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20 June 2001

Bridging the Divide: Main Thrusts of South Africa's Diplomatic Endeavours

Dr Mills Chairperson of SAIIA
Your Excellencies members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen

 It is a great pleasure for me to be here once again to exchange ideas with yourselves on South Africa’s foreign policy objectives and challenges. With the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ address to the Institute earlier this year, we believe a firm foundation has been laid for our exchange this afternoon.

Vision

South Africa shall strive for peace, stability, democracy and development in an African continent, which is non-sexist, prosperous and united, contributing towards a world that is just and equitable.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is committed to promoting South Africa's national values, the African Renaissance and the creation of a better world for all.

Both our Vision and Mission highlight the three dimensional approach to our foreign policy. The pursuit of our domestic interests at the same time as we advance the agenda for African development and the creation of a better world.

In his address to the National Assembly on 29 May 1998, President Mbeki declared that "South Africa remains divided into a society of two nations. On the one hand is the rich and prosperous who are predominantly the white minority, whilst on the other hand is the poorest of the poor who in the main are the majority of the people who are black. We reiterate the view of the government that bridging the gap between the poor and the rich of our country is a necessary condition for South Africa to prosper.

These divisions have an international dimension. Africa is a continent well endowed yet has more pronounced levels of poverty and is highly underdeveloped and marginalised in the international system. In the information age the gap between the continent and the rest of the world is widening in frightening proportions. However, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Middle East share with us these inequalities and marginalisation in the world. Herein lies the basis for our common agenda.

Sustained peace and stability can not be guaranteed when the disparity between the rich and the poor, in a nutshell-the haves and have-nots, does not only prevail but also widens. This pronounced divide is exacerbated by the fact that the poverty line in South Africa clearly coincides with the racial divide. Political liberation marked progress in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid in Africa but this has not necessarily translated into economic liberation both in South Africa and Africa in general.

The urgent need for integration in the world economic system for economic growth and development has been identified. This remains the most fundamental political aspect that needs to be addressed not only by the South African government in its own interest, but also by the African leadership for the advancement of the continent. Economic growth and development is the most profound domestic issue that informs and underpins our external engagements. Accordingly, there has been a pronounced emphasis on economic diplomacy in our work.

As a country, we have seen the most unprecedented transformation of the economy, ranging from macro-economic stabilisation to the industrial, labour, fiscal and monetary policy reforms. These have laid a firm foundation for South Africa's integration into the world economy.

A search of increased foreign direct investment , new markets for export, and development assistance for infrastructural and human resources development has been undertaken. To achieve these objectives we have had to forge alliances with countries and regional blocs, as well establish partnerships with international organisations and trans-national corporations for the purpose of reconstructing and developing the social and economic fabric of our society and the continent in general. Hence the formation of the International Investment Council, International Marketing Council, International IT Council and others, and our close and concerted engagement with among others the IMF, World Bank and WTO.

An important component of government’s broad reconstruction programme has been the shift towards integrated governance through the cluster system. In collaboration with the departments comprising the Cabinet Cluster of International Relations, Peace and Security (IRPS), a long-term four-year strategic plan was developed, which will ensure that the implementation of South Africa’s foreign policy objectives is conducted in a co-ordinated and integrated way.

This plan constitutes the high level objectives, priorities, strategies and action plans of the Cluster. In accordance with the most pressing needs of the country, high priority has been accorded to the strategic objectives pertaining to the securing of direct investment, the expansion of trade and the promotion of tourism. The common thread that weaves throughout the Strategic Plan relates to the eradication of poverty, the creation of wealth and enhancing the quality of life.

In a nutshell: South Africa’s foreign policy aims to create an environment in which sustainable development can take place.

The socio-economic disparity prevailing domestically is also mirrored in the stark contrast that persists between South Africa and its neighbours where South Africa generates 80% of SADC’s GDP. This disparity inevitably leads to political stresses and pressures that hold potential negative consequences of varying degrees. South Africa has consistently espoused the view that our destiny is inextricably linked to the future of our African region. Therefore we need to play an active and constructive role in shaping the future of our peoples of the region as a part of the continent.

