Programme director
Our special guest of honour, Mrs Ilse Naude, the wife of the late Dr Christiaan Frederick Beyers Naude
Members of the Naude family here with us
Members of the Gauteng Executive Council present today
The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Amos Masondo
Members of the Johannesburg City Metropolitan Council in our presence
Officials from the various Gauteng provincial departments who contributed to making this important day a reality
Friends and comrades of Oom Bey
Programme director,
“His life is a shining beacon to all South Africans – both black and white. It demonstrates what it means to rise above race, to be a true South African ...’
This is how former President of South Africa Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela described this giant of struggle, Dr Christiaan Frederick Beyers Naude, during his 80th birthday. This statement captures the essence of what Oom Bey lived and fought for. It is a reflection of what Oom Bey epitomised in the context of institutionalised racial prejudice and inequality as well as the state-sponsored brutality and violence.
When Oom Bey resolved in 1963 to break with the system and culture that condemned and reduced one person to a state of a lesser being while exalting one of the fairer complexion to a level of superior being, he was convinced that apartheid had no place in a civilised world. He also knew that public denunciation of the apartheid doctrine will be met with the worst kind of persecution, abuse and scorn by the proponents of regressive Afrikanerdom. He knew that he will be ostracised and turned into a pariah by his own people. Hence, we learn that he assured the only person at that moment that was willing to stand by his side, his wife that “Whatever happens, we will be together and God will be with us.” He was resolute and determined in his stance. He understood that only through self-sacrifice and commitment can justice and peace be realised in South Africa. It is through the popular struggle that South Africa can be a home to all those who live in it. Indeed, his hand and faith was strengthened by Divinity and apartheid Goliath inevitably fell in time for him to witness the birth of a free, nonracial and democratic nation.
It is for this reason that we all have to ferociously fight and defend the hard-earned democracy against chauvinistic tendencies aimed at polarising the nation. We owe it to the gallant fighters such as Oom Bey to protect and preserve the legacy they spent their lifetime building and fighting for.
The story of Oom Bey, programme director, deserves to be told repeatedly so that posterity can take a leaf from the life lived with purpose. The generations need to know how Oom Bey stood tall for his convictions at the expense of losing all that he had. Many today know Oom Bey as an astute politician, diplomat, leader, activist and a unifier; a man who was prepared to die for a better South Africa.
Among the many things he did in his fight against apartheid, Oom Bey was also part of the first white people who in 2 000 signed the Declaration of Commitment by White South Africans, a public document that acknowledged that apartheid had damaged black South Africans.
His love for the oppressed and destitute masses of South Africa saw him working tirelessly with the people of Alexandra. Most of the activists, who were hunted down by the security forces found sanctuary in Oom Bey’s church; those who were hungry were served food; and those who had no money for school were given scholarships. This is the cause that Oom Bey committed his life to.
It was, therefore, not surprising that his dying wish was that after cremation, his remains should be scattered across the sprawling northern Johannesburg Township. It is there, in Alexandra, among the downtrodden; among the poor that he wanted to rest.
Ladies and gentleman,
Today we are officially opening the extension of Beyers Naudé Drive from a single to a dual-carriage way and the pedestrian bridge. As the Gauteng Provincial Government, we are proud to be part of this milestone in honour of the stalwart of our liberation struggle. This is a contribution that we are making as part of our commitment to the principles that Oom Bey stood for. We will continue to deliver projects that give meaning and expression to the cause and its noble principles; projects that enhances social cohesion, preservation of the memory of our nation and heritage as well as promotion of nation-building. We trust that it is through, amongst other things, the building of world class roads and transport infrastructure networks that would facilitate seamless mobility of goods and people that we can change the living conditions of our people.
Programme director,
It is a well known fact that road fatalities are a major challenge in this country. In Gauteng specifically the numbers of pedestrians and motorists alike who have lost their lives are too many. We know that the Beyers Naude Road was very narrow and carrying large traffic volumes. We are also aware that this road is strategically central in that it connects communities with the major industrial and commercial centres in our province. The loss of lives along this road is something that has been a major concern for the provincial government and the municipality. That is why we are proud that the road has since been completed together with a pedestrian bridge which will assist with the reduction of fatalities. We must also hasten to urge all road user including pedestrians to comply with the road regulation. It is only through responsible use of our road networks that we can avoid unnecessary accidents.
Programme director,
The people’s mandate to government is clear - to improve the lives and living conditions of communities. Through this launch we are, together with the people of Zandspruit, celebrating the beginning of a new life. Through this road improvement project we are saying that we have moved one step forward in improving the quality of lives of our people. We are hoping that this initiative will bring relief to the local community and contribute to the state of local economy.
This road construction is part of the broad programme of road infrastructure upgrades in the province and a critical element of the broader development of the Gauteng province.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We know that developments of this nature bring with them some inconvenience to business people and the community in general. The extension of Beyers Naudé Drive was no exception. We would like to thank everyone for the patience shown during the construction of this road. We appeal to all community members to take ownership of this infrastructure.
Programme director,
Prior to closing, we must be reminded that the late Dr Naude suffered abuse and stigmatisation because he was opposed to the inhuman system that denied millions their right to be heard and choose rulers in a democratic process. It is therefore befitting that we should all honor his spirit, philosophy and sacrifice by exercising our suffrage right in the coming local government election. Let us all come out in great numbers and express our choice of government through the ballot. It is what Oom Bey would like all of us to do. It is what many fallen heroes and heroines who died fighting for equality, justice and freedom would want us to do.
Long live the spirit of Oom Bey!
Dankie, ngiyabonga.
God bless Africa.
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
