Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the Tintswalo story referred to by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening is an inspiration for many South Africans.

‘The Tintswalo story is a representation of all us,’ Minister Ntshavheni said.

This as the President in the SONA painted a picture of a child born in 1994, named ‘Tintswalo. He said Tintswalo grew up in a society that was worlds apart from the South Africa of her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

‘The story of the first 30 years of our democracy can be best told through the life of a child called Tintswalo born at the dawn of freedom in 1994. She grew up in a society governed by a constitution rooted in equality, the rule of law, and affirmation of the inherent dignity of every citizen,’ said the President as he narrated her story.

He described her upbringing as being in a household provided with basic water and electricity, in a house where her parents were likely to have live
d without electricity before 1994.

Speaking to SAnews, Ntshavheni said Tintswalo is a representation of all those who are called the ‘Black Diamonds’ of their families.

‘Tintswalo is a representation of progress we have made as a country that a child from Makwarela can be a Minister, that a child from Tshifudi can be a lawyer, that a child from Dzingidzingi can be a nurse, that a child from an ordinary family can become a doctor,’ said the Minister.

The address delivered by the President was the last one for the sixth administration which saw the President being inaugurated on 25 May 2019.

In his address on Thursday, the President reflected on the progress made by the country as it marches to celebrate 30 years of freedom this year.

The SONA marks the official start of the Parliamentary programme. It will be followed by a debate in the National Assembly and the President’s reply to the debate.

Source: South African Government News Agency