Excellencies
Ambassadors / High Commissioners Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Diplomats
Ministers present with us today
Director General
Members of the media present
Ladies and Gentlemen
 
It is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to welcome you all on behalf of the people and the government of South Arica.

You arrived during the significant month of July, when we celebrate the life and times of our founding President, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

It is through the legacy he has left us that we will pursue reforms to challenge chronic poverty, growing inequality, conflict and sectarian wars that we continue to witness in the face of adversity.

By so doing, we will be collectively contributing in the promotion of justice, freedom, racial tolerance and uphold human rights.

I am sure this is all we have ever wished for humanity.

It is former President Mandela’s spirit that epitomises the democratic, non-sexist, non-racial all inclusive society we seek to build.

Working with you, our partners in development, you have made this task a lot easier for us.

A report entitled “I believe I can make a difference” by the Charities Aid Foundation has found that giving and volunteering, which are important expressions of humanity and citizenship, are already widely evidenced across Africa.

The report further finds that initiatives like International Mandela Day in South Africa “are illustrative of a concerted interest and effort in cultivating a caring society,” which promotes active citizenship and social cohesion.

The findings of this report are echoed by the National Perceptions Audit conducted by Brand South Africa which finds that South Africa’s pride level stands at 80, active citizenship level at 68 and social cohesion level at 73. 

Fifty three percent (53%) of citizens surveyed indicated that they would like to contribute to social programmes although they may not have the time and resources to do so which a further 29% indicated that are willing to contribute to programmes that help others.

We are certain and hopeful that through our standing warm and valued relations, our bilateral relations can continue to move from strength to strength.

Excellencies,

Your arrival to our country came at an opportune time and on the back of very important developments in our role in global governance.

Earlier this year we accepted and assumed the chair of the largest coalition of developing countries in the UN, the Group of 77 (G77).

Just last month our government successfully hosted the 25th African Union Summit under the theme “Year of Women Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”.

This has laid a firm foundation for the mainstreaming of the empowerment of women within the AU given the practical resolutions that were adopted and programmes launched such as the AU gender scorecard.

Excellencies,

We have enormously improved on our provision of health care services, as demonstrated by our country having met the UN’s Millennium Development Goal Six (MDG 6) by reducing the spread and infection rate of HIV/AIDS, according to a new report released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You have arrived in our country in the middle of a lot of work being undertaken to reconstruct and further develop our country, reversing the legacy of apartheid underdevelopment.

You have arrived in our country in the middle of a lot of work being undertaken to reconstruct and further develop our country, reversing the legacy of apartheid underdevelopment.

Since the adoption of the National Infrastructure Plan in 2012, which laid the blue print for the transformation of our economic landscape, we have embarked on a massive infrastructure roll-out drive.

Through this infrastructure roll-out plan we will create a significant number of jobs and provide much needed skills and also strengthening the delivery of basic services.

We are giving priority to the delivery of basic services such as electricity, water, sanitation and housing.

We continue to pursue the development of an energy mix as energy security is critical to economic growth and social development.

We will construct six dams over the course of the next ten years, to meet long term water and sanitation needs.

We will soon be issuing licences for the exploration of shale gas drilling through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

According to the recent estimates, South Africa has the eight largest shale gas reserves in the world and the Karoo is believed to be holding up to 390-trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas reserves.

It is this government’s hope that we, together with your respective governments, will find practical opportunities to enhance the economic opportunities the shale gas sector has to present.

Excellencies,

We are also determined to see through much needed infrastructure development programmes at continental level which will integrate African economies.

The opening of the New BRICS Development Bank in Shanghai has been a major development in global finance.

South Africa will host the New Development Bank’s African Regional Centre, which will also serve as a new source of funding for much needed infrastructure development projects in Africa.

We also remain committed to our continental obligations and continental bodies such as SADC and the AU.

We have to steer the SADC region to new levels of peace, security, political stability and good governance since taking over the chairpersonship of the Organ in August 2014.

We do however realise we are still faced with a number of challenges which seek to reverse the progress the continent has made.

The illicit financial outflow of funds out of the continent through fraudulent activities to the tune of fifty billion dollars a year as reported to the Pan African Parliament a few months ago.

This challenge demands solidarity with the international communities.   
We also remain committed in calling for the fast-tracking of reforms of multilateral bodies such as the UNSC and international financial institutions in the form of the World Bank, IMF and WTO.

Your Excellencies,

South Africa is open for business and we are part of a growing continent. Nine of the world’s fastest growing economies are on the continent.

We look forward to ongoing sound economic relations with your respective countries.

We welcome you once more to our country and trust that your stay will be a fulfilling and productive one.

Do remember that South Africa is a world in one country. In this regard, please ensure that you explore the country during your stay and visit as many provinces as possible to sample our hospitality and enjoy the culture and scenic beauty.
 
I thank you.