Parliament’s Presiding Officers, Members and officials are proud and privileged to join the world in wishing a very happy 95th birthday to our first democratically elected President, and father of the nation, Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela.
This year’s birthday comes at a time of mixed emotions because Madiba has been ill in hospital for over a month now. It is not what we would have wished for our preeminent icon of peace and humility and fighter for justice who was prepared to die for our freedom.
Because he is our lodestar and because we love him so much and cherish his commitment to bringing to birth a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and free South Africa, we hope he will remain with us for longer.
Let us continue to keep him in our thoughts and continue to pray for his speedy recovery.
In sickness and in health Madiba continues to unite our nation, he brings us together in an extraordinary way and helps us realise the value of coexistence. The kind of unity he bequeathed to us brings about so much hope for humanity. It makes a better life a reality for a growing number in our country and a distinct possibility for many more.
On International Mandela Day, his birthday, let us live his teachings. Let each one of us celebrate his life by taking responsibility for changing the world for the better. Let us reach out to our fellow human beings, especially the poor and marginalised, with love and care and remember that every positive gesture matters. In his name let us uphold the values which define him whatever our station in life is.
On the eve of 20 years of the democracy that he dedicated his life to, let us not underrate what we have achieved in establishing a stable and progressive system. We have come a long way since we defeated the evil system of apartheid but we accept that we must do much more, together, to ensure our democracy brings material improvement to all our people and especially the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalised.
We must continue to advocate peace and democracy in our communities, on our continent Africa and throughout the world. We have a duty to continue his noble project and work to bring to fruition his vision of a world free of poverty and oppression.
As Madiba urges us, we should never be unmindful of the terrible past from which we come. However, that memory should not be a means to keep us shackled to the past in a negative manner, but rather a joyous reminder of how far we have come and how much we have achieved.
Ah! Dalibhunga … min’emnandi kuwe nosapho lwakho.
