Honourable Mayor Cllr. M.E. Ndobe Harry Gwala District Municipality
REMEMBERING MANDELA “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of life we lead” - Nelson Mandela. July is an important month in the South African calendar because the world at large celebrates the birthday of the South African first democratic President Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela. Dr Nelson Mandela was born on the 18th of July 1918. He is remembered by the world as the father of human rights. Having spent 27 years in prison Dr Nelson Mandela believed in freedom for everyone. H e made an imprint on the world for 67 years, beginning in 1942 when he fifirst rst started to campaign for the human rights of every South African. His life has been an inspiration to the world. What better direction can we ask for as a nation? As we begin the long clamber up his shoulders to work out how we complete the long walk to freedom, Mandela has shown us how. It is ours to do, to serve, to give and to complete the work of freedom. Mandela was a selfl ess leader who keeps on selfless inspiring people around the world even after his death. He has taught us, we each owe it to him to support his work and legacy by doing and living our own as best we can, not just on this day, but throughout our entire lives.He wanted us to honor him by making sure that we inspire change in the lives of those who are less fortunate. In honoring this world icon we don’t to do that in the comfort of our offi ces but we can do so offices by going to the people and serve to bring them together with the view of fifighting ghting poverty and promote peace and reconciliation.
As we approach three years since his passing on the 5th of December 2013 we must do so by making sure that we inspire our people especially the youth to advocate for change. Societal issues like drugs and substance abuse, poverty, diseases like HIV AIDS, crime and many others continues to be the cancer that is killing the gains of our democracy. We won’t be doing justice if we don’t condemn the recent incidents of racism in South Africa because this is what Mandela and many other struggle stalwarts were fifighting ghting for. In celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela we say “Phansi ngobandlululo phansi” The 2016 Mandela Day will be celebrated when the country is preparing for the fourth municipal elections on the 3rd of August. Nelson Mandela was the man of peace and in his name we plead for political intolerance in all parts of the country. Let’s have peaceful elections that will give birth to the best public service that Mandela was dreaming of. The public service that is always ready to serve the people of South Africa. As we will be voting on the 3rd of August 2016 we must remember Mandela’s belief, of better life for all. Indeed we agree with this sentiment. Our contribution is to ensure that we improve education, health care, shelter, infrastructure and environmental safe guarding. In doing so we will make sure that we build the public service that works for everyone. It is in our hands to make our country a better one for all. Let’s make everyday a Mandela Day.
Siyaqhuba! Asimanga! Sishoda Ngawe!