Address by the Speaker of the National Assembly at the Independent Media Lunch, Mount Nelson, Cape Town
The Leadership of Independent Media;
Ministers and other members of the Executive;
Leaders and other Members of Parliament;
Your Worship, the Mayor;
Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Editors and other Media Practitioners;
Distinguished guests;
Friends;
Ladies and gentlemen
I must begin by congratulating the Independent Media for organising this second instalment of public engagement in the build up to the SONA. This year, you have rightly chosen to focus on racism because this challenge has no place in our midst, in our rainbow nation. More than 60 years ago the Freedom Charter declared this country to be a home to all of us, black and white; and this declaration was echoed in the preamble of our Constitution.
Founders of the liberation movement understood that racism is an ideology founded on power and domination. Racism cannot exist without hierarchy, difference, and without inequality. It is the ideology of domination by a group that considers itself superior over others because of the colour of its skin.
As an ideology, it justified the enslavement of Africans in the Americas, which was presented as a civilising mission and an act of pity, of paternalistic overlordship, by a superior race. It was used to explain why some of us had to be dispossessed, colonised, or subjected to forced labour.
It took Sarah Baartman to far flung lands, in Europe, to be caged, displayed with animals for the entertainment of a superior race. Even after death, her remains were plundered and mutilated, for the benefit of pseudo-science which was eager to prove the connection of the rest of us with darker skins to the wild, barbaric animal kingdom.
Today, the 11th of February, is 26 years since Nelson Mandela walked out of the then Victor Verster prison a free man, after 27 years of incarceration. He came out not a bitter man, but a man more determined in his resolve to see a free and better South Africa. He did not seek revenge. Instead, he embraced his oppressor and those who had kept him chained in prison, as his people with whom, together, we must build a united, non-racial nation.
Madiba's release was indeed the triumph of our shared humanity over the sectorian mentality that sees only difference and what divides us. It was the triumph of freedom over oppression; of one, united nation, over a nation torn apart by the racism and hatred that made apartheid a crime against humanity.
On that day, 26 years ago, Madiba stood on the balcony of the City Hall, not far from where we are gathered today, and said: "Today the majority of South Africans, black and white, recognise that apartheid has no future."
History has since proven him correct.
We are fortunate that our nation building project stands on firm ground built on our democracy and its Constitution. We admit that the nature and relations among the Three Arms of the State and our Constitutional bodies like Chapter 9 institutions, continue to improve with the maturing and consolidation of our democracy.
The recent hearing of the Constitutional Court on one of the Chapter 9 institutions is an opportunity not to be missed for us as a nation to continue to learn and dialogue amongst ourselves, towards the strengthening of our young democracy and its supporting institutions. For my part, in my capacity as the Speaker of the National Assembly, individually and collectively with all of us, I am ready to play my part in this regard.
The imperative to build a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society united in its diversity is rooted in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution.
Parliament has a strategic and political obligation to deepen democracy, advance Nation Building and promote social cohesion. As an organ of State, parliament’s work must respond to the Constitutional imperatives laid out for it, both in terms of the specific responsibilities assigned to it in Chapter 4 of the Constitution and the higher order values and objectives reflected in the preamble to the Constitution.
The preamble of the Constitution requires a commitment to:
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Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice, and fundamental human rights;
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Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law; and
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Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person, and build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.
The Constitution explicitly states that in making rules and orders concerning its business, both Houses of Parliament are compelled to take due regard of representivity, participatory democracy, accountability, transparency and public involvement.
The 5th Parliament is emboldened to continue with the transformation agenda in order to build an equal society that reflects the national aspirations as set out in the Constitution.
In this regard, the 5th Parliament, has positioned itself as an activist and responsive people’s Parliament which knows where the people are, thinks, aspires for and together with our people, responds promptly to address their concerns and ensure that the executive delivers quality and affordable services.
I wish to make a plea to the media to highlight the important work that is happening in the numerous public hearings and fora that Parliament makes available for meaningful engagement with the public.
I invite you to work with us to highlight the critical work that is taking place in the strengthening our Parliamentary Democracy Offices (PDOs), to especially reach marginalised segments of the population, especially the youth, rural women and communities.
Of course social cohesion and nation building also involves other Southern African and African nations in advancing African and global solidarity. The work that is done in this regard is critical and we need the media to highlight these critical contributions.
Throughout the year, we will also run a series of dialogues and engagements on issues specifically related to social cohesion, nation building and reconciliation. This is an area in which we would be interested in partnering with the media as well. We have also strengthened our Sectoral Parliaments for youth, women and people with disabilities which has proven to be an important mechanisms for the achievement of Social Cohesion and Nation Building.
We, as well, continue to communicate with our people and bring their concerns to the debates in Parliament. The media’s capturing of the essence of these debates can be of great help to us.
Of course we will continue to promote inclusion and nation building through the use of all 11 languages in debates and bills translated into indigenous languages, including braille as the 12th mode of communication.
To further promote social cohesion and nation building and more importantly, enduring equality in our society, the 5th Parliament has also undertaken a review of key legislation to further accelerate the democratic project. As you are aware, this Review is led by former President Kgalema Motlanthe. The crucial work that the Panel will carry out, should be of interest to the media as well.
In dealing with something as deep rooted and systemic as racism in society, you have to have vigilance and put in place the measures that will bring out transformation.
As elected representatives, individually and collectively, parliamentarians are both the product and custodians of the democratic values, processes, and systems and must set the national tone for tolerance. The media’s role in this regard is highly appreciated.
Friends
There are no monkeys amongst us, but one people of many tongues, and different but yet beautiful shades.
The politics of non-racialism have never been easy, even for us who are in the liberation movement. Sometimes we differ in the context of hot and heated debates. In the past, some even broke away. But the ideal of non-racialism became more and more stronger with the passage of time.
We must therefore pay tribute to our forebears who championed this cause - from the three Doctors (Dr Xuma, Dr Naicker and Dr Dadoo) who led the way in the 1940s; Albert Luthuli and many leaders of his generation; to OR Tambo and the likes of Joe Slovo, Ray and Jack Simons. The list is long because the struggle for non- racialism was as long as was Madiba's long walk to freedom.
