Thank you Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Minister,

I do not serve in this portfolio committee and I represent Hon Mncwango, who is in dispose for today, but I thought for him asking me to do this on his behalf make remarks I must take advantage of this opportunity and just share may own relations with the Department of International Relations.

Firstly Chairperson and Honourable Minister I would like to place on record my appreciation to some of your officials in the department who have assisted me greatly when it comes to issues of repatriation and helping South African citizens abroad who have difficulties. Two names come to mind and I don’t know if they still in your department? One is Mr Mbulelo the head of Consular Services and the other is Mr Matshebe from your office. They have been extremely helpful in that regard, also would like to thank the DG.

Madam Minister you mention the question about reduction in your budget and the number of mission that will have to be to be reduced. Judging from the trade figures that you gave us and the return on the investment I just hope that cabinet is not cutting its nose to spite its face, because if there is a return on investments from those missions and ambassadors and embassies then we need to seriously consider that they remain open, but I think we have to look at the fact that there must be performance targets that must be set for all these embassies so that they meet said performance targets.

I am now going to move to some of the points that have been given to me by Hon Mncwango; and the first thing he says is the AU and structures lack a peer review mechanism that functions properly.

Dictatorship in Africa is a problem in countries like Burundi, Mali, Libya, Somalia and South Sudan. The recent attacks in Kenya are concerning and we send our condolences to the Kenyan Government for the loss of their troops and people in the ongoing violence. Terrorism affects all in Africa and an urgent solution must be sought.

Economically the number of missions that the SANDF are making must be cut down. We have to cut down on so called symbolic missions and utilise this funding in a correct manner.

Lesotho has been unstable for years, and South Africa must watch this closely, we must start at home first before sending bronze statues worth millions to Palestine.

Piracy in Africa is moving south towards South Africa and it is very important that South Africa arrest this phenomenon before it spirals out of control.

The IFP believes that the government cannot afford to waste time in consolidating advantages offered such as the trade pact with the European Union, or cementing relations with traditional friends. The IFP supports bi-national forums with the US and Germany and urges the extension of this process to other friendly trading partners.

The IFP supports closer co-operation with other international and regional institutions such as European Union, World Trade Organisation, ACP, Commonwealth of Nations, United Nations, Organisation of African Unity, Southern African Development Community and non-aligned movement.

The IFP further values prudence in foreign relations, giving full recognition to the complexity of managing conflicting claims in international life. Moreover, the IFP recognises that the international community remains, in spite of the ending of the cold war, divided into blocks of states which have been formed on the joint bases of tradition, perceived interests, geographical location and practical experience.

We believe that prudence dictates the continuing adherence to traditional allies and friends. Finally we believe that mutual interests, shared historical experience and the search for a new basis for international peace, security and justice must be found.

Thank you