Mandela Day: Parliament calls for younger generation to build a better SA
The following is a statement issues by the presiding officers of Parliament on Nelson Mandela International Day
Madiba’s birthday today is particularly special as it marks 100 years since his birth.
This year we are also celebrating the centenary birthday of Albertina Sisulu, another dauntless fighter for a democratic South Africa. It was Sisulu, who, on May 9, 1994, nominated Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela as democratic South Africa’s first President – at the inaugural sitting of the democratic Parliament.
In a speech straight after this, from the same Cape Town City Hall balcony from which he had delivered his first speech after his release in February 1990, Madiba pronounced: “We place our vision of a new constitutional order for South Africa on the table not as conquerors, prescribing to the conquered.
“We speak as fellow citizens to heal the wounds of the past with the intent of constructing a new order based on justice for all. …This is the challenge that faces all South Africans today, and it is one to which I am certain we will all rise.”
As we commemorate the lives and legacies of Madiba, Ma Sisulu and the many others who resolutely opposed the injustices of our brutal past, let us recommit to realising, fully, the society based on our Constitution’s founding values.
Human dignity, the achievement of equality and advancement of human rights and freedoms, non-racialism and non-sexism, universal adult suffrage, a national common voters’ roll, regular elections and a multi-party system of democratic government, to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness.
Parliament reaffirms its determination to continue building an activist people’s Parliament, responsive to the needs of the people and driven by the ideal of a better life for all.
Through its constitutional function, Parliament shall continue to strive for the realisation of the ideals, values and freedoms, which Madiba championed. Restoring dignity and redressing apartheid injustices are necessary for the healing of the wounds of a long and brutal past – to realise the freedom from want and discrimination, which our Constitution appeals we should work towards, for actual freedom.
Speaking during the penultimate year of his presidency, Madiba said: “Our land reform programme helps redress the injustices of apartheid. It fosters national reconciliation and stability… It also underpins economic growth and improves household welfare and food security.”
As we mark Madiba’s birthday today, Parliament’s Joint Constitutional Review Committee is on the ground in all provinces facilitating a national conversation on this very issue.
Parliament remains resolute in its pursuit of fearless oversight, transparency, openness and accountability. Scrutiny and oversight of Executive action continues to improve, as demonstrated in Parliament’s recent inquiries into mismanagement and allegations of state capture at public enterprises and entities.
Inspired by the noble principles, values and ideals of Maida, MaSisulu and other struggle warriors, Parliament will continue intensifying its programmes to realise the goals of a better life for all.
As we mark the centenary of Madiba, we urge the younger generation, in particular, to rally behind achieving our common goal of building a better South Africa. As Madiba once remarked: “It’s in your hands now”.
In commemorating the centenary year of both Madiba and MaSisulu, not only Parliament is galvanizing South Africa. The international community is doing so too.
Parliament’s proposal that has urged the largest world body for Parliaments – the Inter-Parliamentary Union – is considering adopting a declaration that Parliaments of the world commemorate Madiba.
We urge all South Africans: Let’s take action and inspire change for the better in the communities where we live.
