It is a great pleasure for me to be here today with the young elephants of the IFP Youth Brigade. I always enjoy being with young people, especially the IFP Youth Brigade. I love your infectious joy of life, your lack of cynicism, your breadth and scale of vision, your zest, and the clean canvasses upon which you can paint in broad strokes your hopes and dreams for the future. I always feel ten years younger when we have been together! Most of all I love your passion for politics.

Too many people in our Party have forgotten that politics is not about making a career for one's self, but rather having an unquenchable passion to serve others and build a better future. When this passion dies, people should have the humility to leave politics. The IFP youth has this passion for politics and service. I have this passion. For this reason when I am among the youth I feel at home, for my passion now is not that different from the one which inspired me when I founded this party 29 years ago, or entered politics more than half a century ago.

There is a debate in our Party, which I wish to acknowledge, for my style of leadership has never been that of shying away from controversies. I have always allowed debates to take place, even when I felt that they were on the wrong themes or even counterproductive for our Party or South Africa. There is a debate in the IFP about rejuvenating our Party. This debate is cast in the just opposition of young and old or new and old. This is the wrong debate. The real debate should be between new and stale, or between having or not having passion. We need to ensure that in our Party there are no people who lack passion for politics and that our ideas and policies never become stale. This is not a matter of age, but a matter of renewal. We need renewal and I am willing to lead it.

South Africa is a youthful country. Over fifty percent of the population of the province of KwaZulu-Natal is made up of young people. As our beloved country celebrates its first decade of democracy, South Africa is an exciting place to be in for young people and, at the same time, one that presents monumental challenges to the youth. As a new country, we are incredibly fortunate with the quality and innate good character of our young people. South Africa's progress over the last decade and the generosity of spirit in which young people have transcended the divisions of the past, as the words of the interim Constitution put it, you have been overwhelming and inspiring. Democracy and nation building have brought out the very best qualities in the South African people. This achievement is not a celebration of party, but of freedom. It is now our mission to move this agenda forward. Let us never take for granted the sacrifices that were made on behalf of the generations which have now the blessing of freedom. Those who have sacrificed their lives for the achievement of democracy have not died in vain. Your generation owes our generation, which made so many sacrifices to deliver your freedom, and the duty to carry the democratic revolution forward.

As South Africa pauses to celebrate our freedom, we dare not forget that our nation and our democracy are but a work-in-progress. In a sense, democracy is a project without end. If we embrace democracy as a system merely because it more or less works, it will not put down deep roots. The ways and habits of democracy are more profound than merely putting one's cross on the ballot paper once every five years. Democracy confers great responsibilities upon us all.

The IFP Youth Brigade must continue to play a leading role in making the garment of our democracy stronger, from which our freedom flows. The challenges of our democracy are indivisible with our quest for social justice for everyone, not just an elite few connected to the hallowed corridors of power. Today's youth must be as bold in spirit as the youth of 1976 were, albeit with a different objective and means. The freedom, in the fullest meaning, of all our people will only be attained when every family is free from the chains of poverty; when every child's physical growth is not stunted by malnutrition; when no young person grows up in ignorance for lack of education, knowledge and exposure, and all have access to essential services. We live in a time, in the famed words of the biblical prophet Hosea, for, "justice to roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream".

If young people are to make the garment of democracy stronger, they must become fully conversant with the nuts and bolts of democracy. I would like first to briefly sketch what some of those characteristics are and to hopefully stimulate a rich and constructive debate. It is from this understanding that the IFP Youth Brigade will appreciate how the IFP has now been given by history an even greater role and mission than we did before. On April 14, we had an electoral setback, but in spite of this our mission and role are now greater and more important because it is only through our political action and mobilization that our democracy can work. We are what can make democracy work. Democracy is not just about the rule of the majority but is mainly about ensuring that the rule of the majority is checked and balanced by mechanisms and forces which hold it accountable. My generation brought about majority rule in South Africa. The role of your generation shall be that of making the rule of the majority work for the people of South Africa through accountability, constructive opposition and democratic vigilance.

