By More Matshediso
Pretoria - Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas says through sharing their stories, South Africans will realise that they all subscribe to the same basic set of values such as mutual respect, democracy, freedom, equality and justice.
The Premier was speaking during a Heritage Day celebration held at Victoria West, in the Northern Cape, on Wednesday.
“It is during a month such as this when we value the symbols and the historic landmarks which define the essence of who we are. Heritage month serves to remind us of the importance of our past as well as our present,” said the Premier.
She said it was important to remind South Africans to embrace diversity and that everyone has a role to play in creating a united South African nation with common a identity.
“… this day provides an ideal platform for South Africans from all walks of life to share their experiences. By doing so, citizens will develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others so that we all can live, work and play together in harmony,” Premier Lucas said.
She added the advent of democracy has brought about profound changes and in the process liberated voices that have been silenced for centuries.
She said today South Africans are able to speak out freely about many heroes and heroines of the liberation movement, and different watershed moments in the country’s struggle history.
“We are proud of ushering in a new non-racial and non-sexist democracy. South Africans can see the tangible benefits of the first twenty years of freedom, and moving forward, should embrace the agenda for radical economic transformation,” said Premier Lucas.
She said such stories will create an understanding that while everyone’s respective journeys to freedom might have been different, “we are united in our love for the country and share the passion to move the country forward”.
“Our country has come a long way. We come from an era where your skin pigmentation determined the quality of your life. We come from an era where one’s skin pigmentation could determine the kind of company you could keep, where your pigmentation could determine the area you live in and even your destiny.
“We salute our former President Nelson Mandela, who steadfastly proclaimed that Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.” - SAnews.gov.za
