OWN CORRESPONDENT
He was the only religious leader speaking at this anti-Zuma rally on Freedom Day. The other speakers included DA leader Mmusi Maimane, Cope’s Mosiuoa Lekota, UDM’s Bantu Holomisa, ACDP’s Reverend Kenneth Moshoe and the late former resident Nelson Mandela’s private secretary, Zelda le Grange.
The chief rabbi was given the honour by being the first speaker at the rally and was led up on stage to the sound of a hit Israeli song: “Hashem Melech, Hashem Malach (G-d is king, G-d was king…)”.
South Africans are special, the Chief Rabbi said, because “we are the rainbow nation”, being made up of all the colours of the rainbow. “And as such, we come together in unity,” he added.
He told the diverse crowd gathered at Caledon Stadium that G-d sent a rainbow after a flood that wiped out the world. “The rainbow was a symbol of hope for the future of the world and our rainbow nation is a symbol of hope for the world.”
He said the rainbow was also the symbol of a covenant between man and G-d that we would be honest, good and help other people, be kind and generous.
“We want to build a country of honesty and integrity, decency and compassion. That is why we are here to say to the president, the government and the whole country that we are the rainbow nation and we are unified. We are committed to G-d and G-d’s values to build a great country.”
He ended his speech to great cheers when he chanted: “Amandla Ngawethu (Power to the people)”.
