Speaker, hon Mokgalapa, the South African Government has responded to the humanitarian crises confronting Somalia by raising R8 million towards the famine relief programme, R4 million of which was donated to the Gift of the Givers towards the transportation and logistical costs of delivering aid to Somalia.
Furthermore, and in line with South Africa's foreign policy objective of the consolidation of the African Agenda, the South African government, in partnership with Brand South Africa, has teamed up with the Gift of the Givers, and launched the Somalia Relief Campaign to raise public awareness of the dire situation in Somalia and to galvanise South Africans to make donations for relief efforts in that East African country.
The South African government also provided transport in the form of a South African National Defence Force C130 Hercules supply plane to the Gift of the Givers to deliver 18 tons of essential food and antimalaria medication to Mogadishu on 16 August 2011. This latest consignment brings to 120 tons the total aid delivered to Somalia by the Gift of the Givers in a two-week period.
In addition, government collaborated with other South African-based organisations that are contributing to the relief work for Somalis in Somalia and in refugee camps in neighbouring countries. These organisations include Islamic Relief South Africa, Africa Muslim Agency, Netcare South Africa, the Al-Imdaad Foundation and the Somali Community Board of South Africa. Members of the South African business community were also motivated to contribute, and food and other essential items were donated.
The total amount of the South African contribution, including government and civil society, is difficult to quantify at this stage, but certainly exceeds R20 million.
As the hon member is aware, the African Union hosts the Pledging Conference this week in Addis Ababa, where the South African government will make further pledges.
Let me use this opportunity to restate that South Africa, SADC and the AU's position on Somalia is that it is only under conditions of peace, stability and unity that a humanitarian crisis like this can be mitigated.
We therefore call on all parties involved to work towards a lasting solution to the political crisis in that country.
Once again we thank all individuals and organisations in South Africa that made contributions through various platforms, including the SABC telethon. I thank you.