Date: 16/11/2005
Source:North West Provincial Government
Title: Tselapedi on behalf E Molewa: Signing of declaration between North West Province
Speech by North West MEC for Education, Rev OJ Tselapedi Premier on behalf on Premier Edna Molewa at the signing of the Mafikeng Declaration between the North West Provincial Government and the Rapportryersbeweging, Mmabatho Tusk, Mafikeng
Programme Director and MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, MEC Ndleleni Duma
Rapportryersbeweging National President, Mr Ludi Schulze
Beweging North West Provincial Chairperson, Mr Naas Grove
Members of the Rapportryersbeweging Executive present
Members of the North West Executive Committee present
Members of the North West Provincial Legislature present
Reverend L Forsman of the NG Kerk
The Mmabana Cultural Group
The Danville Community Choir
The Mafikeng Primary School Choir
The United People of the North West Province
It feels me with great joy and pride to say a few words on this watershed event in the lives of our people, both black and white.
Today we sign the Mafikeng Declaration between the North West Government and the Afrikaner Rapportryersbeweging as a symbol of our determination and a guide to living together in harmony, peace and prosperity. This is our commitment to building a vibrant economically robust province together. Today is the triumph of a province and a nation, united in diversity.
But most of all, today is the crowning of the many hours of collective efforts to find each other as diverse political and cultural groups.
From the first meeting we had with the movement’s National President Mr Ludi Schulze in 2004, we were never in disagreement on our common combined and unwavering love for our cultures, our country and its people. From the onset, our support and endorsement of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the support and endorsement of our Growth and Development plans both nationally and provincially, shone through like a star.
We were never in any doubt about our common heritage, based on principles of inclusivity, tolerance for each other, of celebrating our diversity. We said then as we say now, that we are not selling these qualities, we live them. It is what makes us unique as the people of the North West Province. Today, our common patriotism must and will shine through and dwarf whatever differences we thought kept us apart.
On a historical occasion like this, I am tempted to quote the words of one of the greatest unifiers of our times, the late former president of the African National Congress, Oliver Reginald Tambo, when he said, “we seek to create a united democratic and non-racial society. We have a vision of South Africa in which black and white shall live and work together as equals in conditions of peace and prosperity. Using the power we derive from the discovery of the truth about racism in South Africa, we will mobilise the citizen of the world to help us remake our part of the world into a corner of the globe on which all of humanity can be proud.”
I will make bold to say the whole of North West Province is proud today. Indeed, the entire country of South Africa is proud. What this declaration we sign today means is that, we, the proud South Africans irrespective of race, colour, creed or social status, will work together to educate our fellow citizens that each one of us has a responsibility to work for a better life for all our people, especially the poor. It means that together we must rebuild the moral fibre of our society to restore the understanding that we are all equal and that each one of us is made in God’s image.
We must now work together to ensure that all our people re-learn the self-evident truths that murder, violence against any person, rape, abuse of women and children, robbery and theft are offensive to our very concept of ourselves as proud citizens of the North West and as proud South Africans.
The spirit of patriotism that is evident today must enjoin all of us in a common struggle to restore back the pride and dignity of all our people, without regard to race, ethnicity or gender, in their common and proud cultural origin.
In particular, the Beweging, which was founded in 1949, prides itself in promoting patriotism and a loyal homogeneity among its own ranks and in all who support its aim and aspirations. We say today the Rapportryersbeweging must count among those supporters the North West Provincial Government that I am privileged to lead.
Indeed today we have found each other and among the many aspirations we share is a determination to maintain the Afrikaner culture in all walks of life, including ensuring that Afrikaans as a mother tongue is cherished maintained and protected.
Similarly, I can assure the Beweging that the Tswana people are a peaceful people, proud of their language, customs and heritage, steadfast in their patriotism and determined to develop beyond the historical confines of poverty and underdevelopment.
In all my interactions with the people of our province, I have yet to meet neither a Motswana nor an Afrikaner who is opposed to the growth and development of our province.
I have yet to meet any person who does not share our common goal of a better life for all. We are therefore united in the war against poverty, underdevelopment and the inequitable distribution of wealth that has condemned millions in our country to sub-human lives. We are similarly united in our quest of reconciliation and nation-building, which includes wiping out the scourge of racism that always threatens to blight our lives.
This same unity we demonstrate today must propel us further to join our brothers and sisters in the rest of the continent of Africa as we rebuild a continent ravaged by wars, colonialism and starvation. Signing this declaration means we are united with all the peoples of Africa and committed to the objectives of the African Century and the development goals of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
It goes without saying then, Programme Director that such unity as we have established here needs to be guarded with utmost jealousy by all of us. We will not take kindly to anyone or anything that threatens to dislodge the unity for which we have worked so hard.
