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10 December 2004

Programme Director
Distinguished guest of honour – Ouma Grietjie Adams
The Mayor, His Worship Councillor – Martin Klaaste
MEC
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Senior government officials
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am sincerely humbled and honoured to be among all of you today, who have gathered here to give praise to a truly remarkable mother, musician and an icon of our time.

This event coincides with the celebration of International Human Rights Day and the end of our campaign of 16 Days of Activism for Non-violence against Women and Children. I am therefore pleased to celebrate this day will all of you here.

It’s touching to note that her achievement is not only outstanding but also extraordinary. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that we will and shall never forget this day. I compare you to the likes of Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Dolly Rathebe and others who were fortunate enough to be discovered in their youth, and today they are music icons known in many parts of the world.

We will use our memories of this day, to tell our children that nothing is impossible. We will narrate stories to the next generation that age is indeed just a number. We will use Ouma Grietjie’s legacy to give hope to the hopeless. We will use this day to remember that as a province we gave birth to a great legend that stood firm against all odds.

Your ability to craft your talent with no formal training access to stage theatres and professional choreographers and other sophisticated opportunities is a symbol of true greatness.

Let us all rise and give a big applause to this wonderful woman!

This is not a day for a speech but a day to celebrate and perhaps get a few dancing and singing tips from Ouma Grietjie.

Ouma Grietjie, on behalf of the people of this province and the Northern Cape government we thank you for inspiring us with your zeal and enthusiasm. One of our major challenges as a province is to unearth talent and nurture our cultural diversity.

Your achievement is therefore a building block towards our goal.

I also wish to welcome and thank the members of the media, whose role to communicate such success stories go beyond praise. It is through you, that the people of the province and the country will remember this legend.

Welcome once more and enjoy the humble hospitality of our people.

Your immeasurable contribution in the media in reaching out to our communities will go a long way in building cultural unity and improve community relations. I have no doubt that as journalists, producers, photographers and editors you will unearth and capture other aspiring artists hidden in many parts of our province and give them a platform to be recognised.

It took 75 years for you to descend to Namaqualand and witness our success story. We are proud of you Ouma Grietjie.

We are immensely encouraged by your energy, may your success permeate to the rest of the country and generate hope to our upcoming artists who have no hope and sense of confidence that they too, can do it.

Let us celebrate this day knowing that our freedom to express ourselves in music and various forms of art, was made possible not only by the sacrifices of certain South Africans but by millions if ordinary men and women such as Ouma Grietjie who are rapping the innovative rhythms of the Nama tradition.

May our Creator give you strength and a good life, to continue to brighten up the lives of others. May your talent filter through to us all. May your ancestors who have crossed over shower you with blessings and praise as you have paved the way for your grand children and great grand children.

You have demystified our stereotype and sometimes misconstrued minds that only the young and gifted can do rap and dance. May your achievement embrace and enrich our communities in language, belief systems, arts and all other human work.

May your musical achievements remain as a testament to us all and continue to contribute to our cultural and spiritual lives. It is our responsibility that we ensure that you become a living monument of our heritage.

In conclusion, I’ll quote from an old song, “You never miss your water till your well runs dry” to slightly recast that, one could perhaps say, “You never realize the value of what you have until you loose it”.

I say this because, we are using this opportunity to value you while’s you are here. May your voice echo in our ears beyond the borders of Garies.

Ladies and gentlemen, join me and say, “If Ouma Grietjie can do it, then I can do it”.

Let’s dance.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Northern Cape Provincial Government
10 December 2004