The spirit of Nelson Mandela Day, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, serves as a timely reminder that, despite South Africa’s many challenges, these are not insurmountable.
Through his weekly newsletter, the president was making a statement to the country.
According to President Ramaphosa, celebrating former President Mandela’s birthday by giving at least 67 minutes of service to the less fortunate serves as a reminder that South Africa and its people are resilient, much like the previous leader.
“An energy crisis is currently generating a lot of trouble for us.
Fear and insecurity are rising in communities as a result of a recent spike in violent crimes.
Millions of people who are struggling to make ends meet are suffering from poverty and unemployment even as our economy is recuperating from the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects.
The social contract between the state and its inhabitants has been seriously damaged by corruption, which has eaten away at the essence of our country.
“Nelson Mandela Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the fact that these issues, like so many others we have encountered in the past, are solvable.
They are surmountable. We have often been saved from disaster by the activity and tenacity of our people. In defence of human rights, our Constitution, and the interests of our citizens, community, faith-based, and grassroots organisations have taken action, he said on Monday.
On July 18, South Africans and the rest of the world pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, a late former president of South Africa and a global icon.
The President emphasised the crucial part that civil society must play in moving South Africa ahead as well as its responsibility to remind the government of its duty to further the principles for which Madiba and previous generations of freedom fighters made tremendous sacrifices.
He praised a democratic revitalization initiative spearheaded by the civic society that urges local governments to reclaim their authority.
“It is a call for localities to band together and mobilise in support of economic inclusion, social and environmental justice, and moral conduct.
“Many civil society groups are deeply ingrained in our neighbourhoods and have the best understanding of the challenges of our people.
Participatory democracy, according to him, is about becoming involved and working with the government to solve social problems.
The President continued by saying that for the government, communities, and civil society to succeed in overcoming the issues facing the country, they must work together.
“Each and every one of us must contribute in whatever way we can to the effort of creating a better South Africa.
Individual actions, such as signing up for a community policing forum, helping at a shelter or charity, reporting crimes, or refusing to pay bribes, are the first step in defending our democracy.
“Let’s invoke Madiba’s ‘new patriotism,’ in which South Africans are steadfastly committed to cooperating and turning our country into a victorious nation.
We cannot rely on others to create the South Africa we want.
We hold the key to our nation’s future, he declared. –