Madam Speaker/Deputy Speaker
President T. M. Mbeki
Ministers and Deputy Ministers
Honourable Leaders
Honourable Members.
Many in the house have been asking why there are flags of the 53 African countries on the outside of Marks Building. I hope the answers were sufficient, that today, the 25th of May is the 41St Anniversary of Africa Day.
In joining other speakers I also want to embrace and join the millions of the people in the continent in celebrating this historic day. It is a day, when in 1963, the African leaders and its people, resolved and launch the Organization of African Union, which was to unite Africans, consolidate on the freedoms of those who got freedom from colonialism and to support those who were still in bondage and shackles of colonialism.
We have now achieved in transforming the OAU into the African Union (AU), with new goals and objectives determined by the new challenges as espoused in NEPAD. The African Union is to carry the founding vision, of its predecessor. In some the African Countries, the day is declared as a holiday. President I am not calling for any additional holiday, however as a country we need to debate such a possibility in future, or how to celebrate the day as a nation. Our people must also learn the national anthem of the continent, understand their own continent and be proud Africans.
I hear that some schools are having events in recognition of the day Department of Foreign Affairs had organized a luncheon with the media. This event alone is not enough for such a significant day as Africa Day.
Madam Speaker,
Also as we respond to the President state of the Nation Address to parliament, in Addis Ababa, Ethopia, delegates from all African countries have gathered including our own, led by the Deputy President and accompanied among others by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma, to witness and be part of the historic event, that is the Launch of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC).
We wish the new organ of the AU whose task is the collective security on early warning arrangement to facilitate the timely and efficient response to conflict and crisis in situations in Africa every success in its endeavors. Other of its function will be the standing decision making organ for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict. However its success depends on the support by all governments and people in the continent, including the South African government and its people. For information purpose, the 15 members of Peace and Security Council were elected on 16 March 2004 by the Executive Council of the AU.
As we celebrate Africa Day, we can pride ourselves President, about some of the achievements pronounced when we declared this century as the African Century, at the turn of the millennium. We can pride ourselves on the achievements this continent achieved which some are:
However, we remain confident and oozing with hope that some of the outstanding conflicts are in the processes or near completion of being resolved, which some is;
Others include:
These and many more milestones/achievements that we cannot overlook, as we also, conscious of the fact that still a lot that needs to be achieved in the renewal of our continent.
Africa in the World:
Madam speaker,
My colleague, who will speak on other broad international issues, will expand on South to South relations and challenges in the 3rd World Countries. Those challenges also find resonance in Africa, as it is part of the Developing Countries or Third World Countries.
African Continent has a visionary programme the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and are busy reorganizing and strengthening of the African Union, establishment of all organ, we now have PAP, African Peer Review Mechanisms, and today as alluded earlier we are launching the AU Peace and Security Council.
South Africa is not an island. Its existence depends on the existence of other nations and Countries.
South Africa's Leadership in the World
South Africa as a country is in demand in the continent and also by others inn the world. As a responsible nation and as part of this globe should honour with pride obligations and requests where possible while balancing our domestic needs.
Lastly, whether we like or not, we have obligations to contribute in the creation/building of a better Africa and the world.
Madam Speaker,
A number of South Africa, walk with pride and can raise the country's flag anywhere in the world. A number are enjoying the benefits that our Freedom and Democracy are yielding, they are involved in various fields, researchers, sports, arts and culture, business. We are the envy of the world.
Hence, we have in the past 10 years hosted major conferences and sporting events.
In 2010, we will be hosting on behalf of Africa, the FIFA World Cup on our shores. I bet, that for us a country to get the nod beside the work done by the Bid Committee, central to all is the confidence the World has on South Africa and its collective leadership.
If we had not played a significant role in the international activities, including profiling the country, its vision, we would not be known and therefore, should thank the efforts of the South African Leadership in particular our President, Thabo Mbeki.
Should also dismiss as hoggish, assertions, which are uninformed and ill conceived, that the President spends more time outside the country. The President is guiding and providing leadership and directing his government to the challenges of ending poverty and creating a better life for our people. In doing so, as the President he continues to honor his international obligation as expected of the Head of Government. South Africa is not an Island but a member of the Community of Nations.
Political Matters in the public domain:
Madam Speaker, we also, noting the challenges to ensure a programme of democratization and good governance, in the countries where its citizens do not enjoy the fruits of freedom and democracy, as alluded to by the President in his Sate of the Nation Address.
