Somlomo Obekekileyo,
Nkulumbuso yephondo ehloniphekileyo,
Oogxa bam bendlu yowiso mthetho,
Iinkokheli zemibutho emelweyo kwindlu yowiso mthetho,
Iinkokheli zendlu yeeNkosi kunye nembumba yamakhosikazi akomkhulu,
Iimibutho yasekuhlaleni,
Iinkampani nemibutho esisebenzisana nayo,
Iinkokheli zeeMvaba ngee Mvaba,
Ulutsha, Oomama, abezoshishino nabo bonke abantu abakhoyo apha,
Umlawuli jikelele wePhondo neeNtloko zaMasebe,
Oonondaba,
Zidwesha neZidwangube Zakowethu,
Amaqabane,
Ndiyanibulisa.
Introduction
I am confident that as we mark 20 years of our democracy this year will be one of the most remarkable years as we all work together to realise aspirations of our people to attain a better life for all.
We present this year’s Budget Policy Speech after the loss of a great man, an outstanding revolutionary, a world icon, President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. A founder and signatory of a very significant progressive international organisation in protection of children, UNICEF.
If there is anyone in this house who still doubts that South Africa is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream and the sweat of our fore fathers and fallen heroes is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, one needs to take a moment and think carefully.
Hon Speaker and Members, I say this because our constitutional democracy over the past 20 years has been a point of reference and a beacon of hope revered by many world economies. With the dismantling of apartheid in 1994, we as this great nation won the right to determine our own destiny as we moved forward.
We have moved forward because our people, young and old reaffirmed the spirit that triumphs over our differences. We are really living in a United Society. I speak here today in the presence of ordinary rural women, senior citizens, veterans and children who continue to look up to us in accelerating the pace of service delivery.
All they want from us is the re-affirmation that tomorrow will be better than today. To our distinguished guests from the remote outskirts of this beautiful province, your presence today reminds us that we do not dare betray or disappoint the expectations of our own people otherwise history will judge us very harshly.
