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Date : 03/03/2004
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: M van Schalkwyk: 2004 Western Cape Provincial Honours awards


SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, PRESENTING THE 2004 WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL HONOURS AWARDS AT THE CAPE CASTLE 3 March 2004 WESTERN CAPE STARS SHINE: PREMIER AWARDS 2004 PROVINCIAL HONOURS

South Africa has been struck this week by celebrity fever. The outstanding achievement of Charlize Theron on the world stage has centred a global spotlight on our people and our country. It has also been a reason for many South Africans to comment about how good it feels to have a South African recognised as an international symbol of success.

Although the people and the Government of the Western Cape join every South African in celebrating Charlize's accomplishment, I think that too often we forget that we are surrounded by world-class achievers in every community and in every field. Success is not defined by awards - whether they are Oscar's, Emmy's or Nobel Prizes. Success is defined by perseverance, faith, attitude, achievement and a nobility of spirit.

The famous English sailor, Sir Francis Drake, who rounded the Cape in the late 16th century, said: "There must be a beginning to any great matter, but continuing unto the end, until it be thoroughly finished, yields the true glory."

We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the true glory of 45 men and women who are the real celebrities, leaders and stars of the Western Cape; 45 personalities who remind us all of the heights that can be achieved when talent and determination are fused with a passion for excellence.

There can be no greater testimony to the World Class calibre of our people in the Western Cape than the array of leaders who we honour tonight. From men and women of God, to sporting heroes; from the captains of industry to the leaders of government; from literary giants to healers, protectors and satirists, we salute those whose lives have enriched our communities and our province.

The Western Cape is unique in so many positive ways - one of which is that we alone in South Africa have the benefit of a Provincial Constitution, which empowers us to present awards and honours like those we bestow tonight.

Let us also be honest - before our New National Party/African National Congress Coalition Government took office two years ago, representing all of our communities, it would not have been feasible for the Western Cape to honour so wide a range of deserving recipients. It would have been simply unthinkable to simultaneously honour people like Chris du Toit, Prof Njabulo Ndebele and Minister Dullah Omar - some would have accepted their nominations, but others would not. Tonight we are illustrating how far we have come in the Western Cape in the last two years, in terms of real reconciliation and our efforts to build a normal society based on mutual respect.

Ngokuhlwa nje sichaza umgama esesiwuhambile siyiNtshona Koloni kule minyaka mibini iphelileyo, ngokubhekiselele kuxolelwaniso lokwenene neenzame esizenzileyo zokumisela intlalo efanelekileyo esekeke kumoya wokuhloniphana. INtshona Koloni ifana negumbi lokuvavanya loMzantsi Afrika - ukuqinisekisa ukuba abamnyama, abamhlophe, abebala namaNdiya bangaphumelela ukuba bayasebenzisana. Silwenza olu vavanyo lube yinyani.

Whether they have made us cheer, laugh, cry, or learn - sometimes all at once - these sons and daughters of the Cape have contributed to our society in two important ways: firstly by setting new standards of achievement, and secondly - perhaps even more importantly - in leading by example. Their stories are the stories of the Western Cape - our challenges and our pride, our triumphs and our treasures.

I trust that you will forgive me for mentioning a few specific individuals, when every recipient is so deserving, but time does not permit a more complete account.

One of the people we honour tonight was born in the Boland in 1927. He won his first national singles tennis championships at age 16 and retained the title for another 21 years. In spite of the restrictions of apartheid he played at Wimbledon in 1949, 1951, 1954 and 1960. He is a legend in South African tennis and, at the age of 75 he remains actively involved in youth tennis development. He is one of many unsung Western Cape heroes. His story is the story of our people. He is David Samaai.

Another of our recipients is a living definition of courage in the face of adversity. At the age of 15 she became an incomplete quadriplegic when she broke her neck in a diving accident. Instead of allowing this setback to impose limitations on her life, she chose to uplift the lives of others. In 1978 she started the Fishhoek-Kommetjie-Noordhoek Welfare Association and since then has started and chaired 13 other organisations. Between 1964 and 1988 she also won gold and silver medals for tennis, bowling, swimming and archery in England and South Africa. She is a true Western Cape celebrity. Her story is the story of our people. She is Dawn Hare.

Ons jongste ontvanger vanaand is maar 15 jaar oud. Na 'n gesinstragedie toe hy maar vier jaar oud was, is hy deur sy oupa op 'n plaas naby George grootgemaak. In sy kort leeftyd het hy getoon oor watter potensiaal die jeug van elke Wes-Kaapse gemeenskap beskik. In 2000 het hy plattelandse leerders verteenwoordig tydens 'n ontmoeting met oud-President Nelson Mandela, en onlangs is hy uit die topleerlinge van al nege provinsies gekies om sy skoolloopbaan te voltooi aan een van die mees toonaangewende ho

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