Remarks by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Mr. Enver Surty, MP, at the Annual Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC)
Your Excellency, High Commissioner
Ambassadors and High Commissioners
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed a great honour and a pleasure for me to represent the South African Government at this celebration namely, the Annual Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC).
On this auspicious occasion, the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa convey to Your Excellency and to the Government and people of the Republic of India our warmest greetings and sincere congratulations. Indeed, I am indeed privileged to be part of this celebration.
The Republic of South Africa, in particular, the City of Durban has the highest concentration of Indian nationals outside of India. It was also on these shores that the global icon of Indian politics Mahatma Gandhi perfected the art of passive resistance.
Lest we forget India played an important role in our protracted struggle against the apartheid regime. As history will record, India refused to have diplomatic relations with the apartheid government. We also remember that India participated in the economic and cultural boycott of the apartheid regime. It was only when the process towards the dismantling of the apartheid misrule had entered an irreversible stage that normal diplomatic relations were entered into on the 22nd November 1993. It is important to note that even at this stage the full diplomatic relations were approved subject to the tacit endorsement of the African National Congress (ANC), the then Government-in-Waiting. The South African Mission in New Delhi started functioning on 1 November 1993. Since, then both countries have not looked back.
Programme Director; allow me to invoke the spirit of the founding Fathers of both the modern India and new South Africa which proves actually that our countries are joined at the hip. In his special message to his countrymen, on the birth of the Indian Republic, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of Independent India said:
"We must re-dedicate ourselves on this day to the peaceful but sure realization of the dream that had inspired the Father of our Nation and the other captains and soldiers of our freedom struggle, the dream of establishing a classless, co-operative, free and happy society in 'his country'. We must remember that this is more a day of dedications than of rejoicing - dedication to the glorious task of making the peasants and workers; the toilers and the thinkers fully free, happy and cultured."
In his inaugural speech as the first President of a democratic South Africa, our International icon and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, the late Nelson Mandela said:
“Today, all of us do, by our presence here, and by our celebrations in other parts of our country and the world, confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. Our daily deeds as ordinary South Africans must produce an actual South African reality that will reinforce humanity`s belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, as I’ve shown, India-South Africa relations are very special. India is a more than just an important trading partner to South Africa. We share a common history and are working in every sense towards a shared destiny. Through South-South initiatives, we have pursued our shared objectives, most of them through the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) and Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) platforms.
Trade between South Africa and India has reached over R 90 Billion in 2014. The expansion of the Indian middle class has also resulted in India becoming a significant growth market for the South African tourism industry. Tourist arrivals from India grew by 5.5 percent from 106 774 arrivals in 2012 to 112 672 arrivals in 2013. Significant opportunities to attract even more Indian tourists to South Africa exist, especially given the size of the market.
Declarations between South Africa and India reflect the broad level of bilateral engagement and outline areas of significant common purpose based on a common agenda. They highlight shared principles, including democracy; human rights; sustainable development; and challenging the prevailing global power and economic systems. Poverty alleviation and underdevelopment are cited as common challenges.
You will agree with me that only education and skills can equip both our countries to deal with these challenges. Cooperation with India in the area of skills development and training takes place under the auspices of several programmes; the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC), the Special Commonwealth Assistance for Africa Programme (SCAAP) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Scholarships (ICCR). The Indian High Commission in South Africa also promotes the uptake of scholarships and training opportunities by South African Government Officials from all spheres of Government. Currently, a group of a 100 students from the Free State Provincial Government are studying in India as part of these programmes. These students are enrolled in programmes such as Medicine, Pharmaceuticals and in the ICT related courses.
As part of the outcomes of the 9th Joint Ministerial Commission with the Republic of India, held on 19th May 2015, it was agreed to focus on training programmes in the ICT sector. The Sub-Committee on Communications and Information Technology finalised a Memorandum of Understanding regarding cooperation in ICT and CERT, which upon signature will facilitate enhanced cooperation in training, skills development and e-governance platforms.
Your Excellency, in closing, South Africa looks forward to further advance our bilateral cooperation in all identified fields with the Republic of India. I wish to reiterate our desire to work with you towards the deepening of these relations and forging ahead in achieving our shared destiny.
In conclusion, I also wish to convey our heartfelt gratitude to the Indian High Commission and pledge our continued support to these initiatives. I want to finally congratulate all who have participated in the ITEC programme. Well Done!
I thank you.
