Good afternoon Mr Lekota

As I sit here today, I cannot help but think back to a speech you delivered in 2017. A speech during a rather uncertain period in my life as a student and as a South African. A speech in which you not only stunned me, but inspired me. It was the speech you delivered in Parliament during the celebrations - celebrating 20 years of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

During your speech you asked some serious, complex questions. Questions which were directed at those who wished to separate a nation. Questions to those who wanted to pass the buck, point fingers and accuse the creators of the Constitution. Up to that point, I only ever accepted the Constitution as being the Law of the land. I am a law student, it is what we are taught. But that day you made me ponder. You forced me to take a step back. To think of the time that I, though alive, had no recollection of. A time in which so many individuals, some enemies, some rivals and some even criminals (as they were labelled then) put their differences aside to ensure a future for all who have, continues to and will call South Africa home.

During your speech you managed to summarise the history and development of South Africa in perhaps the most poetic way possible. You made me understand that regardless of how we came to this point, we are here. We cannot change the past. We cannot even fight it. All we can do is accept it, learn from it and ensure that we never repeat it.

For the first time in my life I considered Ubuntu. Before that day I had heard of Ubuntu, but to me it was a fallacy. Something so pure, but impossible to reach. Ubuntu, up to your speech, was a term only ever thrown around. Never considered. And, never applied.

But that day you gave me hope. You gave me purpose. And later that year I went and wrote an essay for one of my subjects on the topic of Ubuntu and its place in Land Reform. For the first time I explored the term. I studied its origins, its values... its worth. I was so intrigued by the term, the Ubuntu ideology, that I could simply not get enough. I started speaking of Ubuntu more often, even applying it in my life. Last year I had the privilege to examine Ubuntu once again. This time I did so in an essay which explored Ubuntu and mediation and the connection between the two. Only then did I truly grasp the power and extent of Ubuntu.

Finally, having not been able to forget your speech I decided to do explore Ubuntu one final time. This time in a mini dissertation. And though I have more knowledge of what this invaluable African ideology (and way of living) entails, I am taken back to that day in 2017 when you showed me what Ubuntu means in practice.

Mr Lekota, I want to thank you.

Before your speech I was overcome by concern. I had no hope for South Africa and I had no hope for myself within her boarders. But during your speech you made me realise that I am a part of this great nation. I am woven into her very fabric. I am a South African, regardless of those who might oppose it. You showed me that we are one South African people. There is no more Dutch, French, Xhosa or Zulu - there is but one people.

I want to thank you for inspiring me to not only speak of change, but to try and be change. You made me explore and ultimately understand Ubuntu. You made me believe in its power.

Thank you for you cool, calm and collected demeanour. Thank you for being an idol and an inspiration. Thank you for a speech which changed my perspective.

Sincerely
A South African.