Date: 16/06/2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Unveiling ceremony of Peter Mokaba tombstone
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA AT THE UNVEILING CEREMONY OF THE TOMBSTONE ON THE GRAVE OF PETER MOKABA, Mankweng, Polokwane, 16 June 2004
The Mokaba Family,
Members of the ANC NEC,
Members of the ANC Youth League PEC and NEC
Leadership of SACP and Cosatu present,
Comrades and friends,
We meet today on the 28th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, and two years since Peter Mokaba a hero of our revolution and the youth was laid to his final resting place.
We meet at an appropriate moment soon after the general elections, in which the ANC once again won an overwhelming majority, due to the support of the masses of our people, especially the youth.
We salute the youth of our country for delivering this outstanding election victory, and consequently, the role that Cde Peter played in mobilising, nurturing and organising the youth to be the formidable force that it is today.
I mention this because the name of Cde Peter is synonymous with that of youth emancipation and development. One cannot talk about youth struggles without mentioning the name of Cde Peter because for many years he was an inspiration to the youth of our country.
We meet today on 16 June 2004, to honour and remember one of the most militant, dynamic and vibrant of youth leaders to have graced our struggle.
Comrade Peter was a revolutionary and a young lion, who dedicated his entire life to the liberation of the African people and the development of the youth of South Africa. He was propelled to join the struggle soon after the Soweto Uprisings of 16 June 1976.
I still have fond memories of Cde Peter, shortly after his recruitment into the ranks of the ANC, when we were preparing him for MK training in Mozambique. I remember how determined he was to achieve the goal of freeing his country from apartheid oppression and racism. It is that kind of spirit that brought us where we are today.
He was one of a group of young comrades who were recruited by Cde James, known as Mawelawela, into the ANC ranks. I called these young vibrant cadres the "warriors", and our intention was that from this group, there should be those who could be trained and sent back home without delay to engage in underground work.
Cde Peter was one of those whose great potential made him go from generalised to specialised training and he was sent back into the country, to the former Northern Transvaal, to organise underground structures a task he executed exceptionally well. He was to become an all-rounder in the South African body politic in years to come, and everyone felt his presence, regardless of their political persuasion.
Comrades, twenty years ago, President Oliver Tambo in the January 8 Statement of 1984 outlined the pillars of our struggle as follows "Our revolutionary struggle rests on four pillars.
These are, first, the all - round vanguard activity of the underground structures of the ANC; second, the united mass action of the peoples; third, our armed offensive, spearheaded by Umkhonto we Sizwe; and fourth, the international drive to isolate the apartheid regime and win world - wide moral, political and material support for the struggle."
I am mentioning this so that you can understand the role of Cde Peter in its proper political context and our objectives at the time. Whilst, he was a trained guerrilla, once he was infiltrated back into the country, he clearly understood his role as that of participating mainly (but not only), in the building and strengthening of "the united mass action of the people", as President "OR" had instructed.
Cde Peter played an important role in strengthening this pillar of our struggle, which resulted in the formation of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO) in 1987, and his election to be its first President.
The ANC had declared the 1980's the decade of freedom, and 1981 the year of the youth. The youth of our country in particular and our people in general were highly mobilised and inspired. Our people were impatient and they wanted freedom in their lifetime.
The formation of internal organs of mass resistance happened within the context of renewed apartheid restrictions and backlash. Many activists were either being brutally murdered or detained. Thousands of our people were in detention in the 1980's and the country was on the brink of a civil war.
In the face of all this Cde Peter led the struggle for the total destruction of apartheid with much courage and dedication, and he led the struggle from the front.
The young lions as led by Cde Peter were revolutionary and militant to the core, as reflected in their adopted slogan "Freedom or Death! Victory is Certain!" this was no longer just a slogan, but a statement of intent. This was the character of the youth movement that he led and he was the embodiment of that youth militancy and fearlessness.
Cde Peter will always be remembered by millions of our people in general and youth in particular for his outstanding contribution to the cause of liberation in our country, for his role in uniting the youth and for his excellent organisational skills in building a vibrant and relevant youth movement in our country.
