It was this week 20 years ago that our country first emerged as a free nation. South Africans across all races had just cast their ballot and our first democratic election was declared free and fair.
Excitement and jubilation rapidly spread over the length and breadth of our country overshadowing the initial anxiety in some quarters. We waited with bated breath for the announcement of the first provisional election results.
It signalled the start of a journey towards a free, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society. We owe this freedom to the struggle of millions of South Africans who bravely fought against the evil system of apartheid and the solidarity of the international community.
In celebrating 20 Years of Freedom, we remember the role the international community played in our struggle for liberation, and remain grateful for their support. The sustained pressure of consumer boycotts, sanctions and public pressure campaigns contributed towards the collapse of apartheid.
The apartheid regime found it difficult to sustain its oppression as revenue from international trade began to shrink as it also became isolated. The international anti-apartheid campaigns also gave hope to many within the country who regularly faced the heavy hand of a stubborn and murderous regime.
We cannot forget the hospitality that was given to South Africans who were in exile in neighbouring countries and the rest of the continent during apartheid. The support of the frontline states in Southern Africa was critical in the fight for the democracy we enjoy today. Some of the frontline states nationals lost their lives when the brutal force of the South African soldiers illegally violated their sovereignty to attack the houses that were occupied by South Africans.
In 1994 the new democratic government inherited a country battered by international isolation with strained diplomatic relations.
Guided by our belief in human rights; the promotion of democracy world-wide and the rule of international law we began to rebuild our international relations. The attainment of international peace; reflecting the interests of Africa and economic cooperation also directed our foreign policy.
Speaking at the University of Witwatersrand earlier this month, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said: “Twenty years on, South Africa is no longer a skunk of the world, a pariah state, but is now at the centre-stage as a valuable and respected global player.”
South Africa now enjoys cordial relations with all regions and countries; many of these as the result of well-structured bilateral engagements. Through these relations, we promote our national interest and our domestic priorities in order to eradicate the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment, inequality.
We have broadened our international presence from 34 missions abroad in 1994 to 126, with a strong focus on Africa.
Africa is the centrepiece of our country’s foreign policy which is rooted in the principles of a united, peaceful and prosperous Africa. We have worked to strengthen the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to achieve peace and security on the continent.
President Jacob Zuma, in his 2014 State of the Nation Address, said: “We have also prioritised the promotion of regional economic integration, infrastructure development, intra-African trade and sustainable development in the continent.”
Through NEPAD’s Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative, chaired by President Zuma, we are contributing towards economic integration in Africa.
Today South Africa has regained its rightful place in the family of nations. We actively participate in institutions of global governance, advocating that these institutions must be representative and governed in a transparent manner.
Even though we are a relatively new player in these multilateral forums we continue to punch above our weight on a range of issues and influence global decisions to the benefit all citizens in developing countries. We have chaired the United Nations Security Council on two occasions during which time the African agenda was placed firmly in the international arena.
South Africa will once again utilise its participation at this year’s Group of 20 meeting to promote our national interest, and as the only African member, issues of concern to our continent and the South.
Our membership of the BRICS grouping as well as the IBSA forum indicates that we are regarded as a significant decision making power.
Over the last five years our international achievements have been further elevated with our hosting of the first FIFA World Cup in 2010.
Under South Africa’s stewardship we directed the climate change conference COP17 in 2011. A year later we successfully held the Global African Diaspora Summit and hosted the historic BRICS Summit in 2013.
South Africa is a better place. Few countries can claim to have achieved what we have in such a short space of time.
Let us ignite the spirit of 1994 and on 7 May 2014 continue to build our great nation.
Phumla Williams is Acting CEO of the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS)
