We have detected that the browser you are using is no longer supported. As a result, some content may not display correctly.
We suggest that you upgrade to the latest version of any of the following browsers:
close notification
Date
: 28/09/2005
Source: The Presidency
Title: Mlambo-Ngcuka: Lunch in honour of Vice President and
delegation of Indonesia
Toast by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on the
occasion of the official lunch in honour of Indonesian Vice
President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla and delegation
Tuynhuys, Cape Town
Your Excellency, Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers from both
governments
Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Community
Senior Officials from both governments
Business Community Representatives
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Please allow me, on behalf of the South African Government, to
warmly welcome Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla and his
delegation to the beautiful city of Cape Town!
As South Africans, we are very honoured by the presence of our
Indonesian friends and we trust that our guests are having a
memorable, fruitful and enjoyable visit to our country.
Given the historical links between South Africa and Indonesia, it
is appropriate that this visit comes to an end here in Cape Town,
where the spiritual leader Sheikh Yusuf, who was honoured earlier
this week for his struggle against colonial oppression, spent his
final years before he died on 23 May 1699.
Ladies and gentlemen
In the 17th century, trade with the so-called "Spice Islands" or
"East Indies" was regarded as of such importance to European
colonial powers that fierce battles were fought to secure control
over trade routes that provided access to what is known today as
Indonesia.
During those times, the Dutch dominated inter-continental trade
with the "East" and colonialism and slavery advanced the economic
interests of the traders.
Africa was assigned the role of halfway refreshment station between
Europe and the "East" to service this lucrative trade route by
providing fresh produce and water to passing merchant ships. "The
Cape" was colonised and European farmers settled here to supply the
halfway station's fresh produce.
Slaves and labourers from Indonesia were brought to the Cape Colony
and, together with labourers and slaves from here and other parts
of Africa, they formed the backbone of the labour force that
facilitated this East-West trade route.
Ladies and gentlemen
Today South Africa and Indonesia are no longer colonies whose fate
and strategic importance are determined by others.
Just as Indonesia's role in the global economy has changed from
source of spices to Europe to major producer of oil and
manufactured goods, so has the refreshment station on a colonial
trade route become one of the strongest economies in Africa.
After long and difficult political struggles for independence and
freedom, our nations have won the sovereign right to determine our
own futures and to work together to create a better world for all,
free from the injustices of the past such as colonialism and racial
oppression.
As strategic partners - by own choice - and as emerging economies
representing different parts of the "South", South Africa and
Indonesia have played leading roles in bringing our regions
together to enhance mutual benefit.
We have consistently pursued a shared commitment to increase
awareness of the importance of inter-regional co-operation.
Following the successful co-hosting of the Africa-Asia Summit in
Jakarta during April this year, South Africa and our regional
partners from the African Union are now keen to take the
partnership with our compatriots from Asia forward. The New
Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) adopted at the summit
provides a perfect joint vision towards improved inter-regional
ties and lies at the core of Africa's interaction with Asia.
It is therefore in our hands and no longer in the hands of
colonisers, to create links, opportunities and sustainable trade
routes that would benefit the people of our regions. All that is
needed is follow-up action to implement the joint goals and
commitments that were agreed upon and envisaged at the
summit.
During this visit to South Africa by Vice President Kalla and his
delegation, we have confirmed the convergence of views between our
countries regarding issues of global political and economic
importance.
We agree for example on issues such as the imperatives for fair and
equitable participation by all in the benefits of globalisation. We
agree on the importance of making an impact on the lives of
millions of people internationally who continue to live in
conditions of under-development and poverty.
As members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), we both realise the
responsibilities we have to work together closely in promoting the
ideals of South-South co-operation, as well as to promote
North-South Dialogue.
As the world experienced recently in preparation for the 60th
United Nations General Assembly, there is an urgent need for
improved multilateral mechanisms to drive the reform of global
governance institutions so that they better reflect and represent
the international community in all its diversity.
In all these ways, South Africa and Indonesia have a common
appreciation of the importance of inter-regional co-operation to
promote international development and progress that will benefit
our children.
Ladies and gentlemen
South Africa and Indonesia have excellent bilateral relations built
on solid foundations, dating back to the Bandung Africa-Asia
Conference of 1955, exactly fifty years ago.
The support that South Africa's liberation movements received from
the people of Indonesia during the difficult years of Apartheid,
will always be remembered and appreciated. Indonesians who suffered
similarly to obtain their freedom understood what we were going
through.
Since we established diplomatic relations in 1994, bilateral ties
and trade between our countries have expanded fast. The Joint
Commission Agreement signed in March 2004 will ensure a more
co-ordinated approach in pursuit of common bilateral interests and
we welcome the fact that the Joint Commission will soon hold its
first meeting.
There are many opportunities to further expand our relations,
especially as far as foreign direct investment is concerned. Areas
that offer potential include amongst others banking, minerals and
energy affairs, the airline industry, tourism, education and arts
and culture.
From a regional perspective, the main challenge remains that of
finding synergies between the opportunities of the New Economic
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the areas of
co-operation that the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership
(NAASP) envisages.
As Africans we are convinced that "the sky is the limit" as far as
possibilities between Africa and Asia are concerned.
Co-operation between sub-regions should also be promoted, such as
between the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), as long as our
joint goal remains to promote the interests of all Asia and
Africa.
With our vast joint resources and technological innovation of the
kind we have seen in our Asian Tiger compatriots, trade routes
between our regions will no doubt in time become more important
than the spice trade route around the "Cape Colony" of the 17th
century!
On behalf of President Thabo re-iterate South Africa's condolences
to the government and people of Indonesia on the Tsunami disaster
that hit the Sumatra Islands on 26 December 2004. He also
congratulates Vice-President Kale, his government and the
Indonesian people on successfully managing and co-ordination of
relief efforts during those difficult times.
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to sincerely
thank Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla and his delegation for
visiting South Africa and for attending the National Orders Awards
Ceremony in Pretoria in recognition of the contributions and
sacrifices made by Sheikh Yusuf.
May the special friendship between our countries and the goodwill
between our people continue to strengthen, as we draw benefit from
one another in developing our countries and as work towards
achieving our shared vision of a better world for all.
Ladies and gentlemen
Please allow me, on behalf of the government and the people of
South Africa to propose a toast on the excellent relations between
South Africa and Indonesia, as well as on the good health of Vice
President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla and his delegation.
Map
