National Assembly launches time capsule |29 July 2023
Cutting of the anniversary cake
- Messages from country’s leaders to be opened and read in 2053
By Patrick Joubert
The National Assembly has officially launched a time capsule with messages of aspirations by the executive and assembly leaders to be opened and read in 2053 – 30 years from now.
The launch of the time capsule was done during a cocktail reception held at its precinct at Ile du Port to commemorate its 30th anniversary on July 30, 2023 and that of the country’s Constitution on June 18, 2023.
The messages inside the capsule to be sealed on Monday July 31, 2023 are from the President of the Republic, Wavel Ramkalawan; the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Roger Mancienne; Chief Justice Rony Govinden; the leader of the opposition, Hon. Sebastien Pillay; the leader of government business, Hon. Bernard Georges; the deputy Speaker, Hon. Gervais Henrie; the clerk of the Assembly, Tania Isaac; and the deputy clerk, Alexandra Faure.
Present at the anniversary celebration ceremony and the launch of the time capsule were ministers, representatives of the Judiciary, members of the National Assembly, past parliamentarians and staff and staff of the institution among other guests.
In his keynote address for the auspicious occasion, President Ramkalawan, who honoured the members and staff past and present, said that the institution reaching the 30 year milestone is a cause for celebration.
Being a past parliamentarian, President Ramkalawan said that the institution has brought many past memories to him in good and bad ways and which has also helped in building up his capacity to become leader of the opposition and to be a president.
“To head the high office in the country shows the National Assembly has been a very good training ground for me,” said the President who noted that the institution provides many opportunities for members on the local and international level to progress in their political careers.
President Ramkalawan said that he has much respect for the National Assembly through the leadership of the Speaker but he wishes that the institution could amend its standing orders to accord presidents the privilege to come and answer members during question time, especially the private notice questions which he longs to have the possibility to come and answer them. He thanked Speaker Mancienne and all the present and past members and staff for their contributions towards raising the standard of the National Assembly, especially in the last 30 years, and wished the institution a happy 30th anniversary.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Speaker Mancienne, who extended his gratitude to President Ramkalawan and guests for their presence and the members and staff for their contribution in their mission to safeguard the country’s governance and democracy, said that the 30-year celebration is cause for the members to renew their engagements and devotions for the next coming 30 years so that the institution can continue to evolve to help build the nation for the generations of the next three decades.
“The National Assembly of Seychelles is proud that it is an integrated branch in our country’s system of governance and a high status and primordial role to ensure its existence, its sovereignty, good governance and the rights of all citizens along with other institutions defined by the constitution,” said Speaker Mancienne, who also thanked the general public who follow their deliberations.
For his part, Chief Justice Govinden said that the 30 years of success by the National Assembly, especially where there had been no violence or constitutional crisis during the four changes in leadership since 1993, had been brought about by the strong conviction by the people in the democratic principles defined in article 49 of our Constitution.
“I am convinced that if we continue to have respect for one another and keep to the democratic principles and the rule of law, our great grandchildren will celebrate 100 years’ establishment of the National Assembly and many more,” Justice Govinden said.
The celebration ended with the cutting of a cake and cultural performances by the staff members.
Photos by Patrick Joubert
