Excellency President Nelson Mandela at home
Minister of Social Development, Ms Edna Molewa
Premier of Gauteng, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane
Deputy Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini
Chairperson of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman
Our grandmothers and grandfathers
Fellow South Africans
Dumelang, Sanibonani
Today is a special day in our country.
We are all united under one objective, to honour one of the greatest leaders of our time, the first President of a free and democratic South Africa, His Excellency Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
All South Africans and thousands around the world, young and old, men and women, respect, love and revere President Mandela. That is why the declaration of 18 July as Nelson Mandela Day has captured the imagination of the world.
His birthday has turned into a mass celebration for all lovers of freedom, democracy and human rights all over the world, and for the oppressed and marginalised who see hope of a better future in him, due to what he stands for.
Thousands in South Africa and around the globe are today spending 67 minutes of their time in voluntary service, in recognition of the sterling contribution of Madiba to the service of humanity.
Madiba worked for the establishment of the ANC volunteer core in 1952, to defy apartheid laws, and he was appointed the National Volunteer-in-Chief of the ANC. Volunteerism has therefore always been in Madiba's nature, which is why his work with children and the vulnerable after his retirement from Government was a natural development. He worked throughout the country establishing schools in remote communities.
Let us learn from that example, and we urge those with time and resources to take forward that culture of business and communities partnering with government to build much needed community resources. He has spent 67 years of his adult life working for peace, freedom, development and the promotion of human rights and dignity.
We acknowledge and appreciate the fact that Africa and the world are joining us today in this celebration. The African Union Summit passed a resolution in favour of Nelson Mandela Day. The Non-Aligned Movement passed a Special Declaration in support while the United Nations and other institutions in the world have expressed their support of the move to honour our icon.
Most importantly for us as South Africans, it is significant that we are able to celebrate together and honour this great leader who means so much to all of us, regardless of our political affiliations, religion, gender, class or racial divide. We are all drawn towards him because he embodies that which we all aspire to Ubuntu, selflessness and the ability to transcend hatred and anger, for service to humanity. He also has the ability to make every human being feel that they are important and have a role to play in the world.
Madiba represents a generation of selfless men and women who sacrificed all so that South Africa and its people could be free, such as Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Oliver Tambo, Ahmed Kathrada, Florence Mophosho, Getrude Shope and a host of others. He also represents the successful and landmark transition from the horrors of apartheid to a free and democratic South Africa, for which our country will forever, receives accolades.
As the first President of a democratic South Africa, he extended his warmth to all South Africans. Through his leadership, we were able to bury the past and enter a future of collaboration, peace and solidarity, in which we were certain that no South African would be persecuted for believing in freedom and peace in our land. When we celebrate Nelson Mandela Day as South Africans, we are registering our appreciation of that leadership, as we know that the alternative would have been endless acrimony and a return to the painful past.
We appreciate this opportunity of saying "Happy Birthday", and "Thank You" to His Excellency Madiba for leading us correctly and showing us the way. Madiba has continued, through his gift of caring, to respect even those who vilified and ordered his persecution for his noble thoughts of a society free of oppression, where people would live in peace and equality.
When he was released from prison after 27 years, he taught us reconciliation and forgiveness, and we learned from him that you achieve personal freedom and inner peace if you release hatred and bitterness from your heart.
In honour of Madiba and other illustrious leaders who charted the way towards a non-racial, democratic South Africa, we continue to work towards the creation of a nation united in diversity, and a shared goal of a better life for all.
Madiba aptly outlined the society that we should live in, from the dock during the Rivonia trial in 1964. In those immortalised words, where he stated:
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
"It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
Guided by our Constitution, we must in honour of Madiba work together and continue the struggle against all forms of racism, sexism and tribalism including xenophobia in our country. In celebrating Madiba's birthday and his dedication to creating a better life for all, we must continue to work together to improve those areas of service delivery that have been prioritised over the next five years.
These are the creation of decent work and sustainable livelihoods, education, health, rural development, food security and land reform as well as the fight against crime and corruption. Many households have become vulnerable because of the global economic meltdown. The job losses, rising cost of fuel and food prices are all taking their toll.
Government is working with labour, business and other sectors to implement practical solutions that will ensure that jobs losses are minimised and that assistance is secured for those in need. Our priorities specifically target the needs of the youth, women, workers, the rural poor, older persons and persons with disabilities.
We are therefore pleased to be celebrating Nelson Mandela Day with the country's older persons, the reservoirs of knowledge and custodians of our country's heritage. We are sharing Madiba's 91st birthday with his peers, our senior citizens, because we want to change the incorrect perception that they are a burden to their families and to society.
Older persons in our country are active participants in the movement towards creating a great country and a better life for all. They are the backbone of many families in urban and rural areas. Many are heads of households due to the changing nature of the institution of the family due to socio-economic pressures.
They raise grand-children using their State pension grant, as they must replace parents who have either relocated to the cities in search for jobs, or who have succumbed to devastating diseases such as HIV and AIDS. In honour of Madiba, let us today salute all granny-headed households in our country.
As government we will continue to do all in our power to support these households in various ways, including social grants, social relief and psychosocial support services.
Siyazi ukuthi imizi eminingi iphethwe ogogo ngenxa yokuthi abazali bashiya izingane bayosebenza emadolobheni, noma ngenxa yokuthi abazali babulawa izifo ezinjengengculazi. Njengoba sigubha usuku lokuzalwa kukaMongameli osewathatha umhlalaphansi nesimthanda sonke uMadiba, sithi asibonge sinconcoze kogogo nomkhulu ngokubamba leliqhaza lokunakekela izintandane. Mkhulu lomsebenzi eniwenzayo. Nemali yempesheni siyazi iphelela kubazukulu ngenza yezinkinga esimweni somnotho. Siyanibonga kakhulu.
Fellow South Africans, in honour of Madiba, let us all commit to making our call for national renewal a reality. Let us recommit ourselves to make our country succeed even more, through joining government in the national partnership for reconstruction, development and progress, and to create a humane and caring society.
In the spirit of today's 67 minute call, let us recommit ourselves to voluntary work. We must make time to assist those in need the sick and vulnerable, the child and granny headed households and other families in need, in order to create the caring society that Madiba has always worked for. We already have scores of non-governmental organisations in our land who perform these noble tasks. We recognise their work and express our gratitude, for they fill a void that government sometimes cannot fill. We count the gift of the givers, our partner in this event, among those non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that make a difference.
On behalf of all South Africans, let me thank the international community for heeding the call of government and the Nelson Mandela Foundation to join us in this wonderful celebration. We appreciate the continued international solidarity and friendship. Ever the internationalist, Madiba taught us that we could not live in peace in South Africa while the rest of Africa suffered the scourge of conflict and war.
He spent countless days and months mediating a peaceful solution in Burundi.
It is a befitting birthday present that we will have a flag lowering ceremony in Bujumbura, Burundi on 8 August. The time has come for the South African National Defence to return home after years of successful intervention for peace.
We are honoured to have taken forward Madiba's quest for peace in Burundi to a successful conclusion. We will continue to promote peace, development, reconstruction and progress in the continent in his honour.
Let me on behalf of the nation; reiterate our best wishes to Madiba and his entire family. We are proud to have him as our compatriot, we are proud to bask in his glory as a nation!
We join the multitudes in the world to say Happy Birthday Madiba! We love you, ukhule njalo!
I thank you.
Source: The Presidency
