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05 Aug, 2015
Former President Nelson Mandela’s legacy
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION:ENTRENCHING FORMER PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA’S LEGACY OF DEDICATED AND SELFLESS SERVICE TO BUILDING A SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE SOCIETY ADDRESS BY Mr BH Holomisa MP in the National Assembly Hon Speaker and members This debate reminds me of a haunting question that Tata Mandela asked me in the early nineties and the question was … “Bantu what happened to all the birds that used to inhabit this place?”. This question would have been occasioned by an acknowledgement that even in the most remote rural areas, the morning enjoyment of the tranquillity of nature, the harmonious sounds of the birds, their beautiful singing has long gone. Poverty, against which Mandela dedicated the entirety of his life fighting to defeat, has forced people to continue resorting to trees, as wood to make fire to cook and keep warm, resulting to the destruction of the natural forests. Today we are confronted by a life threatening global warming, the lack of production of food through home based gardening, which cause hunger, unhealthy environment and unsustainable livelihood. Indeed with Nelson Mandela having fought and served to build a socially inclusive and sustainable global society, the 67 minutes we contribute to this good cause would seem appropriate way to honour the legacy of this icon of our time, but more can still be done for 365 days. In this regard, I propose that we consider an International Project to restore the tranquillity of the nature. This means launching global re-afforestation programmes together with food production gardens in every household in the world. To be conclusive on this proposal, it may be termed a Nelson Mandela Forests and Gardens in which case, the nation that gave birth to this great patriot, South Africa, may lead the international community by starting with its own chapter. In our country, this initiative will go a long way to address historical consequences of an environment that was deliberately designed along the racial lines whilst creating more opportunities for jobs. Equally important, is that such an approach will also instil a culture of participation and ownership which our Constitutional Democracy requires. I thank you.
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29 Jul, 2014
Nelson Mandela Day – address by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly
Madam Speaker, Deputy President and Honourable Members President Nelson Mandela’s election and inauguration in 1994 marked the end of many years oppression and caused South Africans of all races to fill the streets, all celebrating our victory in the fight for the self-evident right to determine our own destiny. Some shouted from their rooftops lines from SEK Mqhayi’s poem, Ukutshona kukaMendi, the SS Mendi steamship, which sank in 1917 killing all the troops on board. These lines have over the years been used to describe not only the bravery of the men, who died in this tragic incident, but to also explain a course of events that has been predetermined by fate. Mqhayi says, and I quote: “Sibona kamhlophe sithi bekumele, Sithethe engqondweni sithi bekufanele, Xa bekungenjalo bekungasayi kulunga, Ngoko ke Sotase kwaqala ukulunga.” End quote. Speaker, We did this precisely because Madiba was a man of courage, who refused to withdraw when difficulties ensued. He fought gallantly to deliver freedom and justice for all. During his term in office, Madiba meticulously stitched together a people as diverse as our country’s scenery into a Rainbow nation. We must however admit that race relations have regressed since the Madiba days. Anger, resentment and racism sometimes belie the seemingly well-adjusted Rainbow Nation. We therefore have to work hard to build a cohesive Nation that works towards the well-being of all the people. Speaker, Madiba did not only leave us a legacy of peace, forgiveness and justice, but he also left us one of the best Constitutions in the world, which is fortified by a number of institutions that support our constitutional democracy. While talking about democratic institutions, Honourable Members, our conduct in this House over the past few weeks has left much to be desired. It has chipped away at the foundation of Parliament and the very same very same Madiba legacy we seek to uphold and preserve. I submit that nations around the world use Parliament as a dipstick through which to measure the quality of a nation’s discourse, as well as the quality and the maturity of its leaders. Considering how badly we been behaving in this House, we should not complain when people mistake Parliament for a gathering of gangsters and hooligans. We must maintain the decorum of the House and treat each other with respect at all times. In honour of Madiba, we have to use this House to fight poverty, unemployment and inequality and to build a just and better South Africa for all. Fellow Compatriots, In conclusion, in his parliamentary farewell speech to Madiba in 1999, former President Mbeki said the following words, which still ring true today, because Madiba is with us in spirit and I quote: “We have you, Madiba, as our nearest and brightest star to guide us on our way. We will not get lost.” End quote. Thank you.
