Your Excellency Mrs Masire Mwamba, The Commonwealth Deputy-Secretary General

Vice-Chancellor and the Principal of the University of South Africa, Professor Makhanya;

Hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

Youth workers from across various sectors;

Students;

Esteemed delegates,

 

We are all present here today because young people hold the key to our future. We can only prosper if there are dedicated efforts to invest in the youth. 

We extend a warm welcome to all visiting delegates.

Our government, in partnership with the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the Commonwealth Regional Centre for Africa, the University of South Africa and the National Youth Development Agency, is honored to host this Commonwealth Conference on Education and Training of Youth Workers under the theme “Toward Professionalising Youth Work”.

Many agencies employ youth workers or youth development workers. These include churches, NGOs and government departments. They play a crucial role in many organisations, helping to provide a service to the youth.

I am pleased that three days will be spent discussing the professionalisation of youth work, with particular focus on education and training, given the importance of youth development in our respective countries in the Commonwealth.

The conference comes shortly after the week 10 to 17 March 2013 during which we celebrated Commonwealth Day in all member countries through numerous events and activities.   

In South Africa we used Commonwealth Day to recognise achievement in areas such as social entrepreneurship, green and sustainable industries, and technological innovation to name a few.

We have re-committed ourselves to promote youth development opportunities for those that will be the future leaders of our country. 

This is in line with the fact that the Perth Communiqué of CHOGM 2011 committed all nations that are members of the Commonwealth to provide a greater voice and a more effective role for youth in the Commonwealth. 

We undertook to do this by amongst others, enhancing communication with the youth, collecting and sharing good practices, and ensuring that the voice of the youth is represented in Commonwealth actions at national and international levels.

In this regard, the Commonwealth Secretary-General in his Commonwealth Day message rightly reminded us “of the need to build strong political, economic and social structures that support young people in realising their aspirations”.

This conference therefore enables an opportunity to support young people in their pursuits, and in particular, to appreciate the efforts of Youth Workers as they are the frontline providers of services to the youth, be it health care, education or developmental work. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

This conference follows many years of advocacy by the Commonwealth for the professionalisation of the youth work sector in order for practitioners to meet the minimum basic qualification to practice youth work.

As you would be aware, the Commonwealth Secretariat has partnered with many universities and institutions across the Commonwealth to deliver formal training in youth work as a professional course. Such formalization gives youth work a formal base and promotes this work in the mainstream of professions which is the desired effect.

I am however informed that while training has taken place for a lot of youth workers, youth work or youth development practice as a profession are still not recognized. Such work remains undefined and less exposed.

We trust therefore, that this conference will go a long way towards raising awareness of youth work so that practitioners can be recognised accordingly.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are mindful of the fact that this Commonwealth Conference on Education and Training of Youth Workers also takes place against the backdrop of low global growth that began with the 2008 global financial crisis. 

The crisis brought on a global dilemma of rising joblessness, higher poverty and worsening income inequality, especially among the youth. 

Research undertaken by the OECD and the African Development Bank highlights the fact that youth have been disproportionately affected by low growth.  

In South Africa, more than 40 per cent of those who are economically active and under the age of 30 are unemployed. 

While this is worrying, there is also a positive angle. The OECD report highlights that countries which have higher numbers of youth in their population have better growth prospects than those with aging populations. 

This makes us very optimistic regarding growth prospects since South Africa’s Census 2011 report, released last year, revealed that our country is essentially a nation of young people. Just over a third of the population is under the age of 15. 

This makes us a nation with a future, and we must utilize all available resources to build that future. That future is our young people.

Therefore our focus on improving the quality of education is well-placed as we are investing our children and the youth to ensure sustainable development.  

It is important to note as well that more than 50% of the Commonwealth’s population is under the age of 30. Therefore, the future of the Commonwealth is tied inexorably to the future of young people.  

In this regard, we applaud the fact that the Commonwealth invests in the youth in the manner that it does, especially in education.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II signed the new Charter of the Commonwealth at Marlborough House in London on Monday, 11 March 2013, in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth.  

Adopted by the Heads of Government of all our member states on 14 December 2012, the Charter sets out the core values and principles of the Commonwealth. 

It recognizes the necessity of access amongst others, to affordable education.  

We make our own humble contribution to the Commonwealth’s education drive, through the annual Voluntary Contribution to the Commonwealth of Learning of more than R2million.

Another area in which we are involved is the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. 

The Plan was established at the first Commonwealth Education Conference in 1959 and is reviewed by Education Ministers at their triennial meetings. Our Department of Higher Education is the designated national agency with respect to South Africa.

In this regard, South Africa offers scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral study through individual universities.

We are also fully supportive of the inclusion of education in the new Strategic Plan of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

We therefore support the ongoing training of young people including the mainstreaming of youth work as a discipline or a career.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Most of you are aware that in less than two weeks, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) are converging on our shores to join me as our country hosts the 5th BRICS Summit in Durban on 26-27 March 2013 – the first one in Africa.

With a global GDP of 25%, a global land area of 30%, 43% of the global population and 4,4 trillion US dollar foreign reserves base, we are certain that BRICS will contribute immensely to satisfying the employment and development needs of our young population.

We are thus truly excited to be part of this grouping. Our membership of BRICS enhances our participation in other important groupings such as the Commonwealth.

We expect Durban to be a hive of activity and that many opportunities will be taken up by the business community of our country in particular, to promote investments into our beautiful country.

We offer opportunities in, amongst others, infrastructure development, manufacturing, tourism, the green economy, mining, agro-processing and other job drivers, energy and information and communication technologies.

Our BRIC partners do appreciate our youth employment and empowerment drive. 

This agenda remains central to our engagements and discussions with the grouping. 

I am raising this matter as we see strong synergies between this meeting of Commonwealth youth workers and the BRICS gathering. Both should assist us to further empower the youth in the developing world.

May your discussions be successful and fruitful, as you seek to further promote youth development.

 

I thank you.

 

Minister of Transport and other Ministers and Deputy Ministers,

Pastor Ximbi and members of the congregation of the 12th Apostolic Church in Christ,

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen

On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, I wish to pay my heartfelt condolences to the congregation of the 12th Apostolic Church in Christ, the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the tragic bus accident on 15 March 2013 in the De Doorns area here in the Western Cape Province.

On that fateful day, 23 bus passengers who were travelling from their place of worship met their untimely death, as a result of the bus veering and capsizing and coming to rest on its left side on the concrete culvert and against a rock surface.

The Government shares your sorrow; your grief is our grief. We remain concerned by the high number of people who die tragically on our roads.

The law enforcement agencies are investigating the cause of the bus accident. There is a preliminary report. Once the report is finalised, we will be informed about the contributory factors that led to the fateful event.

