Issued by: Office of the President
SPEECH BY PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AT THE LAUNCH OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MALAYSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL Kuala Lumpur, 8 March 1997
Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, Prime Minister of Malaysia; Leaders of business from Malaysia and South Africa; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen,
It would be difficult to think of a more fitting end to our visit to Malaysia, and indeed to South East Asia, than the event which now brings us together.
Our governments have met at the highest level; our officials have engaged with each other; agreements regulating trade and shipping have been signed. Representatives of our business communities have interacted and held discussions, both practical and strategic. They have consolidated existing links and initiated new ones.
We have been inspired by the few glimpses we have had of some of the most striking products of Malaysia's remarkable industrialisation. And we have sensed the mood of a region that, despite a legacy of dependency and poverty, is now shaping its own economic destiny.
By establishing a Malaysian South African Business Council our two business sectors are showing their serious intent to seize the opportunities created by the warm relations between our countries. It the most practical way, they are giving impetus to the developing links between us.
Precisely because South Africa's history has made us latecomers to the forging of economic ties with the legendary Asian tigers, we welcome every initiative which promotes them.
The South African Government regards the private sector as a dynamic force for growth and development. We are therefore greatly encouraged by the launching of the Council. It provides a forum for getting like-minded business people together, so that they can jointly tackle problems and share information on opportunities in each other's country.
As such, it will add power to the surging growth in trade and investment that is giving solid substance to the co-operative and mutually beneficial relationship between Malaysia and South Africa.
For both South African and Malaysian business it will be a valuable avenue for tapping experience and skills, and a window on new and exciting opportunities.
Many, if not most of you, spent this morning in intense discussions on these matters. And so it is unnecessary on this occasion to do more than affirm the basic facts. That the Malaysian members of the Council will find their tremendous opportunities for profitable trade and investment in South and Southern Africa, where economic policy, political stability and programmes of reconstruction and development create a climate that is favourable to the thriving of enterprise.
They will find a country which defines itself as an integral part of the Southern African region: with its framework for development integration; its market of some 150 million people and its enormous growth potential. They will find an active participant in the economic and political rebirth of the African continent.
Ladies and gentlemen;
Those who join the Council will discover within its ranks many from both South African and Malaysia who can confirm these facts. Even in the few short years since South Africa achieved democracy we have become significant participants in each others economies. In decision and action Malaysia's government and business sector have been expressing their trust in the future of this relationship.
It is a particular pleasure to share this occasion with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Dr, Mahathir Mohammed. His vision and leadership is held in high regard amongst South Africans. They admire and seek to emulate Malaysia's success in tackling the legacy of colonialism and poverty, its record of sustained economic growth and development.
They are aware too of Dr. Mahathir's role in focusing the attention of Malaysian government and business on South Africa, not least through his visit last year to South Africa with strong business delegation.
Your excellency, may I take this opportunity to record our deep appreciation of the confidence you have shown in our future, and the leadership you have given in putting it into practice. That is how the Malaysian people's solidarity with our struggle for freedom is being turned into a partnership for development, peace and prosperity.
Ladies and gentlemen;
Our visit to your country is drawing to a close. Soon I will be returning to South Africa. I will be taking with me fond memories of my encounters with the people of this country and region. Wherever I went I was made to feel that I was home from home. I will cherish that warmth.
In all the meetings and discussions we held, with government and the private sector, in every engagement with the people of Malaysia, the commitment to build firm relations between our two nations was in no doubt.
I will be able to tell my people that in Malaysia in particular, and in South East Asia in general, we have true friends.
In ancient times the peoples of South East Asia and Southern Africa were linked in trade. I will be able to say that now that both our regions are free again we have in this region peoples who are reaching out to work with us in making a reality of our shared vision of a better life for all.
In the launch of this Council we are witnessing the determination amongst our business people to help ensure that as we enter the twenty-first century the potential for economic relations between us is translated into the benefits of development.
Let us join hands across the ocean in a partnership for peace and prosperity.
I thank you!