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.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Deputy Ministers,

Director-General and senior officials,

Excellencies Heads of Missions,

Good afternoon to you all.

We meet again, to reflect on our important task of strengthening friendship ties between South Africa and the world.

We meet to reflect on our key foreign policy goal, to contribute to building a better Africa and a better world.

Our national hero and pioneer of our foreign relations perspective and strategy, former ANC President, Oliver Reginald Tambo, had this to say about our foreign relations perspective, in his address to 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”. This is the vision that drives our foreign policy, premised on the philosophy of ubuntu.

This is the vision that informed us when the Constitution of the Republic was drafted.

Excellencies,

Freedom Day 2013 Celebrations will be held on 27 April 2013 under the theme “Mobilising society towards consolidating our democracy and freedom”.

 

Freedom Day represents peace, unity, and the restoration of human dignity of all South Africans. It is a reminder of the countless sacrifices made by many of our countrymen and women and a chance to ensure that no one will ever take our hard won freedom for granted.

 

South Africa has taken many strides away from its past of exclusion and discrimination on the basis of sex, colour and creed.

 

The country has been steadily moving forward in a direction that reasserts our humanity. In this march towards humanity, a new culture of human rights and a respect for the dignity of the human spirit have become the characteristics of South Africa.

 

One of the symbolic moments of our exodus from the past was the raising of the new flag in 1994.

 

That moment aptly affirmed the pride and dignity of an unfolding country and a celebration of humanity. Another was the unveiling of a new Coat of Arms on 27 April 2000 that embraced the collective historical essence of the people of the country.

 

The 2013 celebrations for Freedom Day and Month take on special significance as the nation prepares for our 20 years of freedom commemoration and celebrations.

 

As our heads of missions abroad, you will be able to tell the world in celebrations all over, that South Africa is a much better place than it was before 1994. We are indeed a country that is better off since our democratic elections.

 

During this month, South Africans will recall the momentous events leading up to 27 April 1994 and reflect on the next 20 years.

 

We will also have an opportunity to reflect on the kind of South Africa we want to live in, in the next 20 years as outlined in our National Development Plan. 

 

We are therefore in a much better space than we have been in many years, now that we have a long-term plan around which to unite the country.

 

We are poised to move faster towards achieving the goal of building a truly united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa.

We value the partnerships with many partners in all continents in our pursuit of these development goals.  We will also continue to prioritise our goals of promoting a just and equitable society worldwide,  in international organisations and other spheres.

Therefore our quest for the reform of international financial institutions or the United Nations Security Council is aimed at achieving this equitable order in international economic and political relations.

More importantly, all our heads of missions should also continue to prioritise the African continent and the promotion of African renewal, development and reconstruction, regardless of where they stationed.

Contributing to building a better Africa is the central foreign policy goal of the South African government.

It is for this reason that we continue to applaud the election of one of our own, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as Chairperson of the African Union Commission. We will provide all the support possible, to make her succeed.

We are also pleased that all African nations have pledged their support, as part of the collective determination to make the African Union succeed, as we mark 50 years of the OAU/African Union.

Excellencies,

As you are aware, our country plays an important role in global economic and political relations.

This means that we must prioritise communication and the marketing of the country abroad.   In this era of globalisation, since information flows like fire and can easily be misinterpreted, our diplomacy cannot afford to neglect public opinion.

We have witnessed this just recently in our country following the tragic event in the Central African Republic, how information gets quickly distorted and rumours and lies easily flourish.

Prioritising communication and marketing is therefore a key strategic goal.

We should build stronger networks with stakeholders such as NGOs, think-tanks, Universities and other civil society structures both at home and abroad.

This is important because economic decisions to invest in, trade with or visit a country are not always made solely on the facts. They are often emotional and based on perceptions.  

Compatriots, as we mark Freedom Month, let me take this opportunity to congratulate you on all the hard work and your contribution to the achievements that our country has scored since 1994.

In the roles you have played since then, you have contributed to making South Africa a much better place.

Hard work must still continue. We have to ensure that more people have water, electricity, sanitation, decent housing, functional schools, clinics and police stations and other services.

