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Mandela Day: Remarks by Ambassador Smuts Ngonyama at an official unveiling of Street in Getafe

18 July 2016

CLLR. SARA HERNANDEZ, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF GETAFE

TOWN COUNCILLORS

THE COMMUNITY OF GETAFE, IN PARTICULAR THE RESIDENTS OF PERALES DEL RÍO

INVITED GUESTS HERE THIS MORNING

COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

Thank you all for joining us here at this ceremony that pays tribute to our former President Nelson Mandela. It is a great privilege and an immense honour to celebrate this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day by unveiling this historic street named after former President Nelson Mandela in this district of the beautiful city of Getafe, particularly in this modern suburb of Perales Del Río. P a g e | 2

No person has played a bigger role in the miraculous political transformation of South Africa than President Mandela. He was 24 years old when he entered politics, as a young leader of the African National Congress, to participate in the struggle for the liberation of the South African black majority from the system. He was 45 years old when he was sentenced to life imprisonment in . When he came out of jail after 27 years of imprisonment, he spent the rest of his life living the values that he cherished so dearly, and that he was prepared to die for. As such, throughout his life, he remained resolute in his defense of human rights and his name was synonymous with the spirit of reconciliation; tolerance; humanity and social justice.

Madiba, a clan name by which everyone in our country affectionately knows him, was a symbol of forgiveness, hope and optimism.

In recognition of Madiba’s dedication to fight for social justice for 67 years in South Africa and around the world, on 11 November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly announced that 18th July, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, would become Nelson Mandela International Day. The approval of this resolution was a historic milestone since it was the first time that the United Nations had specifically designated an international day in honour of an individual.

In keeping with the legacy of Former President Mandela, on 18th of July each year, peoples around the world are requested to spend at least 67 minutes of their time helping those in need. The theme of Nelson Mandela Day is “Take Action. Inspire Change”. This is the kind of life that President Mandela lived and which continues to inspire us to continue pursuing reconciliation and tolerance, despite the unprecedented levels of hatred among races and religions around the world. P a g e | 3

Ladies and Gentlemen

The International Mandela Day is about people’s common humanity and common destiny. It speaks about our ability as human beings to discharge the core values of the spirit of UBUNTU, which signifies the way of life that underpins the concept of an open society where there is respect, sharing, caring, unselfishness, trust as well as the ability of each one of us to enhance the wellbeing of those around us.

The Government of South Africa has decided that this year’s focus during Mandela Day should be on education and literacy, food security, shelter and the environment. Importantly, Madiba believed strongly in the power of education and how it can transform the attitudes of the peoples around this World we live in. You may also remember when he once said in one of his many inspirational quotes, “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.” During his term as the first black President of the democratic Republic of South Africa since 1994, he used education and sports as the two main themes for uniting the country. About education, he once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Indeed we have seen the power of education in eradicating illiteracy and creating active citizens that become global citizens who are committed to global peace and advancement.

To conclude, once more let me reiterate the gratitude of the South African Government and the people of South Africa for this important gesture that is being extended to us by the Government of Getafe and the people of Getafe. The recognition offered to him by this plaque testifies to the fact that he does not only belong to South Africa but to the whole world. P a g e | 4

Let me also thank the management (including workers) of MAKRO for their generous donation of 400 kilograms of products towards this Mandela Day event, which we are handing over today to the Perales del Rio and Red Cross Food Banks. We also thank Gas Natural Fenosa for having sponsored the Mandela Day t-shirts that we are wearing today. We further thank Compañia Cervecera de Canarias for donating Appletisers, an iconic South African sparkling juice, and we further express our gratitude to EUROBANAN for the fruits they have donated. Your support has contributed to Madiba’s legacy.

Thank you,

Lulama Smuts Ngonyama South African Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and Andorra