The Management and Staff of the Polokwane Place of Safety
Management and staff of the Department
The Headmaster of Oosskool, Mr C Snyman
The Customer Service Manager of Pick ‘n Pay, Antoinette Makitla
Dearest children gathered here today
Comrades and friends
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
Yesterday, we celebrated the birthday of an icon. We celebrated the 92nd year of a man that is so big, yet so humble. Not only yesterday, but today, tomorrow and indeed 365 days of the year, we rejoice in a man that is to this day, striving for the creation of a united, caring and prosperous South Africa. I am, of course, referring to Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela – Madiba, as most of us call him.
Friends and colleagues,
Tata was born in a humble village in the now Eastern Cape.
His childhood was nothing special. In fact, the first few years of this great man’s life was completely ordinary. He didn’t grow up in a rich family, nor did he grow up to parents who had university degrees. But this young boy grew up to be a man that devoted his life to the freedom and liberation of his people and the ideal of a country that is free from prejudice and inequality.
As a young man, Tata left his home village to find his fortune in Johannesburg. Here he was encouraged by the late Oliver Tambo to study and he subsequently became interested in the law.
Later, as a young lawyer, Tata become active in politics and together with other stalwarts of the struggle, he was key in the efforts of putting pressure on the apartheid regime to allow his people the freedom they deserve and to abolish apartheid laws.
His actions led to his arrest and subsequent jailing on the infamous Robben Island. Here, evil forces tried to break his spirit, but with the love and support of those who believed in his cause and with a strong mind and spirit, he endured. With his wise words, his quiet nature and his inner strength, he won over his worst enemies.
When finally he was set free after being in jail for 27 years, his inner strength, forgiveness and relentless efforts to unite all the people of this country, captured the hearts and imaginations of not only his countrymen, but of the world. Never once had he imagined retaliation or revenge. Instead, he used his energy and the reverence the world had for him to continue his life work of uniting his people and creating a better life for all.
He led by example, in his time as President of South Africa and continues to do so today – this great former president who finds as much pleasure holding the FIFA World Cup or the William Webb Ellis trophy, as from interacting with children – whom he loves so much.
He has given a special boost to unifying this country through sport and he gave that extra “Madiba Magic” to our sports teams as well as to the FIFA World Cup bid committee, which led to us getting the bid for the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
How elated we are, that he was blessed with a long life, to experience this wonderful time in South Africa’s history!
Dearest children,
Who knows where we will be going in life and what we would become? The future is not known to us, but one thing is for certain: If we follow in the footsteps of Madiba, we will all be winners at the end. Madiba has taught us that the most important thing in life is love and compassion for your fellow human beings. He does not ask us to give our lives for our countrymen, they way he had done.
However, he does require of us to take small steps towards becoming a free and caring society. He requires from us to work hard and excel academically, in order for us to make a decent living for ourselves, as well as contribute to the economy of this wonderful country. He wants us to participate in sport and remain active, just as he had done as a young man and even up to a ripe old age.
Our message to you, here today, is that we care about the future of our children, just like Tata. We want to tell you that you are destined for great things, no matter where you are from or where you are today. Our message is that, just like the colourful cakes, sweets and balloons here today, we are a rainbow nation of various cultures and languages who can live together in perfect harmony while staying true to cultures and beliefs.
We are Madiba’s Rainbow Children and we, as South Africans, are destined for bigger things. While we celebrate, let us commit ourselves to giving our 67 minutes for Madiba every day!
The people who are already heeding this call are the staff and learners of Oosskool, who generously collected and donated clothes.
Mr Snyman, please keep up the good work and keep on sending the message that there are people in this city, in this Province and indeed the country, who care for their fellow South Africans. Please convey our heartfelt thanks to the learners and parents of your school and thank you very much for joining us today – “baie dankie!”.
Then to the management and staff of Pick ‘n Pay Savannah, we also say “ke a leboga!”. Antoinette and your team – you are not only giving generously but also taking time off your busy schedule to join us here today. This is the spirit of giving and the true spirit of ubuntu – something which Tata wants us to embrace.
In closure, we want to say: “Happy Birthday Madiba!” - Thank you for what you have done for us and the groundwork you have laid for us. We will continue your excellent work of HIV and AIDS awareness and we promise to look after the children of this country!
I thank you!
Source: Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
