The Mayor of Arceuil, Mr Daniel Breuller
Honourable Councillors of Arceuil
Representatives of the French government
Madame Ayache, Principal of the Dulcie September College
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
On 8 January next year, the oldest liberation movement, the African National Congress will mark 100 years of existence.
That centenary reminds us of the many heroes and heroines of our struggle who dedicated their lives to working for the liberation of our country. We think of the freedom fighters from both South Africa and around the world.
The name of Dulcie September cannot be forgotten when the names of heroines are remembered.
She forged an undeniable link between the peoples of South Africa and France.
Dulcie September was posthumously honoured in 2009 by the Government of the Republic of South Africa, for her contribution to the promotion of equality and human rights.
She was awarded the National Order of Mendi for dedicating her life in the fight against apartheid.
South Africa and France share very good political and economic relations, this relationship has been built over years and has strengthened since the advent of our democracy.
Today South Africa views France and her people as friends of South Africa.
It is the relationship which has been forged and maintained by friends such as Arceuil, who uphold the fundamental rights of all people and share a common value of a better world with us.
South Africa will celebrate Human Rights Day on 21 March, while Arceuil and the Embassy will also hold the annual commemoration of Ms September’s assassination on 29 March.
South Africans will remind themselves this month of the lives that were lost in pursuit of a humanity that values no one particular race or creed above another.
South Africa owes its present stable, democratic and free society to men and women such as Dulcie September.
She stood for an equitable and just world for all, where the values of non-racialism and non-sexism are upheld.
As we remember Dulcie on the day of her tragic assassination on 29 March, we are also to remember our responsibility in promoting the values she stood for.
It is our duty to extend the freedom that we are now so privileged to have today, to all people of the world.
The Dulcie September legacy project launched in 2009 serves as a joint project between the national government of South Africa and the Mairie of Arcueil.
I am told it is proving to be a great source for knowledge exchange and sharing of our common heritage.
I am certain that as this joint co-operation grows we will see exchange between the youth of Arceuil and the youth of South Africa.
The proposed annual Dulcie September annual lecture should prove to be a great source of inspiration to young leaders from South Africa and France.
May the learners of today continue to cultivate and practise the human values of justice, equality and community which Dulcie September lived and died for.
I am encouraged by the level of co-operation between the Mairie de Arcueil and the embassy.
Mr Mayor, I am told you have been pivotal to the preservation of Dulcie’s memory amongst the community members in Arcueil, and in France as a whole.
We are honoured that you and the people of Arcueil have committed yourselves to keeping our shared legacy current and relevant to the youth of this community.
We as South Africans look forward to a sustainable partnership on education, youth and culture with the community of Arceuil.
Today we pay tribute to a woman of South Africa whose activities made a valuable contribution to bringing down an apartheid system that had for too long defined our country.
Dulcie September undeniably left her mark in the lives of those she came in contact with in France.
It is a privilege to share this occasion with those of her friends who are here today, the town of Arcueil, her home and community in France.
May we never forget the values of truth, justice, equality and compassion for fellow humans which Dulcie September stood for.
I thank you!
Source: The Presidency
