Date: 16/12/2002
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Day of Reconciliation celebration
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK SPEAKING AT THE RECONCILIATION DAY CELEBRATIONS HOSTED BY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, V&A Waterfront, 16 December 2002
16 December has always been a day of great emotional power in South Africa. For some communities it was historically a day of celebration, for others a day of defiance. Today we celebrate 16 December as Reconciliation Day, and our celebrations are made even more significant by the fact that this day, instead of dividing our nation, now represents unity and common patriotism. In the Western Cape 16 December is also an opportunity for us to celebrate our cultural diversity, and to say to all of our visitors, local and international: Welcome to Our Home.
On this day, 164 years ago, 464 Voortrekkers fought a desperate battle against more than 10 000 Zulu warriors on the banks of the Ncome River in KwaZulu-Natal. Their victory was regarded by devout Afrikaners as a sign of divine favour and was celebrated annually, first as Dingaan's Day and after 1953 as the Day of the Vow. These annual commemorations of the Battle of Blood River were also a bitter reminder of how divided the communities of South Africa remained.
41 years ago this day was also chosen by the armed forces of the anti-apartheid struggle as the start of a series of sabotage and bomb attacks on strategic Government sites, which later that year led to the formation of the ANC's armed wing, Umkhonto weSizwe.
Today however, we come together on 16 December to celebrate the triumph of our present over our past. We come together to underscore the successes of our New South Africa. Above all we come together to remind ourselves and the rest of the world that difference, tolerance, and diversity must be celebrated as the keys to building a better future.
It is a very positive sign that days like 16 December and 16 June, which used to be celebrated as Soweto Day and is now National Youth Day, have changed from being days of division to being celebrated as days of real unity. It is a testimony to the greatness of spirit in all South African communities that the symbols of division of the past are now symbols of unity, respected by all South Africans.
The Government of the Western Cape believes that the people of our province have a unique opportunity - to illustrate that different people from different communities succeed best together. The power of the coalition Government between the NNP and the ANC in the Western Cape is that it shows how coloured, black, white and Indian South Africans can best address the many challenges which face our nation in partnership, joining hands to build our common future.
As we celebrate today, and over this festive season, we must also remember the suffering of so many of our fellow South Africans. Our communities continue to face hardships like crime, widespread poverty, and the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS. The message of Reconciliation Day must be that these challenges are so much more important than our minor differences, and they must be faced together. This is what we are doing in the Western Cape, and together we are at last beginning to make a positive difference to the lives of all our people. Together we are building a World Class Province which Cares.
It is my great pleasure, as the Premier of the Western Cape, to extend our warmest welcome to those of you who are visiting our province over this festive season. Whether you have travelled from another province, another country, or another continent you are most welcome in our home. Join us today in celebrating our diversity.
Enquiries: Rob Spaull on 083-777-8563
Issued by Office of the Premier, Western Cape
16 December 2002
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Day of Reconciliation celebration
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK SPEAKING AT THE RECONCILIATION DAY CELEBRATIONS HOSTED BY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, V&A Waterfront, 16 December 2002
16 December has always been a day of great emotional power in South Africa. For some communities it was historically a day of celebration, for others a day of defiance. Today we celebrate 16 December as Reconciliation Day, and our celebrations are made even more significant by the fact that this day, instead of dividing our nation, now represents unity and common patriotism. In the Western Cape 16 December is also an opportunity for us to celebrate our cultural diversity, and to say to all of our visitors, local and international: Welcome to Our Home.
On this day, 164 years ago, 464 Voortrekkers fought a desperate battle against more than 10 000 Zulu warriors on the banks of the Ncome River in KwaZulu-Natal. Their victory was regarded by devout Afrikaners as a sign of divine favour and was celebrated annually, first as Dingaan's Day and after 1953 as the Day of the Vow. These annual commemorations of the Battle of Blood River were also a bitter reminder of how divided the communities of South Africa remained.
41 years ago this day was also chosen by the armed forces of the anti-apartheid struggle as the start of a series of sabotage and bomb attacks on strategic Government sites, which later that year led to the formation of the ANC's armed wing, Umkhonto weSizwe.
Today however, we come together on 16 December to celebrate the triumph of our present over our past. We come together to underscore the successes of our New South Africa. Above all we come together to remind ourselves and the rest of the world that difference, tolerance, and diversity must be celebrated as the keys to building a better future.
It is a very positive sign that days like 16 December and 16 June, which used to be celebrated as Soweto Day and is now National Youth Day, have changed from being days of division to being celebrated as days of real unity. It is a testimony to the greatness of spirit in all South African communities that the symbols of division of the past are now symbols of unity, respected by all South Africans.
The Government of the Western Cape believes that the people of our province have a unique opportunity - to illustrate that different people from different communities succeed best together. The power of the coalition Government between the NNP and the ANC in the Western Cape is that it shows how coloured, black, white and Indian South Africans can best address the many challenges which face our nation in partnership, joining hands to build our common future.
As we celebrate today, and over this festive season, we must also remember the suffering of so many of our fellow South Africans. Our communities continue to face hardships like crime, widespread poverty, and the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS. The message of Reconciliation Day must be that these challenges are so much more important than our minor differences, and they must be faced together. This is what we are doing in the Western Cape, and together we are at last beginning to make a positive difference to the lives of all our people. Together we are building a World Class Province which Cares.
It is my great pleasure, as the Premier of the Western Cape, to extend our warmest welcome to those of you who are visiting our province over this festive season. Whether you have travelled from another province, another country, or another continent you are most welcome in our home. Join us today in celebrating our diversity.
Enquiries: Rob Spaull on 083-777-8563
Issued by Office of the Premier, Western Cape
16 December 2002
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