Address by ANC Treasurer-General, Cde Mathews Phosa, on the occasion of the handover of the ANC Centenary Torch in the Northern Cape-Hartswater Town Hall

1 September 2012

This torch represents a century of hope, of struggle, of sacrifices, and of liberation.

Now, a century later, we have reached our political destiny, we are in control of our present and of our future.

We are in a position to shape our environment in such a way that no one can ever say that ours was a flame that burnt in vain.

Our job is to keep that flame burning bright so that our children, and their children, can benefit from our efforts.

To do that we must utilise the power in our hands, the power of government, to change lives, and create hope, wealth and jobs.

Our solution does not lie in the flames of confrontation, but in the bright light of partnership and reconciliation.

Let us, as leaders, not seek the glory inherent in accentuating our differences, but rather seek the quiet triumph of building safe bridges over our differences.

We cannot ignore the fact that we celebrate a century of achievement at a time when our leadership is being substantially tested by socio-economic realities.

Out of the whole Marikana saga we should be asking ourselves a simple question why have the workers lost faith in the legitimate authorities?

Charging some of the role players in the face of a Commission of Inquiry, is contrary to the sub-judice rule, reckless, incongruous and almost absurd- the consequences where of are too ghastly to contemplate. We don`t need another Marikana. We need cool heads to prevail.

We should urgently move more and more to civilian control of the police service, as it was envisaged at CODESA.

We are left with very little choice but to allow the bright light of the flames of this torch to light up the way towards our future.

Let us follow it with diligence, with pride, with guts, and with the determination and commitment that comes from a century of success and victory.

Issued by:
African National Congress