COP Leader: Emancipation remains the triumph of all mankind

Emancipation message from Prakash Ramadhar, Leader of the Congress of the People:

File: Prakash Ramadhar

The national executive and members of the Congress of the People are elated to join with the rest of the nation and indeed the world, in observance of the 174th Emancipation Day, August 1, 2012. This is a time,not only for jubilation but also for reflection. 

It is also a time chief abolitionist, William Wilberforce and others must be remembered, for often we forget the many great souls who resolutely toiled for the improvement of their fellow man. 

We are also reminded of legends such as Toussaint l'ouverture, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, who gave their lives to uphold the nobility of human dignity. Emancipation therefore remains the triumph of all mankind.

Emancipation must be genuine and people-centered. Freedom of the individual must sincerely mean freedom of the individual, and freedom of the society must sincerely mean freedom of the society. It is meant to be a marked change in the value system. A new way forward devoid of handouts,quick fixes and faked promises which are in fact counterproductive to true emancipation. 

All dimensions of emancipation: educational, social, economic and political must be genuinely addressed. Relevant education, employment opportunities, access to affordable housing,freedom of choice and reduction in the the widening inequality gap,are some aspects of this multifaceted state of peaceful human co-existence.

Furthermore the transformation must start with the individual, each of whom is endowed with the capacity to succeed if he or she strives to,"emancipate yourself from mental slavery" in the words of Bob Marley. We must free ourselves of irresponsibility, disrespect, greed, lawless behaviour including crime and corruption. It is a continuous struggle for human self-worth in life and death.

Let us pledge to use this special Emancipation Day 2012 in our golden anniversary, to truly emancipate ourselves and our nation, in a manner that will do justice to the abolitionists, who fought for freedom of the spirit, the mind, the shackles, and the abuse of our forefathers; unwilling participants in this human shame. 

The recent establishment of the Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration, together with the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism under Hon. Dr.Lincoln Douglas aim to reconcile these ills.

In closing, as we celebrate let us reflect on the immortal words of the 1993 Nobel Peace Laureate, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela's taken from his inaugural address on May10th 1994.

"We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world. 

"Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each, the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves".

To all citizens of our rainbow nation, Happy Emancipation Day 2012.

Prakash Ramadhar | Political Leader, Congress of the People