Deputy Speaker, Acting President, whilst understandably there are those who have no desire to celebrate the centenary of the Union of South Africa because it was the beginning of suffering for the majority of South Africans, it remains an event that we cannot ignore or wish away.
In 1910, the original South African constitution came into being to bring to an end the Anglo Boer War to an end and unify the four colonies. The draft constitution appeared to offer an end to antagonism. Sadly, the existing antagonism between the Boers and the British took precedence over all other considerations, resulting in the trampling of other people's rights, specifically those of the blacks, coloureds and Indians.
The Union and the constitution nearly failed because of the refusal of the more northern colonies to accept the extension of the Cape's nonracial franchise. A delegation led by W P Schreiner, a former Prime Minister of the Cape, and his fellow petitioners told the British House of Commons that the only method of securing peace, harmony and contentment was by granting equal political rights to qualified men, irrespective of race, colour or creed.
We look back with 20-20 hindsight and see the foolishness of not embracing all peoples living in the nation and regret the time wasted when we could have walked side by side and learned from one another.
Like the coming Soccer World Cup, unification promoted a more rapid modernisation of the country than might otherwise have been the case. The infrastructure passed on to the government in 1994 compared favourably with developed nations.
Today South Africa is a unified rainbow nation and the result of efforts both helpful and harmful by all over the past 100 years. Our willingness to consider celebrating our unity on a day like today shows, I think, a degree of maturity which offers hope for all who live in and love South Africa. I thank you. [Applause.]