KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MR J.S. NDEBELE, MEC FOR TRANSPORT IN THE PROVINCE OF KWAZULU-NATAL, AT THE OPENING OF THE "DURBAN DIWALI FESTIVAL" AT THE BAY OF PLENTY, Durban, 21 October 2000
 

Members of the National Parliament and Provincial Legislature,
Councillors of the Durban Metro Council, the Inner West City Council, the South Central Local Council, the North Local Council,
Members of the Andra Maha Sabha,
Members of the Indian Academy of South Africa,
Community leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

We are a new nation. But we are not a young nation. Our South African non-racial democracy has forged us all together over centuries of oppression and political strife. All of us have brought thousands of years of civilisation to this nation. Let us always remember this.

We must also never forget that in our quest for freedom we always refused to loose our traditions, values and beliefs. It was these very spiritual elements in each and every one of us that sustained us all in times of great sorrow and hardship.

We have overcome the force of darkness that was Apartheid. We now have a constitution that is one of the most forward looking and progressive constitutions in the world. The Apartheid state was a white Christian nationalist state. Our democratic state is a secular state. As citizens of the Republic of South Africa each and everyone of us has inalienable rights which no one can take away from us. Our secular state will ensure that these rights are fully protected. Included in these rights is the freedom to practise our own religion, sustain and nourish our beliefs and cultural practises and revere our chosen symbols and legends of humanity.

There is now no need for any person to feel ashamed of their religious beliefs. Previously many felt that because of their religious beliefs they were seen as inferior Previously Hindus felt that in celebrating their religious beliefs they were ghettoising themselves.

That is now gone. We now have a civilised state and constitution. We join with you in celebrating the rich civilisation that is the Hindu faith.

As we all know, Diwali is the most pan-Indian of all Hindu festivals. It is a festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. For thousands of years, dating back to before written records, Hindus have seen this ceremony on Amavasya, the fifteenth day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Ashwin, as a time to renew their faith in the light of knowledge triumphing over the ignorance which subdues humanity. Across the world Hindi communities join together for the four days of Diwali to commemorate Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his fourteen year exile. This is also the time to worship the goddess Lakshmi and, as this festival also marks the beginning of the Hindu new year, Lord Ganesha, the symbol of wisdom.

Diwali is a festival where people of all ages participate in celebrations, giving expression to their happiness. Earthen diyas are lit, homes are decorated, fireworks lit, and loved ones come together for feasts. The lighting of the lamps is a way of paying homage to god for the attainment of health, wealth, peace, valour and fame.

In the same way in which you revere your religion and respect all of your symbols and value systems, so too you should look to our new democracy in a similar fashion.

The motto of our Republic means, "diverse people unite". This is the symbolic expression of our need to harness the unity of all of us. All of us must use our different skills and diverse backgrounds, beliefs and qualities for the greater good of all of us. On a national scale, it asks us to unite in a common sense of belonging and national pride.

The elephant tusks on which our motto is written symbolise wisdom, strength, moderation and eternity.

In the middle of our new coat of arms is the shield, which represents our displaying of our identity and our need for spiritual defence.

Inside the shield in the primary symbol of our new nation. These are two Khoisan people, the oldest known inhabitants of our land. They testify to out common humanity and heritage as South Africans. And, the two figures are depicted in the act of greeting each other, symbolising our unity and the beginning of our transformation into a greater sense of belonging to the greater South African community.

Standing right above the shield is a secretary bird. The bird is seen in flight, the natural consequence of growth and speed. The Secretary bird is a powerful bird, its strong legs serve it well in its hunt for snakes, symbolising the protection of the national against enemies. The bird is a messenger from the heavens conducting its grace upon the earth. It is a symbol of divine majesty; its uplifted wings an emblem of our nation in ascendancy whilst also offering us protection.

Shining brightly above all is the rising sun, symbolising brightness, splendour and the supreme power of nature's energy. The rising sun offers us the promise of rebirth, knowledge, good judgement and will power. The sun is the source of all life, of light and the ultimate wholeness of humanity.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, our religion and our history are two parts of the same whole. We must always remember our history. Now it is time to remember those parts of our history that Apartheid tried to make us forget. Last week, I was pleased to read that community personalities have come together to organise a commemoration of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers to this land in 1860. We must never forget that of all of the many countries throughout the world in which Indians have settled, the first indentured labourers to arrive in this country have left a most remarkable legacy. This legacy is now carried forward by their 1,3 million descendants. Durban is the cultural hub of our country's Indian people: the largest population of Indians outside of India. It is time for the legacy of Indian South Africans to be recognised and commemorated.

Indeed this is already happening. You will note that this last weekend our Deputy President re-launched the newspaper The Indian Opinion that was started by Gandhi in 1903 at the Phoenix Settlement. This newspaper is henceforth to be known as The Opinion. The government, community and business organisations and non-governmental organisations have already redeveloped part of the Phoenix Settlement. The Phoenix Settlement will rise again, and Gandhi's principles will shine ever more brightly.

Soon the sun will set for the night. Soon the lights of Diwali will sparkle. We stand here together on the shores of the Bay of Plenty looking out across the very ocean seas on which your forebears sailed to this country - either as indentured labourers or as travellers. Thank you for inviting me to be with you at this Durban Diwali Festival. May I return the honour by congratulating you on being such important, loyal and thus valued citizens in our non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa that is your true home. Your contribution to this country will not be forgotten. May peace and light be with you all and may you and your nearest and dearest enjoy a happy Diwali. I hope that the lights of Diwali will shine over our whole nation.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the MEC for Transport, KwaZulu-Natal, 21 October 2000

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