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24 Dec, 2013
Tribute to the late former President Nelson Mandela
Tribute to the late former President Nelson Mandela delivered on behalf of the UDM in the Joint Sitting of Parliament on 9 December 2013 by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP Mister Speaker, Deputy President, Honourable Members, Distinguished Guests and Fellow South Africans, From the outset, let me apologise for the absence of my President, Mr Bantu Holomisa in today’s joint sitting. Mr Holomisa was unable to make it due to being busy with the funeral arrangements of our late former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. On behalf of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), I wish to join the millions here at home and abroad in extending our heartfelt condolences to the family, the African National Congress (ANC) and friends of the late former President Mandela. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. In fact, words seem inadequate to express how sorry we are for your loss. Fellow South Africans, We are gathered here to undertake the sad duty of bidding farewell to an outstanding leader of the 20th century, the father of our Nation, our struggle icon and the first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa, the late Dr Nelson Mandela. Tata Madiba – as he was affectionately known – spent 27 years in prison fighting gallantly in order to ensure that you and I can enjoy the freedom and democracy that he and his generation of heroes and heroines did not enjoy. To Tata and his generation, no price was too high for the liberation of the peoples of Africa. This turned him into a repository for all the hopes and aspirations of our people- a duty he discharged with distinction. When Tata came out of prison, he displayed an amazingly high capacity for forgiveness, which at times brought a look of complete incredulity in the faces of those who believed that we did not have it in ourselves to transcend our divisive political past. Tata was however undeterred by this. He continued to epitomise the values of non-racialism, reconciliation and service to the people. Under his sterling leadership, we demonstrated to the whole world that we too were capable of building a winning Nation, united in our diversity. In the words of former President Thabo Mbeki and I quote: “Madiba pre-eminently represented a generation of the Titans that pulled us out of the abyss and placed us on a pedestal of hope on which we continue to rest.” End quote. Mister Speaker, Madiba was a man of integrity, whose humanity and compassion inspires us greatly and will continue to inspire us, and future generations, for many years to come. John Maxwell’s apt description of integrity, in his book, The Four Pillars of Leadership, captures the essence of the values that Tata Madiba espoused during his lifetime, when he says and I quote: “Integrity commits itself to character over personal gain, to people over things, to service over power, to principle over convenience, to the long view over the immediate.” The outpouring of grief after Tata’s passing, the likes of which are rarely seen, bears testimony to this and also clearly demonstrates that he was not only thought of as just the father of our Nation, but as one of the greatest leaders and outstanding heroes of the 20th century. Honourable Members, One of Tata’s facets of leadership which also deserves mention here today was his willingness to listen and learn from people from all walks of life. Growing up in deep rural parts of the Eastern Cape during Tata term and watching him in action, I was always inspired by his ability to listen to opposing views and his courage to admit when he was wrong. We should learn these important values of tolerance and humility from Tata, as they will help us in our efforts to revive his and Bishop Tutu’s vision of building a Rainbow Nation. Fellow South Africans, The passing of Tata, sad as it is, provides us yet another opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the distance we have come. It should remind us that our hard-won liberty is built on a contrasting tale of men at their most evil and most heroic, and where like everything else in life, the good emerged victorious over the bad. This is one victory that we must never betray or squander. In this regard, the best present we can give to Tata Madiba is to preserve his legacy by espousing his values and ensuring that the torch of freedom and democracy, for which he courageously fought, continues to burn. In his eloquent words, we should ensure that: “The sun never sets on so glorious a human achievement.” Lala ngoxolo Yem-yem, Ngqolomsila, Sophitsho, Vela Bembhentsele, Madib’ iindonga. Ugqatso lwakho ulifezile. Aaah, Dalibhunga! Aaah, Dalibunga! I thank you.
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09 Dec, 2013
Mandela was born to lead: Holomisa
Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) President, Chief Phathekile Holomisa says former president Nelson Mandela was born to lead. Holomisa says Madiba’s elders from the Abathembu Tribe, never anticipated that he would lead the country one day. Madiba passed away on Thursday night at his house, Houghton, Johannesburg. Holomisa says: “As an adviser, councillor to the Kings he was playing a critical role in the royal councils of Abathembu and I am sure the elders never anticipated that he will be a leader beyond that stature, so he fulfilled their hopes and expectations more than they had held then. He was born to lead. In fact when he went away from the Mthembuland to the City of Johannesburg, he naturally became a leader.” On Sunday, different prayer services were held for former statesman in South Africa and in other parts of the world. United Democratic Movement leader and Mandela family member Bantu Holomisa attended a prayer service at Regina Mundi in Soweto. Holomisa described Madiba as a man who fought for the country and encouraged South Africans to continue to embrace his legacy. Holomisa also made it clear that there won’t be any violence after Madiba’s funeral. “South Africans have proven wrong the international world that there will be violence in the country. There won’t be any violence in South Africa.” An official memorial service for Madiba will be held at FNB stadium on Tuesday and he will be buried in Qunu, Eastern Cape on Sunday.
