Theme: “Forging Smart Partnerships Through Diplomacy”
 
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
Ministers, Premiers,Deputy Ministers,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Captains of Business and Industry
Distinguished Guests
Senior Government Officials
Ladies and gentlemen
 
Thank you for this opportunity to address the maiden Ubuntu Awards 2015.
 
It is a very important occasion because it recognizes that government cannot build relations with the world working alone.

We need all other sectors of our society to work with government to build relations and promote friendships and partnerships across our shores.

This event is thus an appropriate way to celebrate the country’s excellence in diplomacy, which our country was schooled in under the difficult terrain of struggle.
 
Early in the previous century, it was Pixley Ka Seme, one of the founding fathers of the African National Congress, who impressed upon the world the hope that Africa will rise and free herself off the shackles of colonial bondage.
 
In his seminal essay in April 1906, entitled “I am an African”,

Seme eloquently stated;

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.
 
It was also among others, through the African Claims document of the 1940s, and the Freedom Charter of 1955, that our views on international relations and diplomacy was further espoused and expounded.
 
This year, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, we remember one of its categorical international relations statements; namely that South Africa shall be a fully independent state which respects the rights and sovereignty of all nations. 

And our foremost proficient diplomat who shaped South Africa’s foreign policy, President Oliver Tambo also gave a clear directive, speaking at 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 one of the foundational pillars of the principles, ethos and values anchoring our international policy today, and the driving force behind the achievements that we are celebrating at this moment. 
 
This evening we are celebrating a country and a continent free from colonialism and apartheid and teeming with commerce.

Indeed as Seme prophetically pointed out, as indicated above, we are at this juncture recognising the successes of our sons and daughters in advancing the victories of peace greater and more abiding than the spoils of war.
 
This, most of us will agree, is nothing other than what is encapsulated in our theme for this evening, which is:forging smart partnerships through diplomacy and economic diplomacy.
 
Excellencies
 
It is correctly therefore that we applaud the successes of distinguished men and women in enhancing and promoting the image of South Africa abroad.
 
These are men and women who have walked in the footsteps of eminent leaders like Oliver Tambo, Moses Kotane, Johnny Makatini, JB Marks and many others who represented the liberation movement abroad very well during the apartheid times.

It is common knowledge that because of his gravitas and the dignity with which he carried himself, Oliver Tambo received the recognition of a head of state in many countries.

In every single measure he symbolised the South Africa we were all aspiring to. His demeanor elevated the profile and plight of the liberation movement and attracted overwhelming international solidarity and support.

Under the late President Mandela’s leadership, we set out to build a country where not only democracy, human rights and equality would be deeply entrenched, but where the basic needs of the people, such as food, water, housing and other services as well would be met.
 
In doing this, we also had to remember our responsibility as a nation towards other African countries, particularly those which were devastated by apartheid. 

In his words Madiba emphasized that: “We are prepared, too, to shoulder our share of the responsibility for the whole southern African region, not in the spirit of paternalism or dominance but mutual cooperation and respect”.
 
It became clear, that we cannot as a country, and as a region grow our economy without enhancing our international relations and partnerships.

It is in this context that former President Mandela highlighted the importance of enhancing economic cooperation between African countries, reshaping trade networks and addressing acute imbalances in the regional economy.

Therefore when we reconfigured our diplomatic service post-1994, we sought men and women who would advance the ideals of non-racialism, non-sexism, unity in the African continent, human rights and democracy, which are cornerstones of our post-apartheid international policy.
 
Noting the link between our foreign policy and domestic interests on the one hand, and the pressing demands to meet basic domestic needs on the other, it also became important for us to put solid emphasis on economic diplomacy.

Economic diplomacy has thus found a strong emphasis in both government and ANC policy outcomes, particularly in the ANC’s last two conferences in Polokwane and in Mangaung.

In economic diplomacy the role of non-state actors, such as the private sector, became paramount, as well as the deployment of state-owned enterprises in development projects on the African continent.

In this regard, the Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa play a very important role.

They do not only fund development projects in the region, they also promote the image of the country in the continent and abroad.

Ladies and gentlemen

Topping these institutional mechanisms are the distinguished winners that we are celebrating today, both from the public and private sectors.

They make us proud. They are the true ambassadors of Brand South Africa.

In this regard I should also emphasise to you that we also have a profound story to tell.

In the past twenty years South Africa has moved in leaps and bounds to increase its diplomatic service from 36 foreign missions in 1994 to 126 in 2015.

The proportion of female representation in the leadership of these missions is 30 percent, which inspires hope for more advancement towards gender equity in these missions in the near future.

In these missions we also have about 28 trade officials and we aspire to increase the number, as we still have 53 vacant positions.  

As it has often been emphasized, the diplomat of this century should be the one who can in addition to brokering political ties, also ensure economic returns for the country.

Indeed we need to improve our strength in this area, for better foreign policy outcomes, which is why we have also trained many foreign officers on economic diplomacy.

In fact, many countries have tied their foreign policies strongly to economic outcomes.

DIRCO will continue to work with the Department of Trade and Industry, other related departments and state entities such as Brand SA and South African Tourism, to help strengthen our officers’ economic acumen.  

In particular this evening, we congratulate the business community for promoting the South African brand. South African business, particularly retail and construction is spreading at a very great pace in the continent.

We should also continue looking at particularly our formations such as BRICS and other regions to explore the many existing opportunities.

Programme Directors;

It is indeed humbling that this evening we can have an opportunity as government to honour the outstanding winners who open new frontiers for our country.
 
These men and women have demonstrated that with the correct attitude, discipline, perseverance and patriotism, it is possible to attain one’s goals whilst creating a positive image of our great land.

We are proud of each and every one of the Ubuntu Laureates and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. We are also immensely proud of our veterans for their lifetime achievement awards.

They inspire us to be the best South Africans that we can be, and remind us that when we work together, we can and will continue to move South Africa forward.

Congratulations again and a good evening to you all.

And I trust that you had a Happy Valentine’s Day! 

I thank you.