House Chair and hon Deputy Minister, what is it to be an African? Being an African means embracing the rich diversity that makes up this beautiful continent. An African is also someone who feels solidarity with all the people of the continent and the enormous struggles that are being waged by them on a daily basis.
Despite the images that are continuously presented by those with an Afro- pessimistic outlook, this is a continent of hope, which is busy lifting itself up from centuries of abuse at the hands of slave merchants, colonialists and dictators who have all exploited Africa's wealth for their own ends. The greatest challenge facing us in Africa now is to grow strong democratic and accountable institutions that can ensure that the immense wealth of this continent is no longer used to further the interests of elites, but rather those of the people themselves. The people of Africa need to be economically empowered. The wealth of Africa must belong to the people of Africa. This is a struggle we must never pull back from!
It is time for us to rebuild the strength of Africa by unlocking the resourcefulness of our people to overcome adversity and by giving the world the human face that it so desperately requires. Being African and being proud of that also demands a certain kind of behaviour from us.
We should at all times be guided by the principles of those who have led the way, like Steve Biko, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, O R Tambo, Lilian Ngoyi, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela and thousands of ordinary citizens that have fought for real freedom over centuries. This means that the behaviour of our currently leading government's front company Chancellor House in acquiring a majority share in the Maloma Colliery in Swaziland, must be condemned as an act that strengthens the authoritarian Swaziland monarchy and regime. Is this the ANC's response to Amnesty International's call on the ANC government to take action against Swaziland over the death in detention of Swazi political activist Sipho Jele?
The South African government is fast becoming like those western governments that encourage democracy at home while at the same time propping up authoritarian nations oversees through a variety of selfish neocolonial policies and investments. I thank you, Chairperson.
Ms B S MOHLAKA (KwaZulu-Natal): Chairperson and Deputy Minister, the history of South Africa is tragic, and our future is opaque. Africa is currently the most impoverished and least developed part of the globe. Africa's population growth rate is increasing by the day, putting pressure on limited resources and leaving future generations of Africans with nothing but absolute poverty. Africa is very poor in term of education, economic improvement, infrastructure, health care, etc.
It is hoped that economic growth would help drag the African poor above the poverty line. However, so far economic growth has been highly uneven, benefiting the skilled and wealthy disproportionately. Many of Africa's rural poor have yet to receive any tangible benefit from Africa's economic growth. The global economic crisis has also impacted negatively on Africa's growth prospects and posed challenges for job creation and development.
On this year's celebration, let us think about the global economic picture and reflect on the reasons for the persistent and extreme poverty in many African countries. Let us not only say, but truly believe, that we will never be able to tackle the multiplicity of African problems in the face of poverty.
We are therefore calling on Nepad to channel the aid and investments to public education, health and the struggle against HIV, and to restoring roads, airports, ports, telecom infrastructures and water supply and sanitation.
There can be no development for future prosperity if African governments are failing to meet their Millennium Development Goals MDGs, and targets, which are aim at improving Africa's vulnerable populace, including women, youth, children and the disabled.
Still, we are not powerless. There are reasons why optimism should prevail over pessimism. Indeed, in this globalising world of unprecedented knowledge and skill, we have deep opportunity. The trend towards multiparty democracy, and thus peace, seems to be irreversible, and countries like China have identified Africa as an economic partner. All Africa needs right now are investors who will come and invest in Africa and create jobs, so that the poor mothers and fathers can get meaningful jobs to do in order to cater for themselves and their children. Solutions to the crisis facing the African continent should not be left to a few outside countries, but Africa should take a lead in tackling its own problems.
South Africa should be conscious of its privileged position in Africa, given our economic power and resources. Consequently, the opportunity to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup gives us further leverage in our attempts to elevate the African agenda at a global level. Up, Bafana Bafana, up! We must make the most of this wonderful opportunity, and ensure that the rest of the world realises what a beautiful and culturally unique continent Africa is. I thank you, Madam Chair. [Applause.]