Minister of Small Business Development Khumbuzdo Ntshaveni
Esteemed President of our Democratic Republic, Ntate Cyril Ramaphosa;
Premier of our host Province, Mme Sefora Hixsonia Ntombela;
Acting Mayor of the City of roses Manguang, Cllr Lebohang Masoetsa
Programme Directors: Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa & Free
State MEC for Sport, Arts Culture, & Recreation, Ms. Limakatso Mahasa
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On this historic day, I would like to contend that we cannot celebrate our freedom without having regard to the democratic nation’s birth certificate, our constitution. Mr President, on the 8th of May in 1996, you stood in front of the nation at the Constitutional Assembly where at that august gathering, you characterised our constitution as the nation’s birth certificate. You went on to say, (I quote), “The constitution with its bill of rights is a mirror of our South African society, it reflects both the history from which we have emerged and the values we now cherish: Human Dignity, Equality and Freedom.
It proclaims to the world that we are a society committed to democracy, we are committed to the rule of law and the protection of human rights. It proclaims to all South Africans that their basic needs and aspirations matter enough to be included in the country’s Constitution.
The Landless, the Homeless, the women, workers and the children of this country, it celebrates the richness of the diversity of culture, religion and beliefs of South Africans and affirms that all belong as equal in our one nation.