The Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal Dr Zweli Mkhize has called on the people of KwaZulu-Natal to join hands and celebrate Diwali together tomorrow, 13 November 2012.
"I offer you on behalf of the Provincial Government, my greetings and my warm wishes as we celebrate the holy festival of Diwali." "Times like these are dedicated to reflect on what has gone before and reconnect with the light which lies within us."
"During this Diwali season we need to pray for the transformation of our society into one nation united in diversity. We need to increase our consciousness of the ways in which light can triumph over darkness."
"My hope is that in this spirit of looking to the light, we should find reconciliation where there has been division and hurt."
"Bound together as we are in the new South Africa, we need to recognise one of the most powerful potentially constructive elements - Nation Building."
"This government is determined to promote unity because we believe that this is the only way of creating a compassionate society."
"Unity can be achieved if we celebrate together national days such as Diwali, Rosh Hashan, Eid, umthayi, umkhosi wokweshwama and many other days of importance in our lives."
"This year we celebrated Heritage Day in Chatsworth. It was day in which all South Africans celebrated who we are - one people one nation with many cultures."
"We demonstrated as we marched through the streets of Chatsworth that we are indeed proud children of a united South Africa. We made a statement that we accept our diversity and that we respect different cultures and different religions and faiths."
"May the light that Deepavali brings shine in all of us and may we use this light to bring happiness and contentment to the lives of all the people of KwaZulu-Natal."
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Spokesperson: Dr Zweli Mkhize - Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal
Cell: 082 375 4742
