Programme director
Executive Mayor of Moqhaka Local Municipality Honorable
Mokgosi
Superintendent-General for Education Mr Malope
Members of Senior and Broad Management from our department
Officials from our department
Principal of the JSM Setiloane Secondary School
SGB members
LRC members
Members of the community
Members of the Media
All dignitaries
Ladies and gentlemen
“I stand here before you, not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands” (Nelson Mandela, 11 February 1990).
Programme director, these words were humbly articulated by South Africa’s first democratically elected President, Honorable Nelson Mandela at a rally, on his release from prison on 11 February 1990; in gratitude to the millions of his compatriots and everybody around the world, who tirelessly campaigned for his release from prison.
That day, ladies and gentlemen marked the birth of democracy in this country. Therefore, we are highly privileged to be able to celebrate the 92nd birthday of such a giant, and the man who gave his entire life for the liberation of this country from the chains of the oppressive, separatist, and tyrannical rule of the apartheid system; which sought to distort and undermine the dignity of the majority of the citizens of this country; through subjugation, prejudice and impoverishment.
Rolihlahla Mandela, the icon whose life we are celebrating here today, has lived through, witnessed and led the major events of the last century, which shaped South Africa. The absolute selflessness, with which he gave his life to the struggle, is especially important to remember and hold dear, as the new conditions create the temptations of self-interest and personal enrichment. The latter have no place in any organisation built and led by Madiba.
Today, programme director, 17 July, as we celebrate Nelson Mandela, Isithwalandwe, Seaparankwe, we hope that from now on, our actions will be motivated by the vision that has sustained his life, a life dedicated to social transformation.
As the quotation with which I began this speech denotes, Madiba made a call that all of us must devote our lives to reflect this country’s unique and painful experience, to demonstrate in practice that the normal condition for human existence is:
- Democracy
- Justice
- Peace
- Non-sexism
- Prosperity for everybody
- Healthy environment
- Equality and
- Solidarity among the people.
He ensured that the 1993 Interim Constitution enshrined the spiritual philosophy of Ubuntu and its inherent principles of equality, freedom and justice for all, which found further expression in our 1996 Constitution.
The latter sentiment was reiterated by the current President of South Africa, Honorable Jacob Zuma in his maiden State of the Nation Address as follows:
“Since 1994 we have sought to create a united and cohesive society out of our fragmented past. We are called upon to continue this mission of promoting unity in diversity, and to develop a shared value system, based on the spirit of community solidarity and a caring society. Our shared value system should encourage us to become active citizens in the renewal of our country. We must build a common national identity and patriotism” (President Jacob Zuma, 3 June 2009).
Therefore, today, in fact throughout the month of July, all of us are called upon to devote 67 minutes of our time every day, showing the spirit of Ubuntu, by doing something for the community.
Today, we did not come here just to talk. As you can see, work is in progress. During one of our regular school visits, we realised when we came at this school that its condition is not acceptable. We then decided that something must done, and we came to a conclusion to devote our time to this school on the Nelson Mandela Day. We thank everyone from this community and elsewhere in the district, who heeded our call and joined us here on this important day, to devote time to cleaning this school, for the benefit of the learners, as well as the community from which learners who attend this school are coming.
Working together we can do more.
Programme director, this year the Mandela Day has a special significance for education. It is dedicated to the Millennium Development Goal 2, which calls for quality education for all our children. With this goal, the Department of Basic Education encourages all schools to establish Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) structures by the end of the Mandela month, thus bringing together school communities to support local schooling.
Making everyday a Mandela Day, teachers are encouraged to think about how to bring Mandela Day into the classroom. You may want to organise a lesson associated with Mandela Day in your class this year, or you may want to plan for next year.
Over and above that, this is not the only school at which the surroundings and general environment needs to be upgraded. Many schools do not have trees or gardens. The Mandela month can be used as a platform whereby communities can come together as QLTCs to plant trees or plan a community garden.
I’m told that there is a gentleman from this community, by the name of Mr Bekker who has already decided by himself to make everyday a Mandela day, by cleaning the surroundings at this school, voluntarily.
We acknowledge his courage and care for his community. This is the spirit Madiba would applaud unreservedly. Can the gentleman come to the front, so that everybody can see him and give him a round of applause?
I hope everybody in this community will emulate this gentleman and start working towards the betterment of their community, by doing anything towards beautifying the surroundings at which you are living.
Programme director, I trust that the Nelson Mandela month will serve as a common national platform to serve humanity and to deepen and entrench the spiritual philosophy of Ubuntu and its inherent values of equality, freedom and justice for all.
And in conclusion, I want to urge everybody in this district and the province as a whole, to work together with the police to root out incidents of xenophobia, which threaten to develop and spread rapidly, especially after the world cup tournament which was successfully and peacefully organised and staged in our country.
Let us not tarnish the good legacy of Mandela with inhuman behavior, which lacks the spirit of Ubuntu. Xenophobia is totally not acceptable in this country.
We wish Madiba well on his 92nd birthday, as we continue working together for a common prosperity for all, throughout this month.
Thank you very much!
