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MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA ON THE OCCASION OF DEEPAVALI, THE
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 1997

29 October 1997

It is a great pleasure to extend my warmest greetings to the Hindu community
on the occasion of the Festival of Lights.

May this festive season and the year that lies ahead be filled with peace,
happiness, joy and prosperity.

The South African Hindu community continues to make a significant
contribution to the advancement of the nation. It is a community striving
hand-in-hand with its compatriots, to ensure that South Africa realises her
enormous potential.

The major challenge facing South Africans is that of transforming the lives
of all our people for the better in our new democracy. Such a transformation
will be in keeping with the spirit of Deepavali - the triumph of light over
darkness, and of good over evil.

I wish you all a Happy Deepavali !

Signed by: Nelson Mandela,
President Republic of South Africa

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