In fact, built into every functioning and durable democracy everywhere is a complex and interlocking system of checks and balances, which controls the exercise of power by the Executive. In South Africa, common with many African countries after liberation, we have a ruling-party with a massive majority which defies accountability. We do not decry the ANC for that. They won the last three elections! But we know that the stronger any government, the greater the potential is for abuse of power, corruption and the unrelenting tug towards an elected dictatorship.

South Africa is a parliamentary democracy, but after only ten years, our parliament, is still relatively weak in fulfilling its mandate to control the executive. We have never seen Parliament standing up to and overruling the President and his Cabinet on any issue, even though Parliament has technically the power to do so and has undoubtebly been faced with major and easily recognizable ANC policy mistakes in fields such as HIV/AIDS, traditional leadership, Zimbabwe, unemployment, crime, corruption and poverty eradication, just to mention a few. In many of these cases the ANC' s rank and file knew that the President and his Cabinet were wrong, and in spite of my pointing out these errors in my parliamentary speeches, they kept silent. The same applies to the role that Premiers of provinces should exercise to provide a check and balance to the power of the executive, which role is just not happening. Under present circumstances as we are not going to see again a Premier like IFP Premier Mtshali who, on my instruction, took on the President on issues such as the free distribution of life saving Nevarapine and won. We are facing a dangerous juncture in which there is not a clear separation of powers between the legislature and the executive, or the President and the Premier. There is also little separation between the ANC, as a party, and the State. This is the initial symptoms of a one-party State, which is the role of the IFP to prevent from occurring.

At present most of the legislation adopted by Parliament is conceptualised, drafted and processed by the Executive, either within the circles of the ruling party, or within the departments of state. I know this is so from my own experience as a cabinet minister. So if the executive wishes to adopt policies which might not be in the general interest or enjoy widespread support, there is little power within Parliament to advance alternative policies and bring about a change of heart in the executive.

In part this is due to our electoral system, which places an inordinate amount of power in the hands of party managers. The absence of genuine constituency politics means that MP's are inhibited from taking up the cudgels of important issues in the way that, Helen Suzman, for instance, was so effectively able to do on behalf of the voiceless and downtrodden, under the apartheid regime. When I was the Minister of Home Affairs I tried to give South Africa a better electoral system and convened some of the best minds and most genuine democrats in an Electoral Task Team presided over by Dr. F. van Zyl Slabbert. In spite of many of the members of this Task Team having been drawn from the ANC ranks, the President and his Cabinet rejected its recommendations because they were too democratic. Today the real divide is between democrats and autocrats. The IFP Youth Brigade must inspire the youth of South Africa to accept that the mission of your generation is to fight off the impending autocracy and promote greater spaces of democracy and accountability.

We need more initiative from the bottom up, both within Parliament as well as within the entire system of governance starting from local government. In Parliament we need more private members Bills some of the finest and most progressive legislation that in the mother of Parliaments in London started off as Private Members Bills. Congressmen in the Unites States have total control over legislation because the Executive may directly not introduce legislation in the US Congress because of the rigid separation of powers which reigns there. I am not seeking to transpose the Western system to our African home for I believe that we must remain true to our best traditions, but, rather, to incorporate the principle of having a vigorous and independent minded representation.

In the months ahead, the IFP will be taking forward the debate of how to enhance parliament's representation of the citizenry and the oversight function, both within and outside parliament. Our parliament must be a truly African parliament that reflect and connect with the wishes and aspirations of the people of South Africa. It is for these reasons that the role of the youth cannot be that of following the government like meek lambs. The role of the youth must be to sprint ahead of any government, articulating the needs and aspirations of the future. The youth must possess an enquiring and searching approach to any policy or legislation adopted by government. I appeal to you today never to stop questioning. Never stop probing. It will keep you young! Old and wise people try to adjust to their environment. Young and irresponsible people who do not know better try to adjust their environment to fit their dreams. Unfortunately progress only comes through the action of the latter, in whose midst I am proud to enlist myself, in spite of my age.

