1. Unveiling of Chief Gecelo s Monument

Transcription

1 1. Unveiling of Chief Gecelo s Monument Programme Director Honourable Premier Masualle Kumkani Matanzima, Ah Dalimvula!! Honourable MECs Chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, AA! Ngangomhlaba! Executive Mayor Vimbayo, Honourable Mayors from all local Municipalities, Nkosi Gecelo wamagcina AA! Zwelandile Councillors present Eskom executives and Heads of Departments Iinkosi zonke mazithambe, izicaka zizolile! Community of Cala and Mbenge Distinguished guests Ladies and Gentlemen Bhotani, Molweni, Good Morning 2. It is said that the power of a name and the value of land can both be immortalized and celebrated in song, poetry and ceremony. So be it today. In ceremony and on the eve of Heritage Day, we remember and pay tribute to a man who carried the proud name of the Amagcina clan a man revered for his bravery, courage and leadership the late Nkosi u-gecelo. The great chief lies here in Cala, a spectacular landscape surrounded by rolling hills and grasslands. It is the land of the Mbenge people land that provides a source of identity, a source of connection with the past and a source of spirituality.

2 3. As we remember Nkos ugecelo, we also praise the rich culture and traditions of AmaGcina and the people of Cala and of Mbenge in particular. You are kindred spirits who share the love of the land and the love of its people. What we heard and confirmed this morning, is that the demand, struggles and power for this land were not easy under the colonists. Chief Gecelo demonstrated the power of his name and that of his values. I am told that one of the meanings of the word geca is to weed ; and that is perhaps what he was destined to do. Despite difficulties faced, Chief Gecelo continued to lead with kindness and understood the importance of safeguarding the rights of his people 4. While the names of those colonists are long forgotten, it is Chief Gecelo s name and his legacy that will forever be immortalised by this Monument of Remembrance. This monument lies 12 km away from an Eskom local strategic site, the Cala Substation. This substation provides power to just over families and enables economic growth not only in the area under the jurisdiction of the Sakhisizwe Municipality but across the Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi districts. In the words of another legend of the Eastern Cape, the late former President Nelson Mandela, Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings.

3 5. The great chief lies here in Cala, a spectacular landscape surrounded by rolling hills and grasslands. It is the land of the Mbenge people land that provides a source of identity, a source of connection with the past and a source of spirituality. As we remember Nkos ugecelo, we also praise the rich culture and traditions of AmaGcina and the people of Cala and of Mbenge in particular. You are kindred spirits who share the love of the land and the love of its people. 6. Eskom is about action and about caring. Our people work hard at providing electricity and building infrastructure such as our Medupi, Ingula, Kusile power stations and the Cala Substation to ensure that South Africans have electricity. We are more than just power stations and power lines. We care about our communities; the mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, heroes and heroines, living as well as those who have gone before us.

4 7. Through the Eskom Development Foundation, we contribute towards education, training and development, small business development and health care. During this, the 2015/16 financial year we have invested over R26.2 million on corporate social investment interventions in the Eastern Cape. In this way we have improved the lives of over fellow South Africans. Asigqibelisi ke apha embenge. We have committed to build ablution facilities for both learners and teachers at the local school by the end of March We are proud to know who lies here. We take comfort that those who come in future will also learn of the power of Chief Gecelo s name and of his legacy and that of AmaGcina. We hope that the memorial will add to the sense of community and strong belonging of those who live here. Niliphathe kakuhle ke Magcina. From today this monument is in your care. While the road ahead may be long, we are well on our way to make South Africa, and the Eastern Cape in particular, a better place that all of us can be proud of.

5 9. We thank you for allowing us to be part of this commemorative experience and contributing to the legacy of this province, as we celebrate and immortalize Chief Gecelo through this Memorial of Remembrance. Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. With these words of Nelson Mandela, may the spirit of Chief Gecelo the descendant of Tyhopho, the grandchild of Phato, of Bili, of Khotha, of Gcina, of Nqabe, of Bhedla, of Mpulana, be with all of us here today as we celebrate his life in the best way we know. For us this province will forever be remembered as the Home of Legends. Ndisatshaya! I thank you. your care.