Date: 22/04/2010
Source: Democratic Alliance
Title: DA: Mubu: Speech by DA Member of Parliament on the International Relations and Cooperation Budget vote, National Assembly

The year 2010 marks 50 years of the attainment of independence by many African countries. The wind of change that blew across the continent saw no less than 15 countries attain their independence in the year 1960 alone.

This decade was a watershed period for the African continent, as country after country shed the colonial yoke to attain a new status of nationhood. There was euphoria all around as new countries emerged to take their rightful places in the international community of nations.

New names for cities and countries, flags, national anthems, currencies, street names, coats of arms, and in some cases, new airlines, suddenly emerged. It was an exciting time for the continent. There was a sense of optimism and hope among the people of Africa.

Half a century later, that hope and optimism has been replaced by disappointment and dismay.

In his book, The State of Africa - History of 50 Years Of Independence, Martin Meredith says that in the last half century of Africa's independence, there has been "... a litany of incompetent governments, of insatiable greed and exploitation on the part of the leaders and their cronies, of unbelievable power lust and the resulting repression....of millions of ordinary people."

Nearly 30 years later in 1994, after Africa's independence, South Africa also claimed its rightful place among the family of liberated nations, thereby making it the last bastion of colonial rule on the continent.

Chairperson 2010 is also very important in another respect as it marks 20 years since the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. As a little primary school boy growing up at Katima Mulilo, on the banks of the Zambezi River, on the Zambian side of the Caprivi Strip, in what was known as South West Africa, now Namibia, we used to sing this little song in the language of my mother, the Silozi language: "Mandela uka zwa mwa tolongo, ato lukulula sichaba sa hae. Mandela uka zwa mwa tolongo, ato lukulula sichaba sa Africa.

Translated: "Mandela will come out of prison to liberate his people. Mandela will come out of prison to liberate the people of Africa."

In 49 days' time, we will be hosting thousands of foreigners on our soil, who will come for the FIFA World Cup. It is important that we South Africans remain at our best behaviour throughout the tournament, lest we damage further, our reputation and image abroad.

Madam Minister, in 1994, we opened diplomatic missions in all manner of countries across of the world. I guess with the euphoria of liberation, we had to please some of those countries that supported the struggle, even when they did not deserve the honour of a full diplomatic presence.

But what sort of return on investment are we getting from some of our diplomatic relations today? Isn't it about time to take stock of some of these relations and to review their usefulness?

Chairperson, the articulation and application of our foreign policy requires that there should not be ambiguity and double standards on the part of our government. As a sovereign nation, we should not be seen to capitulate under pressure from certain quarters because of what the governing party is able to gain from such a relationship. Rather, our national interests should come first.

At the same time, our approach to instances of human rights abuses by some of our diplomatic partners leaves much to be desired. For example, our government's conspicuous silence on the passing of laws banning homosexualism in Uganda and the arrest of two gay men in Malawi cannot go unnoticed.

Not far from home, Chairperson, we continue to witness the unabated violation of human rights in Zimbabwe under the dictatorship of Robert Mugabe.

Madam Minister, we cannot be proud to be a nation that respects human rights and the rule of law when our diplomatic friends are guilty of doing the opposite.

Chairperson, if, as expected, that South Africa is admitted for a second term on the U N Security Council in 2011/2012, we would expect this government to be more vocal on issues of human rights abuses.

One is forced to ask the question: why do we insist on a second term on the Security Council when our first term under Thabo Mbeki was shambolic because we failed to speak out on human rights abuses in Mynmar and Iran?

Chairperson, back home, xenophobic attacks on fellow Africans in South Africa needs to be condemned with the contempt it deserves. Madam Minister, some of us who are South African citizens who were born outside the borders of this country face another form of apartheid from our fellow black South Africans. This happens in subtle ways sometimes, but at other times, it is open hostility and aggression.

Black South Africans have a name for us. They call us Makwerekwere. Personally, in this very house, some honourable members have questioned my nationality, including a cabinet minister who yelled at me saying: Kodwa wena uvelaphi?"

Chairperson, in the past few months, we have witnessed numerous reports of fellow South African citizens finding themselves in all sorts of difficult situations abroad. In some cases, I have been approached by relatives of victims for intervention.

Madam Minister, each time I contacted your office, you have been more than willing to listen to my interventions. I would personally like to commend you and your deputies for your open door approach and your willingness to listen.

Chairperson, we all have a responsibility to portray our country in a positive light to the outside world, regardless of our party political affiliation. In this regard, I am proud to say that some former leaders in my own political party, the Democratic Alliance are ably serving our country as ambassadors abroad.

On the current budget, the Portfolio Committee is aware that there has been a reduction of R1 billion as compared to the 2008/2009 budget. However, we are made to understand that the Department will achieve its objectives with the reduced budget.

Finally, Madam Minister, I would like to congratulate you on your spanking new headquarters building in Pretoria. I remember when our portfolio committee toured the premises in October last year telling your DG, Dr Ntsaluba, that you must be the envy of many other departments who do not have the same type of facility.

I thank you.