Accept people for what they are - Zuma on Mandela
Meaningful reconciliation in South Africa must come from accepting people for who they truly are, and not “what we want them to be”, President Jacob Zuma says
Replying in the National Assembly to points raised during debate on his budget vote, Zuma welcomed the fact that former president Nelson Mandela was now embraced even by those who disagreed with him and his organisation in the not too distant past.
“The embracing of Madiba by all demonstrates the success of the reconciliation policy of the ANC-led government, implemented since 1994,” he said. It should be counted as among the key victories of the post-apartheid state and its policies.
“However, it should be stated for the record that the Madiba of 1994 is the same Madiba who was a freedom fighter and commander-in-chief of Umkhonto weSizwe, the Madiba of the defiance campaign, of the Rivonia Trial and other critical milestones in the country’s liberation struggle.
“He cannot be separated from his history, his comrades and his organisation. He cannot be separated from the struggle for liberation.
“Meaningful reconciliation must come from accepting people for who they truly are, and not what we want them to be.
“Let us love the real Madiba and not our own creations designed to suit certain ends,” Zuma said.
spaceboi
“Let us love the real Madiba and not our own creations designed to suit certain ends,” - well said, now stick to itReport Abuse
vicky
But why are doing the opposite Zuma.You are the worse president i have ever seen.Selfish and looking only to entertain yourself and your family. DisgustingReport Abuse
Decibels
well said President Zuma.they think Madiba came into existence at the 95 Rugby World Cup that's why they keep telling us to watch Invictus..for the record I'll never watch that movie. Nelson Mandela to us is not that smiling statue from Sandton..he's a revolutionary, a freedom-fighter..in many of our struggle songs we sang about him as well, he brought political freedom and handed over the baton to us, he ran his race and we must continue.
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TDG
@ DeciblesWelcome to 2011. The race was won in 1994 you squerming little idiot. Now do something constructive with the prize!
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Mzabalazo
DecibelYou will be very suprise that most of the people know Mandela more than you,that is why they refer you to Invictus,and I am one of them who did that. when we refer you to watch invictus,we want you to understand that Madiba was not about win win,he was about compromise,we was not vindictive but reconcilian was the theme of this Madiba you did not know. He was proving to you blind radicals that when he said on his maiden speech to the Robben Iland,that he fought white domination as well as black domination,which you and your Malema are so hard trying to implement. When we pointed to you this side of Mandela we saw your ignorance in this spirit of reconciliation that Mandela had and still has. You and your crony you lack it,thats why we referred you to watch Invictus because though you think you you knew Mandela,you are so enthusialistical miosrepresenting the man. Learn Decibel,learn.
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PIPISTYF
Well said Mr.President and let us learn to give credit where it is due and be constructively critical when there is a need Ma-Afrika.Report Abuse
