SPEECH BY PREMIER
Programme Director
My colleague and Comrade Minister Ronnie Kasrils
And officials from your office.
MEC Mohamed Bhabha and your staff
Her Worship the Executive of Eastvaal Mayor Busi Ndlovu
And Mayor of Bethal Mdibanisi Matjeke
And officials from your offices.
Families and friends of the heroes we are honuring today
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen.
We are gathered here today to celebrate the heroic deeds of those who paid the supreme price in the service of our country, its people, democracy peace and justice.
Let us dip our banners in memory of Victor Khayiyana, Nokuthula Simelane; Duncan Sipho Khayiyana; Raymond Mavuso and Langa Sibande. We recall and salute Dr. Isaak Pixley Ka Seme; Chief Ampie Mayisa; Sithuli Hleza; Slim Dick Mtswene; Gert “Lion of the East” Sibande and Saul Mkhize.
Let us pay homage to the courageous deeds of Vincent Shabalala; Percy De Kock; Buku Kubheka; Masokane Simelane; Tsiebitso Sibanyoni; Nomoya Simelane; Dolman Mango; Mpompie Nhlanhla; Daniel Mokoena
And many more courageous combatants to the last who were prepared to welcome death in order that our people should be victorious in the end. They have been immortalised by our revolution, their deaths gave meaning to life, their deeds inspired our army and our people for all time.
Their sacrifice and struggle was born out of a sense of the heavy responsibility that history had thrust upon our people. And when they chose to fight rather than surrender they knew they were striking out along a new road for the liberation of the people.
A road that set us on the road to the reconstruction and development of our country and its transformation into a united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexiest and prosperous society.
Indeed the realisation of the objective of a better life for our people is on course and there is no turning back. All around us there are clear signs that we are deepening and advancing our hard-gained democracy.
We are indeed creating a non-racial, non-sexist society while fostering the spirit of reconciliation, nation building and a new patriotism.
As a province we are glad that millions of our people are committed to eradicating the legacy of apartheid and ensuring that all forms of discrimination based on race, colour, or creed is a thing of the past.
But many challenges remain. I believe that good governance and changing the lives of our people remain two of our biggest challenges.
That is why our main focus this year is to grow the economy so as to create jobs and eradicate poverty. If we are to succeed in governance, we need to bring up large segments of our populations from poverty.
The basis on which to judge progress we have made would be to note the extent to which we have managed to improve the lives of our people.
It is my belief that if poverty is indeed to be eradicated and truly sustainable development is to be achieved, we need to be united in action towards change. Many of the changes that have occurred in the past seven years have yet to reach some of the people.
The poor are seldom poor by choice. Very few people in this province enjoy living on handouts. In addressing the twin problems of unemployment and poverty, we need as a province to mobilise our own resources, both human and material.
Millions of our people look to us for compassion, for understanding, and for honest purpose.
The people who elected us look up to us as men and women who will give them the possibility to say that, at last and permanently, we have emerged from the valley of darkness.
Our people need nothing less than a strong, efficient, developmental and truly democratic government able to ensure an open and accountable system.
The government of Mpumalanga is unconditionally committed to social and human development in our province.
As government we will always strive to adhere to the principles of openness and transparency in everyday business practice, policy-making and communication. We are honest when we say that in everyday transactions and inter-action with the people we will see to it that our own conduct as government is always above reproach.
That is a pledge we make to those we honour today. .
Not as dead heroes and heroines, but as living embodiments of the struggle for a decent life. As long as our people have no decent shelter, as long as millions of our people are still victims of brutal attacks on farms, we cannot say Victor Khayiyana, Nokuthula Simelane and others are dead.
That is why today as we declare that TREES ARE LIFE/IMITHI IYIMPILO/MEHLARE KE BOPHELO we acknowledge that their death gave meaning to life.
On this last day of Arbor week we as a province are proud to participate in this community "greening" event to improve the health and beauty of the local environment while working towards a green future for South Africa.
Arbor Week is a major campaign designed to make all of us aware of the importance of trees in our daily lives. As sources of building material, food, medicine, and simple scenic beauty, trees play a vital role in the health and well-being of our communities.
Our task therefore is to plant and protect our trees. This year let us protect the tarwood and the sneeze tree.
I thank you.