Given the number of people who die each day on our roads, the Department of Transport’s campaign to promote road safety continue to be of great importance. All of us should participate actively to promote road safety.

We are all affected by this challenge. The Department of Transport will continue to implement its public awareness and road safety education campaigns to heighten awareness of the rules of the road and the consequences of bad driving.

South Africa has a rich history of mass mobilisation which was an important pillar in the struggle against apartheid.

Working together we can confront the scourge of fatalities on our roads.

Our messages should be clear and targeted to address all the causes of road fatalities which include:

. Drinking and driving;

. Pedestrians walking on the road while intoxicated,

. Road unworthy vehicles,

. Dangerous overtaking, and

. Drivers and passengers not using seatbelts.

 

With respect to drinking and driving, various government departments are considering banning alcohol advertisements and the abolition of the current alcohol limit which allows people to drive after taking a limited amount of alcohol.

Probing questions are being asked about the advisability of allowing people to drink and drive.

The Department of Transport is also considering measures to introduce a point demerit system which will see serial offenders losing their driving licences. This will make it difficult for serial offenders to drive on our roads.

Approximately 20 % of the people who die on our roads are passengers, largely because they do not wear seat belts.

Only 2% of passengers compared to 60% of the drivers fasten their seat belts. Drastic measures are needed to reduce road fatalities by strengthening law enforcement. Traffic officers should issue fines to motorists and passengers who do not use their seat belts.

There are still many unroadworthy vehicles driving on our roads.

Law enforcement agencies should do their work and impound those vehicles.

All road users should remember that not obeying the rules of the road is a crime like any other crime. Government will not hesitate to consider further stringent measures to enforce compliance with the law.

As part of the campaign to improve safety on the road, government will improve the different modes of public transport. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will soon procure new trains. This will go a long way to improve the passenger rail system.

About 7000 new coaches will be procured over the next twenty years bringing a new experience to many users of public transport. PRASA will also revamp its signalling infrastructure to improve safety and disseminate information about the scheduling of trains.

Government values the role played by the mini bus taxis and bus operators to transport people to different destinations. We call upon the public transport associations to help us ensure that their members comply with the rules of the road.

It is the responsibility of every road user to guarantee that their vehicles are always in good condition and do not ‘cut corners’ at the expense of the public safety.

As we approach the Easter Holidays, I urge all South Africans who will be travelling to different destinations to obey the rules of the road.

Motorists, in particular, should ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before undertaking journeys.

Passengers should be vigilant, and demand the best services from transport operators. All of us should live up to the theme of the road safety campaign: GET THERE, NO REGRETS!

May the souls of the departed rest in peace!

 

I thank you.

Theme: “UNITED IN ADVANCING SOCIO-ECONOMIC FREEDOM FOR ALL”

 

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development,

The Minister of Arts and Culture,

All Ministers and Deputy Ministers present,

Chairperson of the SA Human Rights Commission,

MECs,

His Worship the Mayor of Paarl,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;  

Leaders of Political Parties;

Veterans of the liberation struggle,

Fellow South Africans,

 

Dumelang, sanibonani, molweni!

 

Siyajabula kakhulu ukuba la, eMbekweni, ePaarl namhlanje, sizogubha lolusuku lwamalungelo abantu.

Namhlanje sikhumbula onke amaqhawe asala ezinkundleni, ezihlandleni eziningi ngesikhathi sizabalazela inkululeko.

Sikhumbula ikakhulukazi labo abasishiya eSharpeville, kwaLanga eKapa, kwaNobuhle eUitenhage nakwezinye izindawo.

Compatriots and friends,

Our national days are a vehicle to foster social cohesion, nation building, national identity and socio-economic development.

Marking national days also enables us to reflect on our unfortunate past as a people that lived through a brutal system of apartheid colonialism. We reflect and draw lessons to build a better and united future.

On Human Rights Day in particular, we also remember the country’s rich human rights tradition.

The 1923 Bill of Rights, the African Claims of 1943, the Women’s Charter in 1954, the Freedom Charter in 1955 and the ANC’s 1988 Constitutional Principles for a Democratic South Africa are our national pride.

These documents, developed by the ruling party the ANC during the struggle for liberation, underline and confirm South Africa’s longstanding systematic development of policy affirming human rights. They informed the content of the Constitution of the Republic at the dawn of freedom.

We are particularly proud of the fact that the landmark 1943 Bill of Rights was produced five years ahead of the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. South Africa led the world in this regard!

Today is also the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, proclaimed in 1966 in memory of the Sharpeville massacre, by the United Nations through UN resolution 2142.

Compatriots,

Let me also underline that this democratic government also affirms the rights of persons with disabilities.

Thus today we also mark the World Down Syndrome Day, as declared by the United Nations organisation in 2011.

Fellow South Africans,

We mark Human Rights Day 2013 under the theme; “United in advancing socio-economic freedom for all”.   The purpose is to promote the idea of socio-economic freedom for all South Africans.

It also highlights the advanced nature of our Constitution which recognises more than just political and civil rights.

This was based on the understanding that civil and political rights mean little if they are not accompanied by tangible socio-economic rights. These include the rights to housing, education and health care and the right to favourable working conditions.

While marking the importance of socio-economic rights today, we also highlight the fact that today has a particular significance, as it is a day on which in 1960 the apartheid police shot and killed 69 people and wounded many others in Sharpeville. The liberation movement resolved then, to build a South Africa in which such incidents would never occur when freedom dawned.

This is also the commitment of the democratic government.

Today we re-affirm our determination to build a police service that respects the rights of all. The South African Police this year marks a centenary of its existence. The period since its establishment in 1913 until 1994, is marked by state-sanctioned cruelty and brutality by the policy.

In 1994 the democratic government began to transform the police service into one that is people-centred and which serves all the people of our country. A lot of progress has been made with regards to both transformation and service delivery.

Today we are happy that each year statistics indicate a reduction in serious crimes.

Crimes against women and children remain a serious problem but statistics prove that the perpetrators are being caught and punished. We trust that this will act as a deterrent. For example, in the past financial year, police secured over 363 life sentences, with a conviction rate of over 70% for crimes against women and girls.

At the same time, there have been some regrettable, shocking and unacceptable incidents involving the South African Police Service since the last Human Rights Day commemoration.

These include the Marikana tragedy and other cases of police brutality against suspects. Government has taken action on both.

There is a commission probing the Marikana incident and we will not comment much on it at this stage until the findings. The law is taking its course with regards to the other incidents.

However, these incidents should not make us condemn our entire police service which comprises 200 000 men and women as being brutal.

The overwhelming majority of our police fight crime within the confines and discipline of the Constitution and we applaud them for that.

We urge you today, to continue supporting the police in their work. The police can only continue succeeding in fighting crime if they have the support of communities they serve.

