President Jacob Zuma says the free, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa is coming of age. He says South Africa has made great strides since 1994, in his key-note address at the Freedom Day celebrations currently underway at Union Buildings in Pretoria.
“The past 18 years have seen huge progress towards building a truly non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and free South Africa. The freedom that we enjoy today has been built from ‘ashes of apartheid and we’ve made significant progress since then. Heroic and selfless struggle that was fought over more than three centuries, needs to be remembered and celebrated,” Zuma said.
Constitution the envy of many
President Zuma says South Africa has a Constitution worth being proud of: “Many countries are envious of our Constitution; with equality clauses enshrined in it that, “….. guarantees equality before the law, right to life, and human dignity, right to privacy, freedom of religion, belief and opinion, freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of assembly, demonstration, picket and petitions.”
For the black majority, April 27 delivered true liberation human dignity and full citizenship
Zuma quoted Chief Albert Luthuli: “It may well be that South Africa’s social system is a monument to racialism and race oppression, but its people are the living testimony to the unconquerable spirit of mankind.’’
“For the black majority, April 27 delivered true liberation, human dignity, full citizenship and real belonging to their motherland. The colour of their skin no longer determined where they could live, go to school or church. Colour no longer determined the jobs they could do or the wages they should get. For white compatriots who had benefitted from the policies of successive racist regimes, April 27 brought about the lifting of the burden of guilt or shame,” says Zuma.
Malawi’s Banda attends celebrations
Zuma and other dignitaries welcomed the recently appointed Malawian President Joyce Banda. She is on her first state visit since her appointment as president of the southern African nation.
Zuma and Banda are set to hold bilateral talks later today with an aim of strengthening relations between South Africa and Malawi.
Meanwhile various political parties shared the platform with the president in addressing the crowds at the Union Buildings. A common freedom day message was echoed by all of them.
– By Nthabi Thipa
