the 2009 Freedom Day celebrations held at ABSA Stadium in Durban
27 April 2009
Programme Director and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts, Culture and Tourism,
Mrs
Weziwe Thusi
Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Kgalema
Motlanthe
Minister of Arts and Culture: Dr Pallo Jordan
MEC for Finance and Economic Development and Leader of Government Business, Dr
Zweli Mkhize
Other MECsâ present
Members of Parliament
Members of Legislatures
Your worship, the Mayor of Ethekwini Municipality; Councillor Obed Mlaba
Other Mayors and Councillors
Amakhosi
Government officials
Religious leaders
Cultural groups
Representatives from various civil society organisations
Members of the media
Listeners and viewers
Ladies and gentlemen
Today is a historic day for the people of South Africa. It is the
celebration of 15 years of democracy. Fifteen years ago, on this day, South
Africans, across all races, cast their votes for the first time. Not less than
a week ago, South Africans again came out in their numbers and cast their vote.
Five days later we stand here together to commemorate our democracy.
I can unashamedly say it is a day of celebration as the people in our
country have voted five days ago and have asked this African National Congress
(ANC) led government to continue its mandate to govern this country, and
continue with its mandate to create a better life for all.
You voted in 1994 for freedom and you voted in four elections for that
freedom to give you what you deserve. As government we have produced the fruits
of freedom among others, development, transformation, peace, economic
empowerment.
On behalf of the government of KwaZulu-Natal, I welcome everyone to our
province of possibilities. Welcome to the many who are watching us on their
television sets and the many thousands who have made their way to the stadium
today for celebrating this joyous occasion.
Today is also an extra ordinary day. It was in this province, on this day,
15 years ago, when the first President of our democratic South Africa,
President Nelson Mandela, who had never voted in his own country, voted for the
first time. To achieve just voting, together with many others, he had to
under-go severe incarceration and isolation.
I say welcome but also thank you. Thank you for casting your vote on 22
April and making an unprecedented 77% turnout at the polls. You are gathered
here in a province which is peaceful, whose people through their votes say they
fear no intimidation and want change and refuse to go back to the days of
doom.
As KwaZulu-Natal, we have moved from doom to gloom in the past five years,
and we will grow even more henceforth. We are assembled in a province where,
over the last five years, peace, democracy and development have been at the
forefront of our agenda as the provincial government.
In KwaZulu-Natal in 1994, when the ANC got 26 of the provinceâs 80 seats we
did not know that one day we would manage to win the province overwhelmingly.
In 2004, you gave us the mandate for governing this Province. You tested our
grit, and we showed you what we were made of, and in 2009, you asked us to
continue with the work we have started.
We have managed this victory because we believe that working together as a
team we have achieved this success. And working together we can do more.
The people have spoken and entrenched the democracy you have yearned for. In
1994, you took to the polls. 15 years later, we can truly witness democracy in
action and change in our lives. Today is indeed a celebration of our freedom
and a time for jubilation.
I, thus, welcome you, and ask you to savour the fruits of your freedom.
Masisukume sakhe!
Thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
27 April 2009
Source: SAPA