We must support them as well in their efforts to root out rotten apples from their ranks who engage in criminal action including corruption.

To promote a human rights ethos amongst police officials, we have directed that the SAPS Code of Conduct, in which an ethos of human rights is firmly entrenched, be promoted amongst all police officials.

They must live, breathe and personify the police Code of Conduct. 

Included in this pledge of excellence, signed by each police official upon attestation, is the promise to do the following:

“to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person; act in a manner that is impartial, courteous, honest, respectful, transparent and accountable; exercise the powers conferred in a responsible and controlled manner;

“And work towards preventing any form of corruption and to bring the perpetrators thereof to justice”.

We expect our men and women in blue to live up to that promise.

Bakwethu siyagcizelela ukuthi kufanele sibambisane namaphoyisa emkhankasweni wawo wokuhlonipha amalungelo abantu.

Uma amanye awo enza amaphutha akusho ukuthi asilahle wonke amaphoyisa aseMzansi Africa ngenxa yalokho.

Alikho izwe elingenawo amaphoyisa. Alikho futhi elingasimama uma abantu bomthetho bengahlonishwa.

Masibambisane namaphoyisa sakhe imiphakathi ephephile.

Uma kukhona amaphoyisa enza ubugebengu noma udlame ebantwini, sicela umphakathi ubikele abenhlangano i-Independent Police Investigating Directorate ukuze kuphenywe bajeziswe abaphula umthetho.

Compatriots,

As said earlier, we are striving to promote socio-economic rights.

We are building a country where communities have a road, schools, clinics, recreation facilities, community halls, electricity, water and sanitation.  The state is called upon to ensure that citizens enjoy these rights, subject to resources being available.

We needed to include socio-economic rights in the Constitution because successive apartheid governments deliberately deprived black people of all the basic amenities that ensure a decent standard of living.

We know that many sections of society and individuals become agitated when we refer to the apartheid legacy in our country.

This is a fact and the legacy cannot be reversed overnight. We will continue doing our best in spite of the challenges that we face.  We will not rest until every household has water, electricity, sanitation and other services.

Access to these services is expanded each year.

Impela sesenze okuningi kusukela ngonyaka ka 1994 ngenjongo yokuguqula isimo esashiywa ubandlululo, siphucule izimpilo zabantu.  Singabala nje ukuthi isisondele ku200 000 imizi eyafakwa ugesi ngonyaka odlule.

Uhlelo lokubalwa kwabantu i-Census 2011 yaveza ukuthi sebephelele bonke, bangu 12.1 million manje abantu asebenogesi. Nemizi esithole amanzi seyandile.  Nezindlu ziyakhiwa ezindaweni eziningi.

Kuningi impela nokwenziwayo ukuthuthukisa izinga lemfundo ngoba iyisisekelo sentuthuko. Ukwakhiwa kwezikole, kuqedwa ezinodaka nakho kuyaqhubeka. 

Uhulumeni futhi umatasa wakha amanyuvesi amabili e-Northern Cape naseMpumalanga ukuze kwande izindawo zokuqeqesha.

Kuyajabulisa futhi ukuthi izingane ezifundanyo ezingaphansi kweminyaka engu 15 seziku- 96%, okukhombisa ukuthi siyaphumelela ukwenza imfundo ibe ngephoqelelwe.

Uhulumeni usiza izingane ezingu 8 million ukuze zifunde mahhala, eziphuma emakhaya akhungethe ubumpofu.

Kanti futhi izingane ezingu 8 million zithola ukudla mahhala ezikoleni ukuze zifunde kahle.

Uhulumeni uyajabula kakhulu futhi ukuthi inani lezingane ezifunda ezinkulisa liyenyuka kakhulu. Zazisondele ku-300 000 ngo-2003 manje inani selisondele ku-800 000. 

Uhulumeni uyaqhubeka nokusiza intsha esemanyuvesi nasemakolishi ukuthola imifundaze nokwebolekwa imali. 

Sicela sibambisane nabazali nemiphakathi ukwenza zonke izikole zisebenze ngendlela zikhiqize imiphumela emihle. Sifuna kuthuthuke izinga lezingane ezifunda ziphase izibalo nesayensi.

Sifuna othisha bafike ngesikhathi esikoleni, nokuthi nabazali badlale indima yabo bayise izingane esikoleni ngesikhathi, zihloniphe othisha, zifunde.

Sicela sibambisane kulomcimbi ngoba imfundo ibaluleke kakhulu ezweni lakithi yiyo ezogcwalisa inkululeko.

The constitution also counts social security amongst the socio-economic rights. We have expanded the social assistance programme or social grants from covering just 2,7 million people in 1994 to over 16 million people to date. About 2,9 million recipients are older people, while 11,5 million receive the Child Support Grant. Social grants are government’s most effective poverty alleviation programme.

Research conducted by the Department of Social Development indicates that the grants continue to have a positive impact in the lives of many families.

Compatriots

There is recognition by the world that we are trying our best. In May last year, South Africa was invited to present its Second Universal Periodic Report (UPR) to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. 

Countries are expected to present a country report every four years to the Human Rights Council, to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfill their human rights obligations. 

Other states commended South Africa for its commitment to human rights and to improving the lives of its citizens. We were also acknowledged for the delivery of basic services such as housing, health and education as well as South Africa's leading role in the UN Human Rights Commission.

Like many countries in the world, our country faces a serious challenge of youth unemployment. Collaboration between the parties represented at NEDLAC, namely government, labour and the community sector - is critical in order to promote youth development and youth employment.

We are pleased that the NEDLAC parties have agreed to work together to expand opportunities for the employment and empowerment of youth. The youth employment accord will be signed in mid-April in Gauteng.

As part of putting some aspects of the youth accord into action, the Minister of Finance announced a tax incentive aimed at encouraging firms to employ young work seekers. This will be tabled for consideration by Parliament.

Compatriots, let me urge the entire nation to work with the government and the social partners to rebuild our country and in particular to build the economy.

We should all play our role to make our country attractive to both local and international investors so that the economy can grow and create jobs.

We therefore emphasise the point that people must stop talking the economy and the country down.

We need to take a more balanced view of our country and be ready to highlight and acknowledge the achievements of our democracy when making assessments.

Kufanele sonke sibambisane nohulumeni, nosomabhizinisi, nezinyunyana nezinhlangano zomphakathi ukuheha osozimali ukuze beze bazotshala izimali ezweni lethu kwakheke amathuba emisebenzi.

Ngakho-le, ngalolusuku lokukhumbula amalungelo abantu, esigxile kakhulu ngalo kumalungelo omnotho namhlanje, sithi masisebenzeni sonke, sakhe iNingizimu Afrika engcono, nekusasa elihle.

Masibambisaneni ukuze amalungelo abantu ahlonishwe ngezikhathi zonke ezweni lakithi.

