South Africa's 18th Freedom Day celebrations address by Amb. Coovadia

7/31/2019 South Africa's 18th Freedom Day celebrations address by Amb. Coovadia

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The fiber of South Africa as a nation is cemented in the Bill of Rights as enshrinedin our Constitution recognised by the international community as the most liberal.

The walls of the South African democratic society (with this foundation andcornerstone as its pillars) provides for the protection of human rights for all itscitizens regardless of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political opinion,national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Yes, South Africa is an active member of an orchestra forming part of the Africanand World philharmonic orchestras by playing the melody of the promotion ofpeace, security, stability, human rights and the transformation of the worldsmultilateral architecture, whether politically and/or economically.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

When we consider international relations, the following are noteworthy: Of Africaspopulation of 1 billion people, SADC constitutes a population of 277 million peopleand of this South Africa constitutes a population of 50 million people.

What a big family we belong to and potentially, what an economic force to bereckoned with!

As President Zuma recently stated, Africa is a continent of hope and opportunity a continent emerging to be the next major global growth pole. And as ourMinister has said Ours is essentially a quest for a better South Africa, and abetter and safer Africa and world.

We are conscious that Africa and South Africa are witnessing a global rush fortheir resources which have changed trade patterns on the continent and theemerging economic ties like China, Russia, India, Brazil, South Korea arebecoming major economic players.

SADC-EAC-COMESA is an example of a tripartite formation. A classic building blockfor the unity and integration of our continent: An aspect of the roadmap for the

functioning of the African free trade area by 2017.

Last year we mentioned the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); 2015 isthe deadline for its attainment. If Africa wants to avoid failure in meeting thetarget, more needs to be done individually and collectively.

South Africa is proud to fly, together with our brothers and sisters from Togo, theAfrican Union flag by representing Africa as non-permanent members of theUnited Nations Security Council during the 2012 calendar year.

I wish to reiterate South Africas commitment, highlighted by my Minister earlierthis year on South Africas position as a non-permanent member of the UNSC:

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We believe that current global events have not only tested the effectiveness andcredibility of the UN Security Council on its role of maintenance of internationalpeace and security, they have also highlighted the urgent need for the reform ofthis organ and the entire UN in accordance with the current geo-political realities.

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As President of the United Nations Security Council in January 2012, South Africafocused on the strengthening of the relationship between the UN Security Counciland the African Union in the maintenance of international peace and security. Therest of our tenure at the UNSC will be to promote the African Agenda and peaceand security not only on the continent but also in the rest of the world.

Mr Vice Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen,

South Africa is also placing much emphasis on the development of the agenda ofthe South as both a member of India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) and as ofearly this year, also of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), asignificant block of emerging economies, whose combined economies is workthUS$ 13 trillion. Two months ago in India during the 4 th BRICS Summit, it wasdecided, inter alia, to establish a BRICS Development Bank to assist the memberswith infrastructure development. It is expected to be established in 2013 whenSouth Africa hosts the 5th BRICS Summit.

As have been observed, the culture of human rights and the respect for dignity ofthe human spirit have become the characteristics of South Africa and we, as aNation, have been following with keen interest developments in the Middle East

region which is on the global peace and security agenda, at the centre of which, isthe Israel/Palestine conflict.

We wish to reiterate our assurances to both parties - Israel and the Palestiniangoverning bodies that the South African Government supports a two-Statesolution with Israel and Palestine existing side-by-side in peace withininternationally recognised borders (based on the June 4, 1967 borders) with EastJerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

My Minister like others has expressed her concern that the patience exercisedby the people of Palestine is wearing out and there is mounting fear that hope willsoon be replaced with hardened attitudes.

South Africa has offered, on several occasions its readiness to share itsexperiences in, inter alia, conflict resolution etc., just as we are engaging withTunisia, Egypt and Libya our experience in transitional justice and constitutionmaking, among others.

Unlike many other countries, South Africa does not delink its political policies frompolicies pertaining to, amongst others, aspects such as trade, culture, etc.

Political interaction between South Africa and Israel this past year witnessed acourtesy call by South African Deputy Minister of International Relations andCooperation Mr Marius Fransman on Israels Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr

Danny Ayalon. Minister Livnat, Israels Minister of Sport and Culture during aprivate visit to South Africa earlier this year, also met with Mr Paul Mashatile,South African Minister of Arts and Culture.

The South Africa/Israel and Israel/South Africa Chambers of Commerce are muchat the forefront in promoting trade between the two countries. Total imports ofproducts from South Africa last year was $103 million and exports to South Africatotaled $ 434 million.

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Mention should also be made of the fact that many companies such as Investecare as of late engaged in looking at possible joint investment opportunities,especially within the energy sector. I will fail in my duties as Ambassador if I alsodont mention the constant and ever important interaction between the SouthAfrican and Israeli diamond industries.

Looking at National policies an aspect

This years celebratory theme will reinforce my Governments 18 year drive tocontinue in earnest, delivery of basic services to all South Africans, including themost marginalized. Such action will ensure backlogs are addressed and basicservices are improved.

Of significance unlike many other countries, South Africa has as its objective adevelopmental and not a welfare state.

Examples of phenomenal progress in the following areas since 1994 to 2011 areaccess to running water, sanitation, electricity, home finance etc. Subsidisedhousing since 1994 resulted in the delivery of 3 million houses. South Africa hasbeen benchmarked against worlds best in providing free houses to poor citizens.

In addition, human settlement development has been made possible by theGovernment continuing to release state land. In addition, state social grants aremade available to 15 million people and now all under 18 years will qualify.

Despite these successes, much more work needs to be done in order to create abetter life for all in South Africa. In order to achieve the overall objective namelyto work together to build unity and prosperity for all, the President has called onall South Africans to Play his/her part in contributing towards the developmentof a functioning developmental state and to ensure job creation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Against the backdrop of global economic crisis, the Government jointly with

business, labour and communities has established a three year job initiative.

This is outside of the framework of the New Growth Path which objective is tocreate 5 million jobs in 10 years in the following areas: Infrastructuredevelopment, Agriculture, Mining and Beneficiation, Manufacturing, GreenEconomy, Tourism, etc.

Let me begin to conclude by saying, it is not possible to work together to buildunity and prosperity for all if each and every citizen in our beautiful country do notembrace non-racialism and live up to the aspirations of the 100 years oldliberation movement to have all the people of South Africa live in peace andfriendship. We have shown the world during the past 18 years that it is indeedpossible.

Finally, since the demise of apartheid, Africa has been, and will continue to be thecentre piece of South Africas foreign policy.

We shall hold hands and continue to fly the flag of our Rainbow Nation together asa proud and committed nation!

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South Africa's 18th Freedom Day celebrations address by Amb. Coovadia