Bridges are more than crossings – they connect people and communities and multiply the potential for growth by expanding access to social economic and cultural opportunities.  

The launch of the Lufhereng Social Housing Project in Soweto last year gave effect to the promise of the Freedom Charter on housing. The Charter, which was drafted in 1955, states that “all people shall have the right to live where they choose, be decently housed, and to bring up their families in comfort and security”.

Our 30 Years of Freedom is a stark reminder of South Africa’s history of racial discrimination and segregation was reinforced by all the pre 1994 laws and policies – which included it provision of health services. The segregation of health services was used to further disempower the black majority population.

Wednesday, 29 May 2024 marks the country’s seventh democratic election. To ensure that South Africans have sufficient time to make their way to the polls to have their vote counted President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a special public holiday.

Being spoken to in your mother tongue always evokes a sense of pride and reaffirms that your heritage and origin matter. Mother tongue starts at birth and continues throughout life, and it is therefore important for children to be educated and instructed in their mother tongue. Being taught in a language other than mother tongue, compromises a person’s ability to learn effectively.

Our response to COVID-19 was swift and decisive. Our prompt action prevented the spread of the virus and saved thousands of lives. Lessons learned from fighting the deadly disease have prepared us to deal more decisively and even better with future global health threats.

One of the key government’s strategic outcomes is secure and efficient management of international migration resulting in South Africa’s interests being served and fulfilling international commitments. To this end, government continues refine its policy and regulation that will result in the efficient determination and safeguarding of the identity and status of South African citizens and the regulation of migration to ensure security as well as to promote and fulfil this country’s international obligations.

The right to adequate housing in South Africa is enshrined in our Constitution. The Constitution obliges the state to take reasonable steps to ensure that this basic human right becomes a lived reality.

This right has also been enforced through our courts in the Grootboom case where it specified that priority should be given to those who live in extreme conditions of poverty, homelessness or intolerable housing.

South Africa has the second longest coastline on the African continent and spans two oceans. This prime geo position is at the heart of international shipping with more than 30 000 ships sailing around the country every year. The route links Asia to the East Coast of South America and the East and West coasts of Africa. 

Our history has shown us that a united and committed youth can change the trajectory of a country. The youth of 1976 pulled together under excruciating circumstances to fight for freedom and many times paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that today we have good fortune of living in a democratic state.