27 April 2006
Building a South Africa the truly belongs to all
Programme Director, MEC Chris Stali,
The Premier of the Western Cape, Mr Ebrahim Rasool,
The Deputy Mayor of the District Council of Eden Municipality, Mr Alderman
Lulama Vimbi,
The distinguished people of Rosemoor.
I feel privileged to be able to honour this invitation of the Provincial
Government of the Western Cape to share Freedom Day with you and the people of
Rosemoor, here in George. Building a South Africa that truly belongs to all is
the Government's theme for all the Freedom Day speeches taking place around
South Africa today. This theme derives from the Freedom Charter, whose
50th
Anniversary we marking this year. For those who may not know the history of the
Charter. The African National Congress, at its 1955 gathering in Kliptown,
declared, "South Africa belongs to everyone who lives in the country, black and
white."
This was in recognition of the fact that the struggle to free South Africa
would require a united effort by all our people, across our diverse political,
racial and economic spectrum. The Freedom Charter is an inspirational document
that to this day, 50 years later, is still a foundation in our living
democracy. The main tenets of the Charter inspired people to look forward to a
dream of freedom when amongst other things South Africa shall belong to all who
live in it; the people shall govern; all national groups shall have equal
rights; the people shall share the country's wealth; the land shall be shared
amongst those who work it; all shall be equal before the law; all shall enjoy
equal human rights; there shall be work and security; doors of learning and
culture shall open: there shall be houses, security and comfort; there shall be
peace and friendship; and finally; these freedoms we will fight for, side by
side, throughout our lives, until we have won our liberty.
As we celebrate the progress freedom has brought and the recovery of our
dignity, let us rise to the challenge of united action to speed up that
progress and build a South Africa that truly belongs to all.
In the First Decade of Freedom we laid a firm foundation for new advances
during the next decade. This must help us move even further in speeding up
reconstruction and development and in building national reconciliation,
national unity, a shared pride and new patriotism.
In this first calendar year of the Second Decade of Freedom we must take
practical steps to get better results today and tomorrow than we did yesterday
by further entrenching democracy and creating a truly non-racial and non-sexist
society.
In striving for these goals we are guided once again by the principle that
South Africa belongs to all. This principle, also embodied in the Charter is a
call to action that is also enshrined in our Constitution. While millions of
lives have been transformed, eradicating apartheid's legacy of poverty,
inequality and racism still needs years of united action. This means working
together in all sectors for:
* an economy that benefits all - bridging the gap between the First and
Second Economies
* social services for all
* security for all
* an efficient state serving all the people, making Batho Pele a reality
* Africaâs renewal in a better world.
This may all sound like fancy words. The truth of the matter is that the
Government's Programme of Action with a budget for faster growth has yielded
results and is building on these achievements:
* Social Services: under social services, social grants have now reached 9
million people and still growing further as more children become eligible.
Linked to this over 10 million people have gained access to clean water and
2 million housing subsidies have been granted. Further, over the next three
years the government will give an extra R5,4 billion to municipalities for such
things as free basic services and municipal infrastructure, over R22,3 billion
for social security and R6,5 billion to complete the land restitution
programme. The 2005 budget has an additional R2 billion for housing
programmes
* The Economy: unemployment fell from 4,4 million people in March 2004 to
4,1 million in September 2004. The Expanded Public Works Programme is on track
to create a million short to medium-term work opportunities by the end of
2005.
Over 144 000 short to medium-term work opportunities had been created of
which 105 000 were still active.
* Safety and Security: in 2003/04 murder was reduced by 8%, common robbery
by 5,9%, cashÂin-transit heists by 4,7% and bank robbery by 57,5%. Government
is speeding up the creation of community courts so that each province has at
least two, and is reducing the time courts take to handle cases.
* Serving all the people: three successful democratic elections and the
transformation of the public service have brought progress in creating a
government that serves all the people, though there is still a need to create a
more efficient and effective state.
Through 'Project Consolidateâ government is assisting 136 municipalities to
help them better serve their communities.
Consolidating the African agenda: South Africa has emerged as one of the key
countries in the global efforts to build a more equitable world order.
Relations with our African counterparts have improved, and South Africa is at
the forefront of in promoting African development and resolving conflicts.
South Africa is also a critical player in strengthening South-South
co-operation.
The celebration of Freedom Day is a celebration of post-apartheid South
Africa by all South Africans, a celebration of freedom as unity and the success
of a democratic and free South Africa.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Defence
27 April 2006
