Source: Department of Public Works
Title: Sigcau: Official inauguration of the new South African Chancery
SPEECH BY MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS, STELLA SIGCAU, AT THE OFFICIAL INAUGURATION OF THE NEW SOUTH AFRICAN CHANCERY IN BERLIN, GERMANY, 14 November 2003
The Master of Ceremonies, Captain Teuteberg
The South African Ambassador to Germany, Dr Sibusiso Bhengu
The South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
The South African Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya
The German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr J Fischer
All Senior Officials in attendance
Ladies and Gentlemen
As we approach the end of the ten years of democracy and freedom in South Africa, the country and its people can look back with awe and pride at some of the achievements they have attained in the past decade. Since 1994, some of the most significant changes in government policy have occurred in the field of International Relations.
Accordingly the ANC-government in 1994 set out to achieve certain broad objectives in International Relations and these included amongst others, the following:
* Ensuring South Africa's acceptance into the community of nations and establishing relations with other countries
* Expanding and diversifying relations and attracting Foreign Direct Investment
* Promoting South - South cooperation and transforming North-South relations.
South Africa has successfully normalised its relations with the world. The country has joined all significant regional, continental and multilateral institutions, and is actively promoting its own interests (political and, economic) as well as that of Africa and the South. South Africa has built bilateral relations with Africa, the South, and strengthened relations with the North. Our presence in Berlin today is symbolic of our efforts to consolidate the above achievements.
As part of its core functions, the National Department of Public Works is responsible for the planning, acquisition, maintenance and ultimately disposal of state's immovable assets, namely land and buildings, to provide conducive physical environment that meets the social, technical, functional and financial expectations of government and its departments.
The successful completion of the R115 million South African Chancery in Berlin, Germany, is the jewel on the crown of our extensive building programme (of
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