Siyawunxusa umphakathi futhi ukuthi uhloniphe namalungelo abantu bakwamanye amazwe abahlala ezweni lethu.

The respect for human rights extends to the rights of all people in the world. Therefore, we condemn strongly any acts of xenophobia or any attacks or resentment directed at foreign nationals living in our country.

Compatriots,

On this human rights day, let us continue promoting the respect for the rights of others. As government we will also continue to promote respect for the rights of all citizens.

Our Constitution provides for a number of institutions that protect democracy and human rights. These include the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission on Gender Equality, the Office of the Public Protector and the Commission for the Rights of linguistic, traditional and cultural communities.

In addition to these institutions, our democracy provides for the existence of many non-governmental organisations which promotes the rights of women, children, the youth, the rights to education, health and other socio-economic rights.

This indicates a healthy democracy where people are able to express themselves and also promote the enjoyment of their rights.

We wish all South Africans a meaningful Human Rights Day as we celebrate how far we have come and what we have achieved under difficult conditions of transition from apartheid to freedom and democracy.

May God protect our people.

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.

Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso.

God bless South Africa.

Hosi katekisa Afrika.

 

I thank you!

Mr President,

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

 

Thank you, Your Excellency for honouring my invitation to undertake a State Visit to South Africa ahead of the BRICS Summit.

Your Excellency, South Africa is among the first countries that you are visiting since becoming President of China. Therefore, your visit will forever bear a special significance for all South Africans.

It means a lot to us indeed given the strong historical relations between our two countries, dating back to the days of the struggle for liberation in our country.

We have had a very productive morning, which took relations between our two countries steps ahead. 

Excellency, historians continue to uncover evidence that the contact between Africa and China predates the written record.

It is said that our own Kingdom of Mapungubwe in Limpopo province, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had contact with China already nine centuries ago. Regrettably colonialism, imperialism and apartheid disrupted contacts.

I am very proud to say that contact was established in the 1950’s, over 60 years ago between the African National Congress (ANC) and the People’s Republic of China.

It was no less than the late Comrade Walter Sisulu who visited China in 1953 to establish ties and garner support for the struggle against apartheid.

The People’s Republic of China readily obliged and remained steadfast in its opposition to apartheid until the first free and democratic election was held in South Africa in 1994.

Our bilateral relations were formally established in 1998, when President Mandela co-signed the Agreement of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between South Africa and China.

Since then, relations have grown from strength-to-strength, starting from a Partnership to a Strategic Partnership and to the present Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that we now enjoy.

The common challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality that our people, or people of the South in general face, is precisely that which brings us together.

Mr President,

The People’s Republic of China has achieved much success in a short time and it is incumbent on us to learn from that which you have achieved.

We view China’s success as a source of hope and inspiration as we engage with the task of finding our own solutions for bringing about a better future. The rise of China therefore has lessons for us all as we seek to emulate your example.

It is in this spirit that our two countries have signed the Terms of Reference of the Joint Inter-Ministerial Working Group on South Africa-China Cooperation.

This Working Group will monitor the implementation of cooperative projects so that we are able to join hand in meaningful way as we go forward.

Mr President, your visit today takes place within the context of the fifteen years of formal diplomatic relations between our countries.

This important milestone will be observed in many ways throughout the year in both countries. It has been proposed that next year be heralded as the ‘Year of South Africa in China’ and that 2015 be declared the ‘Year of China in South Africa’.

We can therefore look forward to many activities that will bring our countries and peoples even closer.

It is also worth reminding ourselves that on the front of our people-to-people cooperation, some encouraging developments have been noticed.

To underscore this cooperation is the signing of the China-South Africa People’s Friendship Association. This is one of the building blocks that will further enhance cooperation between our peoples.

We also launched the first SAA flight to Beijing in 2011 resulting in an increase in tourist arrivals from China. Our two countries will also sign an Agreement on Visa Waiver Requirements for Airline Staff in the near future.

Excellency, we discussed many areas of cooperation today.

We acknowledge and appreciate China’s engagement with South Africa in the fields of Science and Technology, Agriculture, Health as well as capacity building and skills transfer in Human Resources and Education.

We are also grateful for the scholarships provided by your Government to South African students.

We believe that the recent addition of another two hundred (200) new scholarships will contribute substantially to alleviate the critical shortage of skills for South Africa’s planned development of infrastructure and rapid industrialisation. Education is an apex priority in our country and we appreciate meaningful cooperation in this regard.

Let me thank the government  and people of China for supporting our bid for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

The awarding of this project to South Africa will indeed improve the lives of our people.

Your Excellency

China is South Africa’s biggest trading partner and a significant investor in the South African economy.

In 2012, exports from South Africa to China amounted to 89 billion rand, while imports from China to South Africa totalled 112 billion rand. Total trade stood at 201 billion rand, according to figures from the SA Revenue Service.

What we now seek to address jointly is to find the means towards a more equitable balance of trade.

The ongoing cooperation amongst the business sector in both countries is a step in the right direction in this regard.

We have today witnessed the signing of a number of business contracts and undertakings by the Captains of industry aimed at strengthening and deepening our bilateral relations.

Mr President, we will be meeting tomorrow in the context of the BRICS Summit, which we are truly proud to host in Africa for the first time.

I am convinced that our success and progress in BRICS will positively influence the work of the G20 and other multilateral efforts.

I look forward to working with you in further strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding which our two nations enjoy.

 

I thank you.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the Media

It is my great pleasure to host H.E. President Putin and to welcome him for his Working Visit to South Africa.

Bilateral relations between South Africa and Russia have developed well since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in the early nineties.

We have now celebrated the 21st Anniversary of our relations in February 2013.

I wish to take this opportunity to once again affirm our strategic partnership with Russia, as I did on my visit there in August 2010.

The meeting today provided an opportunity for a frank appraisal of the status of our bilateral relations and an exchange of views on regional and multilateral issues of common interest in Africa, BRICS, G20, Middle East and the UN.

Work between our two countries has progressed to the point where we have signed the Durban Declaration for Strategic Partnership. This establishes a Presidential Bilateral Mechanism and defines Programme areas that will guide the SA-Russia Strategic Partnership.

The signing of nine (9) Agreements today in the fields of Agriculture, Arts and Culture, Defence, Education, Energy, Fisheries, Mining, Science and Technology and Transport is a major achievement that will enhance the substance of our bilateral relations.

The visit also enabled us to exchange views on the unfolding regional and global challenges, especially peace and security issues in Africa and the Middle East.

I have also thanked President Putin for his invitation to me to attend the G20 Summit later this year in Russia. We look forward to taking the Development Agenda of the G20 forward.

We were also able to exchange views ahead of the 5th BRICS Summit and the first BRICS Summit in Africa, as well as the priorities of the BRICS Africa Retreat.

