Hon Speaker, hon Acting President, hon members of this Joint Sitting, it is my pleasure to be here today to discuss what Mandela Day means to South Africans, and especially what it means to young South Africans.
On 27 April 1994 there was nothing that I wanted to do more than vote in our first democratic election. However, at the time I was 15 years old and had to watch in envy as my family cast their votes.
My life was just beginning and although things such as the murder of Chris Hani, the raids in Bophuthatswana, the attack on the Codesa building, the unrest in Boipatong stirred up by the so-called third force and mass stockpiling before the election scared me, one constant, one man, gave me hope and one man kept me calm: Nelson Mandela. [Applause.] I was safe in the knowledge that he would protect us all, regardless of race or creed. He was my hero.
There exists a phenomenon known as "Madiba magic". We saw this on his inauguration day when all South Africans embraced each other. We saw this at the 1995 Rugby World Cup when Madiba wore the number 6 jersey, and we see it every time Madiba walks into a room.
Even at my then young age, I realised that this man was not just a politician; he was the hero that united our nation. Young people became colour-blind and Madiba taught us that the greatest lesson we could learn was forgiveness.
As young people, but more especially young politicians, we learnt great lessons from Madiba, the father of our nation: Be humble at all times and never forget that you are the servants of the people; listen to what all have to say because you will never stop learning; only through forgiveness can you attain true freedom; love and look after each other, as we are all part of a big South African family; and, finally, do! Millions of South Africans depend on what we do in this House and all our actions must have only their best interests in mind.
What an honour for us that Madiba is South African. What an honour for us that we can celebrate his life. And what an honour that he dedicated his whole life to bettering ours. Sixty-seven minutes to do good in Madiba's name may not seem like a lot of time, but let us honour this hero by always doing good, just as he has taught us to do.
Allow me to conclude with a quote from a prophet: "Never be a man who does nothing because you think you can only do a little."
Morena boloka, Madiba. [God preserve you, Madiba.] [Applause.]