Chairperson, hon Minister, and hon members, in Cope we have a very strong belief in the rights of individuals and communities to live by their religious views and to uphold their cultural heritage. This is because we stand for the rights that are guaranteed in our Constitution. Heritage Day must, therefore, play an intricate but pivotal role in nation- building in our country.
Every Heritage Day should serve as a milestone to determine how many more obstacles we have to overcome as a nation on our journey to a common national identity. We conceived Heritage Day as a way to reinforce the political compromise we have reached. On this year's Heritage Day we should set aside differences in political affiliations, creed, race and religion and share our culture and learn from one another.
During the World Cup we demonstrated to ourselves and to the world our pride in being South Africans. There was such unity among all South Africans, regardless of age and race. We all want to be South Africans because we understand the importance and significance of having a common bond that ties all of us together in spite of our diversity.
South Africa is today the world's most unequal society, unfortunately. Millions of our people are out of work. Poverty and destitution are endemic. For many the dream for a better life for all has turned into a living nightmare. Heritage Day must give us time to pause and reflect. Is this the kind of society we set out to forge in 1994 - a society in which social equality will be stifled?
Unity and national identity are universal values that all nations seek to promote. All over the world there is a need for nations to forge together regardless of history, race, age or culture. For example, the United States will celebrate for the whole month the contribution that Hispanic Americans have made, stretching from today, 15 September 2010, to 15 October 2010. During this time, Hispanic heritage and culture will be celebrated and recognised.
I want this House to ponder for a moment the possibility of such a move in our own country. We ourselves have so much to offer because we are such a diverse group of people and, in the process, we could even create a tourism bonanza. We are a unique country because the cradle of human society is right here on our doorstep. We are unique also in being the first country ever to settle deep political divisions around a negotiating table rather than resorting to a destructive war to settle the conflict.
On this day, therefore, it is not only important to make a potjie and samp, have a braai, drink umqombothi and dish out a delicious Malay curry, but also to look back at our history and commemorate those who fought for the political and cultural freedom that we enjoy today, including the values that they fought for.
It is proper and fitting that Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has been decreed patron of this day. What a major role he played in fighting for liberation and then consolidating democracy in South Africa! He was the first black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa.
He has been active in the defence of human rights and used his high profile to campaign for the oppressed. He has campaigned to fight Aids, TB, homophobia, poverty and racism. Tutu received the Nobel Peace Price in 1984, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1986, the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2005, and many more too numerous for me to mention within the limited time that I have. This is an impressive track record for one man.
However, we too have all played our little roles in bringing South Africa to where it is today. The ordinary people, young and old, fought against the apartheid regime as did the social and political movements that were organised by and in which ordinary people participated.
Many people fought and died so that we could be free and live in peace, unafraid of one another. We salute them and in remembering them we must take the work they began forward.
We should all be proud that we have the privilege to celebrate such a day in freedom. The very fact that this day exists shows that we have truly come a long way. Therefore, Cope encourages all South Africans to enjoy the coming public holiday and to celebrate our freedom and, above all, the values of our common humanity.
I join those who praised the women up there; they really do look very beautiful. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nk M N Oliphant): Malungu ahloniphekile, bengicela ukuthi nehlise amazwi. Abanye bethu iminyaka ngicabanga ukuthi ihambile, kanti abanye baba nenkinga yokuthi baphathwa amazinyo bawakhipha isikhathi singakafiki; manje uma nihlebeza ungathi igundwane lihamba. Ngakho-ke ngiyanicela ukuthi nehlise amazwi. Ngicela oSotswebhu njengoba bethembisile namhlanje ekuseni ukuthi bazoqinisekisa ukuthi amalungu awawubangi umsindo. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon members, could you please lower your voices. Some of us are old, and others had problems with their teeth which they had removed before it was time to do so. Now when you are whispering it sounds like a moving mouse. So please lower your voices. Chief Whips, please honour the promises that you made this morning; you promised that you will make sure that the members do not make a noise.]