Date: 21/09/2004
Source: Ministry of Defence
Title: M Lekota: Function of Africa Aerospace & Defence
REMARKS BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, THE HON MOSIUOA LEKOTA MP, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL EVENING FUNCTION OF AFRICA AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE, Waterkloof Airforce Base, Pretoria, 21 September 2004
Programme Director, on the occasion of marking the official opening of the largest exhibition of land, sea and air on the African continent, I am privileged to convey my congratulations to the organisers of Africa Aerospace and Defence 2004.
I wish to extend a warm welcome to all exhibitors, dignitaries, representatives of government and foreign defence forces, as well as Captains of industry attending AAD 2004.
The central focus of AAD 2004, I am informed, will be to support the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the African Union (AU). Several milestones in this regard have been achieved through the ongoing transformation of defence in South Africa in keeping with our commitment to ensure capability to safeguard our sovereignty, support for the principles of NEPAD, participation in peacekeeping missions in the region and continent and facilitate broad local participation in the economic benefits of the defence industry.
The success of Africa Aerospace and Defence 2002 - co-owned by ARMSCOR, the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), and the South African Aerospace Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD) - reaffirmed the commitment to host AAD 2004 to further bolster the African continent as an emerging market for many technologies.
This year the world joins South Africa in celebrating ten years of freedom and democracy, the demise of the Apartheid system, the emergence of a new chapter aimed at peace, stability and security, and, a new platform for economic growth on our continent.
As Africans, we are all in agreement that conflict must be eliminated in our continent if we are to stabilise, develop and move towards prosperity. Peace, prosperity and development in Africa means peace, prosperity and development in South Africa.
To this end, mechanism to ensure an investor friendly environment, in our region and continent, have been put in place the examples of which are: -
* The Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. This is an agreement at the political level on how to deal with major conflicts, which destabilise or may destabilise our region
* Flowing directly from the Protocol is the Mutual Defence Pact, which provides a modus operandi of how to intervene in conflict situations in the region
* Continentally, these developments in the SADC region have worthy compliments in the ideas of African Union on African Standby Force and Non-Aggression Pact.
The South African Government is encouraged by the achievements of Africa Aerospace and Defence to showcase the indigenous technologies of our region. We are proud of our progress through the business acumen and expertise so evident in the economy of our country. We believe that this will go a long way in ensuring the growth and development of the economy and increase its possibility to create jobs for our people.
It is pleasing to note that work to assemble 23 new South African Airforce Hawk Lead-in-Fighter Trainers has begun at Denel Aviation assembly line at its Kempton Park facility. Yet another milestone in the development of the country's economy.
International interest by stakeholders in defence industries to visit our shores to participate and exhibit augurs well for NEPAD since key issues among its programmes is the development of the private sector in Africa as well as increasing levels of intra-Africa trade.
It is particularly pleasing to note that part of the exhibition also offers a comprehensive youth programme, which celebrates youth development, entrepreneurial skills, Black Economic Empowerment and career opportunities. For our young transforming South African National Defence Force, skilled youth is key to the future of the SANDF, particularly with the arrival of the new aircraft and ships for the South African Airforce and the Navy respectively.
In conclusion Programme Director, may I, once again congratulate the organisers of AAD 2004, and express my sincere view that this event is an important milestone in promoting political relationships between SADC, the AU and the international alliances.
I thank you.
Contact: Sam Mkhwanazi
Cell: 083 628 0858
Issued by: Ministry of Defence
21 September 2004
Source: Ministry of Defence
Title: M Lekota: Function of Africa Aerospace & Defence
REMARKS BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, THE HON MOSIUOA LEKOTA MP, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL EVENING FUNCTION OF AFRICA AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE, Waterkloof Airforce Base, Pretoria, 21 September 2004
Programme Director, on the occasion of marking the official opening of the largest exhibition of land, sea and air on the African continent, I am privileged to convey my congratulations to the organisers of Africa Aerospace and Defence 2004.
I wish to extend a warm welcome to all exhibitors, dignitaries, representatives of government and foreign defence forces, as well as Captains of industry attending AAD 2004.
The central focus of AAD 2004, I am informed, will be to support the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the African Union (AU). Several milestones in this regard have been achieved through the ongoing transformation of defence in South Africa in keeping with our commitment to ensure capability to safeguard our sovereignty, support for the principles of NEPAD, participation in peacekeeping missions in the region and continent and facilitate broad local participation in the economic benefits of the defence industry.
The success of Africa Aerospace and Defence 2002 - co-owned by ARMSCOR, the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), and the South African Aerospace Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD) - reaffirmed the commitment to host AAD 2004 to further bolster the African continent as an emerging market for many technologies.
This year the world joins South Africa in celebrating ten years of freedom and democracy, the demise of the Apartheid system, the emergence of a new chapter aimed at peace, stability and security, and, a new platform for economic growth on our continent.
As Africans, we are all in agreement that conflict must be eliminated in our continent if we are to stabilise, develop and move towards prosperity. Peace, prosperity and development in Africa means peace, prosperity and development in South Africa.
To this end, mechanism to ensure an investor friendly environment, in our region and continent, have been put in place the examples of which are: -
* The Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. This is an agreement at the political level on how to deal with major conflicts, which destabilise or may destabilise our region
* Flowing directly from the Protocol is the Mutual Defence Pact, which provides a modus operandi of how to intervene in conflict situations in the region
* Continentally, these developments in the SADC region have worthy compliments in the ideas of African Union on African Standby Force and Non-Aggression Pact.
The South African Government is encouraged by the achievements of Africa Aerospace and Defence to showcase the indigenous technologies of our region. We are proud of our progress through the business acumen and expertise so evident in the economy of our country. We believe that this will go a long way in ensuring the growth and development of the economy and increase its possibility to create jobs for our people.
It is pleasing to note that work to assemble 23 new South African Airforce Hawk Lead-in-Fighter Trainers has begun at Denel Aviation assembly line at its Kempton Park facility. Yet another milestone in the development of the country's economy.
International interest by stakeholders in defence industries to visit our shores to participate and exhibit augurs well for NEPAD since key issues among its programmes is the development of the private sector in Africa as well as increasing levels of intra-Africa trade.
It is particularly pleasing to note that part of the exhibition also offers a comprehensive youth programme, which celebrates youth development, entrepreneurial skills, Black Economic Empowerment and career opportunities. For our young transforming South African National Defence Force, skilled youth is key to the future of the SANDF, particularly with the arrival of the new aircraft and ships for the South African Airforce and the Navy respectively.
In conclusion Programme Director, may I, once again congratulate the organisers of AAD 2004, and express my sincere view that this event is an important milestone in promoting political relationships between SADC, the AU and the international alliances.
I thank you.
Contact: Sam Mkhwanazi
Cell: 083 628 0858
Issued by: Ministry of Defence
21 September 2004
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