The message came from Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, during the launch of the #IAMTHEFLAG Campaign at the Randburg taxi rank recently – a partnership between the department and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO).

Government has identified nation-building and social cohesion as some of the priorities for the current mandate period as envisioned in the National Development Plan.

Minister Mthethwa said it was important to have the campaign this year as it coincided with the centenary celebrations of former President Nelson Mandela, the country’s first democratically elected statesman.

“We remember who we are and there is no better way than the flag of South Africa. It symbolises unity, diversity and our pride as a nation. We should respect our flag, we should popularise our flag, and it should be everywhere we are,” he said.

The essence of the campaign was to promote and entrench national consciousness, social cohesion, nation-building and patriotism among South Africans.

Minister Mthethwa reminded commuters and drivers that the flag was the country’s “identity document”, saying it was the one thing that keeps citizens together.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za