He can be credited with bringing youth issues to be at the core of government policy since liberation of South Africa in 1994.
For many he was the first reference point on youth issues, and also as a key leader within the liberation movement, and a member of the ANC National Executive Committee, he was central in many of the developments that continued to shape the character of the ANC.
He was instrumental in shaping many of our policies in government, and played an important role as the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism from 1994 to 1999.
As we remember Cde Peter two years after his passing on and 28 years since the Soweto uprising, we must ask ourselves what legacy he left behind.
It is a legacy of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa that he was prepared to lay down his life for. It is a legacy of commitment and dedication to the values of our struggle.
It is a legacy of eradicating poverty and creating a better life for all. It is a legacy of youth development and empowerment in all its facets. It is a legacy of nation building and reconciliation. This is the legacy that we and our movement should always protect and defend.
As we remember Cde Peter today, we must take solace from the fact that history entrusted him with the responsibility of playing a role in the national democratic revolution, to be a leader of the masses of our people.
He took that responsibility with much courage and vigour to its logical conclusion, the birth of a new South Africa in April 1994. He always executed his responsibilities guided by his deep understanding of the vision and principles of our liberation movement.
We meet here today to honour and salute the life of one of us who was committed to the goals of our revolution.
We have unveiled the tombstone on his grave as a lasting monument, so that generations to come will always know that here lies a man, a youth, a father, a son and a brother who loved his country and its people so much that he dedicated his entire life for the betterment of others.
Here lies a selfless revolutionary who never put his personal interests above those of the people.
When we remember and honour Cde Peter we remember an all round cadre, a well-balanced cadre who lived a balanced life. He knew when and how to struggle during the times of struggle, but, as many young people will testify, he also knew how to relax and party once he had had accomplished a goal. He lived his life to the full.
Perhaps, the greatest tribute and lasting respect that we can pay to Cde Peter is by ensuring that the vision that guided him and his peers is maintained and consolidated, the victories that he achieved are defended.
We can pay tribute to him by ensuring that we build a society, which cares and is built on the good moral values of our struggle, which are reflected in our Constitution today.
We need to build a society that is compassionate, that does not tolerate crime and corruption. We need to build a new youth who participates actively in government programs that are meant to eradicate poverty and create jobs.
We need a youth that plays an active role in Community Policing Forums to deal with crime. We need to build a society that cares for the aged, the weak and those dying of various diseases including HIV and AIDS.
As we celebrate 10 years of democracy and freedom we are greatly moved by the fact that we have made tremendous strides towards the transformation of our country.
We need to celebrate the existence of The National Youth Policy Framework, which will help with a holistic approach to youth development, and that the National Youth Economic Participation Strategy is in place to ensure that the youth plays a part in the development of their country and their own lives.
As we celebrate ten years of democracy and freedom we are greatly moved by the fact that 64 000 unemployed young people have been registered in learnerships. We are also looking forward to the launch of The National Youth Service in the next few weeks, which will provide opportunities to about 5 000 young people before the end of the year.
Most importantly, we need the youth to live the slogan of this year's campaign, of "Youth Celebrating Ten Years of Freedom and Seizing the Opportunities of Democracy".
That is what Cde Peter would have wanted us to do, to celebrate the gains of freedom, but also to work harder to consolidate and defend these gains.
To the Mokaba family, thank you for giving us this hero, this gallant fighter for freedom. May you find strength in the knowledge that he will always be remembered for the role he played and sacrifices he made, to free his country and his people. Thank for you allowing him to be part of the ANC. May you find comfort in the knowledge that his name is recorded in the history of outstanding heroes of our struggle.
For those who worked with Cde Peter, what will be a lasting monument to him will be for us to defend the revolution, freedom and democracy that he fought for, which is reflected in the values stipulated in the Freedom Charter and our Constitution.
To be able to do so we need to strengthen the organisation he lived for, the ANC. We must develop a cadre of a special type, who must be developed and schooled to defend the ANC, our freedom and democracy.
