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Date : 27/03/2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Boipatong Peace, Cleansing and Healing Ceremony


ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA, TO THE BOIPATONG PEACE, CLEANSING AND HEALING CEREMONY, Boipatong Stadium, Gauteng, 27 March 2004

The Gauteng MEC for Safety and Liaison, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Mr Perumal Naidoo
The Executive Mayor of Sedibeng, Mr Sikhosana
The Executive Mayor of Emfuleni, Mr Thabane
Representatives of the ANC and IFP
Representatives of Freedom Park
Religious Leaders
Traditional Healers
Residents of Boipatong.

I greet you all.

We are gathered here today, to remember a very tragic event in the history of our country.

We are here to recall, and then make peace, with the vicious attack on the residents of Boipatong, which led to the murder of 39 people and the injuring of scores of others, on 17 June 1992.

The tragedy caused enormous pain and suffering, and became a turning point in our history, given the level we had reached in the negotiations process aimed at creating a democratic society.

It is correct and appropriate that we commemorate this massacre on the eve of the celebration of 10 years of our democracy. This is a period when we remember all that we achieved in our country, key among these being the achievement of peace and stability as well as reconciliation.

We also acknowledge the manner in which, despite the Boipatong massacre and many other tragic incidents, we were still able to achieve a non-racial, free and democratic South Africa. This was an example of the resilient nature of the South African people.

The history of our country had for decades been characterised by divisions and conflict fomented by the racist regime at that time, to maintain the political hegemony of the minority. It was therefore not surprising that during the early 90's when it became clear that we were determined to achieve our freedom, the anti-democratic forces became desperate.

Many activities were undertaken to create a state of anarchy in parts of our country, with the purpose of derailing the negotiations process.

This included the fomenting of violence between residents of hostels and of townships, who had lived together for many decades, without conflict.

The violence was also characterised by merciless attacks on train commuters, aimed at creating a state of terror and instability in the country, to delay and frustrate the negotiations process.

Our view had always been that there was a third force that was fomenting violence, and that the instability in our communities was being engineered by people who were bent on protecting minority privileges, and ensuring that South Africa never moved towards majority rule.

The Goldstone Commission and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, later proved us correct, as the truth emerge regarding almost all the incidents.

It became clear who was behind the violence that terrorised out people, particularly in then Natal, now KwaZulu-Natal, and then Transvaal in general and the Vaal Triangle in particular. The Vaal Triangle had been targeted because of the militant nature of activism against apartheid in that region.

The use of hostel residences in violent activities escalated in the early 90's, and statistics indicate that between July 1990 and April 1992 there had been more then 261 attacks on township residents by hostel inmates, which led to more than a 1000 deaths and more than 3000 injuries.

The Boipatong massacre was indeed a significant milestone in our history. The country was plunged into crisis, as the ANC announced on 23 June 1992, that it was breaking off negotiations with the National Party government until the government met its demands. Several demands were put to the National Party government, including measures the state needed to embark upon, to end violence, as well as demands for a speedy movement towards the achievement of democracy.

At that point, the nation and indeed the international community, began to think South Africa was reaching the end of the road. But through sound leadership from the ANC, and commitment to finding a solution to our country's problems, a way out of the impasse was found. A Record of Understanding was signed by the National Party and the ANC, on 26 September 1992, leading to a resumption of negotiations.

The brutal and tragic deaths of the people of Boipatong in the end became a reminder to all of us, of the necessity of urgently finding a solution to our country's problems. The Boipatong massacre will therefore be forever remembered in our history, as a tragedy that hastened the dawn of our freedom. The blood of the people of Boipatong was not shed in vain, as it watered the tree of liberation. We shall always remember that the people of Boipatong who died on that fateful night paid the ultimate price for the freedom of this country.

The new democratic government has since 1994 moved to promote reconciliation and nation building. While doing so, we are also mindful of the fact that in order to move forward, we need to confront the past, and then make a resolve to move on.

The cleansing and healing ceremony that is taking place today is part of that process of dealing with the demons of our past. It is helping us to find ways and means of interpreting our history constructively, to use what was politically negative and destructive as lessons, so that never and never again shall we repeat such gross human rights violations in our country. Today's event will guide us to continue building a stronger and united nation, based on sound principles and respect for human rights. The activities that have taken place already this week in Boipatong are good examples of the process of healing, and of unity in working for reconciliation.

From the prayer day by inter-denominational Ministers on Monday, a healing ceremony by faith and traditional healers on Tuesday, prayer by interdenominational women's unions, umanyano, on Wednesday, and the cleansing of the different sites led by the Freedom Park Trust on Thursday - have laid the groundwork for today's significant event.

We are today saying that we are now ready to put the pain of the past behind us.

Many allegations were made about the involvement of police in the massacre.

The representation of the South African Police Service today - a new transformed police service, which now works, to protect rather than terrorise citizens - is an example of how far we have come over the last 10 years, and an indication of the importance that government attaches to reconciliation.

In addition, the presence of representatives of the Inkatha Freedom Party and ANC at this ceremony is another indication that all affected parities are now ready to make peace with what happened at Boipatong.

Bearing grudges cannot take us forward and will not build our country. We must therefore congratulate the people of Boipatong for realising this and for working to achieve this reconciliation. The traditional healers and religious leaders, under the auspices of Freedom Park, are here to assist us to find spiritual peace with this painful incident. Our ancestors, who are always with us in both pain and happiness, and the Almighty God, will give us strength and guide us in our path to deepen reconciliation, peace and love in our country.

To the families of those who lost their lives, we say take comfort in the knowledge that your loved ones are now at peace, and that the freedom they looked forward to, was eventually achieved. We must today dedicate our freedom to them and to scores of other South Africans who died in our country and abroad, during the struggle for our freedom.

Today, we are saying that the blood that was shed in Boipatong must now unite us and not divide us, and make us to work for a better country for generations to come.

I thank you.

Issued by: The Presidency
27 March 2004
Source: SAPA

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