Today is South Africa Day: restore our greatness
South Africa Day is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of November. The month of November was chosen because of its significance to the country. It was in November 1993 that the Interim Constitution of the country was signed by 26 political parties
By Melissa Moodley “Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom,” Nelson Mandela.
Our nation, as it stands today, is in need of unity. Unity to inspire and bring a sense of urgency to address the challenges.
Challenges we face within our economy and those facing the nation in politics, which has fractured social cohesion. We need to take heed of our current status and not let it get us down but rather let it empower us to come together and rebuild.
“This is the premise of South Africa Day. Essentially, it is our day. A day to stand up, acknowledge our challenges, and together, commit to ensuring our future is brighter and promising. For in unity, lies greatness,” explains Archbishop of Cape Town and Patron and President of South Africa Day, Dr Thabo Makgoba.
“If we cast our minds back to all we represent, we are reminded of the historical spirit of co-operation and desire for unity that led to our democracy. Using the existing foundations to build a prosperous and inclusive future for all South Africans is what South Africa Day seeks to foster and expand on.”
South Africa Day is not a public holiday, it is a day of celebration and of community togetherness that is supported by South African business and driven by ordinary citizens.
As conscious and devoted citizens of South Africa, we believe our country is full of possibility, with vibrant and creative individuals, people who greet one another, people who mourn the passing of others, people who have remarkable stories, boundless humility and people who help one another.
This indomitable spirit of South Africa that exists in each community and in every corner of our country needs to be harnessed towards the important task of positive nation building. Instead of thinking of ourselves as separate islands, disconnected and afloat, South Africa Day fosters a sense of belonging to a bigger whole, a thing much larger than the sum of its parts.
South Africa Day is intended to galvanise that hope into tangible action towards nation building and a prosperous future.
“Collectively we can positively build our economy and our country. South Africa Day will spark a spirit of nation and community building among the citizens of our beautiful country, working alongside business and the South African government, to contribute to the well-being of our economy and to the prosperity of all our citizens.
“We urge business leaders be at the forefront of the change we want to see in our society, and to positively shape the social development and business landscape of tomorrow,” says Makgoba.
South Africa Day is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of November. The month of November was chosen because of its significance to the country. It was in November 1993 that the Interim Constitution of the country was signed by 26 political parties.
We have it in ourselves to define who we are and what we want to become in this great nation of ours. South Africa Day is a powerful initiative with the potential to be a historic landmark in the journey towards a united and prosperous South Africa, but we need your help.
We need you to pledge your support and commitment to our nation.
By signing the pledge at www.southafricaday.org.za you declare that as a proud South African, you contribute to building our country to become a winning nation that we can all embrace and be proud of, and towards which we can have a deep sense of loyalty. There is greatness in unity.
