Mandela a Happy 89th Birthday
17 July 2007
Every country is allowed one wish every 100 years. Ours came true when from
among the grasslands, hills and valleys of Qunu in the Eastern Cape emerged a
star whose glow was never foretold by the wise men of the east. This was 89
years ago today, 18 July 2007.
Next year it will be 90 years. In another 10 years it will be a century
since Nelson Mandela crawled into the world. It is impossible to think of South
Africa without thinking of the contribution that Madiba made to the birth of
our democracy. It is impossible today to fathom a world of peace without
invoking the lessons of tolerance, reconciliation, non-racialism and non-sexism
that Madiba has bequeathed to the world.
In the majesty of Madiba we have learnt to live together, to sheath the
daggers and douse the fires with which we were threatening to annihilate
ourselves. From the ashes of the divisiveness of apartheid, has risen like a
phoenix, a nation called South Africa which has become a marvel of the
world.
We are today a people because we walked in the shadows of the colossus of
our lifetime. We see in the rebirth of Madiba today the regeneration of our own
commitment to peace, to economic prosperity and to a bright future for all. On
behalf of the people of KwaZulu-Natal we say happy birthday Madiba, Ususku
Olumnandi Tata!
For further information contact:
Logan Maistry
Premier's Spokesperson
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistry@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
17 July 2007
Source: SAPA
