The miracle of '94 is South Africa's shared heritage 

Note to editors:  This is the speech that was delivered by DA Parliamentary Leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko MP today, during the Heritage Day Debate in Parliament. 

Honourable Speaker, 

Honourable President,

Honourable Members,

Today we stand together, united as a Parliament, to honour the heritage of our country - South Africa - a place which we love dearly in all its beautiful diversity. Today we have the opportunity to reflect upon where we have come from as a nation, and where we wish to take our country.

From Tzaneen to Khayelitsha; Ulundi to Ekurhuleni; from Bloemfontein to Saldanha Bay, the members of this House carry with them the hopes and aspirations of 50 million South Africans.

While we may debate each other robustly, and offer sometimes very different policy solutions to the numerous challenges we face as a nation, I am confident that everyone sitting in this chamber today shares at least one common bond; a deep and abiding love for our country. The Hon. President should never worry about or doubt this. The South African people love our country. And while they may differ politically and ideologically, as we do, they do so in pursuance of a better life for all citizens.

Our Parliament, like our democracy, is built on a set of principles and values. It is the culmination of one of history's greatest struggles - and victories - against injustice. It is the standard-bearer of constitutionalism, of redress and reconciliation, of equality and unity in diversity. These are values which, that if they are nurtured and protected, will deliver one of the most resounding stories of human success in history.

Saam is ons elke dag besig on ‘n nuwe en gesamentlike erfenis vir ons land te bou. Ons Suid Afrika is een waar ons ouers en grootouers saam teen ongelooflike onregverdihede geveg het om ons te bring tot waar ons vandag is. Ons Suid Afrika is een waarop ons kinders en kleinkinders terug sal kyk en  vier.

[Together, we are building a new and shared heritage for our country every single day. Ours is a South Africa that our parents and grandparents suffered great injustices to deliver to us today. Ours is a South Africa which our children, and their children, will look back upon and celebrate.]

The construction and celebration of new national symbols of our country is an important part of the great project of building on our heritage. It is for this reason that the DA welcomes warmly the announcement by the Honourable President that a monument of the first president of a democratic South Africa will celebrate the heritage we are building today. 

The Union Buildings were once a symbol of oppression under the apartheid state. Last month, we celebrated Women's Month and commemorated the 20 000 women who marched on the Union Buildings 57 years ago to protest against the reprehensible system of pass laws. Today, we celebrate the transformation of the Union Buildings into a symbol of hope and unity, embodied by President Nelson Mandela.

Honourable Speaker,

We owe it to the people who elected us to remember that we are representatives of the South African people not only in how our politics divides us, but also in how our heritage unites us.

Many members of the governing party and the opposition fought side by side against the illegitimate systems of apartheid and colonialism. Many shared prison cells and safe houses. Others were exiled together under apartheid. 

We are united by many more threads of history, heritage and culture; some less visible than others.

Laat ons vandag herinner word, dat terwyl daar steeds baie is wat die mense van Suid Afrika en die lede van die huis skei, daar meer is wat ons kan verenig.

[Let us remember today, that while there may be much that divides the people of our nation and the members of this House, there is more that can unite us.]

Laat ons vandag herinner word dat die bou van ‘n nie-rassige, verenigde Soud Afrika nie maklik gaan wees nie. Dit is ‘n proses wat leierskap en diterminasie sal verg!

[Let us today remember that the building of a non-racial, united South Africa will not be easy. It is a process that will require leadership and determination.]

And let us never forget that in doing so we can ensure that the South African miracle of 1994 will not only be remembered as an event in history, but an inspiring story that will be told for generations and generations to come, as our common, shared heritage.

Thank you.

Issued by the DA, September 10 2013

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