We believe that our strategic and mutually beneficial partnership with the Russian Federation will continue to thrive.

Amongst the highlights of this visit, is the launch of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre between South Africa’s DENEL and Russian Helicopters.

This is an important development in our relations. The launch of the MRO centre is the first accredited one for Russian Helicopters in Africa.

DENEL and Russian Helicopters have been in talks since 2009, and it has culminated today in this exciting event. The Centre carries accreditation to perform maintenance on Russian helicopters, types MI-8 and MI-17.

The relationship between these aviation companies was made possible by the Joint Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) framework and the Bilateral Agreement between our countries.

The facility is here for all Russian Helicopters and aircraft systems operators in the Continent, and will enable the operators to derive the benefits of DENEL’s extensive after sales support presence across our Continent.

A further benefit for other African countries is that DENEL’s licensed technicians are available to provide on the job training, assisting with improved turnaround of aircraft and the proximity of the MRO Centre providing readily available spares.

Excellency,

We congratulate the Russian Federation on the successful bids to host two upcoming important events, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

We are ready to assist and share our experience from hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup successfully.

Indeed, we have already had exchanges in this regard, through the South Africa-Russia Business Council and in the visit last year of a technical delegation to Russia.

We have every confidence that these events will be successful and memorable.

I am pleased that arrangements are already in place for the Russian National Soccer Team to play against our national squad Bafana Bafana sometime this year. We intend to give the Russians a very hard time on the field!

Ladies and Gentlemen of the media,

I would like to invite President Putin to address you.

 

I thank you.

Your Excellency, President Rousseff,

Your Excellency President Putin,

Your Excellency, President Xi Jinping,

Your Excellency Prime Minister Singh,

Honourable Ministers representing the BRICS countries,

Your Excellencies Ambassadors from BRICS countries,

 

Ladies and gentlemen

 

It is my honour and privilege to welcome you all to the warm African shores.

We meet here for the first BRICS Summit on African soil. Our fifth anniversary in the cradle of humankind completes the first cycle of BRICS Summits.

It is appropriate that we celebrate BRICS achievements, including our contributions to the further strengthening of the global agenda to ensure a more equitable and prosperous world for all.

The BRICS forum offers member states the opportunity of an amplified voice for political, financial, economic and social interests around a common growth and development agenda based on our shared values.

We have firmly established BRICS as a credible and constructive grouping in our quest to forge a new paradigm of global relations and cooperation.

BRICS countries continue to power, stabilise and support the global economy. We, however, remain vigilant to underlying weaknesses and risk in the global economy.

We have discussed the various pertinent conflict situations in the world and will coordinate closely notably also through the meetings of our International Relations/Foreign Ministers and National Security Advisors.

We remain committed to ensuring peace and security in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Our shared vision of intensifying development, integration and industrialisation remains at the core of our BRICS partnership, as well as our dialogue with other Emerging Markets and Developing Countries and thus informed our Summit theme and discussions.

In terms of our earlier deliberations, we have decided to enter formal negotiations to establish a BRICS-led new development Bank based on our own considerable infrastructure needs, which amounts to around USD 4,5 trillion over the next five years, but also to cooperate with other Emerging Markets and Developing Countries in future.

Our resolve extends further to also establish a BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement.

We are working towards related initiatives in our economic deliberations to further strengthen our intra-BRICS cooperation.

In this regard, we have launched the BRICS Business Council this morning. That session brought together the BRICS Leaders and our Captains of Industry to ensure synergy in our respective endeavours.

We have also during this Summit, launched the BRICS Think Tanks Council to assist us with innovation.

We also acknowledge the successful hosting of the Fifth BRICS Academic Forum, and appreciate the role of our academics in fostering dialogue between the BRICS countries.

The knowledge economy needs to be a learning economy as we and other emerging Markets and Developing Countries shift from primary to industrial production, notably to enjoy the fruits of our own resource endowments through beneficiation, to the supply of modern services.

In this regard, each of our countries faces unique challenges.

In South Africa, we need to upgrade the skills of at least 3.2 million youths who are neither in employment, education nor training, so as to ensure that they are employable and can be absorbed into productive labour market economy.

We are working on overhauling our post-school education and training system, as well as the skills development environment in order to address this challenge.

Our government has classified education as an apex priority and, thus, naturally has a bigger share of our national budget. We are keen to learn from the experiences of other BRICS countries on how they are dealing with similar challenges.

Today, global media and information technology is perhaps one of the pre-eminent carriers of the relations between nations of the modern world given its immediacy and extent and BRICS has certainly grasped its fair share of global attention. 

In as far as BRICS objectives are concerned, this does not extend only to technical capability and shared opportunities in the field of communication, but principally to the manner in which the BRICS story and messages are told in the global context, as well as in the domestic markets of the BRICS member countries.

We look forward to further cooperation in this field.

The exponential growth and cooperation potential of the BRICS-Africa partnership will be further discussed together with the African leadership at a Retreat which I will host later today, to focus on the continents infrastructure development agenda.

Sub-Saharan Africa achieved strong growth of over 5% in 2012 which will continue in 2013 not withstanding the fairly weak, but improving growth prospects in the rest of the world.

African countries are fully committed to maintaining the momentum on reforms, to induce higher growth supportive of poverty reduction.

We must, therefore, work together to support the unyielding efforts of our people to strive towards a better life, including and especially in Sub Saharan Africa so rich, albeit complex, in opportunities.  The BRICS- Africa cooperation in this 5th Summit is therefore a significant development.

As we enter our next cycle it is imperative that we consolidate the gains of our coming together and provide impetus to global debates in the various fora and spheres of human endeavour.

I am convinced that when we celebrate our tenth anniversary, this resolve will be justified.

We are truly pleased with the progress made at this session.

 

We thank you.

 

Your Excellencies, Honourable BRICS Leaders,

Ministers, 

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Captains of Industry, 

Ladies and Gentlemen 

 

Good Morning and a very warm welcome to our BRICS Leaders and our esteemed foreign business delegation here in South Africa.  

We are truly pleased to see the level of enthusiasm amongst business leaders from the BRICS countries.

The feedback from the moderators on the outcomes of the Business Forum is most encouraging.

We can see from the remarks of the Chairs of the Business that we have indeed a formidable BRICS Business Council with distinguished Captains of Industry.

Honourable BRICS Leaders,&nbsnbsp;

Three years have passed since South Africa’s inclusion in the BRICS group of fast-growing emerging economies, and we are now starting to see the benefit of mutual cooperation between our countries.

We meet during a critical time where stronger South-South trade is more compelling, with the most dynamic emerging economies leading a structural shift in the global economy. 

In this regard, we are convinced that through purposeful engagement we can negotiate new types of mutually beneficial developmental agreements with BRIC countries. 

