Date: 16/03/2004
Source: New National Party
Title: M van Schalkwyk: NNP/ANC: Agreement Vital to Take SA Forward
The building of South African pride, patriotism, and a positive national identity is one of the most important incomplete tasks of the New South Africa. Many communities - especially minority communities – are deeply concerned about how best to make their voices heard by Government. Their dilemma is the need, on one hand to take a stand on matters of principle that affect their lives, and on the other hand the need to remain fully committed to building South Africa as partners. The NNP, and our agreement with the ANC, is the best solution to this dilemma.
One of the most powerful lessons of the New South Africa is that our country will only move forward when interests that are sometimes different find the ability to reach a mutual accommodation. The symbols of pride and unity that have become the cornerstones of our democracy are the best proof of this truth:
* OurConstitution is an agreement document – fiercely negotiated by competing interests, it is today the embodiment of progressive democracy. Perhaps most importantly, it has become a living document expressed through the lives of our people.
* Our National Anthem is the result of agreement – the result of a need to include every community in national pride. It too has become a rallying point, and when it is played there are few South African hearts that do not swell with emotion.
* Our flag is a carefully negotiated agreement design – targeted to incorporate the different strands of our country whilst projecting our unified national identity.
* Even our sporting emblems are the results of agreements – like in rugby where the Protea and the Springbok have been combined to symbolise that which is best in our country - excellence, determination, and world-class achievement.
The same approach holds true in politics and in Government. It is only when parties and leaders that sometimes disagree find the ability to work together in Government that South Africa can move forward.This is the basis of the agreement between the NNP and the ANC.
Like these symbols that were the product of a new approach, the NNP has become the party that bridges the divides in South Africa, bringing coloured, white, black and Indian communities together under the overarching goal of providing a positive voice in Government for every community.
Although the NNP disagrees with the ANC on some important issues like overly-rigid labour laws, the need for the reinstatement of the death penalty, the pace of the national Aids-drugs roll-out and Zimbabwe, we also know that that together we must unlock the ability of black, white, coloured and Indian South Africans to be partners. In the same spirit of mutual accommodation that has defined the New South Africa, the NNP is determined to bring together all our communities in Government to build our success in partnership.
Nowhere has this commitment borne more fruit than in the Western Cape, where our NNP/ANC Coalition of Hope has governed for more than two years. We have shown that when our two parties were willing to leave petty political differences aside and govern together in the interests of all Western Cape communities, we succeeded in bringing to this province the stability and good governance that was lacking for so long.
In Election 2004 we understand that the ANC’s supporters will vote for them and that it is important for the ANC to be part of the next Western Cape Government. But we also know that our people need a party that will represent them and their interests in that Government. That is why it is so important for Western Cape voters to strengthen the NNP’s voice in Government by supporting the NNP in this election.
A vote for the NNP is a vote to move South Africa and the Western Cape forward in partnership.
The NNP is your key to Government. Vote NNP and let us be your voice.
Source: New National Party
Title: M van Schalkwyk: NNP/ANC: Agreement Vital to Take SA Forward
The building of South African pride, patriotism, and a positive national identity is one of the most important incomplete tasks of the New South Africa. Many communities - especially minority communities – are deeply concerned about how best to make their voices heard by Government. Their dilemma is the need, on one hand to take a stand on matters of principle that affect their lives, and on the other hand the need to remain fully committed to building South Africa as partners. The NNP, and our agreement with the ANC, is the best solution to this dilemma.
One of the most powerful lessons of the New South Africa is that our country will only move forward when interests that are sometimes different find the ability to reach a mutual accommodation. The symbols of pride and unity that have become the cornerstones of our democracy are the best proof of this truth:
* OurConstitution is an agreement document – fiercely negotiated by competing interests, it is today the embodiment of progressive democracy. Perhaps most importantly, it has become a living document expressed through the lives of our people.
* Our National Anthem is the result of agreement – the result of a need to include every community in national pride. It too has become a rallying point, and when it is played there are few South African hearts that do not swell with emotion.
* Our flag is a carefully negotiated agreement design – targeted to incorporate the different strands of our country whilst projecting our unified national identity.
* Even our sporting emblems are the results of agreements – like in rugby where the Protea and the Springbok have been combined to symbolise that which is best in our country - excellence, determination, and world-class achievement.
The same approach holds true in politics and in Government. It is only when parties and leaders that sometimes disagree find the ability to work together in Government that South Africa can move forward.This is the basis of the agreement between the NNP and the ANC.
Like these symbols that were the product of a new approach, the NNP has become the party that bridges the divides in South Africa, bringing coloured, white, black and Indian communities together under the overarching goal of providing a positive voice in Government for every community.
Although the NNP disagrees with the ANC on some important issues like overly-rigid labour laws, the need for the reinstatement of the death penalty, the pace of the national Aids-drugs roll-out and Zimbabwe, we also know that that together we must unlock the ability of black, white, coloured and Indian South Africans to be partners. In the same spirit of mutual accommodation that has defined the New South Africa, the NNP is determined to bring together all our communities in Government to build our success in partnership.
Nowhere has this commitment borne more fruit than in the Western Cape, where our NNP/ANC Coalition of Hope has governed for more than two years. We have shown that when our two parties were willing to leave petty political differences aside and govern together in the interests of all Western Cape communities, we succeeded in bringing to this province the stability and good governance that was lacking for so long.
In Election 2004 we understand that the ANC’s supporters will vote for them and that it is important for the ANC to be part of the next Western Cape Government. But we also know that our people need a party that will represent them and their interests in that Government. That is why it is so important for Western Cape voters to strengthen the NNP’s voice in Government by supporting the NNP in this election.
A vote for the NNP is a vote to move South Africa and the Western Cape forward in partnership.
The NNP is your key to Government. Vote NNP and let us be your voice.
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