The Chancellor of UNISA, Judge Bernard Ngoepe,
HE Former President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki
Deputy-President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe,
Honourable Ministers,
The Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UNISA, Prof Mandla Makhanya,
The academic and arts communities,
Fellow South Africans.
Thank you for the opportunity to address this occasion.
It is indeed very thoughtful of this institution and the organisation, Pina Ya Thari, to host this dazzling event. This is a unique tribute and a befitting end to the whole day celebration of the birthday of our beloved President Nelson Mandela. UNISA is no doubt truly proud of the fact that Madiba is a former student of this University.
I visited Madiba this morning in hospital and delivered a special birthday card from the South African National Defence Force, which they wanted to be given to their former commander in chief.
When I said "happy birthday, Tata", he smiled warmly.
Compatriots,
We are correct in celebrating the life of this outstanding champion of the ideals which have made it possible for us to assemble together in the manner in which we have assembled tonight, as a free people in a free, democratic country.
We were not only celebrating Madiba's birthday today. We were in essence celebrating the ideals which are contained in that historic document that is being celebrated tonight, the Freedom Charter.
Holding this event in this august hall is a poignant reminder of the outstanding role in our history, of a renowned intellectual and struggle stalwart, Prof Zacharaia Keodirelang Matthews, popularly known as ZK.
Prof Matthews is in essence the father of the Freedom Charter. In his own right, Prof ZK was a glowing beacon of academic and political freedom, human dignity, democracy and equality.
In August 1953, Prof Matthews proposed the Congress of the People to formulate the Freedom Charter, an ideal which culminated in that momentous meeting and that historic document at Kliptown in 1955.
That perceptive document has stood the test of time. It has embodied the spirit and the letter of the subsequent struggle and transformation canons that we adopted, including our own constitution.
The Freedom Charter constituted the very fundamental tenets of democracy, unity, and reconciliation, as espoused in the declaration that South Africa belongs to all who live in it black and white, and that no government can justly claim authority unless it was based on the will of all the people.
The Freedom Charter is thus the basis of the social cohesion we are preaching today. It is the basis of our Bill of Rights and all freedoms that we enjoy in a free South Africa. We thus congratulate UNISA on linking the Freedom Charter and International Mandela Day. We are therefore celebrating our hard won freedom and democracy.
Esteemed guests,
UNISA is celebrating 140 years this year. Let me take this opportunity to recognise the important role that this institution has played in providing education opportunities to students of all races from all over the continent and the world, during the time when race was a barrier for blacks to gain admission at other institutions.
UNISA was thus far ahead in anticipating our commitment through the Freedom Charter, that "The doors of learning and culture shall be opened.”
Ladies and gentlemen,
Tonight we are also celebrating our country's artistic expression, music and talent. It is the best way to pay tribute to Madiba and to the Freedom Charter, and in turn, to the Constitution of the Republic which is the founding document of the democratic Republic.
We are also today paying tribute to leaders who led the African National Congress (ANC) during the drafting of the Freedom Charter up to its adoption, including the ANC President at the time Chief Albert Luthuli, President Oliver Tambo and a host of other illustrious leaders.
Esteemed guests,
Let me remind all of us, in observance of the 67 minutes call, to make our own contributions to our communities, not only on the 18th of July, but to make every day, a Mandela day.
I thank you!
