On the 16th of December - Day of Reconciliation, the Western Cape Province launched the much awaited Home For All logo. This new identity of the Western Cape was unveiled at a star-studded Jazz concert on the gardens of Leeuwenhof, the Premier's official residence. As part of the programme, Provincial Honours were awarded to those individuals, whose dedication and tenacious investments contributed to building this province.

The likes of former presidents Nelson Mandela and F.W.De Klerk, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Dr Allan Boesak, Zachie Achmat, Dr Abdullah Abdurahman, Dr Neville Alexander, Colin Eglin, Phillip Kgosana and Oscar Mpetha, received provincial awards.

The event, attended by cabinet, business leaders, anti-apartheid activists, community and religious leaders, marks a new chapter in the history of the Western Cape. In his state of the Province address earlier this year, Premier Ebrahim Rasool said:

I believe that the single vision that we pursue in the next five years must be to make the Western Cape a Home for All. This is in line with the President's call for social cohesion. This will transcend our Provincial fault lines of racism, sexism, classism and urban bias.

A Home for All implies many things. Shelter, security, safety, comfort, warmth, welcome, justice, belonging, community and peace. To work for a Home for All implies that currently we do not provide these qualities to every member of our Provincial family. Premier Ebrahim Rasool - State of the Province Address

The Western Cape province is known to be least integrated province in the country. While this government acknowledges that the consequences of apartheid cannot disappear overnight, the vision of a Home For All is a bold step towards uniting the people of this province. The message entailed in this vision is Coloureds, Blacks and Whites need not fear each. That differences and diversity need not be divisive. That while we build a united province, there is room for individuals to be themselves.

We must acknowledge and confess today that the diversity of the people in our Province has resulted in them suffering peculiar crises of identity and belonging during this time of necessary change and growth. As we have built our South African home with a steady eye on the light of tomorrow, too many in our Province have observed these birth pangs from a comfortable distance with fear and mistrust while others yearned for recognition and opportunity from the outskirts. Premier Ebrahim Rasool

The new provincial logo is the symbol by which the Western Cape will be known and recognized. By this the government of this province is saying, regardless of class, gender, age, religion, culture, language, ethnicity, geography, or sexual orientation - the Western Cape will be a Home for All!

Chief Albert Luthuli, first coined the phrase "Home for All". In a letter to white voters before the watershed elections of 16 April 1958, 46 years ago Chief Luthuli, President of the ANC said:

"You may have been led to believe that our Congress is anti-white, that it is a reckless organization out to stir up racialism. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are a serious and responsible minded body of men and women, and our aim, as we have stated many times, is neither White supremacy nor Black supremacy, but a common South African multi-racial society, based upon friendship, equality of rights and mutual respect."

The new logo therefore reflects the vision of a Home For All. Whilst innovative and creative, it also utilises enough memorable symbolism to become an easily recognizable stamp - evoking simultaneously inclusion, diversity and individuality.

The advertising thoughts have centred around the notion of "I am seen. I am heard. I am." In launching a campaign such as this, one that will ultimately challenge some fundamental classist and racist beliefs, we needed to tread delicately. The initial advertising campaign will therefore not seek to threaten, accuse or alienate but instead embrace and reflect; giving ordinary people, in all their multi-textured aspects, permission to be themselves. The advertising is therefore a collection of "reflective surfaces" - canvases upon which we are all mirrored. In this way we ensure emotional traction for the icon in future. Read more on the rationalé of the design.

The two hour musical showcase featured and reflected the diversity of Western Cape talent. The line up included:

• Jimmy Dludlu
• Brasse Vannie Kaap
• Freshly Ground
• BVK
• Hilton Schilder
• Sammy Hartman Cape all star band
• Robbie Jansen
• Amampondo
• Knegsvlakte Dansgroep
• Malay Choir
• Gospel / Township Choir
• Fancy Galada
• Laurinda Hofmeyr
• Ready D
• Neo Muyanga
• Duke & Ezra Ncqukana
• Karen Zoid
• Winston Mankunku
• Don Reinecke
• Poseletso Sejosingoe
• Taliep Petersen