Address by the Minister of Transport, Ms Dipuo Peters on the occasion of the Women’s Day Celebration at Schmidtsdrift –Northern Cape Province
Our beloved Mothers,
Provincial Leadership of the NC Government,
Councillors,
DDG’s and CEO of transport entities,
Faith Based Organisations,
Non-Governmental Organisations Business,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Annually, Mother's Day celebration is held on the 8th of May. As the Department of Transport and our entities, we choose this day, May the 14th , to celebrate with our elderly here at Schmidtsdrift in the Northern Cape. This day come after my bornday, Friday 13th May. I take this opportunity to thank the All Mighty God for keeping me thus far. I remain grateful to my family, friends and colleagues who walk and work side by side with 2 me, giving me the courage and wisdom I so need. Indeed I enjoyed my birthday yesterday. Thanks you all for your love.
This day also takes place within the same month, as we celebrate Africa month in collaboration with other sister countries in the African continent in our endeavour to promote our social, political and well as our economic prosperity. Celebrating our Mothers, Onse Moeders, Mama, Tannies, Grannies, whichever word you associate with, cannot enunciate these remarkable and phenomenal beings in our lives. In Luke 1:46-48, Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.” Mary, perhaps the most well-known mother in the Bible, sings this beautiful song when she learns that God had chosen her to bear the Christ child. She reminds us that our faces and hearts should be turned toward heaven in an ongoing song of praise. As a result of her been a mother, she will be called ‘blessed’.
This day affords us an opportunity to reflect on the role that our Mothers - the fabric of our society - continue to play in building our democratic, prosperous and caring nation. 3 Before they are mothers, Women are human beings, who are carefully and wonderfully made by God from the creation. The book of Psalm 139:14, which is authored by King David declares, I quote “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” This statement is applicable to all mothers today, given the undisputable role and responsibilities of mothers from birth to death. Mothers will go at arm’s length to nourish God’s creation on earth. As mothers, your outstanding role in the struggle for justice and freedom is well documented and continues to be acknowledged the world over.
In South Africa, history will always be there to remind us of our immense contribution to the freedom and democracy we enjoy today. From the 1956 women`s march, when about 20,000 mothers of all races and backgrounds marched on the Union Building, through decades of ceaseless struggle you have demonstrated your vital role in the liberation and transformation of our country. Our democratic revolution - the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) and therefore the ANC itself - has a continuous task to address the central issue of your emancipation in the economic, social well as political streams of your lives. For us to achieve success in this regard, you must not serve merely as objects of history, unorganised and unseen beneficiaries of progressive 4 change, but as subjects, conscious makers of history - your own liberators.
Acting in concert with the rest of all South Africans, as mothers we must help ourselves to defeat the invisibility of women that constitutes a critical factor in the conspiracy of historical and current circumstances that is responsible for our oppression and discrimination. The fighting women of our country kept their word. Continuing to act in unity, and as a visible contingent of, and an integral part of the liberation movement, in time they saved the African women from the degradation of passes. The ANC government`s efforts in prioritising women`s emancipation through a range of measures, includes affirming women’s place in key positions of responsibility in government. Wathinta Abafazi Wathinta Imbokodo, Wena Uzofa!!!. Government has put in place policies to ensure that as women we are recognised in the economy and throughout society as equal partners in all areas of human endeavour. The ANC-government will continue to advocate the empowerment of women, particularly those who remain vulnerable to the ravages of poverty, disease and violence. Ladies and gentlemen, there is simply no way we can ever really thank our mothers for all they have done for us.
They are the ones who will be awake all night when all are sick. Praying to God to make us well and be 5 ever ready to bear the pain that we may be experiencing. They are the one to wake up early in the morning to make the nicest luncheon and endure all our tantrums. Mothers are the ones who would forever complain that we are not eating enough or not eating right. They would cook all sorts of things so that we be strong and healthy. For everything that we need we call our mothers. To protect us from all perceivable dangers, we want them around us. To take us out, we hold her arms. To kiss away our wounds, we run to her. And for a warm hug and love, we look for her. Mothers are the focal point of our lives, the greatest human being in the world or should I say divinity on earth.
On the special occasion of our celebration of Mother’s Day today, we pay tribute to your mothers - the greatest blessing of God on us. Harriet Beecher Stowe, asserts that “All places where women are excluded tend downward to barbarism; but the moment she is introduced, there come in with her courtesy, cleanliness, sobriety, and order” As we come today to celebrate with you, we have taken consideration of the socio-economic challenges that as our mothers you go through daily. As winter is with us now, we thought is will be valuable that we bring with us blankets and food stuffs to bless you. 6 This is a way in which we want to practically show our love and appreciation to you. Be blessed and enjoy the gifts. Modimo a le boloke gape a leshehofatse.
Happy Mothers Day. Igama lamakhosikazi malibongwe ke a leboha.
