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The Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports, Dr. Damas Ndumbaro, emphasized that Tanzanian communities should use globalization to gain knowledge for development rather than allowing it to erode the nation’s cultural heritage.
Dr. Ndumbaro made this point while opening the National Ethics Debate on September 14, 2024, in Songea Municipality, Ruvuma region, ahead of the Third National Cultural Festival, set to take place from September 20 to 23, 2024, at Majimaji Stadium in Songea.
He stated that Tanzania has its unique traditions and customs, different from other nations, and emphasized that the ministry has guidelines for ethics in culture, arts, and sports, both domestically and internationally.
“A nation without its own culture is dead,” said the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and our current President, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, who continues to stress the importance of society adhering to its traditions. Through her directives, the ministry organizes an annual cultural festival in different regions.
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He further explained that culture is the foundation of values, encompassing leadership, food, clothing, education, celebrations, and both tangible and intangible heritage.
Additionally, the Minister urged the people of Ruvuma to attend the festival in large numbers, where the guest of honor on the closing day, September 23, 2024, will be the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He also encouraged the people of Ruvuma to register and participate in the local government elections scheduled for November this year.
Earlier, while introducing the Minister, Acting Director of the Department of Cultural Development in the ministry, Mr. Boniface Kadili, mentioned that the debate is part of the implementation of the 1997 Cultural Policy, which outlines the community’s responsibility to preserve, protect, and promote traditions and customs.
The debate covered various topics, including the impact of moral erosion on societal development, the role of political and social leaders in addressing the decline in ethics, and the importance of values for community progress.
