3 August 2001
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will host a Banquet Dinner and Cultural Evening, at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, today Friday 3 August 2001 at 19h00 for 19h30 in honour and tribute to Ms. Miriam Makeba who has been appointed South Africa's Goodwill Ambassador to Africa.
The event is intended to acknowledge and give recognition to Ms Miriam Makeba for her unflinching role as a stalwart for peace, who has selflessly and tirelessly worked towards the emancipation of the African peoples. The Dinner, which has been sponsored by ESKOM, will be attended by Cabinet Ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps, cultural and media personalities as well as high ranking government officials and invited guests.
In March 2001, the South African President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki announced the appointment of Ms Miriam Makeba as South Africa's first-ever Goodwill Ambassador to Africa. In making the appointment, President Mbeki recognised and honoured Ms Makeba's contribution over the decades in playing a leading role internationally in the struggle for the African Peoples freedom and emancipation from slavery, colonialism and apartheid, and the instilling of pride in African history, culture and civilisation.
The precedence setting appointment of a Goodwill Ambassador to Africa is a further expression of the importance that the President in particular, and the South African Government as a whole, place on the realisation of the vision of a peaceful and secure African Continent which promotes democratic values and entrenches a culture of peaceful co-existence amongst the peoples of Africa. With the appointment of the Goodwill Ambassador, it is envisaged that Ms Makeba will use her good offices and extensive contacts across the continent to promote the vision of the African Renaissance by identifying appropriate and relevant projects around issues of peace, security, stability and particularly the role of women and youth in the achievement thereof.
In this regard, and in consultation with governmental and civil society institutions and structures, various projects will be undertaken with the hope of addressing, amongst others, the mobilisation of the youth and women to play a constructive role in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, nation building, responsible participation in civic affairs as well as improving the quality of life of the African peoples.
The Goodwill Ambassador to Africa will also concentrate her efforts on people-to-people interaction, and exchange programmes to promote sustainable development.
The Goodwill Ambassador will direct her energies towards mobilising the civil society and Cultural Workers on the continent and elsewhere to join in the campaign to create conditions of peace, stability and security in Africa where all people are actively and constructively engaged in the quest to find ways of addressing the challenges confronting the continent.
For more information contact Ms Basetsana Thokoane at 083 443 7740
ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS