Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
30 November 2000
The Honourable Mr Nelson Mandela;
Dr Danie Cronje, Chairman of ABSA Group;
Mr Mark Williams, Chairman of the Johannesburg Press Club;
Mr Oupa Nqwenya, General Secretary of the Forum for Black Journalists
Mr Mark van der Velden Editor, of the South African Press Association;
Your Excellency Dr Alzubedi, Ambassador, of Libya;
Mr Mohamed Ismail, Libyan Envoy to the Philippines;
Excellencies, distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen:
On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, allow me to express our gratitude for your kind invitation to address this prestigious occasion.
We all remember vividly the evening exactly three months ago, on 30 August, when thousands of us celebrated as we witnessed the arrival of Callie and Monique Strydom on South African soil, accompanied by our able Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. Tonight we are here to celebrate the efforts of the South African people and their government in securing the release of the nominees of the Newsmaker of the Year 2000 Award, Callie and Monique Strydom.
Ladies and Gentleman:
Tonight is not only an opportunity to present an award, it is an opportunity to pay tribute to the spirit for survival, about two very special and patriotic people and the joining together of a nation to support each other during times of adversity.
Tonight, we are honoured by the presence of Mr Mandela, who so tirelessly strives to promote nation building and national reconciliation, one of the pillars that forms and dictates Government policy today. It is this principle that inspired us all to rally around the effort to release Callie and Monique.
What we saw during this crisis was the coming together of the people of our country - an unfolding of a story of human drama -and the coming together of a nation, standing together to ensure that its own was returned. This epitomises the spirit of being South African.
Honourable Guests,
What motivated the Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs to respond as it did to this crisis, was the love for the people, irrespective of race, colour, sex, creed or belief that make up our wonderful country. In a word we were motivated by patriotism.
We had never faced a similar situation before. What were we as government supposed to do? We had no option but to respond. The return of South Africa into the fold of the international community, has brought with it new challenges, which have thrust the Department of Foreign Affairs to the fore-front in ensuring that our citizens travelling abroad receive the support and assistance they require. Through our Consular Division, we render assistance to South African travellers abroad. This is however not a partnership that exists without our people, the media and South African business. We all act together.
In responding to the crisis at hand, we constituted a Task Team in Pretoria while deploying a Support Team in Manila led by High Commissioner Lindiwe Mabuza. It was the responsibility of these colleagues to provide Callie and Monique with their lifeline to the outside world and assist secure their release. We are proud of all their efforts.
The experience we gained during the Callie and Monique hostage crises was critical in helping us resolve two other similar crises that occurred during the same period. I am referring here to two incidents that involved South African journalists detained in Zimbabwe and Liberia respectively. As a Government, I believe that we acted decisively in securing the release of all our people involved and their safe return to their families.
Both President Mbeki and Minister Dlamini Zuma worked tirelessly to secure the release of Callie and Monique. President Mbeki engaged the President of France and Germany during the G8 conference in Japan.
Minister Dlamini Zuma used her various interactions during visits abroad to discuss the plight and resolution of the hostage crisis, not only to secure the release of Callie and Monique, but of all the hostages. In this regard, we enjoyed the fullest co-operation of Finland, France, Germany and Malaysia.
We also mobilised eminent persons such as Archbishops Mvume Dandala, Njongonkulu Ndungane, the Public Protector, Selby Baqwa and Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka to assist in the release process.
Among us tonight is Mohammed Ismail, who together with Dr Rajab Azzarouk, Libyan Government negotiator played a critical role in securing the final release of not only Callie and Monique, but all the Sipadan hostages.
It is only befitting that we request both you and Ambassador Alzubedi, to convey to our brother leader, Colonel Muhammar Ghadaffi and his son Saif-el-Islam, Head of the Ghadaffi International Charitable Foundation, our profound and sincere thanks for all their efforts in brokering the release of all the hostages.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This is a realisation of our aspiration of the African Renaissance that we have been working towards - the role and pride with which we can fulfil as Africans in resolving peacefully disputes and conflicts in any part of the world. The leadership in Africa has both the capacity and will to resolve problems, both in Africa and the world.
I also wish to express both the Government and my sincere appreciation to the families of Callie and Monique, the South African public and the media.
We must single out the outstanding role of the South African media in the responsible manner in which they went about informing the public about developments regarding the crisis. This put paid to claims that the media and the Government are always and necessarily antagonistic to each other. We commend your efforts and express our hope that this partnership will extend to other areas of Government.
The hostage crisis was 128 days long, not only a trying time for Callie Monique, their families, the people and Government of South Africa, but also indeed the international community.
Throughout this crisis, Callie and Monique displayed tremendous emotional, spiritual strength and resilience. Although dealing with their own trauma they embraced and supported their fellow captives.
Their inner strength and calmness was a source of encouragement to their fellow victims. These two individuals lived through a gruelling experience, their heads held high, making South Africa proud.
One of Monique's requests while in captivity was for a South African flag, which was proudly displayed in their bush home. Even in their adversity, their loyalty to the country and her people was not shaken. Significantly the plane that flew them home from Tripoli displayed the same South African flag that kept their spirits so high in the bush.
It is therefore appropriate that we gather here this evening to pay tribute to Callie and Monique.
In concluding, I wish to, on behalf of the Government thank those sponsors that made available the plan that brought home Callie and Monique. There were many other business enterprises that contributed food and medicines to them while they were on Jolo. As I stated earlier, all of us endeavoured and contributed to the release - a true coming together of our people and efforts.
To Callie and Monique, congratulation on receiving this prestigious award and best wishes on your future endeavours. The Government and people of South Africa wish you well and the best of success with the charitable trust that you have launched.
Thank you.