Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
20 May 2000
President Thabo Mbeki concluded his official visit to the UK on Friday 19 May where he led a high-level government delegation to the third SA-UK Bilateral Forum. The President's delegation included Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Mosiuoa Lekota, Penuel Maduna, Alec Erwin, Essop Pahad and Directors General Sipho Pityana, Frank Chikane and Joel Netshitendzhe.
The President addressed an Investment Seminar and visited the Metropolitan Detective Training School where a number of members of SA's Scorpion Unit are currently receiving training. In addition the President delivered closing remarks at the UK-SA Trade and Investment Seminar hosted by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alec Erwin.
The President also received an honorary doctorate of Laws from the Glasgow Caledonian University. The Queen awarded the President with the order of Grand Commander of St Michael and St George.
Bilateral Forum
In his address to a luncheon hosted in his honour on Friday the President had an opportunity to give an assessment of his visit to the UK. The President indicated that the Bilateral Forum offered an opportunity for both the UK and South Africa to look into matters of common interest. The President characterised the forum as a manifestation of the strategic relation meant to deal with strategic common challenges facing the two countries.
The President said that the number of ministers accompanying him on the visit was indicative of the breadth and extent of the level of co-operation between SA and the UK.
The Forum sends a clear and essential message that the two countries proceed from the same common premise. In this regard, the President welcomed the determination by Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government to make a contribution to help ensure SA's success in the challenges it faces.
The South African delegation emerged from the bilateral forum convinced that they were interacting not with observers but with people who viewed themselves as part and parcel of a process to help address the legacy of the past.
RACISM
One of the challenges facing South Africa, President Mbeki underlined, remains the need to overcome the legacy of racism in all its manifestation. This should in the ultimate help South Africans cease to perceive themselves in racial terms or define themselves as blacks and white but one single nation with a sense of belonging.
However, because of the experience, which the country had with racism, SA has a major role to play as part of its contribution to the universal struggle against racism.
POVERTY
Yet one of the major challenges facing South Africa remains the issue of poverty. The government produced an annual report to determine to what extent each department contributes towards pushing the frontiers of poverty backwards.
At the heart of the resolution of this challenge posed by poverty lies the need for impetus to be given to issues such as investment and trade, economic growth, economic development.
AFRICA
The resolution of the underlying socio-economic problems through economic growth, job creation and capital investment among others should encourage the entrenchment of democratic systems, peace, stability, development; discourage the use of force and violence to entrench power and authority; and an end to corruption.
ZIMBABWE
The President indicated that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan informed him that agreement had been reached on how to proceed in dealing with the Zimbabwean land question.
The President emphasised the need for Zimbabweans to find a solution to the land question in a manner that does not lead to racial tensions among the people of Zimbabwe.
Both President Mbeki and Prime Minister Blair, while encouraged by the report of the UN Secretary-General also called for an end to violence; and illegal occupation of farms as agreed to at the Victoria Falls Summit.
The President will arrive in Washington on Sunday 21 May for a state visit to USA where he will meet with President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Governor Bush and a range of opinion makers including business leaders.
For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853