Speeches by the MEC

  • Mandela Day
    uploaded on: March 26, 2012 at 13:33 pm

    Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Mabudafhasi
    MEC for Education, Ms Mhaule
    Executive Mayor for Ehlanzeni District, Cllr Shongwe
    Executive Mayor for Nkomazi Municipality, Cllr Khoza
    Management of Silindokuhle Special School
    Ladies and Gentlemen
    There is no better way to keep the legacy of Madiba than keeping the spirit of Ubuntu alive.
    It does not cost an arm and a leg to do it. All it needs is our time and nothing else. For 67 years, our icon, Madiba, devoted his time fighting apartheid and promoting peace. Even in retirement, he continued to do his part to bring cheer to those who needed it and to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, especially children.
    It is now in our hands to take the baton he left behind and run with it to the villages, towns, cities, schools, orphanages and continue with the good cause of changing people’s lives.
    Programme Director, today we are here in Mangweni to do exactly that. We are taking action and inspiring change in the lives of Silindokuhle Special School pupils and instil the values of nation-building, social cohesion and national identity.
    Ladies and gentlemen, nation-building, social cohesion and national identity were close to the heart of Madiba. Tata Mandela is probably smiling down on us as nation-building, social cohesion and national identity are values that he espoused. When he donned the Springboks number 9 jersey in 1995 during the finals of the world cup, he was doing his bit to promote social cohesion and nation building. 20 years on, South Africa is a united country where black and white live together in harmony.

    I want to take this opportunity to extend profound appreciation to the Honourable Deputy Minister, Mme Mabudhafhasi, for choosing to spend her 67 minutes with us and making a difference to the lives of the pupils and the community. What we are doing today should inspire the community to act and bring about positive changes in their areas. The ANC-led government will always be there to help locals to move the community forward. The time we will spend here will go a long way in bringing smiles to children and improve the condition of the school.
    In conclusion, I want to thank all those who contributed in making the day a success. It means a lot to the school, the pupils and the community that you could devote 67 minutes of your time with us. We are encouraged by the good gesture that all of us have displayed and we must continue working towards assisting the poor. We know that all of you here could have gone anywhere in the country but you chose to be with us. The ANC-led government is led by progressive leaders and we will together with our people continue with efforts that will help to create a better life for all.
    I thank you!