ANC pays tribute to president Jacob Zuma on his 81st birthday
In this province, it was under the leadership of Nxamalala that we formed a government of provincial unity in 1994.
April is associated with many events that shaped the history of this province and the country as a whole.
April is the month in which billions of people across the world watched in amazement, the people of this country voting for the first time for the government of their choice.
The political freedom that we attained on 27 April 1994, was through sacrifices of many people in all corners of this province and the whole country.
On April 12, we pause to pay tribute to one of the pathfinders of this political freedom, President Jacob Zuma.
Born 81 years ago, Nxamalala represents the triumph of the human spirit of perseverance.
He rose from the depth of grinding rural poverty to attain the level of national and international prominence as a confident yet self-taught person.
President Zuma is a living proof that when there is a will, there is a way.
As the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal, we wish Msholozi a Happy Birthday.
This is the day in which we must all appreciate the role Nxamalala played to ensure peace and stability in this province.
We recall that political violence weighed heavily in this province than in any part of the country.
It was Msholozi who set aside time, every day of the week, every week of the month and every month of the year to promote peace and reconciliation throughout the corners of the province.
Through various peace initiatives and bilateral meetings between ANC and IFP the atmosphere of political intolerance was transformed to create a new spirit of open but peaceful competition and cooperation.
He mobilised leaders of society – Amakhosi, religious leaders, captains of industry, the young and old behind a common vision of building a prosperous province.
In this province, it was under the leadership of Nxamalala that we formed a government of provincial unity in 1994.
And later we formed a coalition government in 1999 and later, the ANC led inclusive government with invited parties led by former ANC Provincial Chair and Premier Sbu Ndebele.
These were very important to help the province to heal and ensure acceptance of divergent views and elimination of no go zones.
That today we have an executive that consists of one party – the ANC – is a reflection of years hard work and the solid foundation laid by Nxamalala – working with other leaders of the African National Congress.
We wish you good health Msholozi.
Nina baka Lugaju kaMatomela kaShisa, Mashingizela ashiye impi yakhe,
Dwala elibushelelezi, Maphum’ ephethe inyama ngala, amasi ngapha, nobukhosi phambili (Zuma’s clan names).- Bheki Mtolo, KZN ANC Provincial Secretary.