We also, welcome the both the DA and IFP change of heart or strategy, in raising issues that we may not agree on, or may differ on. This change of Heart or strategy did not exist before elections or in the previous term of government. The ANC will engage on any thing that contributes to nation building or that contributes to the creation of a better life for our people, including alleviation of poverty. Here are some of the issues that need our utmost attention even though we remain different in how to handle them.
ON ZIMBABWE: Unfortunately, some in this house and elsewhere have plans we do not think will work in resolving the crisis in Zimbabwe. History has also proven that any imposed settlement, does not work and many incidences is rejected.
Political settlements are those that are the product of the citizens/people of that country, and this goes for Zimbabwe. The so-called Road Map to democracy on Zimbabwe by DA, is not a product of the Zimbabwe people.
South African Government approached, that of being a facilitator, interacting with the main stakeholders (Ruling Party Zanu PF and opposition MDC) and other Civil Society, has to be encouraged.
Facilitation by South Africa, and by Zimbabwe neighbours and multilateral bodies, is for the Zimbabwe people to engage in talks, find a mechanism towards a political resolution. Until such a time that all sides are in talks, we are confident that it will be a Zimbabwe solution, and will last to bring stability in that country.
On Haiti: -
Firstly, I would like to thank the majority of South Africans, Black and White, who are supporting and have welcome the decision by Government to give political asylum to the former President of Haiti, Jean Bertrand Aristide.
There is however those opposed, sighting a terrible record of human rights violations (correctly so) and saying Aristide is a dictator and are arguing that as a result of South Africa, as a champion of democracy and good governance, should not spend a cent of public money on Arristide
This is a narrow way of looking at this, and a dangerous political adventurism.
I would fully agree with Professor Molefi Asante, in his monthly column appeared in the City Pres of May 23, 2004, when he said" The kidnapping and overthrow of Aristide remains a stain on the idea of democracy"
He continues to say" Whites have not forgiven the African people of Haiti for defeating the greatest European Military Power of its day" And Comrade Mavivi Myakayaka Manzini ANC Head of International Relations, in ANC Today, says, "We cannot support the violent removal of Democratically - Elected Leaders".
Madam Speaker,
I am bringing up these issues for our people to know about the history of Haiti, our connection to it, and the call for the Unity of Africans including those in Diaspora.
The giving of Aristide political asylum is not the first of its kind and is part of the diplomatic strategies to resolve whatever problems that country or nation might be facing. And this is not the first to have occurred, through out multilateral institutions, when Liberia was in turmoil, again our leaders, agreed that the solution was for former President Charles Taylor to leave, and is hosted by Nigeria for his political asylum.
Such a gesture, and diplomat move, should not be valued on monetary terms, and as you will remember, our freedom and democracy of which we celebrate its 10th Anniversary, was among other made possible by the overwhelming support by African Countries, which at the time was not valued in monetary terms.
Mercenaries in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea:
We welcome the government response and support within its diplomatic role within our own laws and the Geneva Convention and the visit and statement made by the Attorney General of the Government of Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Jose Bono who recently visited South Africa for consultation with government agencies and families and legal representatives when he assured that the South African held in his country will be given a fair trial observed by International observers.
Lastly we applaud the government for the visit to the prisoners through the Ambassadors in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea. Also support the government and also call on all our people not to reach final conclusions while raising issues of concerning about the prisoners held in both countries for alleged plots of coups, and should avoid insinuations that may prejudice the predicament and cases they face in those countries. What we should be saying is, South Africans should resist the temptation of belonging or joining mercenary missions that are aimed at coup de tat and dispose of leaders of other countries.
South Africa has a foreign policy, which is there to promote and assist whatever country, has problems to settle them peacefully and South Africa is a members of the AU and other bodies and multilateral institutions.
In conclusion, I was requested to raise a challenge Comrade President. That the declaration signed by leaders in SADC which we hope will find its way in the AU, which says, by 2005, Governments or Head of States should ensure gender balance of women representatives of 30% in their Parliaments, Executive, Organ of states be achieved. A note of concern they say I should raise with you, is to pursue the matter and remind the SADC Heads of States about the Declaration and that in the next meeting/session of the AU, the AU debates the matter for a resolution. While South Africa has moved on the matter.
Lastly, to inform you that as we celebrate Africa Day today, we hope that after July, will celebrate as part of the overall celebrations, the hosting of the Pan African Parliament.