Freedom Park’s facilitation of social cohesion to fulfil the intentions of South African cultural policy

Abstract

This study is about the facilitation of social cohesion at Freedom Park with respect to the intentions of the South African cultural policy. Freedom Park is positioned to symbolise national identity to contribute to social cohesion, but only reifies reconciliation and tolerance through its symbols of civic nationalism, based on differences among diverse sub-national/ ethnic identities. The study is an attempt to expose the extent to which Freedom Park fulfils the intentions of the South African Cultural Policy in facilitating social cohesion through its education programme. This study followed an exploratory research design, with a qualitative research approach in collecting data. The sampling processes used involved non-probability and purposive methods in selecting participants. Open-ended interviews were conducted with two education officers who are full-time employees at Freedom Park. The eight written reflections of cultural policy and management students were analysed, interpreted and discussed. The findings of this dissertation highlight participants’ views on the facilitation of social cohesion and the position of Freedom Park in symbolising national identity, in relation to the intentions of the South African cultural policy. A clear indication of the findings is that the participants view social cohesion as a difficult mandate to fulfil, and are not satisfied with its facilitation. This signifies a clear need to close the gap between South African cultural policy and the implementation of its mandates at Freedom Park.