Date: 27/04/2011
Source: The Inkatha Freedom Party
Title: IFP: Buthelezi: Address by the president of the IFP, at the Freedom Day celebration, Pretoria

On behalf of the Inkatha Freedom Party, and its President Prince
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, it is my privilege to express the IFP's support
for today's celebration. Across South Africa, in every province, we
remember the moment on the 27th of April 1994 when, for the first
time, we went as a nation to the polls in our first democratic
national elections. It was a victory for all of us. We will mark that
moment in our history for generations to come.

The IFP supports the theme of this year's celebration: Working
Together to Unite Our Nation, Promote Democracy and Protect Our
Freedom. The IFP has been working towards this goal for 35 years, and
we still work every day to achieve the realisation of this great
vision for South Africa.

We believe that protecting our democracy means strengthening
opposition politics, and strengthening our independent institutions
like the Public Protector and the IEC. We believe that uniting our
nation depends upon our ability to forge a common future in which
every South African can claim a stake, regardless of race or
background or economic circumstance. We believe that protecting our
freedom means speaking the truth to power and ensuring that the
liberties we struggled for are never taken for granted, while the
power we secured is never abused.

This is a challenge for all our nation's leaders, and it is a
challenge that the IFP has taken to heart. We are proud to celebrate
Freedom Day together with every South African, for we remain on the
side of the people. The IFP salutes the ordinary men and women who
brought us liberty through their extraordinary acts of bravery and
sacrifice. May we continue to build on the foundation of their efforts
as we work together for a united future.

I thank you.