Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the South African delegation would participate in the commemoration service to highlight the unfortunate experiences of inhumanity that the people of Rwanda and South Africa went through, which resulted in millions of lives being lost during the genocide.
"It is the hope of the South African government that the international community will draw a lesson on the need to respond timeously and expeditiously to challenges facing humanity including tragedies as the one faced by the people of Rwanda," said Mr Mamoepa.
Mr Mamoepa said during President Mbeki's visit to Rwanda in 2000, he cemented ties of friendship and solidarity with the people there.
Mr Mamoepa said the President sympathized with Rwanda saying the pain they suffered was also felt by South Africa, therefore the progress made should overcome a difficult past and benefit South Africa too.
Mr Mbeki had said out of the Rwandan tragedy would emerge an outcome that would be a lesson to the rest of humanity about how to use a catastrophe to bring about reconciliation, unity, stability and development.
"As Africans we note as did President Mbeki that the development we desire so much for all African people can only happen when we end conflicts and when we have peace permeating the entirety of our continent.
"A climate of sustained and enduring peace is a necessity, that stability coupled with strong democracies is a requirement for the African continent to prosper and provide a better life for all," said Mr Mamoepa - BuaNews.
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