Welcome Address by Chairperson of the Community and Emergency Services Committee, Cllr Zandile Gumede On the Occasion of the Ohlange Institute 115 years Celebrations 14 November 2015-18h00 Elangeni Hotel - Durban • Programme Director, • Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Ms Baleka Mbete, • Chairperson of the African National Congress in KwaZulu- Natal, Mr Sihle Zikalala, • Inkosi yamaQadi, • A representative from the Premier’s Office in KwaZulu- Natal, • A representative from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, • Principal of Ohlange High School, Mr Siyanda Nxumalo, • Distinguished guests, • Ladies and gentlemen, • All protocol observed, Welcome Address by Cllr Zandile Gumede at the Ohlange Institute 115 years celebrations, 14 November 2015 Page 1 Good evening ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of eThekwini Mayor Cllr James Nxumalo, I wish to extend a special welcome to you on this historical occasion. Tonight is a night filled with jubilation as we celebrate the 115th anniversary of Ohlange Institute. Ladies and gentlemen, this evening we are celebrating one of the oldest institutions in eThekwini. We do this in order to rekindle the vision of our icon Dr John Langalibalele Dube. UBaba uMafukuzela was the first President of the African National Congress and also the founder of Ohlange Institute. Programme Director, this historical Institute contributes enormously to the rich history and heritage of our City. Situated in Inanda Township, this Institute is deeply entrenched in the community. Its programmes, much like the vision of its founder, seek to develop the community so that people can truly benefit from the democracy we enjoy today. Let me mention to you that our first democratic President and world icon, the late Dr Nelson Mandela cast his very first democratic vote in our first democratic elections in 1994. This was a way to honour Dr John Langalibalele Dube for his tireless efforts in fighting for the freedom of our country. In this way Tata Madiba made a symbolic gesture which has raised the profile of the area. Inanda has not only attracted scores of tourists who are interested to learn about our trailblazer and to explore the Inanda Heritage Route. Welcome Address by Cllr Zandile Gumede at the Ohlange Institute 115 years celebrations, 14 November 2015 Page 2 Ladies and gentlemen, this institution has an endless list of great alumni including former Deputy President Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ncuka, Member of Parliament Honourable Thoko Didiza, Steve Kalamazoo Mokone, Judge John Hlophe, Judge Thabani Jali, Ms Lindiwe Hendricks, Mr Jabu Mabuza and Mr Cedric Sugar Ray Xulu. Apart from the people I have mentioned, Ohlange Institute has made a significant contribution to education and producing leaders in industry and society. In closing, I wish this institution many more years of success. May this institution continue to produce great leaders who will take our country forward. What we know about Dr John Langalibalele Dube was that he stood for self-reliance, self-respect, freedom and the liberation of the oppressed. I hope we can all adopt his teachings and practice them. In so doing, I hope we can preserve the vision of uBaba uMafukuzela. I am certain that Dr John Langalibalele Dube is very proud of this institution because it has contributed to the transformation and development of our country. Thank you Welcome Address by Cllr Zandile Gumede at the Ohlange Institute 115 years celebrations, 14 November 2015 Page 3 .