For the ANC to be a vehicle that will continue to deepen democracy and defend our freedom and human rights, we need to work hard on unity, the rock and treasure upon which the ANC was founded and built.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
16 June 2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Unveiling ceremony of Peter Mokaba tombstone
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA AT THE UNVEILING CEREMONY OF THE TOMBSTONE ON THE GRAVE OF PETER MOKABA, Mankweng, Polokwane, 16 June 2004
The Mokaba Family,
Members of the ANC NEC,
Members of the ANC Youth League PEC and NEC
Leadership of SACP and Cosatu present,
Comrades and friends,
We meet today on the 28th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, and two years since Peter Mokaba a hero of our revolution and the youth was laid to his final resting place.
We meet at an appropriate moment soon after the general elections, in which the ANC once again won an overwhelming majority, due to the support of the masses of our people, especially the youth.
We salute the youth of our country for delivering this outstanding election victory, and consequently, the role that Cde Peter played in mobilising, nurturing and organising the youth to be the formidable force that it is today.
I mention this because the name of Cde Peter is synonymous with that of youth emancipation and development. One cannot talk about youth struggles without mentioning the name of Cde Peter because for many years he was an inspiration to the youth of our country.
We meet today on 16 June 2004, to honour and remember one of the most militant, dynamic and vibrant of youth leaders to have graced our struggle.
Comrade Peter was a revolutionary and a young lion, who dedicated his entire life to the liberation of the African people and the development of the youth of South Africa. He was propelled to join the struggle soon after the Soweto Uprisings of 16 June 1976.
I still have fond memories of Cde Peter, shortly after his recruitment into the ranks of the ANC, when we were preparing him for MK training in Mozambique. I remember how determined he was to achieve the goal of freeing his country from apartheid oppression and racism. It is that kind of spirit that brought us where we are today.
He was one of a group of young comrades who were recruited by Cde James, known as Mawelawela, into the ANC ranks. I called these young vibrant cadres the "warriors", and our intention was that from this group, there should be those who could be trained and sent back home without delay to engage in underground work.
Cde Peter was one of those whose great potential made him go from generalised to specialised training and he was sent back into the country, to the former Northern Transvaal, to organise underground structures a task he executed exceptionally well. He was to become an all-rounder in the South African body politic in years to come, and everyone felt his presence, regardless of their political persuasion.
Comrades, twenty years ago, President Oliver Tambo in the January 8 Statement of 1984 outlined the pillars of our struggle as follows "Our revolutionary struggle rests on four pillars.
These are, first, the all - round vanguard activity of the underground structures of the ANC; second, the united mass action of the peoples; third, our armed offensive, spearheaded by Umkhonto we Sizwe; and fourth, the international drive to isolate the apartheid regime and win world - wide moral, political and material support for the struggle."
I am mentioning this so that you can understand the role of Cde Peter in its proper political context and our objectives at the time. Whilst, he was a trained guerrilla, once he was infiltrated back into the country, he clearly understood his role as that of participating mainly (but not only), in the building and strengthening of "the united mass action of the people", as President "OR" had instructed.
Cde Peter played an important role in strengthening this pillar of our struggle, which resulted in the formation of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO) in 1987, and his election to be its first President.
The ANC had declared the 1980's the decade of freedom, and 1981 the year of the youth. The youth of our country in particular and our people in general were highly mobilised and inspired. Our people were impatient and they wanted freedom in their lifetime.
The formation of internal organs of mass resistance happened within the context of renewed apartheid restrictions and backlash. Many activists were either being brutally murdered or detained. Thousands of our people were in detention in the 1980's and the country was on the brink of a civil war.
In the face of all this Cde Peter led the struggle for the total destruction of apartheid with much courage and dedication, and he led the struggle from the front.
The young lions as led by Cde Peter were revolutionary and militant to the core, as reflected in their adopted slogan "Freedom or Death! Victory is Certain!" this was no longer just a slogan, but a statement of intent. This was the character of the youth movement that he led and he was the embodiment of that youth militancy and fearlessness.
Cde Peter will always be remembered by millions of our people in general and youth in particular for his outstanding contribution to the cause of liberation in our country, for his role in uniting the youth and for his excellent organisational skills in building a vibrant and relevant youth movement in our country.
