I take this opportunity to extend my warm greetings and wishes to the Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation Mr Sakkie Jenner and other political principals
Distinguished guests
Students
Ladies and gentlemen
I am indeed honoured by the invitation extended to me by the MEC Sakkie Jenner to address this august gathering here today. We have gathered here today to celebrate and commemorate the 16th year of Freedom Day. Whilst all of us know the significance of this day, 27 April, it would be important for me just to refresh our memories of what it means to us not only yesterday, but today and in the future.
Prior to the establishment of our non-racial and non-sexist democracy in 1994, we did not enjoy the freedom of movement, freedom of association, freedom of guaranteed constitutional rights to live wherever we wanted to in our country, to be employed in the jobs of our choice, to enter for the sake of entertainment the venues where we wanted to unwind and enjoy ourselves and so forth.
I think it would be prudent for me to quote as a reminder to all of us, the preamble to our Constitution:
"We, the people of South Africa, recognise the injustices of our past, honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land, respect those who have worked to build and develop our country and believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
"We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights, lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law, improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person".
These rights were denied to us by the apartheid government. And the denial of these fundamental human rights created great anguish, humiliation, denial of our very being and a multitude of suffering which destroyed family life and happiness.
Those of us who lived through this period still suffer the psychological scars of such indignity and humiliation. However, today, South Africa is liberated from the bondage of apartheid. Our democratic order is showing signs of maturity growing from strength to strength with successful national elections held every five year.
Our democratic government is committed to the promotion of national reconciliation, to building national unity in diversity. Our communities must be empowered to learn about their constitutionally guaranteed rights, which give all of equal opportunities to practice our cultures and enjoy our human freedom.
On this national Freedom Day, it is indeed befitting that we pay tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives, their comfort and their very being to free our country and its people from this bondage. We will continue to take inspiration from the sacrifices of those who have struggled for our freedom. Their heroism, discipline, self denial, aspirations, bravery, persistence, resistance, and consistent struggle for a better and equal life for all South Africans would continue to be the bedrock on which this nation was founded.
We must safeguard the values of freedom enshrined in our Constitution which upholds our fundamental human rights. What is important for us all is to be mindful that unless we internalised the constitutional principles and values by making them a part of our way of life, these would remain mere words written in our Constitution.
The point I am making is that for every right that we are given by the Constitution such a right comes with individual and collective responsibility.
We are a country with so much promise to fulfil our aspirations to make this the best country where we would want to live, raise our children and realise both our individual and collective goals and aspirations. We are aware that many countries in Africa and elsewhere in the world are looking towards us as a model, inspiration and best case scenario which they would like to emulate for their own development.
The President of the republic, Mr Jacob Zuma in his 2010 State of the Nation Address (SoNA) made reference about reconfiguring the way Freedom Day is being celebrated. Therefore, it is refreshing and instructive that the National Orders bestowed on South Africans for exceptional achievements would be held on Freedom Day.
The point of the presidential decree with regard to the way we celebrate Freedom Day is that this is a unique day in the calendar of our country and its celebration should reflect the important notion of freedom for all our people. It should be celebrated in a very special way.
We are a country with a rich diversity of culture, race, religion and the entire spectrum of lifestyle choices which comprised our mosaic nation. Our Constitution makes provision for this rich diversity which bestows on us the right to be uniquely different as well as to be the same as a collective.
As a country we are blessed not only with a rich diversity of culture, race and religion, but also our national symbols which comprised of both God-given and man-made add splendour and magnificence to us as a people.
I was elated when I saw the invitation from the MEC of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation where he announced that the Travelling Exhibition on National Symbols would be launched on Freedom Day, on this occasion.
As a national government working with our national broadcaster the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), we undertook the campaign to promote the national flag ahead of the soccer spectacle, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Therefore, I want to applaud the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation for this initiative in launching this Travelling Exhibition on National Symbols.
Our national symbols are as follows:
Our national flag, national Coat of Arms, National Orders; national animal (Springbok), national bird (Blue Crane), national flower (Protea), national fish (Galjoen) and national tree (Yellowwood).
As we readied ourselves for the arrival of the visitors from all over the world to South Africa to participate in the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup as coaches, players, referees and spectators, every one of us have the potential to contribute to make this the best world cup ever.
We have to surpass the very best of our hospitality to welcome the visitors to our country and make their stay very welcoming so that they could come back again and again to our beautiful and illustrious land.
Once again, I would like to thank the MEC of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation, all those present here today, as well as the team who contributed to this marvellous function. I wish you all the very best and all the success in your endeavours.
Source: Department of Communications
