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As Hindu families throughout South Africa celebrate Deepavali today, I wish
to extend my warmest wishes for a new year filled with hope, refreshing and
opportunity. On behalf of the IFP, I welcome this time of festivity as a
moment to focus on family and express appreciation for the many blessings of
the year that has passed.

There have been challenges and disappointments for all South Africans over
the past year. But across all cultures and all religions we have shared
reasons to celebrate. I believe each one of us can look back and say that we
have at some point been the beneficiaries of benevolence and human kindness.
These experiences draw us together and inspire us to become the givers of
good gifts, just as we have been the recipients.

I therefore encourage all Hindu South Africans celebrating Diwali today to
remember an act of kindness, and to show an act of kindness, so that in this
New Year we may create greater happiness.

I offer my best wishes for a joyous Diwali.