Mr Bertrand Delanoë, Mayor of Paris
Mrs Anne Hidalgo, Deputy Mayor of Paris
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps
Ladies and gentlemen
I am privileged to be here in Paris today to see how two proud nations had come together to forge strengthened bonds of friendship.
Our commitment to democracy, respect for human rights and social justice therefore makes us natural partners and friends.
I met with President Sarkozy yesterday and we confirmed that the relationship between our two countries should be expanded and further strengthened, and that we should look beyond our traditional areas of cooperation in this endeavour.
I personally believe that cooperation on a municipal level should be one of those areas and should be encouraged.
Although South Africa has twinning agreements with some cities in France, closer cooperation with the city of Paris should be forged.
Being here today, we recall that this magnificent building has been the scene of a number of historical events.
A very important moment in the history of France took place here, when General Charles de Gaulle on 25 August 1944 gave his inspiring speech after the Liberation of Paris in the Second World War.
I remember the words of General De Gaulle when he said that day: “Why do you desire that we hide the emotion which seizes us all, men and women, who are here, at home, in Paris that stood up to liberate itself and that succeeded in doing this with its own hands? No! We will not hide this deep and sacred emotion.
“Paris outraged! Paris broken! Paris martyred! But Paris liberated! Liberated by itself, liberated by its people.”
Almost 50 years after President De Gaulle’s address of freedom and hope after the liberation of Paris, former President Nelson Mandela inspired the South African nation and the world when he said in his inauguration speech on 10 May 1994:
“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…
“We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.…”
Ladies and gentlemen,
Cooperation at a municipal and regional level already has a good basis between our two countries.
Excellent relations exist between the regions of Ile de France, where Paris is located, and the South African province of Gauteng.
However, I think this should be deepened in the years to come.
As I have pointed out, South Africa and France share many similar challenges. We were both confronted by the international financial crisis of 2008 to 2009.
At a municipal level, we were both hard hit and we saw unemployment grow, while budgets diminished.
South African municipalities, with their respective developmental challenges, were especially affected and required much government assistance over the past years.
South Africa will hold municipal elections later this year and once new administrations are in place, we will have to look at projects and initiatives to best serve our communities.
Looking at the challenges facing France, such as immigration and urbanisation, I do believe there is scope for our major cities in South Africa and the city of Paris to learn from each other and find modalities as to how to address common challenges.
I was informed of the plans to modernise Paris as part of the Greater Paris project, which will include infrastructure and spatial development.
As especially infrastructure development forms part of the South African Government’s New Economic Growth Path, projects such as the Greater Paris project will be of interest to us.
I do believe it presents an opportunity for South Africa’s largest cities to learn from the Paris project.
Paris is also the leading tourism destination in the world.
Its hospitality industry is well advanced.
As a country that relies heavily on tourism, I believe large cities in South Africa should cooperate with Paris as it will present an excellent opportunity to further strengthen relations between us.
Needless to say, France and South Africa are both competitive sporting countries and we have encountered each other often on the rugby or soccer fields.
The Stade de France will always hold special memories for South Africa as it was here that our national team, the Springboks, lifted the Rugby World Cup in 2007.
Maybe it was just as well that the fickle gods of sport did not ordain that we needed to face your national team! We all know what a formidable team they are on French soil.
Several South African rugby players, for example, play for Parisian clubs and I hope that some of them are here today.
I believe that cooperation between South African cities and Paris in the field of sport and youth development, should be pursued.
I would also wish to make use of this opportunity to thank the mayor and his staff, for their unwavering support to South Africa during the 2010 World Cup which took place in our country.
I know that the city of Paris and the South African Embassy here worked closely together on many projects before and during the World Cup and I want to convey our sincerest gratitude to the mayor for this support.
It was not only a victory for South Africa to host a successful World Cup, but it was also a victory for Africa, who for the first time in the history could host a FIFA World Cup tournament.
Mr Mayor,
I would like to thank you for the reception you and your staff had given us today.
Thank you for welcoming us in this magnificent building.
Walking along the path of history, provided me also the opportunity to look at the road we have to take for the future and I believe much work needs to be done between Paris and our cities in South Africa.
I trust that my visit to Paris will give impetus to much needed projects at a municipal level and that our relationship with you will grow in the years to come.
I thank you very much!
Source: The Presidency
