Date: 07/12/2003
Source: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Title: Mahlangu: Inauguration of Chief Jabulane Shabalala
SPEECH BY THE PREMIER OF MPUMALANGA, NJ MAHLANGU, AT THE INAUGURATION OF CHIEF JABULANE SHABALALA, Sunday, 7 December 2003
Bukhosi lobuhloniphekile baka Shabalala
Malunga eluSendvo
Malunga endlu yebaholi bendzabuko
Takhamuti tendzawo nemaphetselo
Malunga lahloniphekile kuhulumende wesifundza
Tikhulu leticavile
Bomake nabobabe
Angitsatse lelitfuba ngibonge sive sakaShabalala ngekutitfoba lokukhulu ngekutsi basimemele kulomsimeto lomkhulu kangaka.
Today is a momentous occasion for the people of Madlangampisi and indeed for the entire province; and we are greatly honoured to share this moment in the beautiful hills and valleys of this beautiful land. The Royal House of Shabalala has contributed greatly to the spirit of freedom and justice that now reigns in this country.
Many heroic battles were fought in this region when your forefathers resisted encroaching colonialism and forces of oppression. During the apartheid years you, and your ancestors in neighbouring Swaziland bore the wrath of its powerful neighbour South Africa angered by the successes of the approaching democratic order.
The investiture here today of Chief Shabalala reaffirms for us the continuity between heroic tradition and renewal for the sake of the betterment of our people. Three years ago we pronounced our intentions of intensifying our collaboration with traditional leaders in our fight against poverty and want.
We said then that we would need traditional leaders who are dedicated to the development and social upliftment of the communities they serve - traditional leaders who will work in partnership with government, the public sector and members of the community to alleviate poverty and under-development.
Our government is proud to announce today that indeed that partnership has indeed led to the creation of a better life for our people. We pride ourselves in the co-operation that exists between government and the Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders. Proud because we know that we are working with people whose forefathers were in the forefront in the defence against colonialism.
Today we are partners in the war against poverty. And we are gradually winning that war. In some areas we have seen the Chief and the local municipality roll up their sleeves and work together towards the improvement of the lives of the people.
And in the past years we have taken government closer to the people and in the process we have reported to the chiefs in their areas about progress. We may not have done everything that our people expected us to do, but we have gone a long way.
That is why I am going to appeal to Inkosi Shabalala to strengthen and consolidate local and district governments. The participation of traditional leaders in these structures in no way diminishes their status or powers. On the contrary, it provides an essential linkage to strengthen and consolidate our democratic system of co-operative governance.
It is important, therefore, that traditional leaders join hands with the democratic government structures in pursuit of a common goal. Precisely because traditional leaders co-operated with us as provincial, district and local government, we were able to improve the lives of our people.
In pushing back the frontiers of poverty, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government will continue to do so in partnership with many in our society, who are ready to lend a hand in the national, provincial and local effort to build a better life.
We also call on you to support so many other programmes aimed at improving the standards of education, eliminating adult illiteracy, promoting health education and waging the battle against HIV/AIDS. We therefore trust and hope that the installation of Inkosi Shabalala would serve a great deal towards the realisation of the developmental needs and concerns of the community.
His leadership would be founded on values of transparency and popular involvement of the resident of this wonderful piece of land.
He would re-ignite a sense of belonging to the people of Madlangampisi.
Inkosi Shabalala must be of the people, for the people.
It reminds me of the words of that great African warrior King Moshoshoe who declared, "my body belongs to you and a chief is a servant of the people". He meant it.
He was always aware that he was a King by the grace of the people and that his actions and decisions were limited by the general will of his followers.
He won a reputation for justice and generosity, and never maintained his authority by force. He treated his people with consideration and respect.
May we, on behalf of all the people of the province of Mpumalanga extend congratulations to His Royal Majesty and the Royal Family of Shabalala on the investiture of Chief Shabalala.
As I mentioned earlier, we are confident that Chief Shabalala, like his forefathers will rise to meet these challenges with wisdom. We wish him good health and strength to carry out his duties with courage and conviction.
It is now my pleasure and privilege to announce the investiture of Chief Shabalala.
