Since the beginning of this year, there have been many signs that our people are ready to carry out their own revolution after 34 years of rule by one political party. Fortunately, we will not need the methods which have been used in North Africa. We will have a change of government in the ballot box.
Since last year, many people have openly expressed their support for a new Seychelles. People from all walks of life have expressed their disappointment and frustration at the way our country is being governed. We need a change that will unite our people, bring out the locked energies in each one of us, rid our nation of discrimination and allow us to have a normal and peaceful life. This is what gives rise to hope.
The hope has not come without effort. The work of our MNAs, district representatives and activists has been important. There are also many people who quietly bring a message of change when they talk to their work colleagues, friends and others.
The debate on the State of the Nation brought out the main differences between the ruling party and the SNP. From our side, people have seen a new vision and heard new ideas. From the Parti Lepep, there have been the same old insults and personal attacks. This, in fact, shows one of the choices that people have to make.
During the debate, the SNP took its time to share this vision. We talked of rebuilding the foundations of our country by bringing our people together in unity, removing politics from the civil service, and not allowing it to dominate our lives, giving every child and youth the same opportunities to learn and be a responsible adult, empowering our workforce, sharing the country’s wealth equitably, while encouraging clean and serious investment. All these are necessary tools in the rebuilding of our nation.
The encouragement also comes from the fact that our members and activists understand and share that message. They are therefore able to transmit the positive aspects that change will bring.
Questions can be answered with enthusiasm and conviction. They are not spreading a message for their own benefit, but for the welfare and prosperity of a whole nation. The strength of their message is that they are not trying to buy people with material goods, but instead convincing them. This will be the success that will bring real change to Seychelles.
Our Convention last Sunday, to name our Presidential candidate team, was a moment of great encouragement. I was honoured to accept the party’s nomination as the Presidential candidate. It was with great confidence that I announced my decision to name Nicholas Prea as Vice-Presidential nominee. The spontaneous applause from everyone present confirmed that the choice was the right one. People from all walk of life and from across the political spectrums have since then expressed their support.
I am sure that Nicholas will bring a breath of fresh air to State House. He will lead in turning the Presidential team into one that remains close to the people, and above all, be the servant and not the boss of the nation. As I have said, the presidential team will not load itself with ministerial portfolios, but instead will be there to give strong leadership and to remain close to people.
What has happened so far are small but decisive steps leading towards a new Seychelles. Through determination and a lot of effort we will achieve the task ahead. Obviously the biggest hurdle is changing people set in a particular way of thinking for 34 years. Let me reassure you that even this is happening, and at a fast pace.
We are heading for change. I call on all of you not only to be agents of change, but to be the change our country needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment