- Title: MANDELA'S NEW YEAR ADDRESS TO THE NATION
- Date: 26th December 1996
- Summary: MANDELA'S NEW YEAR ADDRESS TO THE NATION
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- City: HOUGHTON
- Country: South Africa
- Reuters ID: 96DEC26R01
- Story Text:MANDELA'S NEW YEAR ADDRESS TO THE NATION:
12.56.48 GREETINGS
12.57.02 1996 draws to a close as SA enters a new stage in the nations' effort to build a better life for all. Half way through the term of our first democratically elected government, the sail has been set on our transition to democracy. Our rainbow nation is united by a new patriotism that feeds upon each success as we together build a common and bright future.
12.57.50 Across the land the impact of reconstruction & development is beginning to be felt. In short we have laid a solid foundation. The challenge for 1997 is to build on it. When our new Constitution was signed in Sharpeville the rights for which so many sacrificed became the supreme law of our land. That was a fitting way to end a year in which we completed the local government elections to ensure that we do indeed govern ourselves.
12.58.37 The challenge now is to ensure that these constitutional rights become a living reality, that our new local authorities have the capacity to serve who elected them. That our communities sees the opportunity to work with government to uplift themselves.
12.59.09 The truth & Reconcilaition Commission has entered our hearts in a way that few could have forseen. It has proved itself a powerful instrument of healing & reconciliation. The force of its plea to extend the amnesty date has set the stage for our nation to deepen further still the precious unity which we have forged.
12.59.40 Economically the year ahead will be a testing time for all Government, business and labour, producers and consumers alike
but the fundamentals are sound. By keeping our sights on the long term we can manage the ebbs and flows of the present.
13.00.19 Congratulations to all law abiding citizens for uniting & mobilizing as never before to tackle crime. We have taken the war to the criminals and we are gaining the upper hand. This we owe to our security forces and to every South African who has joined the campaign to combat crime. We can take pride in the fact that millions of people have gained access to water, electricity & health care. That a national education system that will afford quality education is taking shape, that land reform and our housing prg are nowly firmly on track.
13.01.16 It is our duty in the new year to build on these successes and forge a society in which our children & grandchildren and all South Africans can know peace and security and enjoy a rising quality of life.
13.01.35 We do know that we have only made a start. The emphasis for 1997 will be on speeding up the implementation of all these programmes and on that count, you are the most reliable agents of change. In the villages & towns, in the cities & countrysides, in the workplace, institutions of learning, in the sports field and cultural centres
13.02.21 You will make this country a winning nation. In the spirit of masakhane let us join hands in a partnership to build a better life for all. Through tolerance & respect for one another's views let us entrench the peaceful conditions which creates space for the emergence of the good men& women who exist in all communities and who are the true leaders of our society. Working together as a united nation we are bound to succeed. I wish you all a happy & prosperous new year. may God bless South Africa. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