Thank you
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
7 December 2003
Source: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Title: Mahlangu: Inauguration of Chief Jabulane Shabalala
SPEECH BY THE PREMIER OF MPUMALANGA, NJ MAHLANGU, AT THE INAUGURATION OF CHIEF JABULANE SHABALALA, Sunday, 7 December 2003
Bukhosi lobuhloniphekile baka Shabalala
Malunga eluSendvo
Malunga endlu yebaholi bendzabuko
Takhamuti tendzawo nemaphetselo
Malunga lahloniphekile kuhulumende wesifundza
Tikhulu leticavile
Bomake nabobabe
Angitsatse lelitfuba ngibonge sive sakaShabalala ngekutitfoba lokukhulu ngekutsi basimemele kulomsimeto lomkhulu kangaka.
Today is a momentous occasion for the people of Madlangampisi and indeed for the entire province; and we are greatly honoured to share this moment in the beautiful hills and valleys of this beautiful land. The Royal House of Shabalala has contributed greatly to the spirit of freedom and justice that now reigns in this country.
Many heroic battles were fought in this region when your forefathers resisted encroaching colonialism and forces of oppression. During the apartheid years you, and your ancestors in neighbouring Swaziland bore the wrath of its powerful neighbour South Africa angered by the successes of the approaching democratic order.
The investiture here today of Chief Shabalala reaffirms for us the continuity between heroic tradition and renewal for the sake of the betterment of our people. Three years ago we pronounced our intentions of intensifying our collaboration with traditional leaders in our fight against poverty and want.
We said then that we would need traditional leaders who are dedicated to the development and social upliftment of the communities they serve - traditional leaders who will work in partnership with government, the public sector and members of the community to alleviate poverty and under-development.
Our government is proud to announce today that indeed that partnership has indeed led to the creation of a better life for our people. We pride ourselves in the co-operation that exists between government and the Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders. Proud because we know that we are working with people whose forefathers were in the forefront in the defence against colonialism.
Today we are partners in the war against poverty. And we are gradually winning that war. In some areas we have seen the Chief and the local municipality roll up their sleeves and work together towards the improvement of the lives of the people.
And in the past years we have taken government closer to the people and in the process we have reported to the chiefs in their areas about progress. We may not have done everything that our people expected us to do, but we have gone a long way.
That is why I am going to appeal to Inkosi Shabalala to strengthen and consolidate local and district governments. The participation of traditional leaders in these structures in no way diminishes their status or powers. On the contrary, it provides an essential linkage to strengthen and consolidate our democratic system of co-operative governance.
It is important, therefore, that traditional leaders join hands with the democratic government structures in pursuit of a common goal. Precisely because traditional leaders co-operated with us as provincial, district and local government, we were able to improve the lives of our people.
In pushing back the frontiers of poverty, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government will continue to do so in partnership with many in our society, who are ready to lend a hand in the national, provincial and local effort to build a better life.
We also call on you to support so many other programmes aimed at improving the standards of education, eliminating adult illiteracy, promoting health education and waging the battle against HIV/AIDS. We therefore trust and hope that the installation of Inkosi Shabalala would serve a great deal towards the realisation of the developmental needs and concerns of the community.
His leadership would be founded on values of transparency and popular involvement of the resident of this wonderful piece of land.
He would re-ignite a sense of belonging to the people of Madlangampisi.
Inkosi Shabalala must be of the people, for the people.
It reminds me of the words of that great African warrior King Moshoshoe who declared, "my body belongs to you and a chief is a servant of the people". He meant it.
He was always aware that he was a King by the grace of the people and that his actions and decisions were limited by the general will of his followers.
He won a reputation for justice and generosity, and never maintained his authority by force. He treated his people with consideration and respect.
May we, on behalf of all the people of the province of Mpumalanga extend congratulations to His Royal Majesty and the Royal Family of Shabalala on the investiture of Chief Shabalala.
As I mentioned earlier, we are confident that Chief Shabalala, like his forefathers will rise to meet these challenges with wisdom. We wish him good health and strength to carry out his duties with courage and conviction.
It is now my pleasure and privilege to announce the investiture of Chief Shabalala.
Thank you
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
7 December 2003
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