All Entries in the "Statements" Category
Africa backs SA for UN Security Council
The African Union summit endorsed South Africa’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Elections for the African seat of the UN Security Council will be held during the 65th session of the UN General Assembly in New York in October. If elected, South Africa will serve a second term as a non-permanent member of the council.
South Africa served its first ever term on the council in 2007-08, bringing to it a strong track record as an “agent of change” after chairing the Non-Aligned Movement, Commonwealth, African Union, and G77+China.
South Africa had also contributed towards norm-setting in the international arena by hosting major conferences such as the World Conference against Racism and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the main theme of South Africa’s previous tenure on the UN Security Council was that of deepening cooperation between the UN and the African Union, and the country would seek to take this forwarded if elected for a second term.
South Africa’s candidature for 2011-12 “will be guided by its commitment to strengthening the multilateral system and its support for a broader multilateral approach to questions of international peace and security
“Membership of the Security Council will present an opportunity to promote the African agenda and to contribute to achieving peace and stability on the continent and in all regions of the world”.
“In putting forward its candidature, South Africa also recognises the necessity and importance of continuing to work together with all the members of the African Union and United Nations in pursuit of effective global governance, multilateralism and the reform of the United Nations system, including the reform of the Security Council, in order to make it more transparent and accountable to enhance its legitimacy, representivity and effectiveness.
SAinfo reporter and BuaNews
Address by His Excellency, President JG Zuma on the occasion of National Women’s Day celebrations, ABSA Stadium, East London 9 August 2010
The Premier of the Eastern Cape, Ms Noxolo Kiviet,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
MECs, Members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures,
Mayors and Councillors,
Fellow South Africans,
Malibongwe!
Igama lamakhosikazi!
Molweni, dumelang, good afternoon!
We greet you all on this significant day in the history of our nation.
Fifty four years ago on this day, twenty thousand women from all corners of the country marched to the seat of government, the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to register their protest against the pass laws.
They had seen the manner in which pass laws had dehumanized men in their families. They decided that something needed to be done.
These brave patriots, united in their diversity, declared as follows in their petition to then apartheid prime minister, Hans Strydom:
“We are women from every part of South Africa. We are women of every race, we come from the cities and the towns, from the reserves and the villages. We come as women united in our purpose, to save the African women from the degradation of passes”.
Their petition painted a poignant picture of the impact of the pass laws.
“For hundreds of years the African people have suffered under the most bitter law of all - the pass law - which has brought untold suffering to every African family. Raids, arrests, loss of pay, long hours at the pass office, weeks in the cells awaiting trial, forced farm labour - this is what the pass laws have brought to African men. Punishment and misery - not for a crime, but for the lack of a pass’’.
Led by Lillian Ngoyi, Sophie Williams-de Bruyn, Amina Cachalia, Rahima Moosa, Helen Joseph and others - the 20 000 women took the struggle for freedom and democracy to a higher level.
They stated their resolve that they would never give up the fight until the dawn of freedom.
“We shall not rest until we have won for our children their fundamental rights of freedom, justice, and security’’, they declared.
On this special day, we salute those women who had great foresight.
We proudly proclaim that:“Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo, uzokufa”!
On this great day, we salute all women leaders of the struggle for a free, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.
We take out hats off to all generations of leaders, from Charlotte Maxeke to Florence Mophosho, from Dorothy Nyembe and Florence Mkhize to Ruth First, Gertrude Shophe and a host of others.
We acknowledge the courageous generation of Winnie Mandela and Albertina Sisulu and others who soldiered on at great personal cost, during the worst periods of our lives.
We single out mama Winnie Mandela, who kept the flag of freedom flying. She kept hope alive inside the country, in the face of endless persecution by the apartheid security apparatus.
Through her, we salute all women who lived in fear and persecution for years, hounded by security police, because their husbands or family members were activists.
We also pay tribute to women who served time as sentenced prisoners given their resolve to fight for freedom at all cost. These include Thandi Modise, Marion Sparg, Barbara Hogan and others. We also remember those who were detained at various points in their lives.
We also think of the millions of women, especially the poorest of the poor, who suffered severely under apartheid conditions in villages and townships of this country.
All these categories of women paid a huge sacrifice so that we could see the peace, joy, unity and togetherness that we experienced during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament.
During the tournament, South Africans united in their diversity, demonstrated to the world that we are now one people who had risen from the ashes of apartheid to build a new society. Indeed, the non-racial struggle against apartheid was not in vain.
Ladies and gentlemen,
While celebrating the strides we have made in our country, we also acknowledge that the struggle for a truly better life for women continues.
The theme of this year’s National Women’s Day and Women’s Month is: “Working together for Equal Opportunities and progress for Women: Forward to the Decade of African Women”.
We are working in a positive African and international environment. The African Union Heads of State declared the years 2010 to 2020 as the Decade of African Women, putting women at the centre of development in Africa.
Very soon, there will be a review of the UN Millennium Declaration, adopted at the Millennium Summit on 8 September 2000, and one of the key goals is gender equality.
We are also marking 15 years since the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China, another ground-breaker with regards to women’s emancipation.
As the South African Government we recognize that the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to all efforts aimed at combating poverty and stimulating sustainable development.
For this reason, our primary focus is to improve access to socio-economic rights, which are enshrined in our country’s Constitution.
We focus on socio-economic rights because the emancipation of women cannot be separated from the fight to eradicate poverty and to improve access to basic services.