The South African Government has pledged its commitment to continuously engage and support business in South Africa.

We will also work tirelessly in tandem with our BRICS counterparts to forge stronger partnerships to deliver prosperity and progress to the people of South Africa.  

These relationships are also viewed as mutually beneficial for our BRICS partners.

An example of such partnerships can be the leveraging of South Africa’s position on the continent as a leading investor through partnering with BRICS companies to explore commercial opportunities in Africa.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

This 4th BRICS Business Forum is an important event in helping to cement the business relations between our respective countries. 

You have done a lot of work at this session. You have focused on issues ranging from agriculture and agro-processing to energy, the green economy, mineral beneficiation, infrastructure and finance. 

These conversations would have contributed significantly to furthering business to business relations between our respective countries.

A number of projects have been considered as part of the deliberations, these include the BRICS Development Bank, BRICS Marine Cable and the BRICS Trade and Development Risk Pool. 

The BRICS-led bank is intended to mobilise domestic savings and to co-fund infrastructure in developing regions. 

The aim of the Trade and Development Risk Pool is to establish a sustainable and alternative insurance and reinsurance network for the BRICS countries. 

The BRICS Cable will focus on a new high capacity of 28 400 km linking the BRICS countries and this will remove the dependency on developed countries as interconnection points by providing a direct route amongst the BRICS countries.

These areas of cooperation also tie in directly with the overarching theme of this BRICS dialogue, namely BRICS and Africa – partnership for development, integration and industrialization. 

I am pleased to note the signing of Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Agreements during the Business Forum on major projects will enhance the business to business engagements between BRICS nations. 

A key measure to further increase intra-BRICS trade and investment is the establishment of the BRICS Business Council which we are launching at today’s session.  

The Council will serve as a platform to strengthen and promote economic, trade, business and investment ties between the business communities of the five BRICS countries.

The BRICS Business Council’s objectives include the strengthening of trade relations; promotion of business relations; technology transfer; and cooperation in the areas of skills development, banking, the green economy, manufacturing and industrialization.

Furthermore, the formation of the Business Council this morning reiterates the commitment within the private sector to foster closer collaboration between the BRICS nations. I am sure that this will set the tone for the BRICS Business Council going forward.

The Chairs of the BRICS Business Council and members should play a very active role in carving out an implementation plan to accelerate economic cooperation and partnerships between enterprises of the BRICS nations.

In this regard, we would like to see such tangible and practical projects when we meet at the next Summit in Brazil.  

Opportunity is immense. Now is the time for the BRICS Business Council to lead private sector engagements and projects for mutual benefit and cooperation.

We congratulate the Business Council and all business delegates for such fruitful work. We look forward to growing trade and economic cooperation within the BRICS community.

 

I thank you!

Members of the families of our fallen soldiers,

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans,

Ministers and Premiers,

Deputy Ministers and Executive Mayors,

The Chief of the South African National Defence Force,

The Secretary for Defence,

Members of the Plenary Defence Staff Council,

Members of the Military Command

Generals, Admirals, Flag Officers

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I salute you all today on behalf of the Government of South Africa and on behalf of the commanders and soldiers of the South African National Defence Force.

We humbly greet you all in the name of the fallen heroes of the South African National Defence Force.

We have gathered here to pay tribute to our young servicemen who were part of the South African National Defence Force contingent who lost their lives in combat last week.

The attack on our base in the outskirts of the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, saw the loss of 13 young and brave men and resulted in the injury of 27. 

The ceremony to receive their mortal remains was held on Thursday at the Waterkloof Airforce Base, whilst the injured servicemen are being cared for at 1 Military Hospital. 

Bereaved families,

Compatriots and friends,

From every corner of our country, South Africans have expressed their pain and outrage at the death of our soldiers. 

The 13 heroes who bravely fought to protect their own are the following:

1. Corporal Mokgadi Darius Seakamela,

2. Corporal Ntebaleng Andrew Mogorosi,

3. Lance Corporal Daniel Sello Molara,

4. Lance Corporal Lukas Mohapi Tsheke,

5. Rifleman Lesego Maxwell Hertzog,

6. Rifleman Zamani Jim Mxhosana,

7. Rifleman Xolani Dlamini,

8. Rifleman Vusumzi Joseph Ngaleka,

9. Rifleman Karabo Edwin Matsheka,

10. Rifleman Khomotso Paul Msenga,

11. Rifleman Maleisane Samuel Thulo,

12. Rifleman Motsamai William Bojane and

13. Rifleman Thabiso Anthon Phirimana.

 

We salute and honour them for the supreme sacrifice they have paid for the achievement of peace in Africa.

They fought side by side as true soldiers, fighting off a large group of rebels who had attacked the South African military base.

Though it may seem as they were outnumbered, they were able to hold their own in a battle that lasted over 9 hours. As South Africans we should be truly proud of these soldiers. 

There are those who merely talk about South Africa and our wonderful freedom, rights and privileges and the need for peace and progress in the African continent.

Then, there are those who are always ready to act to protect the integrity of the Republic of South Africa and to contribute to the building of a peaceful and prosperous Africa. 

Our fallen soldiers were in that latter category.

The tears of grief from the families are both inevitable and deserved, because of the calibre of men we have lost. To the families, your pain is shared by thousands of South Africans in many corners of the country and the continent. 

When future generations ask what kind of men and women these were, who gave so much of their lives to the service of the people of South Africa and the continent, we will be able to boldly say how special they were, to put their own lives at risk for such a noble mission of building peace in the continent.

Compatriots,

This is a period of mourning, a period in which we must pay our respects and honour these selfless compatriots who remained true to the oath of office that they took when they joined the SANDF.

Unfortunately, there are those who have decided to use this period of mourning to try and dishonour the memory of our heroes by peddling various unfounded allegations and conspiracy theories.

There has been a deliberate attempt to cast doubt and distort the purpose of Operation Vimbezela, our mission in CAR.

We will not be side-tracked by those who are on a perpetual campaign against this democratic government.

Let me emphasise that we reject any insinuation that these soldiers were sent to the CAR for any reason other than in pursuit of the national interest and the interests of the African continent.

Our national servicemen died for a worthy cause. They died in defence of the country’s foreign policy. 

They died defending our commitment to the renewal of the African continent, and to the promotion of peace and stability which would lead to sustainable development in Africa.

Our foreign policy is premised on the vision of building a better Africa and a better world.

It is built on the foundation of Ubuntu and an understanding that we cannot be an island of peace and prosperity if our neighbours still battle with conflicts and poverty. We believe that as an integral part of the African continent, we must develop together with our neighbours in the continent.

Our belief in a free and prosperous Africa dates back a century. 

