By
Hon MB Gwala, MPL
IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature
As you are aware, Africa Day is annually celebrated on May 25th throughout the world to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union in 1963. The celebrations, amongst others reinforce African solidarity, unity in diversity, challenges and successes, and the economic potential of the continent and its people.
The significance of the Day is to highlight the aspirations of people to break free from the chains of colonial bondage and neo-colonialism. Through this Day we must raise awareness and consciousness around the world about the state of affairs in Africa and the determination of its people to be liberated politically, economically and socially. It was here in this province of KwaZulu-Natal where the African Union succeeded the OAU in July 2002, and the African Liberation Day became known as Africa Day.
As we are celebrating Africa Day we must be reminded of what the founding fathers of the OAU and later the AU, had envisaged when they formed these bodies. As the province of KwaZulu-Natal, we are challenged to renew our commitment to the kind of unity and solidarity that carried our forebears to victory over the subjugation of colonialism and apartheid. We must continue to respect and tolerate different cultures, races, genders, and languages. It is through appreciation of such differences that we can learn to love each other, thus becoming a UNITED, DEMOCRATIC, NON-SEXIST, NON-RACIAL continent.
Therefore, Madame Speaker, I stand here today both proud and ashamed. I stand here proud because of what we as a nation have achieved in terms of our progress since achieving democracy. As a nation we embraced our democracy, grappled with the challenges and are making progress in terms of achieving our goals. Whilst we acknowledge our successes, we must also be realistic about the challenges that still face us. The challenges of poverty, unemployment, social cohesion and security still stare us in the face and we must find solutions to these challenges.
But I am ashamed for the intolerance shown towards foreign nationals that manifested itself during the recent xenophobic attacks that has left an ugly stain on the fabric of South African society. Sadly, here in South Africa, we mark Africa day with our heads bowed. The shameful actions of a few have blemished the name of the KZN Province and South Africa through criminal acts against our African brothers and sisters from other parts of the continent, as well as other foreign residents. Our television sets, newspapers and other media have brought us shocking images of violence against people from other counties who live in our country, including cold-blooded acts of murder, brutal assault, looting and destruction of their property.
Never, since the birth of our democracy, have we witness such callousness. As part of the reflection that Africa Day requires of all of us, we must acknowledge the events of the past weeks as an absolute disgrace. The violence and criminality we have seen perpetrated by a few South Africans is opposed to everything that our freedom from apartheid represents. The violence and criminality we have seen by a few South Africans stands against everything we have sought to build as a humane and caring society based on the values of Ubuntu.
The actions of these few individuals do not reflect the values of our people who, for decades have lived together with their fellow African brothers and sisters – whom they accept, without question, truly as their own! It is unacceptable that one should get to know his neighbour only when that neighbour is being attacked for being a foreigner. It is for this reason that the authorities must get its act together and the laws of the country must be regulated so as to ensure that all persons have the necessary documentation to live peacefully in our country. This is an issue that must be addressed urgently and solutions must be found if we are to once again hold our heads up high and walk tall on the world stage.
Madame Speaker, I note the theme for this Africa Day as: We are African – Opening the doors of learning and culture from Cape to Cairo. Let us therefore focus our energies and resources on educating our people so that they may improve their lives, whether they live in a city, a town or a rural village. Whether they are in prison or living in old age homes, in hospitals or children’s homes, let us open the doors of learning to all our people. Let our people be liberated through education. Let our people be educated about different cultures and traditions because it is through education that we will triumph.
The African Union has conceded that in order for Africa to succeed, Africa must do things very differently! According to the AU, ‘ Agenda 2063 ‘ is an approach which encourages us as a country to learn effectively from lessons of the past, build on current progress and strategically exploit all possible opportunities available, to ensure positive socioeconomic transformation within the next 50 years. Much work needs to be done if we are to meet this challenge.
We also celebrate the solidarity and friendship provided by South Africans in many townships and villages to African nationals who came to settle in our province in search of opportunities even at the height of apartheid colonialism.
On this day, wherever we may be, we should be proud of our identity as Africans and do nothing that brings shame and humiliation on ourselves both as a country and as Africans. I also salute our African brothers and sisters across the world who are doing amazing things to promote Africa and all that it represents.