For scores of poor women, emancipation means access to electricity, water, decent shelter, access to income generating activities or decent jobs, roads and transport, education and training for themselves and their children.
Siyazi futhi ukuthi omama badinga ukuphepha emakhaya nangaphandle. Abezomthetho bakubeka phambili ukuvikelwa kwabesifazane, futhi bayawasukumela amacala okuhlukunyezwa komame.
Sicela umphakathi uvule amehlo, usheshe ubikele amaphoyisa uma kunezenzo zokuhlukunyezwa komame nezingane.
Siyazi futhi ukuthi omame badinga ukusizwa ngezinhlelo zokuxosha indlala. Badinga umhlaba, izinsiza zokulima kanye nembewu.
Ukuze senze impilo ibe ngcono, sakhe umnyango kahulumeni osebenza ukuthuthukiswa kwezindawo zasemakhaya, phecelezi i-Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs.
Lomnyango uzosiza ukuthi intuthuko ifike kulolonke izwe hhayi emadolobheni kuphela.
Siyabagqugquzela omama ukuthi bazikhulumele emakhosini, emakhanseleni, kongqongqoshe kanye nondunankulu bezifundazwe basho izidingo zabo. Ithuba labo leli, abalisebenzela kanzima.
Compatriots,
Education is the most powerful socio-economic right that will help us bridge the gender divide.
Performance in National Senior Certificate examinations indicates that more girls than boys entered the exams, and that the pass rate for girls is 57%, while it is 60% for boys.
The lower pass rate for girls calls upon us to investigate the reasons, which could be gender-based.
The causes could be teenage pregnancies. It could also be that girls are expected by parents to spend a lot of time on household chores while boys are encouraged to study. It could be cases of child headed households where girls play the leading role in raising their siblings, replacing parents.
As part of our support for the 1Goal Education for all initiative which is a legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, we must all work harder to get girl children in particular back to school.
Sithi kubazali, imfundo isikhali sentuthuko, asibambisaneni siyise izingane zamantombazane esikoleni. Yizo ezivame ukusalela ngemuva. Uma sibambisene soqinisekisa ukuthi nazo ziyafunda zibe ngabaholi bakusasa.
Ladies and gentlemen, we must also applaud the fact that the health of women and children has taken centre-stage this year in key decision making forums.
Maternal and infant health was on the agenda of the G8 forum of rich nations in Canada. It was also the theme of the July Summit of the African Union.
We take this issue very seriously in our country. The heavy burden placed by HIV, tuberculosis and malaria on the health of women and children has added urgency in our response.
We believe we are making progress in dealing with these pandemics.
We welcome the recent breakthrough in the fight against HIV and AIDS through the development of a gel that can reduce women’s possibility of contracting HIV.
In addition, the ongoing roll out of HIV treatment for women and children will also go a long way towards improving the health of women and children.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Women have benefited greatly from social security, another key socio-economic right for South Africans. The old age pension is known to be the only source of income to some households, due to the levels of poverty.
We know, too, that there are children who would not be attending school, were it not for the Child Support Grant. That is the reason why government has extended the benefit to children up to the age of 18, which is when most finish high school.
We will continue to make access to these grants easier for qualifying needy people in remote areas of our country, due to their critical value in the alleviation of poverty, especially amongst women and children.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Other than socio-economic rights, we also want to highlight the need to hasten the entry and participation of women in decision making processes and positions in the country.
The Women’s Charter for Effective Quality, adopted in February 1994, reminds us that conventionally, democracy and human rights had been defined and interpreted in terms of men’s experiences.
Society and its institutions have been structured for the primary benefit of men.
The Women’s Charter aptly outlined the demands of women:
“We want recognition and respect for the work we do in the home, in the workplace and in the community. We claim full and equal participation in the creation of a non-sexist, non-racist democratic society”.
We have a long road to travel still to achieve the kind of gender parity that is required. As you are aware, the 10th Commission on Employment Equity Report released by the Department of Labour last month, revealed that transformation in the workplace remains very slow.
The report indicates that 10 years after the introduction of the Employment Equity Act, and sixteen years into our democracy, white men continue to hold 63% of top management positions in the private sector. African women are at less than 3% and coloured and Indian women are at one percent each.
The report also points out that white women still benefit the most from affirmative action measures, while people with disabilities and African and coloured women have benefited the least.
Some urgent action is required in the private sector to improve gender and race diversity at the top management level.
Meanwhile, steady progress is being made in the public sector, although targets have still not been reached.
The representation of women in parliament has increased from 25% after the first democratic elections in 1994 to 44% after April 2009 elections.
The number of women Ministers and Deputy Ministers increased from 18% in 1994 to 40% in last year’s elections.
Women are holding their own in the portfolios of Defence, International Relations and Cooperation, Energy, Water and Environmental Affairs, Correctional Services, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mining, Public Enterprises, Science and Technology and Home Affairs.
We are proud of them as they are challenging stereotypes. These are areas which are generally viewed as ‘traditionally’ male sectors.
The country has done exceptionally well at the provincial government level. There are five women out of nine premiers. This makes it a 55% representation of women.
Overall, women constitute 42% in Provincial legislatures, while 40% of all elected councillors at the local government Level.
A lot of work needs to be done to increase the representation of women at senior levels of the public service. At the moment women make up an average of 36% of senior management.
While welcoming the progress made in the public sector, our analysis of various studies available indicates that if we continue at the current pace of transformation, it will take the country almost 40 years to attain 50-50 gender parity!
