SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good day everyone. This is such an incredibly powerful, moving experience, but all the more so because being guided by Antoinette gives it a special meaning. And thank you so much for sharing with me, sharing with us – Hector’s story is one that really resonates because we have our own struggle for freedom and equality in the US, and South Africa’s story is unique, but there are also so many commonalities , and it resonates strongly.
But I think what’s so extraordinary about this museum is that it’s living history because it inspires people to see the power that young people can have to make change, to make change in all of our communities. It is inspiring people to learn that the past need not be prologue. We are not destined for anything specific (inaudible). We can make changes. And especially young people are the most powerful agents of change.
And this is – there’s a photograph in the museum that went around the world, and it probably did as much to open hearts and open minds – and raise awareness of apartheid and of the struggle for equality and freedom – as anything else. So to see this today, to have you share it with us, thank you.
MS SITHOLE: Thank you. Thank you.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s incredibly meaningful to me.
MS SITHOLE: Thank you very much. And in fact, the museum is a reminder of – like, for future generations. Even us as adults are like you: we need to know where we come from and where we are going. And don’t forget that the youth actually decided that we should live better today. This means that we open the way, we open the doors so that young people and future generations can take a stand on the problem they have, but with responsibility. It is very, very important. So we depend on our young people really taking a stand. We are there to support and motivate them that we really want to live in peace but not in pieces.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you all.
QUESTION: What is your message to the South African government while you are here?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: We’ll have more to say about that in the next few days. I really want to keep the focus on this extraordinary place, extraordinary history. That’s what today is all about. And this extraordinary woman, this is someone who, despite her experience, which is – which is difficult – I think it’s difficult for any of us to wrap our minds around – who has the most open heart that I have found. And that’s inspiring too, so thank you.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.
