Your Excellency, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana;
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen
My wife and I are truly delighted and honoured to welcome you, Mr President and your delegation to South Africa on the occasion of your State Visit.
On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, we convey our warmest greetings to you and through you, to our brothers and sisters in Botswana.
We sincerely thank you, my Dear Brother, for honouring our invitation.
Your historic visit to our country is indeed a clear indication of our collective commitment to a shared vision epitomised by the desire to work together on matters of mutual interest.
Your Excellency,
May I right at the onset take this opportunity to congratulate you and the people of Botswana for having once again conducted peaceful general elections in September 2009.
Your reaffirmed Botswana’s excellent democratic track record of 44 years.
I also wish to take this opportunity to extend our congratulations to you, Mr President and the people of Botswana on your 44th Independence Anniversary celebrated a week ago.
South Africa and Botswana have had a long history of solid relations which are informed by geographical and cultural affinities.
These historical relations were cemented during the days of apartheid when many South Africans sought refuge in Botswana.
Driven by the desire to see their South African brothers and sisters being liberated, the successive Governments and people of Botswana hosted our freedom fighters under very difficult conditions.
In the process, Botswana risked her own safety. I hope that historians will continue to document this important part of our liberation struggle.
We therefore owe a debt of gratitude to countries like Botswana who courageously assisted us during the dark days of apartheid.
Your Excellency,
The geographical location made Botswana vulnerable, during the years of our liberation struggle. In this era of freedom and democracy, our two countries must find ways of making our bilateral relations work for the mutual benefit of our both countries and peoples.
This morning, we had fruitful discussions covering a wide range of areas in our bilateral cooperation.
We are satisfied with the good relations that so happily exist between our sister countries.
We have also noted with great satisfaction the progress that has been achieved in our bilateral cooperation since the signing in March 2003 of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC).
We further noted that ten bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields have been concluded since the signing of the Agreement, bringing to twenty-three, the number of agreements and MoUs signed between our two countries.
Undoubtedly Mr President, this is a demonstrable evidence of the extent and significance of the bilateral cooperation between our two countries.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In our discussions, we also noted with pride and satisfaction the excellent co-operation between our countries in the area of tourism and conservation as evidenced by the establishment of the Transfrontier Parks such as Kgalagadi and the Greater Mapungubwe Park.
With these initiatives, we are not only preserving our natural heritage for the generations to come but these projects will also create jobs and thus will result in the improvement of the living conditions of the nearby communities.
Another exciting trilateral project is the Trans-Kalahari Highway.
The Trans-Kalahari Highway is a manifestation of what we can achieve collectively as neighbours.
This corridor directly facilitates the movement of people, goods and services between South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
We are also delighted that you are accompanied by a business delegation on this State Visit to our country.
I am sure that the business delegation will have an opportunity to interact with their South African counterparts in a bid to boost trade and investment between our two countries.
We note with appreciation the increasing number of South African companies operating in Botswana in sectors such as housing, food and beverages, construction, hotels and leisure, banking and medical services.
I trust that these companies will continue to contribute to the growth and development of the Botswana economy.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Botswana has always played an active role in strengthening the Southern African Development Community (SADC). In this regard, we commend and appreciate Botswana’s hosting of the SADC Headquarters.
We are also working together to ensure that SACU, which celebrates its centenary this year, becomes a cornerstone for the regional economic integration and development in Southern Africa.
Your Excellency,
Africa has made significant progress in terms of democratisation.
Botswana has been a good example of how good governance can contribute to economic development of the country.
Botswana’s democracy is a clear indication that the African Renaissance vision which we share so passionately is achievable.
We are indeed strengthened by the fact Botswana is one of the leading African countries that work together to ensure that the regeneration of Africa becomes a reality to the programmes of the African Union and its development programme, NEPAD.
What we need to do is ensure that all the programmes identified by the AU and NEPAD not only succeed, but they help permanently to change for the better the living conditions of all our people.
Our two countries are working together on various international and regional forums.
Together as the African Union and SADC members, we spare no effort to continue to call for the reform of the United Nations particularly the Security Council to enable this important body to better reflect the present day realities.
As you are aware, South Africa is a candidate for a non permanent seat at the UN Security Council. We are hopeful to receive the support of many countries including Botswana, in our bid to secure this seat, for the period 2011-2012.
In conclusion, let me take this opportunity, Your Excellency, to once more welcome you and your delegation to our country.
I hope that your visit will further enhance our bilateral relations.
I am particularly pleased that we have today decided correctly to elevate our structured bilateral cooperation to a higher level, that of a Bi-National Commission.
This arrangement will put the required momentum in our bilateral cooperation and partnership.
Ladies and gentlemen:
May you please rise and join me in a toast to the good health and prosperity of President Seretse Khama Ian Khama, and to the historical and cultural bonds of friendship between the peoples of Botswana and South Africa.
To friendship!
I thank you
PULA !!!!
