Your Excellency, Minister Peter Power, Ambassador Wrafter and Ms De Burca
Former Minister Kader Asmal and Mrs Louise Asmal
Catholic Archbishop of Cape Town, Bishop Stephen Brislin
Mr Justice Vincent Saldanha
Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Mr Athol Trollip
Members of Parliament
Reverend fathers and sisters
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
As you celebrate St Patricks Day, the government and people of the Republic of South Africa join me in extending to your government and the people of Ireland, cordial greetings and congratulations in this auspicious day.
On behalf of the South African Government I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to strengthen and consolidate the excellent relations between our countries. South Africa firmly believes that the people of our two countries benefit immensely from these relations.
The people of Ireland hold a very special place in the hearts of many South Africans.
Imprinted deeply in the consciousness of all South Africans is the enormous support that the Irish gave to our struggle against apartheid, the strength and resilience of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement a source of support and inspiration to us. Ireland provided refuge and education to many South Africans during the dark days of apartheid.
We will never forget the role the Irish religious community played, particularly in our education and health sectors, during apartheid, and continuing after 1994 to the present day. This include the example set by Father Kieran Creagh who helped to establish Leratong Hospice to provide adequate care for HIV and AIDS patients and so many other heroes who continue to make a difference in the lives of many South Africans.
South Africa appreciates the important contribution that Ireland has made to help consolidate our democracy and transform our society in the post- 1994 period, particularly in areas such as education, health, water and sanitation, and governance.
We note with sadness that Ireland is in the midst of a serious economic recession. We are very hopeful that the “Celtic Tiger” will come out of the recession sooner than expected.
Despite your own needs, Ireland continues to provide support and encouragement through its extensive development assistance. I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the tremendous role Irish Aid and Irish non-governmental organisations (NGOs) continue to play in South Africa, particularly in the Limpopo province. Ireland is an established partner in international development assistance. It is also one of just handful of donors whose aid is completely untied.
In April last year, the Acting Deputy Director-General Europe, Ambassador J Matjila, led a delegation to Dublin, for our second Ireland-South Africa Partnership Forum. The meeting covered a range of issues, including development cooperation, promotion of trade and investment and working together to promote peace and stability in Africa. We were also able exchange opinions on a number of global issues, including United Nations (UN) reform. South Africa acknowledges with gratitude the decision Ireland took last year to recognise 18 July as Nelson Mandela Day. It is no coincidence that today, South Africa and Ireland enjoy close ties and is considered a ‘like minded’ country on most issues of international concern. Our respective governments share mutual values through its shared aspirations for a world of peace, democracy and human rights.
Ireland is a much valued ally of Africa within Europe and on the international stage. We would like to acknowledge the important role Ireland play to advance peace on the continent, for example in Chad and Darfur.
We note with satisfaction that you and your staff have pro-actively supported the activities of South Africa in promoting the African Agenda.
Last year we received the Irish Trade Mission led by Minister Kelleher. He was accompanied by a multi-sector delegation of about twenty Irish companies, with the aim of strengthening trade between the two countries. We consider Minister Kelleher’s visit to have been a great success, not only in the substantive results that were achieved, but also in reinforcing the trade ties between our countries.
We are also looking forward to continue and expand our economic and trade activities with Ireland. We believe that there is much scope to work together in forensics, agriculture and job creation, as we strive to realise our National Priorities.
Investing in education is acknowledged as one of the strengths which Ireland built her success. Ireland’s experience holds a number of valuable lessons for South Africa. We hope to work with Ireland in this area as we explore different techniques of empowering our people with skills.I am certain that your highly trained graduates can play a significant role here. We hope that education will be a central area of co-operation between South Africa and Ireland.
As we celebrate St Patrick’s Day, it is perhaps appropriate to also reflect on his own adversities and the values he stood for. Today, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated as a symbol for new beginnings. It’s a mark of the enormous influence of the Irish around the world, may the excellent ties of friendship and co-operation that already exist between our respective countries, be even further consolidated and strengthen for the benefit of our people.
Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, let us raise our glasses in a joint toast to the health and prosperity of Her Excellency, President Mary McAleese and that of His Excellency President Jacob Zuma and to the continued excellent relations and good friendship between the wonderful people of Ireland and South Africa. To good friendship!
Issued by: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
17 March 2010
Source: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (http://www.justice.gov.za/)
