His Excellency the Ambassador of Mali, Mr Balladji Diakite;
Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Mr Phaahla;
Chairperson of the Timbuktu Trust, Dr Pahad;
South African Ambassador to Mali Mr Mokou;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen.
I am privileged and honoured to share a few remarks with you on this memorable occasion of the Timbuktu book launch.
First off I wish to thank former President Thabo Mbeki for his remarkable foresight in understanding the intrinsic value of the Timbuktu manuscripts back in 2001.
In virtue of this foresight that resulted in the Timbuktu project, today all of us Africans have the unique opportunity to access this invaluable knowledge produced on the African soil, for the benefit of humankind.
Many would agree that it takes an extraordinary mind to identify such historic treasures.
On behalf of the South African Government, I would like to thank the Malian government, represented here today by His Excellency Ambassador Balladji Diakite, for the exceptional co-operation which reflects the closer ties between our two nations.
In like manner, I wish to thank Dr Essop Pahad for the many years of dedication to the overall management of this project as Chairperson of the Timbuktu Trust. Indeed, the results of his stewardship of this project speak for themselves.
I also know that Dr Pahad worked with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), which has in turn helped with the establishment of the Trust and the administration of its finances. I would therefore like to thank the DBSA on a job well-done.
I would be remiss not to also thank the Timbuktu Trust for the effort and commitment given to this project from the very onset. One cannot begin to image how matters could have turned out without your commitment and vision.
Throughout the life span of this project various dinners were arranged to which the Muslim Communities in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban brought a substantial contribution in the form of donations. We thank all these Muslim communities for their generosity of spirit.
I also wish to commend those who have been working tirelessly to excavate and preserve the historic manuscripts, which will be available to future generations to extend the frontiers of knowledge.
While at it, let me also thank the contributors to the Mali Timbuktu Trust Publication for a good job. This book will lend the whole world a rare insight into the Mali Timbuktu Project and through that process lay bare yet another contribution of the African mind to the human story.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all involved in this great African story without which the human story would be incomplete.
I thank you.
