Chairperson, it is indeed a privilege and an honour to participate in the debate on Africa Day today. Since becoming a member of the Pan-African Parliament, Pap, in 2009, I have developed a greater awareness of the issues of 53 Parliaments in Africa. The lessons learnt have left me richer for the experience.
I wish to pay tribute and offer my condolences to the family of the former President of the Pan-African Parliament, hon Idriss Ndele Moussa, who passed away as a result of a car accident. He was the President of the Pan- African Parliament from 2009 to 2012, and did an outstanding job in leading from the front. The roadshow he undertook to get 15 countries to ratify the African Charter on Democracy is a legacy he leaves us with. I had the privilege of accompanying him on three of these missions.
On 25 May 2013, we not only celebrated Africa Day, but also marked the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity, OAU, which became the African Union, AU, in 2002. This continental organisation was formed with the aim of uniting Africa across its diverse cultures, languages, religious beliefs, nationalities and serving as a home for the people of Africa.
The theme for the 50th anniversary is ``Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance''. The term ``Renaissance'' refers to a reawakening or revitalisation. The spirit of the African Renaissance has found expression in the African continent through Pan-Africanism, which is a concept for a united Africa and the liberation of its people from colonisation. Africa has suffered greatly as a result of colonisation. The OAU/AU offers a vision of life as independent democracies.
However, in recent years, Africa has been on fire. Libya, Egypt, Syria, Mali and the Central African Republic are a few examples. As we celebrate the OAU/AU golden jubilee, we need to treble or even quadruple our efforts to achieve peace and security. All AU instruments, like the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, are critical to resolving conflict.
The declaration that the African leaders signed in Addis Ababa on 27 May this year is, to my mind, silent on some of the human rights atrocities that are being carried out. A good example is the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara. Why are heads of state including our own, not vocal in condemning Morocco for the occupation of Western Sahara?
While some progress has been recorded on the economic front, Africa faces a big challenge in respect of human development. As a continent, we have the lowest human development indicators of any region in the world. Life expectancy of 54,5 years, and an average mean years of schooling of 4,5 years are but 2 examples. Diseases like HIV/Aids, TB and malaria are some of the contributory factors. Education is key to ensuring improvement. The Pan-African Parliament has a critical role to play in strengthening the development goals of the AU in several ways, one of which is in the area of elections, democracy and inclusive governance. As a continent, Africa faces several challenges to governance like unconstitutional changes of government in the form of coups d'tat.
If democracy is truncated and democratically elected governments are removed through unconstitutional means, then it weakens the Pan-African Parliament. Therefore, Pap has to ensure that it promotes vigorously the rule of law, protecting human rights and inclusive governance in all of Africa.
I would be failing in my duty as a daughter of Africa if I didn't call upon members in this House to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, Mr Sangweni and Phumlani Mfeka's bizarre and racist utterances, tantamount to hate speech, that Gandhi hated African people and that all Indians are corrupt and racist. Their comments are like a powder keg and we need to defuse this situation urgently. This kind of rhetoric has no place in our democracy. Sangweni and Mfeka owe all South Africans an apology.
Colleagues, in the words of the President of Ghana: "This is an exciting time to be in Africa; and it is an exciting time to be an African". The DA congratulates the AU on its golden jubilee and wishes it well in achieving its goals. [Applause.]