In looking to the future, one is mindful that many of our young people today still have to bear the brunt of the cruel legacy of apartheid. The struggle for freedom continues. I would like to now turn to some of these challenges and touch upon your role in addressing them. Many young people are unemployed and unable to find jobs. Many young people have to head households due to the scourge of poverty and HIV/Aids that has claimed the lives of parents and guardians. It is important that we do not alienate people infected and affected by HIV/Aids. I have pledged to use my position to breakdown notions of 'them' and 'us'. I want you to work with me to root out all forms of discrimination against those affected, as their very survival depends on our support. We cannot win this war against this deadly disease if we continue to pretend that it does not exist nor affect us. It is a fact that we are all affected. We have to stop the alarming rate at which this disease is spreading. Education is critical for the fight against ignorance. It is never too late to do the right things and change our attitudes and behaviour, as it can still save many lives.

A new season of hope has begun, a new day has dawned. Young people have to see the new dawn that presents opportunities to change lives through the will to use our democracy to our own advantage.

Today I tell you: arise young people! Embrace this challenge to rejuvenate yourself and give meaning to this democracy that was hard fought for and was truly hard won. This democracy was fought for so that you could be free today and utilise the rights granted to you. Young men and women, allow your spirit to soar with the winds of courage and bravery. World class leaders are among you. Pioneers are among you. Trend-setters are among you. Arise now, young people and allow this democracy to serve you and serve your needs. Your contribution in this country is vital for prosperity and should not go to waste. Like our counterparts in 1976, let us recognise this challenge and find ways of dealing with our problems. The channel for change in our lives today lies in the midst of a participatory democracy. Your channel in particular is the Youth brigade itself which allows you opportunities to be part of a vibrant political culture built on values of respect and tradition. You occupy a very powerful position, which affords you the freedom to stand up and claim back our stewardship of this province. Our stewardship of this province has a rich history of tradition and providence. We know and understand the needs of our people best. We feel their pain and we still hear their weeping every time they lament. We are bound by our value system and tradition to serve.

We have all come a long way together as we are bound by a history of pride and victory that can never be extinguished from our hearts. We have cried together, tears of joy and tears of anguish. We are bound by our ancestors who would want our youth to continue upholding the values and traditions that are the basis of our foundation and identity. Young men, young women, you are still very precious to us. You were born into a culture of glory and victory. Our legacy is that of respect and unity. Do not allow this to be lost.

The time has come for unity and the strengthening of that unity. Unity of purpose must be our battle standard. The strength of our unity lies in the commitment of each and every individual here present. This message must also be taken to those who are not here with us. They must be told that they are still our brothers and sisters. We have to show them the light that they have forgotten. They must be reminded of the unity we once enjoyed. They must be told that they belong here with us. They must know that our commitment to their cause knows no bounds. Their struggle is still our struggle. Their anguish is still our anguish. We have to do all that we can to bring them back into our midst. I believe that our values are still in their hearts.

Arise young people! Be conscious of the power you possess to bring our traditions and value systems into the new frontiers of the 21st century, which provide the best basis for change. We have to preserve these values and pass them on to our children and great grand-children for generations to come while adjusting them to the needs of the present and the expectations of the future. Everyday presents a defining moment. This here is another defining moment. Think about what legacy you want to pass on to your children. That legacy of dignity is at the heart of what the IFP stands for in principle. We need to continue to preserve our culture, identity and tradition. We need to take action now and claim back our stewardship of this province and rebuild a dignified legacy of victory and root out defeat.

If we are to undertake this journey, The IFP Youth Brigade must become the leader of the constructive and moral opposition to which our Party has dedicated itself. Today I have outlined the fundamental role that the IFP has to play in our country to consolidate democracy and my belief that our best traditions and values are our bridge to the future.