Most importantly, this month we will be celebrating the Constitution of the Republic.

Yesterday, on the 10th of April we marked 20 years since the brutal assassination of one of our fearless and outstanding freedom fighters, Chris Hani. In his presentation to the first meeting of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa in December 1991, Mr Hani emphasised the importance of drafting a progressive Constitution for the country.

“Without a new Constitution there can be no peace. Peace must be based on a secure foundation, on a lasting Constitution enjoying overwhelming support of the majority of our people. Such a new Constitution must also provide a framework within which this society can be transformed from a paradise for a small minority for most others to one where all enjoy peace and social justice’’.

Thus, our country has a firm foundation in its Constitution and a firm foundation for the next 20 years in the National Development Plan. That is the message we would like you to impart to the world.

We must communicate the beauty and the successes of our country.

We must communicate the beauty of the South African people, who were able to move beyond hatred, pain and divisions and began building a new country and a new society.

We wish you all a happy and successful Freedom Month!

I thank you.

Programme Director,

Minister of Tourism, Mr Marthinus Van Schalkwyk,
Chairperson of the Tourism Portfolio Committee, Mr Gumede,

Chairperson of the Select Committee, Mr Gamede

SA Tourism Board Chairperson, Mr Frank Kilbourn 

CEO of Waterfront, David Green

Esteemed Captains of the Tourism Industry,

Senior officials,

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

 

I stand here before you today in the V & A Waterfront, the gateway to Robben Island, only two days before our Freedom Day celebrations and just a year before the marking of 20 years of our freedom and democracy. 

We are very proud that a country that was once a pariah state is now attracting more international visitors each year.

In 1993, South Africa received a mere 3.4 million foreign visitors. By 2012, the figure had grown by 300 percent to 13.5 million visitors, of which 9.2 million were tourists. 

The magnificent growth in tourism figures is a positive outcome of our transition to a democratic dispensation. The fruits of our freedom have indeed come in many forms. 

These results also demonstrate the effectiveness of our economic diplomacy underpinned by a sound foreign policy. 

This positive trend is continuing due to our systematic investment in policy and strategy development as well as effective implementation.

In 2009 we decided to create a stand-alone National Department of Tourism as we knew the potential of tourism as a job creator and also as a sector that would open our beautiful country to the world. 

Tourism was subsequently identified as one of the key sectors envisaged in our New Growth Path economic strategy as one of six job drivers. The others are mining, manufacturing, the green economy, infrastructure development and agriculture.

Tourism also has the potential to provide more youth business and employment opportunities.

Our National Tourism Sector Strategy, developed in partnership with all spheres of government, the private sector and other role players, envisions South Africa as among the top 20 world tourist destinations by 2020. 

Our objective is to grow our share of the over one billion annual tourist arrivals from the global tourism market and also to further grow our domestic market.

Most importantly, our strategy has two main outcomes, namely creating 225 000 additional jobs and contributing about half a trillion rand to the country’s Gross Domestic Product by 2020. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

It now gives me great pleasure to share with you our country’s annual tourism performance for 2012.

A total of 9 188 368 international tourists visited South Africa in 2012. This was 10.2% more than 8 339 354 tourists who travelled to the country in 2011. 

This was also more than double the global average in tourist growth, which has been estimated as being at around 4% by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. 

Europe remained the highest source of overseas tourists to South Africa, growing by 9.5% on 2011 figures. We attracted 1 396 978 European tourists to the country last year. 

The United Kingdom continues to be South Africa’s biggest overseas tourism market, with 438 023) UK tourists travelling to South Africa in 2012, which is 4.2% up on 2011 figures. 

The United States is South Africa’s second biggest overseas tourism market, with 326 643 tourists from the USA visiting in 2012, up 13.6% on 2011 figures.  

Germany is the third biggest overseas market with 266 333 tourists up 13% on 2011 figures. 

France is now South Africa’s fifth biggest overseas tourism market with 122 244 tourists in 2012, up 16% on 2011 figures. 

A few years ago we took the decision to begin actively marketing South Africa in emerging markets, which has yielded extremely positive results. 

