Address to the 1st General Assembly of The Forum

By Ms Riah Phiyega, Chairperson of The Forum

July 1996

It has been a long time since we have communicated, this did not however stunt developments and progress in the Welfare Forum. It is good to get in touch once more.

Time flies, it hardly feels 2 years since we’ve launched The Forum in October 1994. Believe it or not, it is time to service our car, replace parts, lubricate and put our vehicle in tip-top condition. Elections for a new management committee are due in three months' time.

We all need to prepare for the new journey which of course starts with the car servicing. How should we prepare ourselves?

• If you have forgotten that it is time to service our car, then it means you are not much in touch with your constitution, therefore revisit the constitution.
• Are your fellow Forum members aware, if not make it a point that you spread the word and get others excited.
• Well you elected people in 1994, did they fulfil their mandate? If you are not sure, revisit the mandate and start evaluating the performance of your elected representatives.
• Times have changes, do you think The Forum is still serving the purpose it was intended for in 1993/1994 during its inception or does it have a fresh mandate? Your views in this regard are the passports for The Forum’s destiny.
• The Forum is blessed to have a pool of able and dedicated volunteers. It’s time to spot people who carry forward the fresh mandate of this organisation provincially and nationally.

The two years were very challenging, ranging from active participation in policy-making to playing a role of an advocate challenging issues in the Supreme Court. This for me was just one step in a journey of a million steps. The challenge is ahead of us and I am confident that men and women in the movement shall challenge the journey.

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