Therefore, measures have to be taken to hasten the process of gender and racial transformation in our country.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Persons with Disability is planning to present a Gender Parity Bill in parliament as part of the instruments that should help us reach our equity goals.
Everyone has a role to play to ensure that we reach our targets, for the benefit of the country. One action required is for men to confront their attitudes and insecurity.
We have to overcome the mindset that views women not as colleagues, but as a potential threat to the careers of men, as much as we must deal with the notion that black men are threats to the careers of white males and females.
The South African workplace must also be sensitive to the situation facing scores of women - of having to balance family and careers.
This we must do until we create a society where men and women are born truly equal, and are afforded the same opportunities.
Compatriots,
The third point I wish to share with you today is the promotion of women’s access to justice.
We are pleased to use this opportunity of celebrating National Women’s Day, to mark the coming into operation of the Jurisdiction of Regional Courts Amendment Act of 2008. This law will effectively eradicate the concept of blacks-only divorce courts.
One of these courts is the King Williams’ Town Black Divorce Court, which was established in 1929, under the Black Administration Act. The court served Africans from the areas that today constitute the Western Cape, Northern Cape and the Free State.
Other similar courts established at the same time, which will be affected, are the Central Divorce Court in Johannesburg, and the North Eastern Divorce Court in Durban.
From tomorrow, regional courts across the country will adjudicate in all forms of civil claims, including divorce matters, regardless of the race of the person seeking assistance from the court.
Therefore, when the said courts open their doors tomorrow morning, they will do so no longer as Black Divorce Courts, but as ordinary regional magistrate’s courts promoting equal access to justice for all.
This will greatly benefit women and children who are usually adversely affected in divorce cases.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Fellow South Africans, the mere recognition of women’s rights is not enough. The laws in our statute books are not enough. They will become truly meaningful when they create a tangible improvement in the lives of women.
Let me hasten to add that women’s emancipation is not just a struggle for women only.
This point is well-illustrated by the historic Women’s Charter adopted on the 17th April 1954, at the founding conference of the Federation of South African Women in Johannesburg.
It states:
“We women do not form a society separate from the men. There is only one society, and it is made up of both women and men. As women we share the problems and anxieties of our men, and join hands with them to remove social evils and obstacles to progress’’.
We celebrate Women’s Day and the achievements of women together, as men and women.
In this regard we also like to thank the ANC for providing guidance and leadership on this issue of gender.
In its highest decision making structures namely, the National Conferences, the ANC took deliberate progressive resolutions to promote gender parity.
Since its unbanning, the ruling party took a resolution in the 1991 to adopt a thirty per cent women representation in all its structures, and in its 2007 conference took a fifty percent quota, to ensure the empowerment of women.
These resolutions have influenced the developments of women’s empowerment we see today.
This has influenced the progress we see today within our private and public life.
We also recommit ourselves to take the struggle forward, for the true emancipation of women and our communities, working together as men and women.
I thank you.
Ambassador Rasool presented his credentials to President Obama, 10 August 2010.
” Ambassador Rasool’s statement during the presentation of credentials as well as President Obama’s response”
Honourable Secretaries
Members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Press
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great honour to be here as President Jacob Zuma’s representative to the United States of America. I have a
simple task: to deepen and consolidate the relationship between South Africa and the USA into a Co-operative Partnership.
Mr. President, I arrive in your country at a time when the Fifa World Cup has focused the eyes of the world on South Africa. I dare say that South Africa’s ability to surprise and delight continues, for, despite our many challenges the world found a continent bursting with potential, a country determined to develop and a nation warm and inviting. The World Cup does not represent the achievement of our aspirations, but the platform for the many things that still need to be done.
We have the benefit of a warm relationship that permeates from our respective Presidents and Ministers, and shaped by your excellent choice of Donald Gips as Ambassador to South Africa.
Ke-Nako - The time is now for the Strategic Dialogue to realise our mutual priorities for good governance and democracy; for human rights and dignity; for peace and stability; for growth and development; for combating climate change; and for creating a society free of pandemics like HIV and AIDS, afflictions like violence, and conditions like poverty.
Our Co-operative Partnership must be founded on the commitment to economic development as the most sustainable path to all our goals, including the urgent goal of an enduring peace and stability in the world. This is the lesson we learn in pursuit of the Consolidation of the African Agenda. We are pleased that there is a convergence in our respective foreign policies of preventing and mitigating armed conflict, supporting economic growth in Africa, and recognising Africa as, in your words, Mr. President, “… a fundamental part of our interconnected world.” This agenda can be advanced if, amongst others, the USA supports the African Union’s endorsement earlier this year of South Africa’s candidature for the United Nation Security Council.
Our Co-operative Partnership has a firm foundation in the role that the USA is already playing through PEPFAR, through AGOA, through military and security co-operation, in the education sector, and in the expansion of trade and investment links between us.
Mr. President, I have four years to realise the mandate that President Zuma has set for me. Four years from now I would like to look back on our Co-operative Partnership and say:
- that the Bilateral Energy Dialogue has begun to realise the benefits of our search for new sources and approaches to energy;
- that we have given impetus to the United States - South Africa Partnership for Skills Development and that, truly, education is becoming the antidote to the legacy of Apartheid;
- that PEPFAR, and the Global Health Initiative have driven down HIV/AIDS mortality, and that our research programmes are continuing to bring new tools to the fight against this disease; and
- that, most importantly, in pursuit of economic growth and development we have not only maintained, but strengthened AGOA, that we have negotiated a viable TIDCA was signed in July 2008 and is currently being implemented.
