Address by Honourable Premier R.M. Mtshweni-Tsipane on the occasion of the commemoration of Freedom Day
27 April 2022
Programme Director,Your Excellency, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa;
Honourable Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr. Nathi Mthethwa;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers Present;
Members of Parliament and Members of the Provincial Legislature present;
Members of the Executive Council in our midst;
The Executive Mayor of Nkangala District Municipality, Cllr Leah Mabuza;
Our host, the Executive Mayor of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Cllr Petros Mhlonishwa Masilela;
All Councillors in our midst;
The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Inkosi Ngomane;
The leadership of the African National Congress in Mpumalanga, Cde Mandla Ndlovu;
The community of Steve Tshwete Municipality;
Sanibonani
Lotshani
- Programme Director, it is with an overwhelming sense of pride that on behalf of the Premier Mam Refilwe Mtshweni Tsipane I welcome you all on this auspicious day as we commemorate the birth of our democratic dispensation.
- We are truly honored as Mpumalanga province to host the 28th commemoration of Freedom day, which marked a significant turning point in the history of our history.
- Not only did South Africans of all races and creeds, participate in a historical election that restored the dignity of the oppressed majority, this day also marked the burial of a divided nation and rekindled a nation that would, like a phoenix, rise from the ashes of apartheid.
- By the placement of an “x” on a ballot paper, we showed the world that justice, freedom and dignity will always prevail over oppression, poverty and discrimination.
- Programme Director, it is befitting that we commemorate Freedom day under the theme of “Consolidating our democratic gains in the year of unity and renewal”.
- In the recent past, our nation has encountered significant challenges from elements who wish to undermine the progress of our democratic dispensation and regress in our efforts to attain the ideals of the National Democratic Revolution.
- That we have been able to overcome those challenges without affecting the stability of the country is a testament of the strong foundation of our democracy.
- As we welcome you in our province of the rising sun, we hope that you will enjoy the splendor of our tourism offerings, as means and efforts to boost our efforts to grow our economy.
- As we commemorate our freedom, we remember those that are still victims of the societal scourge of Gender Based Violence.
- We take this opportunity to remind the perpetrators of GBVF that their conduct reduces the gains of our democracy and is a scar to our communities.
- We will leave no stone unturned in delivering justice to their victims.
- As a province we support the President’s efforts to fight GBVF in all its forms and shape, at all levels.
- Just as uTata Nelson Mandela gave us hope, when he said: “It is our joint responsibility to ensure that freedom reigns and that the sun never sets on such a glorious human achievement”,
- We note that we celebrate this event at a time when our sister provinces experienced serious floods which resulted loss of life, missing people and serious damage to infrastructure. We convey our condolences and sympathy to all.
- On behalf of the Premier of the province Umama Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and the people of Mpumalanga I welcome you all to the Province of the rising sun.
- I thank you.
