Remarks by the Minister of State Security, Hon David Mahlobo, MP, at the Opening Session of the Consultative meeting of Former African Heads of State and Government on Agenda 2063, Sheraton Hotel
Programme Director Your Excellencies
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to our country and also wish to welcome in a special way our former President, Mr Mbeki.
This Consultative meeting of Former African Heads of State and Government on Agenda 2063 continues to play a very significant role in the quest for Africa’s development. The Forum’s commitment to the attainment of this goal has been clearly affirmed by your unflinching support to the African Union and its dynamic programmes.
In this regard, we are encouraged that the Forum has in its wisdom, decided to add its invaluable support to the development of Africa Agenda 2063.
You have chosen to come to our shores at a time when we remember with renewed zeal our founding President, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who departed in 2013 while also serving as the Forum’s Patron.
President Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to the struggle of the African people and to the course of a non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa. He was part of a leadership collective of the African National Congress (ANC) who dedicated their lives in fighting for freedom and democracy in South Africa.
President Nelson Mandela advocated the values of peace, human rights, nation building, and democracy, rule of law, justice and reconciliation
May his spirit and those of the departed African giants continue to guide us and the entire Continent to the ideals of a free continent, free from diseases like the deadly Ebola and Malaria, HIV and AIDS and under- development.
Amongst you assembled here are great leaders who at different times have led our Continent. Some of the most ground-breaking decisions were taken under your stewardship. It therefore becomes critical that we tap on this collective experience and indeed wisdom for guidance as we move forward and in the implementation of some of those decisions.
As South Africa, we have gone all out in assuring that our people are aware of the aspirations of our Continent for the next fifty years. We engaged in elaborate consultations with organised formations that included civil society organisations.
We further took this matter to the joint sitting of Parliament and we were encouraged by the level of debate and contributions to the Africa we want. Our country’s stakeholders’ contribution to Agenda 2063 has been formulated and we hope to make our contribution to the African Union (AU) during the January 2015 Summit to be held in the Republic of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
It is our firm belief that other AU Member States have equally worked hard in promoting the African Agenda 2063 and its accompanying Aspirations.
Your Excellencies,
You will recall that the formation of the AU was aimed at finding African solutions for African problems. This is predicated on the idea that Africa as a continent has the necessary and requisite capacity and political will to address its own challenges.
Therefore, Agenda 2063, as an all-encompassing strategic plan, is meant to provide and guide the critical interventions to robustly address the Continent’s challenges in a measurable and comprehensive manner, thus enabling the Continent to move forward as a collective entity enjoying the support of her citizens.
It is our collective responsibility to give meaning to the desire of finding “African Solutions for African problems”.
In conclusion, it is a great honour for us to have been requested to host this meeting when we are marking 20 years of a democratic South Africa. We remain available to render all the support that will make it possible for the success of your gathering and look forward to welcoming you at OR Tambo building tomorrow.
It is our fervent hope and wish that Africa under the leadership of the AU and its Commission, will take the advice and inputs of the Africa Forum into consideration. I wish the Africa Forum a successful meeting and may you find time to enjoy our beautiful county and capital city.
I thank you