Mr President, in 2006 I had the pleasure of hosting a certain Senator from Illinois in Cape Town. While discussing the joys of an inclusive, cosmopolitan world, and the blight of fundamentalist extremism, I had no idea that he would become the next president of the USA. I gave him an artwork of the first speech that Nelson Mandela delivered after 27 years in prison.
I hope that gift continues to inspire you, especially on days like the 4th of August. Maybe next year you should celebrate your birthday in South Africa. I will personally arrange that our streets be lined with vuvuzelas welcoming you.
Mr President, in this era of Co-operative Partnership and unprecedented goodwill between our nations, may I please present my letter of credence to you and the letter of recall from my predecessor.
THE PRESIDENT’S REPLY
TO THE REMARKS OF THE
NEWLY APPOINTTED AMBASSADOR
OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
EBRAHIM RASOOL
UPON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF
HIS LETTER OF CREDENCE
Mr. Ambassador:
It is with great pleasure that I accept your Letter of credence, which establishes you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa, and I acknowledge receipt of the Letter of recall of your predecessor, Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, who was exceptional in representing South Africa in the United States. I would like to extend to you and your family a warm welcome, and I look forward to working closely with you to deepen the already close relations between our countries.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to again congratulate you and all South Africans for the successful hosting of the historic 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first on African soil. The Cup was a testament to all South Africa has achieved since 1994 and all that it-and all of Africa-has to offer. The world cheered with you and now we all know the meaning of Ke Nako.
Our two countries share historical struggles for self-determination that have established our places in the world today. Our close relationship continues to thrive due to increased cooperation in many areas including health, education, non-proliferation, climate change, energy, law enforcement, cultural and academic exchanges, and trade.
We have made great strides in enhancing our collaboration on topics of mutual interest, through the launching of an Energy Dialogue on April 12 between our energy departments, a Nonproliferation and Disbarment Dialogue, and the creation of a United States-South Africa Business Council in September 2009. The U.S. and the South African Department of Health have commenced discussions to develop and sign a PEPFAR Partnership Framework, and our teams worked closely together at the climate change talks in Copenhagen. In April of this year, Secretary Clinton and Minister Nkoana-Mashabane signed a Memorandum of Understanding laying out a framework for a Strategic Dialogue between our countries, and fruitful meetings have already taken place within the context of this structure.
Mr. Ambassador, I look forward to working with you to advance our common agenda and deepen the strong and abiding friendship of our countries, building upon the dedicated efforts of the past years. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Washington.
Meeting between Deputy President Motlanthe and US Vice President Biden. 12 June 2010
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe received the US Vice President Joe Biden today, 12 June 2010, at his official residence Tambo House in Pretoria for bilateral discussions.
This was the first high level meeting after the April 2010 meeting between Presidents Zuma and Obama and the establishment of the US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana - Mashabane and Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton on 14 April 2010 in Washington.
The meeting focused on international challenges such climate change and Haiti while on bilateral level it focused on the development of the South African Government’s five priorities namely: education, health, rural development, job creation and crime. The alignment of these priorities underpins the South African Government’s engagement with the US.
The priorities identified by both South Africa and the US include good governance and democracy; respect for human rights; peace and stability as well as development through the creation of economic opportunities for all Africans. South Africa and the US are already working in partnership on a number of projects such as the fight against HIV and AIDS, especially through PEPFAR, and other communicable diseases.
This partnership, strengthened by the US- South Africa Strategic Dialogue and the Annual Bilateral Forum, will lay the foundation and assist South Africa in reaching its Millennium Development Goals.
Deputy President Motlanthe and Vice President Biden agreed that the Strategic Dialogue and high level visits created the ideal opportunities to share views and experiences.
In conclusion both parties expressed the wish that significant progress will be made in deepening bilateral relations with real progress before the next Ministerial meeting of the US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue, scheduled for October 2010.
For more information contact the Chief Director for Public Diplomacy at DIRCO, Mr Saul Molobi, on +27 351 0083, +27 82 940 1647 or email him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
RIETONDALE
0002
12 June 2010
U.S - South Africa Strategic Dialogue convenes Annual Bilateral Forum to advance Critical Issues of Mutual Interest. 14 May, 2010
PRETORIA – The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation hosted the first official bilateral meeting under the new U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue signed by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on 14 April 2010.
This meeting, known as the South Africa–United States Annual Bilateral Forum, met in Pretoria 12-13 May 2010. The Forum was co-chaired by Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko, Deputy Director-General: Americas and Caribbean, and the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Donald H. Gips. The Annual Bilateral Forum is now focused on priority areas as outlined in the Strategic Dialogue Memorandum of Understanding and provides a mechanism to discuss bilateral and multilateral issues of shared interest and common concern, including development, security and economic cooperation; and reaffirms the strong, growing relations between South Africa and the United States.
Discussions at the Annual Bilateral Forum focused on key priority areas, including health, education, agriculture, law enforcement, trade, investment, energy, climate change, and regional security. The two sides agreed to establish functional working groups in several broad topic areas in order to implement mutually agreed upon programmes and strategies.
At the conclusion of the Forum, the co-chairs stated, “This official meeting was a big step in our roadmap to closer cooperation and an enduring national friendship. Our countries share many interests and aspirations for our people and the global community – it is both natural and productive for us to work together in realizing these goals. To echo our Presidents, ‘Together we can do more,’ and ‘Yes, we can.’”