We would instead channel all our energies into overcoming challenges that lie ahead of us. Throughout the meetings we have had, we have been able to identify some of these challenges, which include land reform and agricultural development, Afrikaans mother tongue education and perceptions that Afrikaans and Afrikaans schools are under attack, affirmative action and its application, opportunities for Afrikaner youth in the new dispensation, Afrikaners experiencing social and economic exclusion, protection of cultural heritage, as well as issues of safety and security.
In our view, not a single of these challenges is insurmountable. In fact, the declaration that we sign today says, among other things, that we must continue to encourage the youth of South Africa, black or white, to seize opportunities presented by the new South Africa because yesterday was a foreign country and tomorrow belongs to them as future leaders.
Furthermore, we recognise a greater need to mobilise more Afrikaners and white youth in general to participate in the reconstruction and development of our country. South Africa belongs to them too. It belongs to all of us. On the critical challenge of land reform and agricultural development, we feel it is important again to work together in a constructive fashion to find the best possible solution.
Perhaps as a start, Government felt that it was imperative for instance that the Beweging voices its support for land reform and encourage reluctant farmers to respond positively to our land reform challenges and rural development.
In all these endeavours, we must be motivated by the obligation to promote participation in agricultural production and effective use of productive agricultural land by those previously disadvantaged. We think the Afrikaner stands to benefit from the progressive land reform and indeed without their experience and expertise the goal of agricultural development will remain a dream.
But these are just some of the challenges, which I am certain will be overcome sooner than later if we work together as this declaration requires us to do, to achieve consensus on all matters of mutual concern.
As Martin Luther King Jr once remarked, genuine leaders are not searchers of consensus but moulders of consensus. Throughout the process of our negotiations building up to this declaration, we are proud to have moulded consensus on many issues of mutual concern. Today therefore marks the fruits of our collective labour.
The Mafikeng Declaration constitutes a historic victory that belongs to all people of the North West Province. We own it and we will endeavour at all times to live its principles and honour the agreements entered into herein.
We are extremely proud and delighted to have come this far in our road of reconciliation and nation building.
Therefore, on behalf of the North West Provincial Government, I hereby sign the Mafikeng Declaration.
I thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
16 November 2005
Source:North West Provincial Government
Title: Tselapedi on behalf E Molewa: Signing of declaration between North West Province
Speech by North West MEC for Education, Rev OJ Tselapedi Premier on behalf on Premier Edna Molewa at the signing of the Mafikeng Declaration between the North West Provincial Government and the Rapportryersbeweging, Mmabatho Tusk, Mafikeng
Programme Director and MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, MEC Ndleleni Duma
Rapportryersbeweging National President, Mr Ludi Schulze
Beweging North West Provincial Chairperson, Mr Naas Grove
Members of the Rapportryersbeweging Executive present
Members of the North West Executive Committee present
Members of the North West Provincial Legislature present
Reverend L Forsman of the NG Kerk
The Mmabana Cultural Group
The Danville Community Choir
The Mafikeng Primary School Choir
The United People of the North West Province
It feels me with great joy and pride to say a few words on this watershed event in the lives of our people, both black and white.
Today we sign the Mafikeng Declaration between the North West Government and the Afrikaner Rapportryersbeweging as a symbol of our determination and a guide to living together in harmony, peace and prosperity. This is our commitment to building a vibrant economically robust province together. Today is the triumph of a province and a nation, united in diversity.
But most of all, today is the crowning of the many hours of collective efforts to find each other as diverse political and cultural groups.
From the first meeting we had with the movement’s National President Mr Ludi Schulze in 2004, we were never in disagreement on our common combined and unwavering love for our cultures, our country and its people. From the onset, our support and endorsement of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the support and endorsement of our Growth and Development plans both nationally and provincially, shone through like a star.
We were never in any doubt about our common heritage, based on principles of inclusivity, tolerance for each other, of celebrating our diversity. We said then as we say now, that we are not selling these qualities, we live them. It is what makes us unique as the people of the North West Province. Today, our common patriotism must and will shine through and dwarf whatever differences we thought kept us apart.
On a historical occasion like this, I am tempted to quote the words of one of the greatest unifiers of our times, the late former president of the African National Congress, Oliver Reginald Tambo, when he said, “we seek to create a united democratic and non-racial society. We have a vision of South Africa in which black and white shall live and work together as equals in conditions of peace and prosperity. Using the power we derive from the discovery of the truth about racism in South Africa, we will mobilise the citizen of the world to help us remake our part of the world into a corner of the globe on which all of humanity can be proud.”
