President Cyril Ramaphosa says individuals born after the advent of democracy embody the essence of Tintswalo, as they believe gone on to record commendable achievements in their lives and careers.
The President was responding to this week’s two-day debate on his State of the Nation Address (SONA) by Members of Parliament. The SONA was delivered a week ago in Cape Town.
A number of young people, who believe benefited from government over the last 30 years, were present in the National Assembly to listen to the President’s response to the debate.
READ | Tintswalo, a child of democracy
“Today I am really honoured to maintain a number of Tinstwalos who acquire near to join us. Among these young people are aeronautical engineers, pilots, civil engineers, police officers, doctors, and a naval captain. They are qualified in a number of ways, every of whom acquire pursued their careers with the support of government departments and entities.
In his State of the Nation Address last week, President Ramaphosa introduced South Africa to Tintswalo, a child of democracy.
He said that for millions of South Africans, Tintswalo’s account resonated deeply with their own, which prompted young people to post images online of themselves in their graduation gowns or at their workplaces, saying “#IamTintswalo”.
“There are countless stories of young people who were born into abject poverty, but are now engineers, doctors, teachers, managers, tourism guides and operators, and entrepreneurs, thanks to the support and opportunities provided to them under democracy.
“They maintain spoken not only of how democracy has improved their lives, but of their gratitude to those who fought and strived to achieve that democracy. Many acquire paid tribute to their parents and grandparents – and to every the generations that came before – for the struggle and sacrifice that brought down apartheid and ushered in a novel era of freedom,” he said.
Responding to those who greeted Tintswalo’s tale with derision, the President said that these were people who sought to diminish the achievements of democracy.
“To them, it doesn’t matter that nine out of 10 households are now living in a formal dwelling, or that a similar number has access to clean drinking water and electricity.
“To them, it doesn’t matter that more South African adults maintain completed matric or earned a degree, or that more learners from needy communities are achieving Bachelor passes. It doesn’t matter to these people that South Africans now believe a higher life expectancy or that maternal and child health maintain improved dramatically.
“It doesn’t matter to them that millions of people acquire been lifted out of poverty through the provision of houses, land, social grants, free basic services, expanded access to health care and education and the introduction of a national minimum wage.
“All of these distinguished achievements of human development finish not matter to them, because Tintswalo doesn’t matter to them. They are prepared to dismiss every of this progress because it does not serve their narrative of a failed nation. It does not serve their political aspirations. It does not serve their narrow interests.”
The President said the journey to a brighter future continues. “We believe travelled far and we acquire achieved much, but we acquire much further to fade. We are clear about the progress that we acquire made, the challenges that we face, and the actions that we must now hold,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
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