For more information contact Saul Kgomotso Molobi on 082 940 4716, 012 351 0083 or email him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za
Issued by the
Department of International Relations and Cooperation
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
RIETONDALE
Pretoria
13 May 2010
Lecture by Mr. Johnny Moloto, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of South Africa, Duke University, 20 April 2010
The South African Miracle Sixteen Years Later: A Case Study in Leadership
Introduction
In thinking about a topic I could talk to you about I agonised a bit as there are so many things I can say about South Africa. However, given that you are all business students and future leaders, I thought the most appropriate topic would be to talk about leadership and the important role it played in transforming the course of South African history and contributing to the betterment of the lives of its people and setting it on the course of being a global player. I will look at this topic from the point of view of the concept of the so-called “South African miracle” which got attached to the country due to its relative peaceful transition. I will then look at two key features of this leadership role, namely, moral authority and punching above one’s weight.
As a point of departure, while this is an essentially good news lecture, South Africa has its own challenges that need urgent attention. These have been succinctly articulated by our Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan during his budget speech in February this year as follows:
The key dimensions of our transformation are clear and well-known.
• One in four adults seeking work is unemployed, and almost half of our young people have not found work
• Income inequality is amongst the highest in the world; and half our population survives on 8 per cent of national income.
Closely associated with inequality and economic vulnerability, we confront several social challenges: an HIV and TB pandemic, unacceptably high rates of crime, angry communities and dysfunctional schools.
So, I reiterate, we have our own challenges, but this lecture is meant to share with you some of our thoughts about leadership and contexualise our country for you in preparation for your visit in May.
The “South African Miracle”
South Africa gained its independence on 27 April 1994, which will make democratic South Africa sixteen years old next week. In human terms this would make South Africa and adolescent with all the challenges that come with that age.
At the time of our independence, our story was crafted in romantic terms as the “South African Miracle” due to its relatively peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy. To many a freedom fighter, activist and South African, this characterisation of the transition from pariah state to democracy was fallacious. Indeed, to them, the transition from apartheid to democracy was the culmination of a centuries’-long struggle for freedom and democracy against a minority domination of a black majority, by stripping them not only of their human dignity, but also depriving them of the right to participate in the body politic and equally benefiting in the socio-economic prosperity that was enjoyed by South Africa at the time. The transformation of South Africa from a global pariah to the darling of the international community of nations was therefore not a miracle but a hard-won and earned triumph.
The argument can therefore be made that starting our history of liberation in 1994 would be a distortion of the facts. In truth, the struggle for liberation in South Africa dates back to when white settlers from Holland first came to South Africa in 1652. From then on many bitter struggles were fought over land and cattle. Although the African kingdoms lost land and cattle they were still independent some 200 years later.
But in the 1860s Britain brought large armies with horses, modern rifles and cannons, to take control of South Africa. The Xhosa who had fought nine wars of resistance against the colonisers, were finally defeated in 1878, after more than 100 years of warfare.
In the ensuing years, this was a struggle fought not only within the borders of South Africa, but also in the global arena. Without going into details about this history, it is important to mention one key document, entitled “Africans’ Claims in South Africa” dated 1943. This document was prepared in response to the Atlantic Charter agreed upon by the President of the United States, Franklin D Roosevelt and British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. The African Claims document was authored by prominent leaders of the African National Congress following its Annual Conference held on 16 December 1943. The gist of the message of the document is summarised in the following quotation:
In South Africa, Africans have no freedom of movement, no freedom of choice of employment, no right of choice of residence and no right of freedom to purchase land or fixed property from anyone and anywhere. Under the guise of segregation, they are subjected to serious educational, political and economic disabilities and discriminations which are the chief causes of their slow progress.
We urge that if fascism and fascist tendencies are to be uprooted from the face of the earth, and to open the way for peace, prosperity and racial goodwill, the ‘Atlantic Charter’ must apply to the whole British Empire, the United States of America and to all the nations of the world and their subject peoples. And we urge that South Africa as a prelude to her participation at the Peace Conference in the final destruction of Nazism and Fascism in Europe, must grant the just claims of her non-European peoples to freedom, democracy and human decency …
In the ensuing years, South Africa through its leadership was then to prove that the transition was not merely a fluke, but came as a result of resolute, principled, visionary, reliable and pragmatic leadership which led into the development into perhaps one of the most formidable brands today, namely, South Africa.
So, just like in your case, to establish yourself as marketable leader, the are no miracles, but you will need to work hard at it.
The moral high ground – Moral Authority
From about the end of apartheid, South Africa was said to enjoy of a moral high ground due to its relatively peaceful transition as well as the fact that such change occurred through the ballot box. Therefore, within the community of nations, South Africa commanded moral authority.
South Africa earned this moral authority from waging perhaps one of the most sustained and successful human rights campaign, the struggle against apartheid, which gained the country global recognition and support.
Lest we forget, this campaign also produced its most renowned activist, Nelson Mandela who continues today to personify the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Upon his election as the President of the first democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela chose the path of reconciliation and national unity rather than one of retribution and reversal of roles from oppressed to oppressor. He also presided over one of the most dynamic periods of our political transition that laid the foundation for modern day South Africa. This period saw the repeal of old apartheid legislation and the introduction of new progressive policies the most laudable of which is the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996. The Constitution provides that South Africa is one, sovereign, democratic state founded on the following values:
a) Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms;
b) Non-racialism and non-sexism;
c) Supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law;
d) Universal adult suffrage, a national common voters roll, regular elections and a multiparty system of democratic government, to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness.
