FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATIONS 27 APRIL 2005     SHERATON HOTEL, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

 Presented by the Honourable Member of the Executive Council for the Department of Agriculture and Land Reform,         

           NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA 

Ms. T.M Joemat-Pettersson

 

 

H.E Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Ambassadors, MECs, Lord Mayors, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is indeed my honour to extend fraternal greetings to you on behalf of the people of South African on the 11th anniversary of our freedom. Today there should be no doubt in our minds that South Africa has truly become a rainbow nation that boasts of a progressive and democratic constitution.

50 years ago the ordinary people of our country spelt out their dreams of a free South Africa when they met at the Congress of the People and adopted the Freedom Charter. 11 years into our democracy, we are realising the Charter’s declaration of an equal South Africa that belongs to all who live in it, Black and White. The vision of our State is based on the will of all our people and indeed in all our policies, in all our affirmations as South Africans, we are truly a democratic nation.

This occasion serves as an acknowledgement of the critical role that Belgium together with the rest of the European Communities is playing in the realisation of the ideal of a South Africa that is free from poverty and underdevelopment. We are mindful of the fact that this year also marks the review of the Trade and Development Co-operation Agreement between South Africa and the European Union.

 

Distinguished Guests,

Among the many challenges that face South Africa’s democratic state is the quest of expanding and growing the productivity of our country. We have accepted the need to create strategic partnerships between the state and private sector.

In his State of the Nation Address this year, President Thabo Mbeki pointed out that:

“ Our programme    is premised on the broad objectives to increase investment in the economy,

“lower the cost of doing business”,

“improve economic inclusion and provide the skills required by the economy”.

The expansion of the exporting market for our historically disadvantaged communities is in our minds a remedy to the picture that still reveals a society that is grappling with the effects of racism, poverty and underdevelopment.

It is against this background, that the three Provinces of South Africa, namely, Northern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal decided to visit Belgium during this 11th Anniversary of the South African Day in order to look at ways and means of implementing the two Agreements between the Government of Republic of South Africa and the Flemish Government on:

-         co-operation in the fields of Gemology and Mineral beneficiation

-         co-operation in the field of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME-s).

The implementation of these Agreements will certainly provide an impetus to fast-track Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment.

The story of South Africa is that of several thousands of ordinary South Africans, Friends of South Africa and the International Community, working together to nurture a vision of a South Africa that would be a better place for its people.

This evening we invite you to join hands with the thousands of South Africans who are celebrating our country’s 11th Birthday, and say lets make poverty history.

 

I thank you.