Well thank you very much President (African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) President Angie Motshega) and members of Imbokodo.
I am very honoured indeed that you are the first people to see me because I went to cabinet when I arrived because whatever has happened represents the fruits of the struggle of women who came before us.
As we know, even here in the African National Congress (ANC) the women where outside making tea when the organization was formed. But those women struggled within the ANC, outside the ANC to make sure that women, at least in the organisation, take their rightful place and in society. Even though we are not there yet but whatever we are, it’s because they’ve bequeathed us with a better South Africa than the one they lived in. And I think that’s where really the praise should go to, to those women who founded this path that we are following.
And as I said early hours of this morning because I was sworn in early hours of this morning in Addis, yes I was sworn in maybe around 2am in the morning because that is when the meeting finished. I said that this is not a personal victory but it is a victory for Africa in general but for women in particular. And I must say that women from West Africa, mainly from the French speaking but from other English speaking West Africa, they’ve been part of this campaign. They were very supportive in January and now. And so you were well represented by other women. They have been part of the ECOSOC of the AU so they participate in the meetings.
So all I can say for now is that thank-you very much but the work only begins now. And I will need more support from all of you than ever before because if I succeed it means we all succeed. If I fail it means we all fail. But with all your support and with the continent’s support I am sure we will make a humble contribution to the organisation. But thank you very much.
I also said I am sad. When the results came out I said to the President, you know President I am sad because I was enjoying working in Home Affairs. And but he promised that he will take care of Home Affairs even if I am not there. So indeed I think he will take care of Home Affairs. But since you will be the last department I worked in you will always be my department. Even if I am gone its five hours away, I will always come.
But I am still going to be here for a while. So I am not leaving immediately. I don’t know there is usually a transitional period not very long but there is. And of course during that transitional period it is important to understand what is going on as much as possible because once the chair walks out of the door you have to work and to hit the ground running. So I will be trying to acquaint myself with what is going on there so that when I have to move into that space, I would at least have some understanding. So I am still going to be here for maybe another month or so. The public lecture, I will still be based here.
And I must say the reason I enjoyed home affairs. There are only two reasons:
1. Because obviously we had to make a difference for our people
2. Because I had an excellent team.
And I hope that they will continue their excellent work with whoever will come. Really I am not saying because they are here really they are an excellent track team of Home Affairs that is why I am enjoying it because you are always as good as your team. So if your team is good you feel good you can do more. So really if I had my way I would just take my team with me. But thank you very much.
But just thank-you South Africa cause I received, before the election I received hundreds and hundreds of SMSes from those who knew my number and those who knew other people’s numbers, they kept sending messages of encouragement and after the results the messages of congratulations are still coming in. I just want to say thank-you very much.
And thanks to Southern African Development Community (SADC), Southern Africa at least they are now part of the leadership of this organisation for the first time in 49 years and but also a woman for the first time.
Thank you very much!
