Pretoria - Since former President Nelson Mandela was elected president, South Africa as a country is continuing to transform and make progress, says Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Deputy Minister Andries Nel.
“During the two decades since Nelson Mandela was elected President of democratic South Africa in 1994, we have made remarkable progress in the transition from apartheid to democracy,” said the Deputy Minister.
Speaking at the interfaith celebrations for Nelson Mandela International Day held at the St Edmund’s Episcopal Anglican Church, in Chicago, in the United States, Deputy Minister Nel said the transition has been peaceful despite the country’s history of violence and racism, among others.
“In nearly every facet of life, advances are being made in building an inclusive society, rolling back the shadow of history and broadening opportunities for all,” he said, on Friday, ahead of Mandela Day which is being commemorated on Saturday.
South Africans and the world today celebrates Nelson Mandela’s birthday as it was declared by the United Nations in 2009 as Nelson Mandela International Day.
While the country is now at a point where millions, who were previously excluded, now have access to education, water, electricity and health care, among others challenges still remain.
To accelerate progress, South Africa must translate political emancipation into economic wellbeing for all. It is up to all South Africans to fix the future, said the Deputy Minister.
He added that the National Development Plan is a response to the challenges faced by the country.
In addition, the Deputy Minister said that in order to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality, the economy must grow faster and in ways that benefit all South Africans.
“Nelson Mandela reminded us that overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice…(poverty) is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings,” said Deputy Minister Nel. - SAnews.gov.za
