[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

We are here to commemorate our return to Harfield, 50 years after we were sent from this area which we all love so much. I too have many stories to tell about my experience as a child in this community. I was even baptised in this very church. But I don't want to elaborate about my own personal experiences. I am sure that many of you here, have far more interesting stories to tell than me.

It is important to recall our history. It is important that we reflect on times gone by. A people without a history have no future. And because we know our history, and because we are recalling our history, I want to talk to you about the future.

My message to you today is a message of hope, tolerance and reconciliation. I want to personalise my message of hope. Fifty years ago, our hopes and prayers for a peaceful future, were dashed when we were told to leave the area for no other reason than our skin colour. I was amongst you. We already left in 1946, five years later, now exactly 50 years ago, Ouma and the rest of the family had to move. As a young child, I probably did not fully realise the implications of what was happening. But, I am sure the rest of the family knew and I doubt whether those circumstances left them with much hope for the future. But, look at me today. Today I am the Premier of this province, despite all the hardships, discrimination and lack of facilities. I believe that God has been on my side and with Him at my side I could not fail. And I did not fail. The fact that we can all be here in our beloved St Mathews is just more proof that hope is rewarded. It has been a case of: 'We shall overcome'. We did overcome, and many of us lived to share our new freedoms in a democracy we all longed and worked for. God has been good to us; let us never forget to thank Him.

Let me talk to you about tolerance. Religion has unfortunately, a bad track record when it comes to tolerance. The fanatics who devastated the American people with their attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Centre base their dastardly actions on religious grounds. The conflict in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants, the many examples of religious intolerance throughout Africa, the genocides and the mass murders, paint a miserable picture.

Here in the Western Cape, I had to intervene when a church denomination refused a family of colour to attend its service.

I believe that we have to be tolerant of each other's religions. Religion demands tolerance. Jesus set the ultimate example. We as believers have a duty to be tolerant to everyone around us. Love Thy Neighbour - can one be intolerant of someone one loves? Let this Jubilee Service here today lay the foundation for renewed religious tolerance. We, who have suffered so much through intolerance, must turn the other cheek. We must exude a message of brotherly love and tolerance. It is our religious duty.

Through tolerance and forgiveness comes reconciliation. I have always said the Western Cape's greatest asset is its people. People of different cultures, colours, religions, backgrounds and heritage. We have survived turbulent times because of our basic tolerance. We must condemn those who break the lines, we must convert them and then we need to forgive.

Op die politieke front het ek gister die Aartsbiskop van Kaapstad, Aartsbiskop Ndungane, versoek om 'n beraad van provinsiale politieke leiers byeen te roep om 'n onderneming tot politieke verdraamsaamheid te onderteken. Die aanvalle op politieke verteenwoordigers in ons woonbuurte kan slegs aangespreek word as ons as politieke leiers vedraagsaamheid voorhou en bevorder.

Vergeet en Vergewe en dan sal daar verdraagsaamheid wees. En wanneer ons leer om mekaar te verdra is versoening 'n gegewe. Dit is my boodskap aan julle almal hier vandag. Maar dis 'n boodskap wat nie net hier moet agterbly in hierdie mooi kerk van ons nie, dis 'n boodskap wat uitgedra moet word. Verkondig dit en julle maak 'n wonderlike bydrae tot die toekoms van hierdie provinsie.

Dankie and God Bless You All.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape, 23 September 2001