Mandla Mandela said on Tuesday the 22nd anniversary of the inauguration of his grandfather Nelson Mandela as SA’s first democratically elected President was a time to renew the covenant to serve the people.

He called on those holding public office to renew their oath to service and to putting SA first.

While acknowledging the many achievements of the country’s young democracy over the past 22 years‚ he noted that the country was confronted by immense challenges “including the emerging of the ugly head of racism‚ poverty‚ unemployment and corruption”.

“As bearers of public office we must do everything in our ability to continue building confidence‚ increase our commitment to serving our people and ensure that we never lose sight of the goals of our democratic revolution to build a united‚ just‚ and peaceful South Africa where all can enjoy prosperity.

“Equally important is our responsibility to current and future generations to ensure that ‘never‚ never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world’‚” Mandla said‚ recalling the words of his famous grandfather.

He added that this was a particularly painful reminder as millions of South Africans still suffered economic oppression as the country continued to wage the struggle for economic transformation.

“Let us renew the commitment to spread hope and keep alive the dream of a rainbow nation. Let us rededicate ourselves to serving our people in whatever way is required at this critical junction in the life of our nation.

 “Let history not judge us for our failures‚ let it be a celebration of our success‚ triumph and unfaltering determination to always do our very best. The sun has not risen on a more historic occasion than the birth of our nation and the rekindling of hope for millions of our people. We dare not fail our oath of covenant to serve our people‚” Mandla said.