Our people suffered gravely and endured untold hardships as a result of the implementation of the Natives Land Act. The effects of that law, which was implemented today 106 years ago, are still present with us today. More than a century after that grave injustice, we are called upon as a nation to forge a South Africa where no person will be slave or pariah, only free and equal and respected. We gather here at an extremely difficult and challenging time in the life of our young democracy. Yet, we are also at a moment in our history that holds great hope and promise.