Asia as a region is up 33.7% on the figures recorded in 2011, driven by growth from China and India, and Central and South America.  

Since 2009, arrivals from China have more than tripled, arrivals from Brazil have more than doubled and arrivals from India have almost doubled.

China has become South Africa’s fourth biggest overseas tourism market at 132 334 tourists last year, up 55.9% on 2011 figures. 

The impressive growth in arrivals from India continued in 2012, with 106 774 Indian visitors to South Africa, a growth of 18.2%, making India South Africa’s eighth largest overseas source market.

Brazil continued to show impressive growth rates becoming a top ten overseas source market for arrivals for the first time, at ninth position. A total of 78 376 Brazilians came to South Africa in 2012, a 44.7% increase on 2011 numbers.  

Africa remains the pillar of our tourism economy and we are happy to see that arrivals from the region have maintained the solid growth path we have become accustomed to. Growth from our own continent was up by 8,5%. 

Foreign tourists spent a total of R76.4 billion in South Africa last year, up 7.6% on the total foreign direct spend in the country in 2011. 

The expenditure by tourists from the Americas, Asia and Australasia as well as Europe has also increased. 

The only decrease in spend was from tourists from our African markets, which led to the average spend per tourist decreasing by 2,3%.

In addition, the average length of stay decreased from 8.5 nights per tourist in 2011 to 7.6 nights in 2012. The shorter stays are a global trend that affects all our competitors due to the global economic meltdown.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This phenomenal tourism growth is evidence that we are successfully setting ourselves apart in a competitive marketplace. 

It indicates that South Africa’s reputation as a friendly, welcoming, inspiring and unique tourism destination continues to grow.

I am also pleased to share with you the preliminary edition of the latest Tourism Satellite Account which has been released by Statistics SA, for the period ending December 2011. 

Direct tourism contribution to the GDP went up by 5% to 84.3 billion rand in 2011. Direct employment in the sector as a percentage of overall employment in the country went up from 4.3% to 4.5% between 2010 and 2011. 

This resulted from the increase of about thirty one thousand direct jobs in the sector from 2010 to a total direct employment of 598,432 in 2011. 

The total domestic tourism expenditure increased from 69 billion rand in 2010 to one hundred and one billion rand in 2011, which translates to an increase of over 30 billion rand.

The outstanding performance will be further enhanced by closer collaboration between South African Tourism and our over 100 diplomatic missions across the world. 

When I addressed our heads of foreign missions in Pretoria earlier this month, I impressed upon them the need to prioritise communication and the marketing of our country. We expect to see positive results.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are also happy to be releasing  these exciting tourism figures just a week before the World Economic Forum Africa conference to be held here in Cape Town from 8 to 10 May.

South Africa will once again host Heads of State and Government and global and domestic captains of commerce and industry. 

This conference, to be held under the theme “Delivering on Africa’s Promise”, will provide an opportunity to advance the African Agenda of economic growth and development. 

We invite the people of Cape Town and South Africa as a whole to ensure the warmest welcome to the World Economic Forum high level delegates. 

We once again have an opportunity to prove our expertise in hosting events of this magnitude.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me to use this opportunity once again to congratulate and thank all South Africans for ensuring the success of our tourism strategy. 

In addition to the beauty of our country and its outstanding facilities, it is because South Africans treat visitors warmly and hospitably that we see such positive results.

Let me also congratulate the Minister of Tourism and the entire tourism sector for this performance. The fruits of your hard work are visible.

These figures give us confidence that we are making good progress in our efforts to grow the tourism industry in South Africa. But we cannot become complacent.

More and more countries around the world are realising the opportunity that tourism presents for growing their economies and creating jobs. Our geographic position makes our fight for the global tourism share more difficult than most. 

As a tourism industry we have to remain committed to working together to grow tourism to our country, with the support of all South Africans.

As we prepare to celebrate Freedom Day, let me invite every South African to be an ambassador of the Republic. Let us all market our beautiful country diligently and passionately to one another and to Africa and the world. 

We have done exceptionally well since the democratic transition in 1994. We have a story to tell, and a beautiful country to show off to the world. 

Working together, we can do so much more!

 

I thank you.