These are the founding principles that successive governments in South Africa have since 1994 up to today have held themselves to. South Africa as a country therefore has a clear long term vision that should guide the kind of society we want to be. In this regard, South Africa also has a Bill of Rights that is part of its Constitutions and enshrines the right to equality before the law; the right to human dignity; the right to life; freedom and security of the person; freedom from slavery, servitude and forced labour; right to privacy; freedom of religion, belief and opinion; freedom of expression; right to assembly, demonstration, picket and petition; freedom of association; political rights; no one shall be deprived of the right of citizenship; freedom of movement and residence; freedom of trade, occupation and profession, amongst others.
The founding principles of our constitution are transformational in nature. What the country therefore sought to do was to leverage moral authority and translate this into tangible benefits by providing meaningful transformation to the lives of people.
How have we translated vision into visible action?
Since 1994 basic service delivery programmes have been pursued to provide a better life for all. In the main, government focus has been on first and second generation human rights. These are fundamentally civil and political in nature, and serve to protect the individual from excesses of the state as well as those that are fundamentally social, economic, and cultural in nature. Successive administrations from Presidents Mandela, Mbeki and Motlhanthe have consistently pursued the realisation of these rights. By the end of the terms of these Presidents, the following progress had been recorded:
§ By March 2009, 2.8 million houses have been completed including those under the housing subsidy programme. The government is pursuing a more comprehensive service delivery model within the context of sustainable human settlements.
§ The percentage of household with access to water infrastructure for potable water above or equal to RDP standards increased from 61.7% in 1994 to 91.8% in March 2009.
§ More than 10 million households (77%) had access to sanitation as of March 2009 as compared to 5 million (50%) in 1994.
§ The estimate number of households with access to electricity has increased from 4.5 million (50.9%) in 1994 to 9.1 million (73%) in 2008.
In spite of the fact that President Zuma came into office in the face of serious economic challenges visited upon the country by the global financial crisis, he has sought to give impetus to the realisation of both generation rights, which are mutually re-inforcing, by focusing on specific priorities. In this regard, his administration worked together with business, labour and community representatives to design a package of measures to reduce the scale and impact of the financial crisis.
South African government priorities for 2010/2011
In his State of the Nation Address of February 2010, President Zuma said, our country has changed fundamentally since the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990. The South African government still pursues the same goal of a country that is non-sexist, non-racial, democratic and prosperous. In pursuit of this goal and the improvement of lives for all South Africans, President Zuma is committed to a number of government priorities to effect the changes necessary to build a strong developmental state.
Some of the key priorities under the leadership of President Zuma, supported by Cabinet and Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan in his Budget Speech on 17 February 2010 are the following:
- Government is reprioritising public spending to reflect our commitment in the key priority areas;
- Education and skills development is at the centre of government priorities, it is in fact our number one priority. President Zuma acknowledges that we need to invest in our youth to ensure a skilled and capable workforce to support growth and job creation in the long run.
- Improving the quality of basic education by rolling out workbooks in all 11 official languages to help raise literacy and numeracy levels. All learners in grades 3, 6, and 9 will be tested independently (much like the state’s assessments in the USA).
- The bulk of government budget will go to provinces and municipalities for education, health, municipal infrastructure and human settlements;
- Another priority is to ensure a long and healthy life for all South Africans. Government continues to improve our healthcare system and undertakes to implement all the commitments made on World AIDS Day in 2009, relating to new HIV prevention and treatment measures. (In October last year government announced additional funding for treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS). Further policy measures to broaden access to those infected with Tuberculosis and women and children have been taken into consideration.
- The government is aware of challenges that we face to ensure that all have shelter and access to health and education facilities. In this regard we have launched a Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, and commitments were made to better manage our resources such as water and electricity. Government also supports on-site water and sanitation infrastructure as part of the rural housing programme through a new grant. Government continues also to spend more on human settlement programmes as we believe that these investments are critical to reshaping townships, cities, informal settlements and rural areas. There’s increased spending in support by government to municipalities where services are delivered to the people.
- The South African Police Service will see an increase in the number of policemen and women by 10% over the next three years in the government’s consistent fight against crime and corruption.
- The most urgent focus in terms of employment opportunities is on the creation of jobs for young people. The government’s second phase of the Expanded Public Works programme aims to create 4,5 million short term job opportunities, and government and the labour force are working together to create opportunities for the youth to be employed despite lack of experience, as one example of progress.
The South African economy
South Africa continues to pursue its goal of creating a better life for all despite the reality of a global economic crisis which cost our economy about 900,000 jobs since we experienced our first recession in 17 years. In the five years before the downfall of the world economy, our domestic economy had been growing strong and about 2 million jobs were created. Our economy shrank by an estimated 1.8% last year. However, our growth expectation for 2010 is now 2.3%, rising to 3.6% by 2012.
South Africa in the global context
In spite of its relatively small size, both in terms of population, geography and economy, South Africa has continued to occupy significant leadership positions; played and influential role in global politics; enjoyed relative economic prominence and has captured international admiration for its audacity. This has often led to the labelling of the country as punching above its weight.
