Speech by Deputy Minister Mr Bulelani Gratitude Magwanishe on the occasion of the Unveiling of the Eskom/Medupi shrine at Lephalale, Limpopo
Programme Director
Families of the deceased
All priests present here
Executive Mayor of Waterberg District Municipality
Cllr.Rosina Mogotlane
Local Mayor of Lephalale Municipality
Cllr.Moloko Maeko
Traditional leaders, Chief Seleka,Chief Langa and Chief Shongoane
Councillors present
CEO of the Commission
Mr Edward Mafadza
CRL Commissioners
Commissioner Shiela Khama Mbele
Commissioner Richard Botha
Director General of DPE
Richard Seleke and your team
Eskom Group Chief Executive
Brian Molefe and your team
Chair of the Environment Management Committee,
Miss Minky Chauke and members of the committee
Representatives of the World Bank, ADB, Moral Regeneration Movement, South African Heritage Resource Authority ,Limpopo Heritage Recourse Authority
Representatives of our sister departments
Distinguished Guest
Ladies and gentlemen
At another time we shed a tear and wished our dearly departed to rest in peace.
We shed tears because of the love we have for them.
We cried because we felt that they were removed from us before time.
And we got comfort at knowing that their last resting place was a peaceful one.
A phenomenon that cuts across all religions and cultures is respect.
This begins with teachings at an early age leading to respect at the last moment when the eye sees the lifeless body.
It has always been custom that we respect the transitional passage of the departed to ensure their peaceful rest.
When the concerns on the Medupi location came up, it dawned on us that we may have stepped on the beliefs that inform the people of this community.
We may have disturbed the peace of those resting at the construction site.
We may have disturbed the spirits of those who provide comfort to the families gathered here today.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees “the freedom of religion, conscience for all”.
While the construction of the Medupi power station is an important development for the entire nation,
The protection and preservation of graves is equally important and non could compete with the other.
The right of families to visit the graves of their loved ones is thus a protected right.
We are from a past that deliberately buried members of families in unmarked graves in order to hide its brutality.
We are from a past which did not consider the beliefs of others as a matter of constitutional and moral importance.
In true African culture, the moment of mourning does not only rest with the bereaved family.
It is a moment that is shared by the community at large with respect.
Another definition of the African culture being that, this respect is carried beyond life itself, as the dead are said to be resting.
It is this culture that informs our identity as Africans.
The importance of identity is that it enables us to think and act as a unit.
We have a responsibility as a people to educate and improve the lives of all.
Today is proof of how we respond to areas affecting our identity as a unit because of our identity.
A government that respects its people is one that has an appreciation of the culture defining its people.
In recognizing the culture defining this community, Eskom had to act in manner falling within the respect of what defines you.
It would not have been correct for them to argue that its business is energy provision and therefore, they have no business appreciating your culture.
The provision of electricity in many respects is a means to ensuring economic activity that benefits the people of South Africa.
The sourcing of energy requires individuals who would have been prepared over time for such a task.
Those individuals themselves should have been prepared in conditions and in the environments under which they grew.
Through constant preparation, intellectual growth then becomes apparent and observed by that particular community.
That is how daily we should influence our communities’ development.
That we be conscious of what is before us at all times.
And by how individually and as a community we should effect changes for the better.
Wisdom rests with those who have travelled the route, the senior citizens of this area.
The growing leaders of this area and South Africa in general, should grow to appreciate the responsibility brought by being young in South Africa.
This calls for the development of young people capable of understanding the socio-economic situation of their community.
This capability does not end with understanding.
It also calls on young people capable of taking charge of their lives so as to lead such development.
Eskom, as with the other State Owned Companies are providing opportunities for the development of young people to serve our country.
They are training artisans, engineers and technicians for the benefit of the economy of the country.
Beyond Eskom, the TVET colleges in all corners of the country are contributing their fair share in this respect.
This is done in order to ensure that the critical areas of the South African economy are worked and led by locals.
Such preparation is critical for the development of South Africa.
It suggests that when the time comes for the building of another power station, it will be local contractors delivering on the project.
We are hopeful, with the wisdom of the living and teachings of the departed, that a time will come when we will build our own power station without leaving the shores.
When the lawyers and accountants we produce will guide these processes conscious of the developmental imperatives defining the current South Africa.
Let me thank the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities for handling this matter in a dignified manner, and guiding all stakeholders towards restoration of cultural heritage throughout the process.
Let me also thank the local Municipality of Lephalale under the leadership of the Mayor, Cllr Maeko for providing leadership to the process and supporting the families during difficult times.
I would also like to thank the traditional leaders and all stakeholders for engendering a culture of resolving challenges in a manner that builds our communities.
My special word of gratitude goes to the families who through their act of forgiveness have natured and build us.
They have been the ones who had an understanding and a forgiving heart.
They leave us being better than they found us.
That which has happened today leaves us with good memories.
We know that without memory there would be no culture, there would be no civilization, there would be no society and as consequence there would be no future.
Marcus Garvey summaries what has happened today by saying "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots"
What has happened here today is the affirmation that we are a tree with strong roots.
Once again let me thank the Commission and all stakeholders for affirming who we are.
That we are great sons and daughters of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, King Moshoeshoes of Lesotho, King Sobhuza of Swaziland.
Our own kings Shaka, Mphephu, Sekhukhune, Hintsa, Ngungunyane and many gallant fighters who taught us never to dishonor the honor of freedom.
I thank you.