He can be credited with bringing youth issues to be at the core of government policy since liberation of South Africa in 1994.
For many he was the first reference point on youth issues, and also as a key leader within the liberation movement, and a member of the ANC National Executive Committee, he was central in many of the developments that continued to shape the character of the ANC.
He was instrumental in shaping many of our policies in government, and played an important role as the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism from 1994 to 1999.
As we remember Cde Peter two years after his passing on and 28 years since the Soweto uprising, we must ask ourselves what legacy he left behind.
It is a legacy of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa that he was prepared to lay down his life for. It is a legacy of commitment and dedication to the values of our struggle.
It is a legacy of eradicating poverty and creating a better life for all. It is a legacy of youth development and empowerment in all its facets. It is a legacy of nation building and reconciliation. This is the legacy that we and our movement should always protect and defend.
As we remember Cde Peter today, we must take solace from the fact that history entrusted him with the responsibility of playing a role in the national democratic revolution, to be a leader of the masses of our people.
He took that responsibility with much courage and vigour to its logical conclusion, the birth of a new South Africa in April 1994. He always executed his responsibilities guided by his deep understanding of the vision and principles of our liberation movement.
We meet here today to honour and salute the life of one of us who was committed to the goals of our revolution.
We have unveiled the tombstone on his grave as a lasting monument, so that generations to come will always know that here lies a man, a youth, a father, a son and a brother who loved his country and its people so much that he dedicated his entire life for the betterment of others.
Here lies a selfless revolutionary who never put his personal interests above those of the people.
When we remember and honour Cde Peter we remember an all round cadre, a well-balanced cadre who lived a balanced life. He knew when and how to struggle during the times of struggle, but, as many young people will testify, he also knew how to relax and party once he had had accomplished a goal. He lived his life to the full.
Perhaps, the greatest tribute and lasting respect that we can pay to Cde Peter is by ensuring that the vision that guided him and his peers is maintained and consolidated, the victories that he achieved are defended.
We can pay tribute to him by ensuring that we build a society, which cares and is built on the good moral values of our struggle, which are reflected in our Constitution today.
We need to build a society that is compassionate, that does not tolerate crime and corruption. We need to build a new youth who participates actively in government programs that are meant to eradicate poverty and create jobs.
We need a youth that plays an active role in Community Policing Forums to deal with crime. We need to build a society that cares for the aged, the weak and those dying of various diseases including HIV and AIDS.
As we celebrate 10 years of democracy and freedom we are greatly moved by the fact that we have made tremendous strides towards the transformation of our country.
We need to celebrate the existence of The National Youth Policy Framework, which will help with a holistic approach to youth development, and that the National Youth Economic Participation Strategy is in place to ensure that the youth plays a part in the development of their country and their own lives.
As we celebrate ten years of democracy and freedom we are greatly moved by the fact that 64 000 unemployed young people have been registered in learnerships. We are also looking forward to the launch of The National Youth Service in the next few weeks, which will provide opportunities to about 5 000 young people before the end of the year.
Most importantly, we need the youth to live the slogan of this year's campaign, of "Youth Celebrating Ten Years of Freedom and Seizing the Opportunities of Democracy".
That is what Cde Peter would have wanted us to do, to celebrate the gains of freedom, but also to work harder to consolidate and defend these gains.
To the Mokaba family, thank you for giving us this hero, this gallant fighter for freedom. May you find strength in the knowledge that he will always be remembered for the role he played and sacrifices he made, to free his country and his people. Thank for you allowing him to be part of the ANC. May you find comfort in the knowledge that his name is recorded in the history of outstanding heroes of our struggle.
For those who worked with Cde Peter, what will be a lasting monument to him will be for us to defend the revolution, freedom and democracy that he fought for, which is reflected in the values stipulated in the Freedom Charter and our Constitution.
To be able to do so we need to strengthen the organisation he lived for, the ANC. We must develop a cadre of a special type, who must be developed and schooled to defend the ANC, our freedom and democracy.
For the ANC to be a vehicle that will continue to deepen democracy and defend our freedom and human rights, we need to work hard on unity, the rock and treasure upon which the ANC was founded and built.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
16 June 2004
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