Honourable Minister of Arts and Culture, Ladies and Gentlemen and fellow South Africans,

July 18th is a very special day on our national calendar. The first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa, our struggle icon, uTata uNelson Mandela, was born on this day. On this very special day I join the millions around the world in wishing Madiba a happy 94th birthday.

Programme Director,

I take this opportunity to highlight Madiba’s contribution to our Country by sharing a few anecdotes with the people of South Africa.

Madiba was a brave man, who never allowed fear to stand in the way of doing good for others. When the so-called “Black-on-Black violence” broke out in 1990, a number of people violently died in certain areas around Soweto. As soon as this news broke Madiba asked me to fly from Mthatha to his home in Soweto to discuss his and his family’s security.

Whilst we were talking, he received numerous phone calls from people asking for his intervention in the violence that had engulfed the Nancefield area. Without the luxury of bodyguards we visited the area. On our way we met Jomo Sono, who at the time owned a petrol station in Soweto. Jomo counselled us against going into the area because he believed it was dangerous.

His usual brave self, Madiba thanked Jomo for his advice, but said to me, “Bantu, come, let’s go!”. We continued to make our way to Nancefield. Upon arrival, we found the situation extremely volatile. Burnt human bodies were lying on the ground; relatives were miserable with grief; while others were chanting songs. Madiba talked to the residents and managed to persuade them to not engage in further violence. Such was the bravery of Madiba!

Tata Madiba was a skilful negotiator and a hard-line lobbyist. I would never forget the day, in 1992, when I accompanied him to address the United Nations (UN) Security Council in New York on the need to deploy violence monitors in South Africa. It was in the period preceding the meeting, and at the meeting itself, that I learnt the true art of persuasion from him. Madiba spent most of his time on the phone lobbying the presidents of the various member states of the Security Council and other key decision makers.

In fact, I warmly remember one morning when he asked one of his office assistants, Ms Barbara Masekela, to put him in touch with former President Bush Senior.

Madiba said: “Barbara, can you please put me through to President Bush?”. Barbara walked into the room with arms akimbo, looked at Madiba and replied rather confidently: “Madiba, don’t you know President Bush is still asleep?”. Madiba responded by saying, “Okay darling, please put me through to him when he is awake”.

At approximately four o’clock on the same day, a call came through from President Bush Senior. Madiba spoke to him about the need for the United States of America to endorse the resolution. President Bush Senior agreed. This is an example of a man who did not rest until he accomplished what he had set out to achieve.

At the UN Security Council meeting, Madiba worked his magic. He carefully chose his words when asked to explain the need for such an intervention.

Also present at the meeting was a delegation from the South African government, led by Pik Botha and other homeland leaders, who vehemently opposed the idea of deploying violence monitors in South Africa.

However, by the time Madiba had concluded his presentation, the writing was on the wall. The Security Council members were already sold on the idea of deploying violence monitors in South Africa. Even when it was my turn to speak, I could sense that the mission had already been accomplished. As expected, the Security Council voted unanimously in favour of Madiba’s proposal. Madiba was a consummate negotiator!

I also learnt a lot from this global icon when we went around the country to persuade the private sector to become responsible corporate citizens. Madiba made sure that the private sector helped build schools, clinics and sports facilities around the country.

In conclusion, the anecdotes I have shared with you highlight just a few of the fundamental principles on which Madiba and his generation built our Rainbow Nation.

In honouring his legacy, we ought to learn from Madiba’s impeccable work ethic, his tolerance and selflessness leadership, his willingness to forgive and to lead with integrity.

We should also use the Mandela Day celebrations to launch big environmental projects that would help mitigate the negative effects of climate change. This would ensure that the bad weather we have witnessed over the past few days does not become a permanent feature of our lives.

It is this kind of South Africa, built on the principles of mutual respect, non-racialism, democracy and hard work, for which struggle icons like Tata Mandela, either sacrificed or, were prepared to sacrifice their lives.

It is also precisely this kind of South Africa that they would like those who come after us to inherit and not the one we have now, which is characterised by mediocrity, corruption and lawlessness.

Long live Madiba! Long live!

I thank you.