As South Africans there are some things we must never forget. It must be remembered that the IFP also played a significant role in the drafting of the Freedom Charter. Dr Wilson Zamindlela Conco chaired the gathering where the Charter was officially adopted on 26 June 1955 at a Congress of the People in Kliptown.
Madame Speaker, although Africa Day calls for unity and solidarity, as the IFP we have noticed on several occasions that the Premier of this province does not display a sense of unity and co-operation. We have noticed that this Premier does not invite the IFP President, His Royal Highness Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to important international events as was the practice by his predecessors. Former premiers would make it a point of inviting Prince Buthelezi to events such as the African Renaissance gathering but Premier Mchunu seems to have forgotten the important role that Prince Buthelezi played and continues to play. If we are serious about Africa Day, we must demonstrate our willingness to work together here in KwaZulu-Natal, putting petty politics aside and working in the interests of our people.
Madame Speaker, I often hear ANC members refer to His Royal Highness Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi as an elder statesman but yet they fail to demonstrate their respect for him in the things they do. I would like to remind MEC Dube-Ncube that Local Government and Traditional Affairs cannot be separated. By refusing to acknowledge the important role that Prince Buthelezi plays in local government and traditional affairs, it is evident that she hates Prince Buthelezi with a passion. This hatred of such an eminent personage is not in keeping with the spirit of Africa Day. We must demonstrate our commitment to unity and co-operation right here in our own country before we talk about unity in Africa. African unity must begin with unity and co-operation among leaders in South Africa. It is only then that we can talk of spreading unity to other parts of Africa. Let me remind this House that Prince Buthelezi is a respected statesman not only in South Africa and Africa but across the international stage.
Furthermore, the Premier and his Cabinet have failed dismally to show unity, and a spirit of working together with other political parties represented in this House. The Premier and his MECs always have events where they claim that they are doing these events under the banner of ‘Sukuma Sakhe ‘ but only to find that no representatives from opposition parties are invited in these events. Only the MEC, department officials and ANC members in those areas where the event is taking place are invited. How can one talk of “Sukuma Sakhe” when one wants to “go it alone”? Opposition parties also make up this legislature, so we must be part of what happens in our province. It cannot be that the Premier and the MECs forget that there are Portfolio Committees and that members of other political parties serve on those committees.
In addition we find that the KZN Legislature newspaper, “SIMAMA KZN” has been turned into a photo album where the Premier and the MECs advertise themselves donating food parcels and what so ever to the people. These service delivery programmes are what government departments are there to do. There is no need to take advantage of the plight of poor and destitute people by taking their photographs when they are being given food parcels. By doing so you are placing them in an embarrassing position. Do you obtain their permission to publicise their photographs? Also in this publication no other opposition party events are given publication. When opposition parties host community upliftment programmes, they are also improving the lives of our citizens. Those events should also be given publicity in view of the fact that the magazine is paid for by the tax payer. By side-lining opposition parties in this manner it demonstrates that there is no unity and cooperation. So celebrating Africa Day has a hollow ring to it.
Madame Speaker, 2015 is a proud and significant year for the Inkatha Freedom Party as it celebrates 40 years of service to our nation. As we celebrate Africa Day, we also celebrate the achievements of the IFP. On behalf of all South Africans I want to applaud the President of the Inkatha Freedom Party, His Royal Highness Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi for having the foresight to establish Inkatha. His visionary leadership and wisdom has touched people across Africa and indeed made an impact across the globe. The democracy that we enjoy today was achieved through the relentless efforts of Prince Buthelezi. As an African statesman, his efforts and contributions cannot be swept aside and any attempts to do so will demonstrate hypocrisy in celebrating Africa. I stand here today to congratulate Prince Buthelezi and the Inkatha Freedom Party on its 40th Anniversary confident in the knowledge that the IFP will continue to serve South Africans for another 40 years.
On this day, Africa Day, let us pause to reflect on what it means to be a human being, a South African and an African. Thus we shall be able to answer the question of whether we are on the right path towards the dawn of a new day for Africa and her people.
I thank you.
Contact:
Mr Blessed Gwala, IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, 078 290 5842
