Chairperson, I stand here wondering how many South Africans know what ubuntu is or have heard of it. I will quote a definition I found that best expresses the essence of ubuntu as a philosophy of representing one's personal existence, harmony and morality, where solidarity is the central element of survival within the community.
Hon President Thabo Mbeki has correctly allied ubuntu to the African Renaissance, which seeks unity in delivery. South Africa is a diverse nation with a diversity of needs, wants and composition. We need to attain unity and common ground where all South Africans may identify the benefit of a common vision for the future of our country and its people.
Government initiatives such as the Batho Pele campaign, meaning "people first", the Letsema programme, meaning "work together", and Vukuzenzele, meaning "arise and act", are instruments to attain the principles of ubuntu and nation-building. For these to be truly successful, the values of ubuntu need to be delivered and inculcated in our constituency so that they can reap their benefits.
The Zulu proverb states, "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabanye abantu" which means a person is a person through other people. This proverb expresses how our individual actions in concert benefit the community and promote unity, and shall give South Africa the strength to grow and develop to be successful united in diversity.
In an article, reference was made to an old Chinese proverb:
When a man is at peace with himself, he will be at peace with his family. When the families are at peace there will be peace in the village. When the village is at peace there will be peace in the country, and when the country is at peace there will be peace in the world. Then the man can be at peace.
I thank you very much. [Applause.]