Speeches
- Written by: Princess Chantal Revell, National Khoisan Council, South Africa
“Today, I thank you, the leadership of UPF, for bringing peace into Cape Town, South Africa. And let us also be a part of this platform, let us also be a part of you, as the human race, to restore peace and dignity to my people, who are very much alive.”
- Written by: Sheikh Ighsaan Taliep, Principal, International Peace College South Africa
“If we are going to be relevant today, we need to be working hard at the theology of unity in diversity. We have to work hard at understanding that we are first human beings before we have any affiliation to a religion.”
- Written by: Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu, Chair, National House of Traditional Leaders of South Africa
“Our people are looking up to us to give them peace and prosperity. Let us unite and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Nelson Mandela by promising today that we will work to realize peace and human development in Africa.”
- Written by: Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu, Chair, National House of Traditional Leaders of South Africa
“The king has expressed that it is time that all the chiefs must come together under one message, which is social and economic development, and secondly, to look at ways in which we could no longer be divided by political ideologies but to remember that we are all one nation under God.”
- Written by: Chief Zwelivelile Mandela, Minister of Chiefs, Royal House of Mandela, and Member of Parliament, South Africa
“[My grandfather] believed traditional leaders needed to play a central and key role in [South Africa’s] political transformation of a new dawn. In this regard, he called on many traditional leaders to go get a good education. He believed education was a weapon one could utilize to change the world.”
- Written by: Eric Houndete, First Vice President, National Assembly of Benin
“The family is the basic unit of society and the foundation of strong nations. Through families of peace, we can bring peace to the world.”
- Written by: Philbert Seka, President, Youth and Students for Peace, Africa
“The most important way for us to transform young people and inspire them to take positive action to develop the nation is to educate their character.”
- Written by: Adama Doumbia, Secretary General, UPF-Africa
“We had the first Africa Summit in January of this year in Dakar…. In order to advance and follow the Dakar declaration, it is appropriate and desirable to move forward with the most fundamental sustainable development projects for nations in Africa. Thus the Heavenly Africa project is a package of projects that will be introduced in various nations to help advance these noble objectives.”
- Written by: Moruti Ledwaba, FFWPU, South Africa
“The theme of the Interfaith Peace Blessing Festival is strengthening the family, rebuilding the nation and creating a world of peace. For those of us who worked with Father and Mother Moon for many years, you are aware that if there is anything they speak about continuously, it is the restoration of the family. Father Moon’s philosophy of peace is that peace starts at home.”
- Written by: Hon. Chief Zwelivelile Mandela, Minister of Chiefs, Royal House of Mandela, and Member of Parliament, South Africa
“Madiba, the freedom fighter, Madiba the negotiator, Madiba the campaigner, Madiba the victor, Madiba the president, Madiba the elder statesman, Madiba the icon, Madiba the saint—we honor him in all these ways as one whose life and legacy is always on the lips of millions, one whose life is a mirror of what is best in us and all humanity, one whose life holds lessons for all, regardless of status, stature, gender and social standing.”
- Written by: Dr. Tageldin Hamad, Vice President, UPF International
“The development of UPF indicates a growing acknowledgement and trust and appreciation for the work of UPF at the United Nations and around the world.”
- Written by: Rabbi Sam Thurgood, Beit Midrash Morasha, South Africa
“Mandela had an incredible eye toward nation-building, as we heard, to treasure every person and to make every person, every sector of society feel that they were treasured and that they were valued. The Torah tells us that human beings are created in the image of God, that every human being has a divine value and a godly spark. It is one thing to say that. It is one thing to believe it, but it is another thing to treat each person, to treat each community, to treat those different from you as if they are indeed created in the image of God and as such they are indeed worthy of the great reverence and respect that the Torah tells us to give to them.”