Hon Chairperson, the flu bug which is going around has affected me. So, let me start by apologising for my voice as it will not be the well-known shop steward's voice.
Hon Minister, Deputy Ministers, hon members, your Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners, let me begin by thanking the hon Minister for her very informative and engaging presentation on her Budget Vote. I have noted that the department has a huge mandate, though its allocated budget of R4,8 billion for this financial year has decreased by nearly a billion rand from the R5,6 billion which was allocated to it the previous year. We trust, hon Minister, that your department will be creative enough to manage and execute the mandate within the existing allocation.
From the outset, I must hasten to raise an issue which is very important in the execution of the mandate of the portfolio committee. Whilst we strive to monitor and oversee the department's activities, the current oversight model in Parliament poses some challenges to the work of the committee. Although the committee has formal access to the department and queries it when necessary, the committee has not been able to conduct effective inspection in loco parentis or do oversight visits in all the areas under the department, including South African missions abroad and project areas where South Africa is involved in pursuance of the African agenda.
However, I take a great sense of comfort in mentioning that this challenge is being actively addressed before it becomes an impediment by the relevant authorities in Parliament. The committee will be able to reach all those responsible for the execution of the South African international relations policy and measure the department's service delivery on the basis of the impact it exerts internationally.
Despite the challenges I have alluded to, the committee continues to execute its mandate and consequently I'm aware, Madam Minister, that your department is faced with two major capacity-building challenges. The first is in property and asset management, because of the huge property portfolio your department has to manage in the missions abroad. The second challenge is the need for training in the new skills of economic diplomacy to address the current developments in international relations.
The global shift towards closer co-operation in economic development requires highly trained and experienced men and women who can effectively represent this country in global economic engagements. This is all the more urgent in the wake of the global economic meltdown, and the tentative moves by the international community to restructure the international financial institutions and economic relations.
I'm convinced that the creation of the SA Development Partnership Agency, Sadpa, will fill the existing gap around the effective co-ordination of economic engagements with the outside world. However, the real relationship with the African Renaissance and International Co-operation Fund or its demise, must be explored further in order to have continuity with regard to the consolidation of the African agenda as a matter of urgency.
Again, I wholeheartedly support the principle of deepening relations with countries in Africa through opening diplomatic missions in all the African countries. However, the department should probably identify and prioritise countries in Africa with which South Africa can foster strategic partnerships for development. Zimbabwe is one of them, of course. It should be one of those countries.
At this juncture I would like to commend all the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, Dirco, under the leadership of the Minister and, of course, led by President Zuma, on behalf of SADC to ensure compliance with the Global Political Agreement in Zimbabwe.
Since these interventions, a number of positives have emerged both politically and economically, including the creation of a democratic space; the polarisation of political parties has been abated; there are signs of economic recovery, including stable prices of commodities; there is added value to the currency; there are increasing levels of investment from the SADC countries and Asia, and South Africa has injected almost R300 million; and there is the international community's involvement through the trilateral arrangements. Therefore, we must not just look at the negatives. Of course, we agree that more still has to be done but out of this engagement we can start to see some positives.
I therefore call upon all South Africans in unison to rally behind the efforts by the President of the country and the Ministry on behalf of SADC at this critical and sensitive stage of mediation in Zimbabwe. I appeal to all patriotic South Africans in all sectors to ensure that in their engagement with their allies or counterparts, their actions should promote and not undermine or reverse the gains that have been achieved thus far. Failure - we must understand the implications - to resolve the Zimbabwean situation will cause instability, not only in the country, but in the whole region.
The struggle for self-determination by the people of the Saharawi Republic remains a sore point in the history of liberation in Africa. All necessary measures have to be taken to put back onto the global agenda the resolution of this conflict and to actively engage the international community on the plight of the Saharawi people.
The development and streamlining of public diplomacy strategies cannot be overemphasised. The department must be more visible and less elitist in the conduct of the South African international relations policy. The Minister must ensure the strengthening of democratic accountability of foreign policy nationally and ensure there is a national dialogue internally on the policies South Africa pursues, individually or jointly, with the international community in pursuit of effective global governance.
Clearly, the portfolio committee and this Parliament have a crucial role to play in democratising international relations. I hope the House will not think me arrogant if I quote from my response to last year's international affairs budget to make the point.
I suggested then that we needed to discuss the following propositions: one, that the legislature and the portfolio committee needed to play a role in facilitating debate on international relations and co-operation issues to foster public understanding and awareness, and to provide a platform for solidarity and civil society to raise issues of concern; two, that our understanding of international relations and co-operation would be enriched by greater knowledge of the social structures of the countries we interacted with, so that we did not simply deal with the ruling elites, but also saw all sides of the picture. We therefore, Minister, welcome the idea of an International Relations Council. It is a beautiful idea.
I believe that our ability as a nation to wield soft power in international relations is greatly strengthened to the extent that our own people are able to understand and support policies which not only advance the national interest, but also contribute to global peace and sustainable development. I might also add that success in this area would also start to address the xenophobic fears that have regrettably manifested themselves in recent years.
Turning to South-South relations, these are fast developing into bigger strategic partnerships of emerging powers to promote mutual economic co- operation, while, at the same time, leveraging their growing influence to challenge unfair trade relations with the rich industrialised economies of the world.
South Africa's participation in Ibsa is remarkably visible, and Ibsa's programmes are aimed at addressing domestic priorities. There were various sectors at the past summit that you referred to Minister. They met side by side, but regrettably there was no labour forum - one of the most important social partners.
However at that summit it was agreed in the parliamentary forum that the parliaments of the three Ibsa countries should exercise oversight over all the Ibsa agreements and ensure that implementation took place. We can't just go to conferences, pass resolutions and resolutions and not look at their implementation.
It is important that as soon as possible South Africa also assesses opportunities in the Bric countries: Brazil, Russia, India and China - and we welcome some of the initiatives you were talking about, Minister - and eventually consider joining this grouping as the two mandates of these organisations are highly complementary. Hosting and participating in international conferences should not be the only yardstick for the work of the department. Money should be spent on conferences where South Africa will have an impact on shaping agendas and will accrue benefits for our population and that of the continent as a whole. The measure of performance here should be tangible results, not mere presence at conferences.
South Africa must stand ready to take advantage of the current realignment of forces taking place in world politics and international relations. As we participate in global power structures like the G8, the G20 and the many G structures that exist, we must be ready to advance strategic interventions to influence the agenda.
South Africa should continue to act internationally as a facilitator and moderator, deploying soft power with clear objectives and goals, including consolidating and elaborating on our role as an emerging country in the Africa region, and maintaining momentum for the promotion of the African agenda, whilst participating fully in the process to develop a more equitable system of global governance.
The campaign for the release of the Cuban Five should be intensified to ensure adherence by the international community to the universal application of human rights principles. Minister, I know we can and we must facilitate and engage the United States on this as part of our South agenda. One final note of caution is that this House and Parliament must be concerned about the manner in which international engagements and visits are conducted without proper consultation with the Department of International Relations and Co-operation. We would like to see the department strengthening its hand in co-ordinating international engagements and visits by sister departments, provincial and even local governments, as well as Parliament and provincial legislatures. This is necessary to prevent wasteful duplication, possible competition and conflicts of interest, and to ensure that as a country we speak with one voice. [Applause.]
Minister, we need to remind the department that you were given such a mandate by the Cabinet meeting of 19 November 2008 when Cabinet approved the document on measures and guidelines for the enhanced co-ordination of South Africa's international relations. So, you don't have to beg anybody; you must just implement. With those words I want to welcome and support this particular budget. Thank you. [Applause.]