “Voices of Gauteng: Language, Culture and the Right to Belong”, the dialogue brought together a diversity of voices including from community members, students, educators,
policy influencers, and cultural practitioners.
The session aimed to promote an inclusive society where all voices are heard and valued.
Delivering his keynote address, Speaker Ndzwanana emphasised the inherent link between language, culture, and identity,
describing them as fundamental components of human rights.
He urged members of the community to respect and embrace linguistic and cultural diversity as a means of strengthening social cohesion.
“As we continue to strengthen our democracy and foster social cohesion, we must embrace our cultural diversity and
multilingualism not as sources of division, but as powerful foundations for unity,” he said.
“Our distinct identities, when embraced with mutual respect, become pillars that bind us together as a province and as a nation.”
The dialogue formed part of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Human Rights Month activities aimed at reflecting on the country’s democratic values and promoting social cohesion across the
province.
Participants echoed the importance of ensuring that all languages and cultures are afforded equal respect and recognition, in line with the constitution of the republic.
Speaker Ndzwanana further stressed the need for deliberate efforts to protect and promote non-dominant, minority, and
indigenous languages to prevent their marginalisation.
“We must remain intentional in promoting inclusivity, while safeguarding non-dominant, minority, and indigenous languages from marginalisation.
In doing so, we ensure that no community
feels excluded from the broader national narrative,” he said.
The event concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to continue fostering dialogue and advancing initiatives that build inclusive and cohesive communities across Gauteng.
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