I will make bold to say the whole of North West Province is proud today. Indeed, the entire country of South Africa is proud. What this declaration we sign today means is that, we, the proud South Africans irrespective of race, colour, creed or social status, will work together to educate our fellow citizens that each one of us has a responsibility to work for a better life for all our people, especially the poor. It means that together we must rebuild the moral fibre of our society to restore the understanding that we are all equal and that each one of us is made in God’s image.
We must now work together to ensure that all our people re-learn the self-evident truths that murder, violence against any person, rape, abuse of women and children, robbery and theft are offensive to our very concept of ourselves as proud citizens of the North West and as proud South Africans.
The spirit of patriotism that is evident today must enjoin all of us in a common struggle to restore back the pride and dignity of all our people, without regard to race, ethnicity or gender, in their common and proud cultural origin.
In particular, the Beweging, which was founded in 1949, prides itself in promoting patriotism and a loyal homogeneity among its own ranks and in all who support its aim and aspirations. We say today the Rapportryersbeweging must count among those supporters the North West Provincial Government that I am privileged to lead.
Indeed today we have found each other and among the many aspirations we share is a determination to maintain the Afrikaner culture in all walks of life, including ensuring that Afrikaans as a mother tongue is cherished maintained and protected.
Similarly, I can assure the Beweging that the Tswana people are a peaceful people, proud of their language, customs and heritage, steadfast in their patriotism and determined to develop beyond the historical confines of poverty and underdevelopment.
In all my interactions with the people of our province, I have yet to meet neither a Motswana nor an Afrikaner who is opposed to the growth and development of our province.
I have yet to meet any person who does not share our common goal of a better life for all. We are therefore united in the war against poverty, underdevelopment and the inequitable distribution of wealth that has condemned millions in our country to sub-human lives. We are similarly united in our quest of reconciliation and nation-building, which includes wiping out the scourge of racism that always threatens to blight our lives.
This same unity we demonstrate today must propel us further to join our brothers and sisters in the rest of the continent of Africa as we rebuild a continent ravaged by wars, colonialism and starvation. Signing this declaration means we are united with all the peoples of Africa and committed to the objectives of the African Century and the development goals of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
It goes without saying then, Programme Director that such unity as we have established here needs to be guarded with utmost jealousy by all of us. We will not take kindly to anyone or anything that threatens to dislodge the unity for which we have worked so hard.
We would instead channel all our energies into overcoming challenges that lie ahead of us. Throughout the meetings we have had, we have been able to identify some of these challenges, which include land reform and agricultural development, Afrikaans mother tongue education and perceptions that Afrikaans and Afrikaans schools are under attack, affirmative action and its application, opportunities for Afrikaner youth in the new dispensation, Afrikaners experiencing social and economic exclusion, protection of cultural heritage, as well as issues of safety and security.
In our view, not a single of these challenges is insurmountable. In fact, the declaration that we sign today says, among other things, that we must continue to encourage the youth of South Africa, black or white, to seize opportunities presented by the new South Africa because yesterday was a foreign country and tomorrow belongs to them as future leaders.
Furthermore, we recognise a greater need to mobilise more Afrikaners and white youth in general to participate in the reconstruction and development of our country. South Africa belongs to them too. It belongs to all of us. On the critical challenge of land reform and agricultural development, we feel it is important again to work together in a constructive fashion to find the best possible solution.
Perhaps as a start, Government felt that it was imperative for instance that the Beweging voices its support for land reform and encourage reluctant farmers to respond positively to our land reform challenges and rural development.
In all these endeavours, we must be motivated by the obligation to promote participation in agricultural production and effective use of productive agricultural land by those previously disadvantaged. We think the Afrikaner stands to benefit from the progressive land reform and indeed without their experience and expertise the goal of agricultural development will remain a dream.
But these are just some of the challenges, which I am certain will be overcome sooner than later if we work together as this declaration requires us to do, to achieve consensus on all matters of mutual concern.
As Martin Luther King Jr once remarked, genuine leaders are not searchers of consensus but moulders of consensus. Throughout the process of our negotiations building up to this declaration, we are proud to have moulded consensus on many issues of mutual concern. Today therefore marks the fruits of our collective labour.
The Mafikeng Declaration constitutes a historic victory that belongs to all people of the North West Province. We own it and we will endeavour at all times to live its principles and honour the agreements entered into herein.
We are extremely proud and delighted to have come this far in our road of reconciliation and nation building.
Therefore, on behalf of the North West Provincial Government, I hereby sign the Mafikeng Declaration.
I thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
16 November 2005
Advertisement
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
