Cosatu statement wishing Madiba a happy 90th Birthday 17-07-08

 

COSATU statement wishing Madiba a happy 90th Birthday

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) joins multitudes of people in South Africa and around the globe in wishing our beloved leader, world-renowned statesman and political icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a happy 90th birthday on 18 July 2008.

COSATU – representing two million workers in South Africa - stands up with pride to give a deserved salute to the greatest of the many great leaders our liberation struggle has produced.

Madiba has had a unique ability to unify and inspire the people of South Africa, the continent and the whole world. Through his work and the example he has set, he has, along with the many other stalwarts of our struggle for liberation, brought us to where we are today – a nation proud of itself and its history. We treasure his wisdom in guiding us to build our democracy and put our country on the path to economic and political prosperity.

On its fifteenth anniversary COSATU decided to inaugurate an Elijah Barayi Award for outstanding leadership and service. When the first award was discussed there was no lengthy debate as to who should be its first recipient. There was only one candidate: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

In its citation COSATU recognised Madiba’s outstanding leadership and service and our love and appreciation for the huge sacrifice and contribution he made to South Africa as a whole, and to working people in particular.

“You have been a constant inspiration to us from the days of the Congress of the People, through the armed struggle, the dark days in prison and exile, the mass uprisings of the eighties, to the period of negotiations, and finally the days of liberation and reconstruction.

“You have always first and foremost been the leader of the people’s movement. Whether you were the young lion fighting to radicalise the ANC, the leader of the defiance campaign, the ‘black pimpernel’ avoiding the clutches of the security police, the MK commander-in-chief seeking weapons and funding in Africa, and unifier and leader on Robben Island, or the negotiator, a statesman and first President of a democratic South Africa, you never lost sight of your role as the leader and servant of the liberation movement.

“You have taught us all this lesson, through your commitment, your dedication, your humility, your selflessness, your loyalty and your discipline - that to be a true leader is to be a servant of your people. For this we salute you.”

More than anything else Comrade Mandela has taught us that even after decades of suffering the brutality of the apartheid regime, it was possible to maintain the highest standards of integrity and honour. He never lost sight of the goals set by the Freedom Charter for an inclusive, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist nation.

As we approach our fourth national democratic elections in 2009, let us remember the lessons that Madiba taught us, the spirit of self-sacrifice and service to the people, without any expectation of personal reward. Let us recommit ourselves to these ideals. He rejected with contempt the idea that we joined the struggle to advance our personal careers and get rich on the backs of the people. He must surely be deploring recent scandals where public representatives have betrayed the people’s trust by siphoning off public money for themselves and their families.

When dedicating the Elijah Barayi award, COSATU concluded with the words of a popular liberation song which used to be sung by MK troops in Angola “We shall always love you, we shall need you, for the things you’ve done for us”. May you have more and more birthdays which will give us an opportunity to reflect on your political legacy and that of our proud movement. Ube neminye iminyaka Tata Madiba!

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)

Congress of South African Trade Unions

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets

Braamfontein, 2017

P.O. Box 1019

Johannesburg, 2000

SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24

Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667

Cell: 0828217456

E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.za