Contextualising South Africa
• Population: 48.5 million
• 27th largest economy in the world (GDP)
• Largest economy in Africa
• Account for 1/3 of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP
• Account for 2/3 of the Southern African Development Community’s GDP
• One of the largest investors in Africa (year average $1.4bn)
• Total GDP US$276.5bn (2008)
• GDP 2008 per capita: (US$ 5 815)
• JSE 18th largest securities exchange globally
• BBB+ (Fitch + S&P)
• SA holds 90% of platinum-group metals, 80% of global manganese reserves,
72% of chrome, 40% of gold and 27% of vanadium.
• 2008/9 WEF Global Competitiveness Report (134 countries ranked):
• South African banks: 15th most secure
• Country’s overall competitiveness, ranked 45th
• Macro- economic stability, ranked 50th
Punching above our weight
We have also often been accused of punching above our weight. Nowhere is this more demonstrable in the role we have played in multilateral platforms. For example, post independence we joined the reconstituted South African Development Coordinating Conference, the Organisation for African Unity. We also joined the United Nations Organisation. Within the sixteen years of our democracy, we have chaired the new Southern African Development Community (SADC); chaired the new African Union (AU); played a leading role in the debate on United Nations reform and became a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2007-2008 period. We are once more running for membership for 2011-2012 to continue with our efforts at post-conflict and reconstruction on the African continent. These are indeed laudable feats considering that just a few years back we were an obscure pariah nation.
South Africa continues to be a key player on the international stage. In this regard, it has made a significant contribution to the global dialogue and pursuit of consensus in forums including the Group of Twenty on financial reform and more recently at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit. More recently, we were amongst the 46 countries that participated in the Nuclear Security Summit convened by President Barrack Obama. Out voice is listened to in these platforms simply because we enjoy respect which we earned by being the first country to voluntarily dismantle its nuclear arsenal. We can thus speak with authority when it comes to matters of this nature.
Thus, in the 16-year period of our foreign policy engagement, namely, from 1994 to 1999; 2000 to 2004; and 2004 to 2009, South Africa has continued to assert itself as a player of note in international relations.
Before 1994, South Africa had limited diplomatic representation in the international community. It has, however, in the last 16 years evolved as an influential developing country with significant growth in diplomatic representation in all regions of the world. By 2009, South Africa had 124 diplomatic missions abroad. Of these, 62 were headed by women. Resident diplomatic representation in South Africa expanded to 242 offices, consisting of 121 diplomatic missions, 93 consulates and 28 international organisations.
The 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup
The South African people from all walks of life have already procured their tickets and soccer jerseys and other paraphernalia in support not only of our beloved team, “Bafana Bafana” as well as the national drive to host of the most successful sporting events ever! By all accounts, our preparations for hosting the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup are on track.
After three of five ticketing sales phases for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, two-thirds of the available tickets have been sold.
The third ticketing sales phase, which will conclude with a random draw for oversubscribed matches on 1 February, saw a total of 1,206,865 applications received from 192 countries. Six matches are currently oversubscribed (in all categories), among them the semi-finals and the final. In total, 55 matches are oversubscribed in at least one category.
There was huge interest from South African residents, who accounted for 79 per cent of the total applications received (958,381) in this phase. This represents an increase of 24.9 per cent in applications from South African residents in the third sales phase when compared to the earlier ticketing stages.
Apart from the host country, the USA led the ticketing standings for the third phase with 50,217 applications, followed by the UK (41,529), Australia (15,523), Mexico (14,804), Germany (14,647) and Brazil (10,767). Increased interest was also noted in the neighbouring countries of South Africa – Botswana leading with 2,519 ticket applications, followed by Mozambique (1,795) and Namibia (1,191).
The next ticketing sales phase started on 9 February 2010 and ended on 7 April 2010. During these 58 days, more than 400,000 tickets were made available on a first-come, first-served basis viawww.fifa.com/2010 or in FNB branches (in South Africa only).
We look forward to hosting all of you coming to the World Cup.
I thank you for you attention.
Statement by Minister M. Nkoana·Mashabane on the occasion of the Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of a Bilateral Strategic Dialogue between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the UnitedStates of America Washington DC, 14 April 2010
Your Excellency Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton,
Permit me on behalf of my Government to congratulate you on the successful Nuclear Security Summit convened by your President. I would like to assure you and your Government of my Government’s commitment to ensuring that - in collaboration with the United States and other important stakeholders – the important goals of disarmament, non-proliferation and, most importantly, the peaceful uses of nuclear energy are attained.
I am also very pleased that the Secretary of State and I could schedule time to meet today, following on the bilateral meeting between our Presidents, who asked us to ensure that our bilateral relations are materially strengthened - which is the purpose of our Strategic Dialogue. Echoing what President Obama said when he met with President Zuma on Sunday, it is my hope that in the long term we will say of each other that we are true friends.
As you know, your Mission in Pretoria and my Department are working hard to ensure that our Annual Bilateral Forum yields satisfactory results for both our Governments. We also need at this time, under the leadership of Presidents Zuma and Obama, to approach our relations from a co-operative basis, covering a diverse range of issues, such as the recovery of the global financial crisis; pursuit of sustainable economic and social development; the reform of the United Nations Security Council; and achieving peace, security and stability in Africa. Our collective efforts to support Africa must make a real impact on its quest for renewal and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
I am heartened by the warm rapport we have established with each other, in a situation where our two countries face challenges which require us to understand each other, in order to keep our relations at a level where they truly make a difference in the livelihoods of our respective peoples.
