ANC WISHES MADIBA A HAPPY 92nd BIRTHDAY

The African National Congress (ANC) wishes Nelson Mandeba well on his 92nd birthday, tomorrow, the 18th July 2010. Like we have always said Tatu u Madiba can be likened to the biblical Moses, who led the children of Israel from oppression to the promised land. Madiba did the same for South Africa.

The ANC leadership, comprising of the ANC National Chairperson, Baleka Mbethe, Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, Treasurer General, Mathews Phosa, ANC Veterans League Secretary General, Natso Khumalo, ANC YL President, Julius Malema, and the ANC National Spokesperson, Jackson Mthembu visited Madiba at his house in Houghton today, the 17th July 2010.

The ANC leadership conveyed a message from the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC to uTata uMadiba, wishing him good health and many more years to live as he turns 92 years old tomorrow. The ANC leadership was also very much excited to drink from his fountain of wisdom and were anointed with the Madiba blessings that will extend to the entire organisation.

The ANC will always cherish the leadership of Madiba.  He led the ANC with distinction.  He never failed the ANC, the people of South Africa and the people of the world. He has been instrumental in facilitating and ushering a new democratic dispensation in our country.  His contribution to South Africa's attainment of democracy is enormous and cannot be equalled.

Madiba is a man of honour, a man of stature, a man of wisdom, a man of integrity, a man of vision, as well as an esteemed leader of our life-time. He is a fountain of hope, where many generations to come will drink from its spring. He is a river that never gets dry. He is a tree that generations will find refuge and a fabric that endures forever.

He epitomizes South African values, the values of ubuntu. He is a true democrat, a revolutionary and a selfless leader who always puts the interest of others above his own.

South Africa owes its success to uTata uMadiba and many of his comrades and outstanding leaders of the ANC such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, and uMama u Lillian Ngoyi, just to name a few.

Our struggle is one that is characterised by many decades of sacrifices.  Most of our leaders including Madiba were detained and subjected to humiliating circumstances. Others disappeared without any trace, others were maimed and others died in the hands of the white apartheid regime and some passed on in foreign lands, whilst in forced exile.

The batten of leadership is now placed in our hands, as Madiba said, "It is now in your hands". As South Africa, we need to replicate the call by Madiba.  We need to make sure that we protect our democratic gains and make sure that the efforts of those who came before us, those who sacrificed their lives for us to be free, make sure that their efforts are not in vain. Our freedom did not come cheap; it came at a heavy price.

Madiba will surely be happy to see all of us as South Africans being a true rainbow nation, a nation that upholds the supremacy of the constitution - a nation that protects its children, its women, the indigent and all those who are vulnerable.  By dedicating at least sixty seven (67) minutes of our time, doing what is good for those who are less fortunate than ourselves, we will be living up to Madiba's expectations.  Indeed, this will be an act of honouring Madiba.  We need to demonstrate to the world, that we are indeed sons and daughters of Tata u Madiba, of Oliver Tambo, of Walter Sisulu, of Mama Adelaide Tambo, of Chief Albert Luthuli, of Pixley -Ka- Isaka Seme and many more of our sung and unsung heroes and heroines of our struggle.

We therefore reiterate our call that, tomorrow, the 18th of July 2010; let us all forgo ourselves and do something positive that will change the lives of those who are less fortunate than ourselves.  Equally, let us all refrain from engaging in racial, ethnic and xenophobic activities. Let us all vilify those criminals, who try by all means to steal the thunder away from South Africa's successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and who also seek to undermine the good work that our icon and leader, Madiba stands for.

The best present that we, as South Africans, led by the revolutionary organisation that Madiba spent his entire life leading, the ANC, could give to Madiba, is to spread his message of hope, love, peace and most importantly giving to the less fortunate.

Let us all say:  We love you Madiba.  May the gods of Africa, your continent, our continent, mother Africa be with you as you celebrate your 92nd birthday.  Africa and the world has embraced your humanity.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TATA!!!

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, African National Congress National Spokesperson, July 18 2010

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