Thank you, Speaker. Mr President, more than 56 years ago the ANC and the congress alliance adopted the Freedom Charter as a statement of core principles. The Freedom Charter, amongst other things, states that "South Africa shall be a fully independent state which respects the rights and sovereignty of all nations"; and that "The people of the protectorates Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland shall be free to decide for themselves their own future".
Now, Mr President, can you confirm that, indeed, South Africa does engage its neighbours on the basis of these core principles? Thank you.