He
holds a MA and Ph.D in Public Administration from the University of
Stellenbosch, as well as a number of international certificates and
diplomas. He has published widely in the fields of education,
housing, local government and public administration.
But
on 30 August, at the River Club in Mowbray, he spoke on the importance of cultural warmth in plural
societies. Certainly, South Africa, as the Rainbow nation that it is,
is a plural society. This plurality could mean two things. The first is that
we are divided by difference. Alternatively the second meaning is that individuals who are different in race and culture are plurals that form a whole society.
Indeed, Meyer pointed out that the idea of Ubuntu - that we are who we are
because of one another - is what makes us whole. There is, then in South African culture, a great
importance in embracing those individualities of culture that make
our society whole. This is cultural warmth.
One
of the ways in which we can embrace our pluralities and show cultural
warmth is through language. Merely something as easy as learning
greetings in other languages opens us up to being welcomed into a
new culture. It shows an acceptance of cultural differences and that
that difference is accepted when we speak in another's language. It
also breaks down the barrier of resistance from the person addressed as we show our acceptance of their culture.
In
a globalised world, this extends beyond our boarders. It is important
to show that, as South Africans, we want to participate in a globalised
society.
“Say
something in another person's language,” Meyer said, “ and you
open up a whole new world!”
The
next Ubuntu Foundation Business Networking Breakfast takes place on
21 September 2012.
Visit
their website to register.