Our ultimate vision of the type of Africa we want to see, is best encapsulated in the April 1906 essay by one of the founding fathers of this free South Africa, Pixley ka Isaka Seme, entitled; “The Regeneration of Africa".

We are inspired when Dr Seme states; 

“The brighter day is rising upon Africa. 

Already I seem to see her chains dissolved, her desert plains red with harvest, her Abyssinia and her Zululand the seats of science and religion, reflecting the glory of the rising sun from the spires of their churches and universities. Her Congo and her Gambia whitened with commerce, her crowded cities sending forth the hum of business, and all her sons employed in advancing the victories of peace-greater and more abiding than the spoils of war."

This is the Africa that these heroic soldiers sought to build and it is this Africa that their children and grand children must live in.

Inspired by such a vision, South Africa sent soldiers to the Central African Republic, in response to a directive of the African Union of 2007. 

During that year, the African Union Peace and Security Council directed that its member states should, “in the name of African Solidarity” provide support for the socio-economic recovery and the consolidation of peace and stability in the Central African Republic, which had gone through periods of instability.  

Measures proposed included among others “Assistance towards the Defence and Security Sector".

In February 2007, South Africa signed the Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the CAR (Operation Vimbezela), in line with this AU directive. The aim of this Operation was for South Africa to assist in the training of the CAR army. 

The military training included the Protection Force, VIP Protection, training of group leaders, specialists and infantry, refurbishment of bases and barracks and the provision of equipment. 

When the security situation in the CAR deteriorated in the late 2012, our government made an assessment that resulted in the deployment of 200 additional troops in the CAR as a protection force for the trainers and the military assets that were already in that country. 

These additional soldiers were not trainers. They were not deployed to train but as a protection force for the trainers. 

The SANDF is continuing with its assessment and appreciation of the events that led to this tragedy. This assessment is standard procedure in the Defence Force. It is necessary in order to avoid similar losses of lives in future and current deployments. 

The problem in South Africa is that everybody wants to run the country. Government must be given the space to do its work of running the country to implement the policies of the ruling party that was voted into office by millions of our people.

There must also be an appreciation that military matters and decisions are not matters that are discussed in public, other than to share broader policy.

No country discusses its military strategy in public in the manner in which South Africa is expected to do in this country. Those who are engaging in this game should be careful not to endanger both the national interest and the security of the Republic while pursuing party political goals.

Compatriots,

We are continuing to consult the Central African region and the African Union on this matter. 

I will tomorrow attend the Extra-ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of Central African States, convened by the chairman, the President of Chad to discuss the situation in the Central African Republic. We will be guided by the continent as to what to do next.

South Africa will continue to work for the regeneration of the continent, as guided by our founding leaders.

We are a country with a rich and noble history of building peace and friendship with the world. 

One of the outstanding men to whom we owe our freedom, former ANC President Mr Oliver Tambo said in 1977 addressing the First Congress of the Angolan ruling party, the MPLA in Luanda in 1977.

He stated:  “We seek to live in peace with our neighbours and the peoples of the world in conditions of equality, mutual respect and equal advantage”.

In this vein, may the blood of our heroic soldiers, that has been shed so untimely, contribute to the building of lasting peace in the continent.

May it lead us to a period where there shall be an end to the unconstitutional changes of power and governments in Africa, where soldiers decide to take over government by force instead of through the ballot box.

The African Union Constitutive Act pronounces strongly its condemnation of unconstitutional changes in government. We remain committed to play our part to make peace, democracy and good governance take root in our beloved continent. 

Compatriots, 

As you would be aware, we meet as well just a few days after losing five of our soldiers in an air crash at Kruger National Park, whilst on a mission to protect our treasured resource, our rhinos. It is indeed a difficult period for the SANDF and the nation.

It is said that, the value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive. 

These words fit all these fallen heroes who gave their all. They gave much to their work. 

May the fond memories of all these fallen compatriots remain with us forever.

We pass our condolences to all the families of the fallen soldiers.

Sithi emindenini elahlekelwe, duduzekani. 

Siyazi kubuhlungu, kodwa amaqhawe ethu afele emsebenzini wokwakha ukuthula noxolo e-Afrika. Siyaziqhenya ngamaqhawe ethu onke.

May their souls rest in peace.

Mabalale ngoxolo.

God bless Africa.

 

I thank you.

In today’s global and competitive world, a country’s success is determined by many things.

Key amongst these is a patriotic, effective and efficient cadre of public servants that translates government policies and programmes into tangible   benefits.

On 14 February I delivered the State of the Nation Address in which I outlined our government priorities for 2013.  This being the last year of the fourth administration, the State of the Nation Address took the form of a progress report to the nation. The Minister of Finance presented the Budget on the 27th of February. Both the SONA and the Budget emphasised our resolve to continue tackling poverty, unemployment and inequality. We have the resources. We have the time. We must now further improve the way we work and get better results.

Already, a lot of work has been done to speed up the delivery of services and such work is continuing. But importantly, we have to work harder to improve people’s experience of government services.

As we begin the new financial year, we urge public servants to work even harder to build a caring and efficient public service. Many meaningful achievements of government in the past year can be attributed to our hard working public servants. For example, in the health sector, life expectancy is now firmly on an upward trend. Infant and under-5 mortality rates have improved significantly and the maternal mortality ratio has started to decrease.

Mother to child transmission of HIV has declined sharply and there has been a huge increase in the number of people living with HIV-AIDS who are receiving anti-retroviral treatment. Similarly, there has been a significant decrease in overall serious crime, due to hard working police officials who risk their lives at times, to make our communities safer.

In basic education there has been a huge increase in the number of children attending Grade R and there have been improvements in the matric pass rate. The introduction of Annual National Assessments (ANA) post-2009 enabled the objective measurement of literacy and numeracy levels at lower grades for the first time. The first ANA results in 2011 supported our diagnosis that things needed to change in the basic education sector in order to produce better results.

The basic education delivery agreement identified a number of required changes, including the introduction of workbooks, which have since been implemented. The 2012 ANA results indicate that these changes are starting to bear fruit at the lower grades.

Targets are also being achieved in other key education areas such as the training of artisans and increasing enrolments in Further Education and Training Colleges.  

Further, we have put in place a number of initiatives since 2009 to monitor citizens’ experience when they obtain services from government.

By November 2012, citizens had logged more than 140 000 cases with the Presidential Hotline, of which 87% had been resolved.  Since September 2012, monthly satisfaction testing is being conducted. Of 1205 citizens surveyed, 65% rated their satisfaction with the resolution of their hotline case as high or average.

