delivered at the German Gala Dinner, Sandton Convention Centre
5 October 2007
Excellencies
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm African welcome to
our valued German guests. Hosting any delegation from Germany in South Africa
is not like a home opening its doors to a travelling stranger who happens to
pass by. No, it is more like welcoming back an old relative or the most
treasured friend.
I use this metaphor to emphasise two things about the relationship between
South Africa and Germany: firstly, South Africa counts its relationship with
the Federal Republic of Germany as being among its most treasured bilateral
relationships. It is not merely an important diplomatic relationship. It is a
friendship, a deep partnership founded on noble common values.
Secondly, the metaphor of a returning friend makes the point that this
relationship is old. The people of Germany have stood with us through some of
the most difficult periods of South Africa's development towards democracy. The
anti-apartheid movement found some of its most steadfast allies among the
people of Germany. Indeed, even after the achievement of democracy in South
Africa, Germany has remained one of South Africa's firmest friends, expressing
this friendship through its investment commitment to the new democracy.
Whether in the area of commerce and mutual investment, in cultural links, or
through our common commitment to the reform and democratisation of the
international system of governance, South Africa and Germany stand shoulder to
shoulder as friends, as partners, as equals. Namnkelekile Zihlobo. Willkommen
Freunde. Welcome friends.
Today is of course not the beginning of the relationship between our two
countries. However, today marks a significant milestone in the maturation of
that relationship. Our partnership covers a whole range of areas, from the
well-known existing co-operation in skills development and job creation,
captured in the Memorandum of Understanding signed today by Business Unity
South Africa (BUSA) and Southern African Initiative of Germany Business
(SAFRI), to new areas of co-operation the search for renewable energy sources
and other newer, non-traditional areas, as reflected in our joint
declaration.
As attested to by the Memorandum of Understanding signed by our two business
chambers today, Germany and South Africa are now inseparable partners in
prosperity.
Germany and South Africa, of course, also share a common interest in seeing
progressive change in the world, particularly with regard to the reform of the
United Nations. Our common view is the reforming of the United Nations, and in
particular recognising a diversity of opinions in its Security Council, will
enhance democracy and global accountability in the world's most important
multi-lateral institution.
We also occupy very strategic and important spaces in our respective
continents. Germany is at the forefront of the expansion and further
development of the European Union (EU), and leads efforts to turn this
partnership of prosperity into a force for good in the world. Under the able
leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany has demonstrated this attitude
in its leadership of both the EU and the G8. In this regard, we are very
pleased about the Chancellor's commitment to African development. We look
forward to continued engagement, particularly the investment conference with
African ministers later this year, to which the Chancellor referred in her
remarks this afternoon.
Like Germany, South Africa is at the forefront of African reform and
development. We occupy a strategic position both in Southern Africa and on the
continent as a whole, both as a major investor in the continent's economic
development and, increasingly the recipient of incoming investment from other
African countries. South Africa was instrumental in the founding of the African
Union and President Mbeki, along with President Wade of Senegal, then President
of Nigeria Obasanjo and President Bouteflika of Algeria, was one of the
architects of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad). There can
be no meaningful development of South Africa without development of the African
continent as a whole, something Chancellor Merkel understands very well.
Therefore a partnership with South Africa is by definition a partnership with
the African continent. President Mbeki emphasised this point when he spoke at
the Business Roundtable earlier today.
Ladies and gentlemen, anyone who is a student of history or contemporary
global politics cannot help but be struck by the similarities between the
national experiences of these two countries, Germany and South Africa. We have
both had to overcome extreme difficulties in our past. In many respects the
post-apartheid South Africa we inherited resembled aspects of post-war Germany.
And throughout the 20th century, the Germans were a divided people, much like
South Africa was. But Germany has risen above its past. After the war, West
Germany rose to become one of the three most important economies on the globe.
Since 1990, united Germany has confidently taken its place among the
progressive nations of the world. No doubt it has not been easy Chancellor, but
we in South Africa cannot help but be inspired by the fortitude and humility
with which the German people have accomplished the task.
The distance that the German people have travelled since 1990 is attested to
by the fact that we are now hosting post-war Germany's first ever Chancellor
from the former east and the country's first woman Chancellor. The indomitable
spirit of your people was there for the entire world to see in June and July
2006, as you hosted the most successful Federation of International Football
Association (Fifa) World Cup ever.
Because our experiences have been similar, we see no reason why South Africa
should not emulate the successes of modern Germany. Indeed, Germany's first
woman Chancellor is hosted by only the second black President of the Republic
of South Africa. And that President has committed this country to delivering
the best ever World Cup in 2010, which will draw many lessons from what Germany
did last year.
But South Africa can emulate more than Germany's success in hosting a global
sporting event. We should also duplicate Germany's success in uniting what was
formerly divided and building a new nation. We can learn from the phenomenal
economic development of Germany after 1945 and since 1990.
In closing madam Chancellor, excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and
gentlemen, welcome once again to our beautiful and proud nation. Tonight enjoy
its unique culinary offerings, as well as the starry summer nights of the
Highveld, where even your dreams will be different to anything you will
experience anywhere else in the world.
Thank you.
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
5 November 2007
Source: Department of Trade and Industry (http://www.dti.gov.za)
