Date: 07/04/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Ilanga Newspaper International Convention Centre centenary
ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA ON THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE ILANGA NEWSPAPER INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, DURBAN, 7 April 2003
Your Majesty, Hlanga Lomhlabathi
The Minister of Home Affairs, Umntwana wakwaPhindangene
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal
Members of the Provincial Cabinet and Legislature
Representatives of Local Government
Amakhosi
Esteemed Guests
I am greatly moved by the opportunity to be part of this august occasion, to celebrate one hundred years of existence and publication of Ilanga.
This is indeed a moment of great honour and pride for South Africans in general, and in particular for the Zulus, and all Zulu-speaking people, because of the key role played by Ilanga in promoting the Zulu language in written form.
The paper has also produced outstanding journalists who became giants in writing in the Zulu language. Its contribution in encouraging people to read and write Zulu, and its educational role in the past, will be deeply etched in history.
In recalling the history of this newspaper, it is important to remember the main objectives of John Mafukuzela Dube, the founding president of the African National Congress and founder of Ilanga. This illustrious leader sought to galvanise a sense of unity and common purpose among Africans, in response to the intensification of oppression.
The African people were in need of a media voice in which to articulate their opinions and record their experiences.
Both the Ilanga lase Natali, as it was known then, and the Indian Opinion, founded by Mahatma Gandhi during the same period, played a significant role in distributing information and mobilising people against repression.
Inanda, where Mafukuzela lived, is of great historical importance because of Ilanga and other institutions that he founded, such as Ohlange High School. It was of course no coincidence that former President Mandela cast his very first vote in our first democratic elections of 1994, at Ohlange High School in Inanda.
You will recall that he said, at the time, addressing Mafukuzela, and I quote: "Mr President, I have come to report to you that South Africa is today free."
Distinguished guests, the establishment of a newspaper, so early on in the history of our country showed great foresight indeed.
It has also proven to be a worthwhile investment, given the fact that the paper has survived for 100 years, despite many trials and tribulations that affect the newspaper industry.
Many publications of that era, did not survive this long, for example the Zululand Sun, started by Phinda Madi senior in the year 1900.
Madi was the great-grandfather of the respected author and business consultant, Phinda Madi, whose book "Leadership Lessons from the Emperor Shaka Zulu" inspires admiration of the foresight of both King Shaka and the pioneers who established newspapers during the earlier periods of our colonial history.
It is important to note that Ilanga, the Zululand Sun, Indian Opinion and other black owned newspapers were founded during a period of a bitter ideological struggle, directed against cultural imperialism and other features of colonialism such as political and economic exploitation. During that time, the dominant white colonial press, including the Christian missionary media, disseminated distorted information and promoted a colonial agenda.
In this climate, the African intellectuals of the time, correctly prioritised the establishment of black newspapers.
This period also saw the spiritual and religious revolt, with the establishment of independent indigenous churches such as the Shembe Church, coincidentally in the same area, Inanda.
The anti-poll tax Bhambatha rebellion also took place during this same era, and the conditions were ripened for the formation of the ANC in 1912. The history of Ilanga is therefore rooted in the history of our struggle. Let us, therefore, in celebrating this momentous occasion and achievement, re-commit ourselves to the vision that Mafukuzela had when he founded Ilanga.
This heritage left to us by our political and intellectual forebears, must be used as an instrument of unity and nation building.
I believe that the newspaper should therefore, endeavour to become an open market of ideas, in order to articulate and maintain the spirit and objectives of its founder.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me reiterate my pleasure at being part of this occasion.
I join all of you in wishing Ilanga a hundred more insightful years. May it grow from strength to strength!
I Thank You.
Please contact Zanele Mngadi for more information at 0827819332
Issued by the Presidency, Pretoria
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Ilanga Newspaper International Convention Centre centenary
ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA ON THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE ILANGA NEWSPAPER INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, DURBAN, 7 April 2003
Your Majesty, Hlanga Lomhlabathi
The Minister of Home Affairs, Umntwana wakwaPhindangene
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal
Members of the Provincial Cabinet and Legislature
Representatives of Local Government
Amakhosi
Esteemed Guests
I am greatly moved by the opportunity to be part of this august occasion, to celebrate one hundred years of existence and publication of Ilanga.
This is indeed a moment of great honour and pride for South Africans in general, and in particular for the Zulus, and all Zulu-speaking people, because of the key role played by Ilanga in promoting the Zulu language in written form.
The paper has also produced outstanding journalists who became giants in writing in the Zulu language. Its contribution in encouraging people to read and write Zulu, and its educational role in the past, will be deeply etched in history.
In recalling the history of this newspaper, it is important to remember the main objectives of John Mafukuzela Dube, the founding president of the African National Congress and founder of Ilanga. This illustrious leader sought to galvanise a sense of unity and common purpose among Africans, in response to the intensification of oppression.
The African people were in need of a media voice in which to articulate their opinions and record their experiences.
Both the Ilanga lase Natali, as it was known then, and the Indian Opinion, founded by Mahatma Gandhi during the same period, played a significant role in distributing information and mobilising people against repression.
Inanda, where Mafukuzela lived, is of great historical importance because of Ilanga and other institutions that he founded, such as Ohlange High School. It was of course no coincidence that former President Mandela cast his very first vote in our first democratic elections of 1994, at Ohlange High School in Inanda.
You will recall that he said, at the time, addressing Mafukuzela, and I quote: "Mr President, I have come to report to you that South Africa is today free."
Distinguished guests, the establishment of a newspaper, so early on in the history of our country showed great foresight indeed.
It has also proven to be a worthwhile investment, given the fact that the paper has survived for 100 years, despite many trials and tribulations that affect the newspaper industry.
Many publications of that era, did not survive this long, for example the Zululand Sun, started by Phinda Madi senior in the year 1900.
Madi was the great-grandfather of the respected author and business consultant, Phinda Madi, whose book "Leadership Lessons from the Emperor Shaka Zulu" inspires admiration of the foresight of both King Shaka and the pioneers who established newspapers during the earlier periods of our colonial history.
It is important to note that Ilanga, the Zululand Sun, Indian Opinion and other black owned newspapers were founded during a period of a bitter ideological struggle, directed against cultural imperialism and other features of colonialism such as political and economic exploitation. During that time, the dominant white colonial press, including the Christian missionary media, disseminated distorted information and promoted a colonial agenda.
In this climate, the African intellectuals of the time, correctly prioritised the establishment of black newspapers.
This period also saw the spiritual and religious revolt, with the establishment of independent indigenous churches such as the Shembe Church, coincidentally in the same area, Inanda.
The anti-poll tax Bhambatha rebellion also took place during this same era, and the conditions were ripened for the formation of the ANC in 1912. The history of Ilanga is therefore rooted in the history of our struggle. Let us, therefore, in celebrating this momentous occasion and achievement, re-commit ourselves to the vision that Mafukuzela had when he founded Ilanga.
This heritage left to us by our political and intellectual forebears, must be used as an instrument of unity and nation building.
I believe that the newspaper should therefore, endeavour to become an open market of ideas, in order to articulate and maintain the spirit and objectives of its founder.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me reiterate my pleasure at being part of this occasion.
I join all of you in wishing Ilanga a hundred more insightful years. May it grow from strength to strength!
I Thank You.
Please contact Zanele Mngadi for more information at 0827819332
Issued by the Presidency, Pretoria
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