We have also introduced a front-line service delivery monitoring programme through which officials from the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) in the Presidency and the Offices of the Premiers carry out unannounced visits to service delivery sites in order to monitor indicators such as queue management and waiting times, dignified treatment, cleanliness and comfort. The focus is on facilities where the public is directly served - Home Affairs Offices, South African Social Security Agency offices, police stations, health facilities, drivers’ license centres, municipal customer care centres, schools and courts. Over 300 sites were visited over the past year. The Presidency and the Offices of the Premiers have engaged with the relevant line function departments to ensure that both site-specific and more systemic problems that are identified are addressed.  Repeat visits to the sites indicate that, in many cases, this monitoring has resulted in improvements. These unannounced visits will continue this year.

The monitoring of management practices is also starting to bear fruit in a number of areas. For example, the average time taken to fill a funded vacancy in national and provincial departments improved from nine months in 2010 to four months in 2012.

Turn-around times have also improved in some areas of service delivery. For example, the average time taken to issue an identity book has been reduced from about 150 days to about 30 days. The average time taken to process an application for a social grant decreased from 30 days in 2010 to 21 days in 2012.

There has also been an improvement in the average time taken by the police to respond to calls for assistance.

However, there is still much room for improvement in departments, particularly in areas such as payment of suppliers within 30 days and the setting and monitoring of service delivery standards. The Presidency, through the DPME, will continue to closely monitor these issues to ensure that they improve. 

In addition, the DPME has put in place a national evaluation system and also produces an annual set of development indicators which provide a broad picture of the state of development of our country. 

Over the past three years, we have succeeded in laying a firm foundation for a more performance-oriented government. The performance and delivery agreements, the Presidential Siyahlola Monitoring Programme and frontline service delivery visits, the Presidential Hotline and the management performance assessments are elements of a new system of government that we have introduced to change the way government works so that it produces better results.

There is still a long way to go before we reach our destination of a fully effective developmental state outlined in the National Development Plan. However, there is evidence that the changes are bearing fruit. 

We thank all our hard working public servants. Keep up the good work and let us continue building a responsive, effective and caring government.

Enquiries: Mac Maharaj on 079 879 3203

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

The Minister of Correctional Services, Mr Sbu Ndebele and all Ministers,

Gauteng Premier Ms Mokonyane

Deputy Ministers,

Correctional Services Commissioner and all senior officials,

Distinguished guests,

 

We are truly delighted to be part of this important occasion today, the official renaming ceremony of the Department of Correctional Services Pretoria Management Area to Kgosi Mampuru II Management Area.

 

This event forms part of the celebration of Freedom Month which is also Heroes Month in our country.

This is sadly the month during which we lost selfless national heroes such as former ANC President Oliver Reginald Tambo, former SACP general secretary and Mkhonto Wesizwe Chief of Staff Chris Hani and the young Solomon Mahlangu who was executed here at Pretoria Central Prison for fighting for the freedom we enjoy today.

At the same time, April is the month of freedom. It is the month during which we made history by burying a painful history and began to build the future together.

It is the month during which South Africans elevated reconciliation and forgiveness, and we decided to emphasise our unity in diversity and minimise that which divides us.Part of that reconciliation includes the renaming of geographic and place names as well as landmarks.

This is meant to reflect our diverse political and historical heritage and to heal the wounds of the past.

As South Africans from all walks of life, regardless of the role we played in history or what we believed in then, have a responsibility to respect and acknowledge the past, celebrate the present and build the future together.

Government has an extensive ongoing heritage programme that includes the upgrading and declaration of historic sites to ensure a more representative and inclusive South African history and heritage.

More importantly, this also contributes towards shared values and a common national identity in the country.

Furthermore, the building and maintenance of new monuments and historic sites has a greater potential to stimulate economic activity and create much needed jobs in communities where these sites are located. These sites will also contribute towards cultural tourism both domestically and internationally.

We will work together with the people of South Africa and the world to ensure that we preserve and promote our rich cultural heritage.

We regard this work as central towards transformation, nation building, national identity and building a socially cohesive South African society that is non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous.

The renaming of the Pretoria Management Area falls within that category of promoting a shared heritage.

Kgosi Mampuru was hanged on 22 November, 1883, here in Pretoria prison, which makes it fitting to name this area after him.

In the Book “Long Walk to Freedom”, President Mandela states the following:

“South Africa’s history includes many famous political trials. There was the case of Mampuru, the rightful heir to the Bapedi throne, who was executed for public violence and revolt and murder of Sekhukhune in 1883 and who gave Commandant General P.J Joubert and his burgers a lesson in mobile warfare…..”

The new name should create a general feeling of belonging, because it captures our history and creates a context of relevance. We are pleased therefore, to launch Freedom Month with such a historic event.

This renaming today also marks a historical milestone in our correctional heritage.

To be effective, and relevant, the field of corrections, as well as its facilities, must talk to the history that has gone before it, shaping it and drawing inspirations from it.

Compatriots,

Let me also take this opportunity to especially commend the South African people for the dignified manner in which name changes are taking places nationally.

By and large, there has been an understanding and maturity about the need to change the symbols and reflect the history of those who were dispossessed.

In a dignified manner, the streets in our capital city here in Pretoria have been renamed after the heroes of the struggle for freedom, the people who sacrificed much so that we could live together as one nation in a non-racial society which prioritises human rights and the dignity of all.

Indeed, we have come a long way as South Africans, and should be proud of the strides we have made in building a new nation out of the divisions of the past.

We may not see the achievements we have scored due to the daily struggles we are subjected to.

However, history will be able to say that this generation of South Africans was able to look beyond hatred, anger and pain, to build a united, non-sexist, non-racial and democratic South Africa.

On this Freedom Month, let us not lose sight of the achievements we have scored against tremendous odds.

The fact that we held our first democratic elections peacefully and ushered in a new era, is a historic achievement that many in the world still marvel at. We could have moved in another direction, and tore one another apart in a racial war that would have turned our country into a wasteland.

But we maturely chose peace, stability and progress.

The month of April should be used to reflect on such a momentous achievement.

We must reflect on the strides we have made in achieving the vision of a better life for all. 

 

Undoubtedly much has changed since 1994 and there has been progress in every sphere of society, but we are aware that more must still be done.

 

We must also remain mindful of the path to our future.  The National Development Plan is our future roadmap. The plan outlines the type of society we are striving for in 2030, where no one is hungry, where everyone is able to go to school and further their studies, where work is available, where everyone is making a contribution because each person have been provided with what they need to live their full potential.

 

However, Government alone cannot build such a society.

 

The involvement of all South Africans is critical to ensuring the successful implementation of the NDP. Citizens must know their rights and responsibilities and actively participate in building this country. Leadership throughout society from communities, schools, businesses and across the three spheres of government must drive the change to realise Vision 2030.

 

Let me congratulate all South Africans on the achievement of freedom in April 1994 and on what we have achieved together in this long journey to prosperity.

 

We will succeed if we continue working together in unity and kinship as one people.

 

I thank you.