Therefore, I am pleased to be here today to sign this MoU – which provides us with a mechanism to support this renewed friendship. It is my view that for this MOU to be a living organism which delivers tangible results, the Working Groups established under the ABF must be reinvigorated and realigned to our key priorities in their work. For example, when our presidents met on Sunday, President Obama congratulated President Jacob Zuma on his leadership on the HIV/AIDs challenge in South Africa; indicating that he would like to find other ways to be more helpful. This must be a priority for the ABF; and addressed through the Working Groups.
President Obama also identified Agriculture and Food Security as another key issue on which we can cooperate. With this again, I think through the ABF supported by the relevant Working Group, there is a lot we can accomplish. We stand ready to engage constructively on matters arising from the Copenhagen summit, as suggested by President Obama and agreed to by President Zuma. With this again, scope can be created for a constructive dialogue within the ABF for our officials to enhance understanding on both sides of our positions. We welcome President Obama’s willingness to support Africa’s conflict resolution and peace building efforts of the AU. South Africa will of course do its part in pursuance of these efforts. You and I in essence have a lot of catching up to do to make up for the time lost, prior to our two Presidents assuming office, in strengthening our relations.
The upcoming FIFA World Cup should also make a significant contribution to my Government’s vision of a better life for all; also in the African Continent in terms of the positive legacy that the World Cup and all that goes with it should leave behind once the games are over. We are ready and look forward to receiving your countrymen and women, who are the biggest block of people from one country who will attend the World Cup.
Once more, the fact that you and I, State Secretary - within seven months of meeting in Pretoria - could advance so fast to meet here today to sign this MOU is a major accomplishment signifying that relations between our countries are securely on a different path of being materially strengthened and for this I am immensely grateful to you.
In Xhosa to you, State Secretary, I say, Ungadinwa Nangomso.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to launch the South African – United States Strategic Dialogue with Sectary of State Hillary Clinton 14 April, 2010
Washington D.C. – Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will today, Wednesday 14 April 2010, launch the South Africa-United States of America Strategic Dialogue with her counterpart, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as President Jacob Zuma and President Barack Obama conclude the all-important Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C.
The Strategic Dialogue is aimed at reviving and strengthening the Annual Bilateral Forum between two countries under the leadership of Presidents Zuma and Obama. The launch will be followed by a signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding that will lay out a framework for a Strategic Dialogue between South Africa and the United States of America.
The Minister will be accompanied to the signing ceremony at the State House by the Deputy Director-General for Americas Ms Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko and the Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington, Mr Johnny Moloto.
For further information contact Malusi Mogale, Spokesperson to the Minister, on 082 675 0380.
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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14 April 2010
President Zuma arrives in Washington DC to attend nuclear summit
President Zuma was received at Andrews Air Force Base by senior US and South African government officials.
The summit, which takes place on 12-13 April 2010, is being convened by US President Barack Obama to find effective measures to secure nuclear material and to prevent nuclear terrorism.
South Africa maintains that it is important for countries to pool their resources and work together through strengthened multilateral institutions to combat all forms of organised transnational crime, including terrorism.
South Africa has consistently condemned acts of terrorism and shares the international community’s concern over nuclear security.
Shortly after his arrival, President Zuma held a bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama at Blair House, the President’s guest house.
The meeting followed discussions between the two Presidents at the G8 Summit in L’Aquila, Italy in July last year. It covered a number of bilateral issues, including strengthening cooperation on areas like agriculture and HIV and AIDS. They also discussed the promotion of African peace and security within the ambit of the African Union and United Nations.
President Zuma is accompanied to the summit by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters, Minister of State Security Siyabonga Cwele and senior government officials.
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11 April 2010
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President Jacob Zuma to lead South African Delegation to Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, 12-13 April 2010.
His Excellency President Jacob Zuma will lead the South African delegation to the Nuclear Security Summit scheduled for 12-13 April 2010 at the Walter E Washington Convention Centre, in Washington D.C. South Africa will be among forty four (44) States to participate in the Summit at the invitation of President Barack Obama of the United States of America.
South Africa participates in the Nuclear Security Summit within the context of strengthening the global governance system as the most effective mechanism to deal with global challenges, and re-emphasizing the centrality of the UN. In this regard terrorism constitutes one of the major threats to international peace and security. The South African Government’s view is that the threat of international terrorism is real and remains a danger to the citizens of the world as no country is immune to it.
It is anticipated that the Summit will be organized around four themes namely:
- Threat of nuclear terrorism and Illicit Trafficking;
- National actions to mitigate the threat of nuclear terrorism and secure nuclear material and Prevent Illicit Trafficking;
- The role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Nuclear Security; and
- International actions to mitigate the threat of nuclear terrorism and secure nuclear material and Prevent Illicit Trafficking.
The Summit is expected to issue a Communiqué and adopt a Work Plan which will be the final product of three Sherpa meetings, held in November 2009 in Washington, December 2009 in Tokyo and February 2010 in The Hague. South Africa’s Sherpa is Ambassador AS Minty.
President Jacob Zuma will be supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Energy, Ms Dipuo Peters, Minister of State Security Mr. Siyabonga Cwele and Deputy Director-General in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr. Abdul Samad Minty.
From Washington D.C. President Jacob Zuma is expected to travel to Brazil to participate in the India-Brazil-South Africa Summit scheduled for 15 April 2010.
For more information contact Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr. Saul Molobi on 082 940 1647
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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10 April 2010
