Date: 09/07/2010
Source: The Presidency
Title: SA: Zuma: Toast remarks by the President of South Africa, at the State banquet in honour of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Johannesburg

Your Excellency, President Lula da Silva,
The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Honourable Mr Kgalema Motlanthe,
Honourable Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Mninawa Mahlangu,
The Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Justice Ngcobo,
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers from the two delegations,
FIFA President Mr Sepp Blatter,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Business delegations of the two countries,
Distinguished Guests;
On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, I am truly honoured to again welcome you, your Excellency, and your delegation to our beautiful country.
I trust that you are having a wonderful and enjoyable stay in South Africa.
You chose the right time to visit us, in the middle of the most vibrant Soccer World Cup tournament ever, which is taking place in the African continent for the first time.
Beyond our bilateral relations, this is an important visit also because Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup competition.
We therefore have a lot of information to share relating to the arrangements.
Your Excellency, as said earlier today, my choice would have been a World Cup final between South Africa and Brazil.
But we have to be gracious losers, and work to settle the scores in 2014.
Mr President and dear friend,
Thank you for accompanying me to Freedom Park earlier today, after we successfully concluded our official meetings. The monument is not simply an inscription on concrete.
It is a reminder of how men and women shed their blood for our struggle.
You yourself, Mr President, as a people's leader, understand what we went through.
Therefore accompanying me to Freedom Park was not just symbolic.
It is testimony to the strength of our bilateral relations, which have been forged in a common history of struggle.
We are neighbours separated by an ocean.
The shores of Brazil bulge out into the Atlantic ocean as though to touch the African coastline on the opposite hemisphere.
The people of Brazil, with strong historical ties to Africa, could not be silent as their brothers and sisters confronted the scourge of racist rule.
You extended hands of solidarity to our cause; you embraced our suffering and offered our people hope.
To this end, Mr President, please accept our profound gratitude to the Brazilian people.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mr President,
Earlier today we signed the Declaration on a Strategic Partnership between our two countries.
This agreement places at a higher level cooperation in a number of fields, including health, defence, science and technology, energy, and sport.
We have signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperative Governance.
We will use our good political relations to fight our common challenges, so that we continue to place our countries on a path towards development and prosperity.
Your Excellency,
Our two countries have an important role to play in the maintenance of peace and stability on the African continent.
Allow me to commend your contribution to Africa's peace and security endeavours.
We know your government's commitment to stay the course in Africa, to remain by our side as we work to achieve lasting peace and stability, democracy, human rights, and prosperity.
It is only correct that we shape our future together and that together we work towards a better Africa and a better world.
Mr President,
Allow me to acknowledge the leadership role that you and Brazil play in multilateral forums.
We hope to work with you in making a meaningful contribution to global debate and engagement.
Together, we can make great progress in transforming the system of global governance, reforming international financial institutions, and building a more equitable global economic order.
We have jointly resolved, through IBSA, to work together and with other countries to advance the reform of the UN Security Council and other institutions.
Your Excellency,
The 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup has been a great success and will leave a lasting legacy in our country.
The explosion of national pride and the unity that has been displayed by all South Africans is an invaluable benefit of the tournament.
We spent almost 33 billion rand specifically on 2010 FIFA World Cup-related projects.
We viewed the investment as part of the long-term development plan for South Africa.
The hosting of the tournament became a catalyst for development and investment in sporting infrastructure, such as stadiums and training venues, and economic infrastructure, such as airports, rail, public transport and telecommunications.
We view the World Cup tournament also as a catalyst for social development, which is why we will be hosting an education summit on Sunday to promote the second Millennium Development Goal, which promotes access to universal primary school education.
This campaign will enable Heads of State and Government and agencies to promote the campaign to ensure 72 million children have access to education by the time of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Your Excellency,
Allow me to pay tribute to you in particular for your inspiration, insight and leadership over the years of your presidency.
This period has seen the bond between Brazil and South Africa grow ever stronger, and our engagements become ever more meaningful.
This is because of your affinity to the African continent and to the cause of the developing world.
On behalf of the government of the Republic of South Africa and the people of South Africa, I thank you for all your efforts.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
May I request you to rise and join me in a toast to the good health of President Lula, and the prosperity of the country and people of the Federative Republic of Brazil!
I thank you.