South Africa's own prospects of growth and economic advancement are undermined by the underdevelopment of the rest of the continent. Their growth, development and integration into the world economic system would also benefit South Africa as markets expand and investment opportunities increase. Therefore, our foreign policy, although rooted in our national interests, has a particular focus on the development of the region and the continent of Africa.

In order to attain our declared vision, South Africa needs to energise economic growth, strive towards political stability and security, and ensure delivery on health, housing, social security and tap into the opportunities provided by globalisation by becoming part of the information highway.

Presidents Mbeki, Bouteflika and Obasanjo have successfully utilised various opportunities in the past year, during bilateral visits and at regional and multilateral meetings, to present an economic and social development agenda for Africa- the "Millennium Partnership for the Africa Recovery Programme", (MAP). It is a comprehensive and far-reaching global plan of action to tackle poverty and the developmental needs of Africa. MAP represents the very foundation of our strategic endeavours - domestically, continentally and globally.

The eradication of poverty lies at the heart of the MAP initiative. This can only be achieved and sustained if people are put first. An emerging new generation of democratic and progressive African leaders, committed to the African Renaissance vision, is determined to defeat the twin evils of poverty and under-development. It is envisaged that their endeavours, bolstered by the commitment of some forward looking industrialised countries and multilateral institutions, will provide debt relief, open their markets to African products, invest in Africa’s future, share their technologies and medicines and invest in peacekeeping initiatives in Africa.

The Department of Foreign Affairs recently conducted an extensive analysis of what is required to reposition the African Continent within the global context. We have developed a broad framework, based on nine core priorities and fifty-three sub-priorities, which encompasses the multitude of related elements that comprise the agenda for an African Renaissance.

The nine core priorities broadly fit into the following identified calabashes: Stability, Security, Economic Development, Social Development and Co-operation. We are of the conviction that stability and security represent the necessary condition for economic development, which in turn serves as the principal engine for socio-economic development.

Accordingly the nine core priorities are as follows:

1. Achieving enduring peace, stability and security;
2. Promoting and entrenching democratic values;
3. Achieving sustainable development and growth;
4. Ensuring the sustainable use and protection of natural resources;
5. Ensuring sustainable human development and poverty alleviation;
6. Affirming the role of civil society as a pivotal partner in development;
7. Promoting the revival of self-belief and self-reliance;
8. Ensuring regional and continental integration and co-operation; and
9. Ensuring the global repositioning of the African Continent.

These nine priorities dovetail neatly with the principal issues of MAP, have been identified as follows:

• Peace, security and governance
• Investing in Africa’s people
• Diversification of Africa’s production and exports
• Investing in ICT and other basic infrastructure
• Developing financing mechanisms.

Notably, four of these five key priority areas have a distinctive socio-economic focus. The success of the MAP will be measured by its effect on reducing poverty and enhancing the quality of life of the peoples of the continent.

MAP therefore represents an ideal vehicle to operationalise the vision of an African Renaissance. We are currently in the process of developing concrete programmes, which will form an integral part of our foreign policy. This exercise is not being conducted in isolation, but all inclusive and in close co-operation with the entire continent. The Continent, therefore, needs to take ownership of the Programme and present the world with a clear and unified approach. Towards this end, we are on course!

The benefits for countries engaging in MAP and implementing it are manifold. Because MAP acknowledges the interrelationship between matters of socio-economic development and security and good governance, the probability of attaining stability in the continent is increased exponentially. This will create the conditions required for sustainable development.

An article entitled "Africa’s elusive Dawn" that appeared in the Economist of 24 February 2001, states that:

"Such an examination (of Africa’s post independence experience), honestly carried out, would show that for many years the rich world has made it hard for Africa to earn an honest living through trade. The World Bank reckons that, if North America, Europe and Japan were to eliminate all barriers to imports from sub-Saharan Africa, the regions exports would rise by 14%, an annual increase worth about $2,5 billion. Another calculation shows that developed countries’ farm subsidies amount to over $360 billion a year, some $30 billion more than Africa’s entire GDP."

The article concludes:

"Mr Mbeki’s efforts to lead an African renaissance deserve the support of outsiders. But sceptics are unlikely to change their minds until they see evidence that African leaders no longer regard the state as their private property but are really committed to honest government, free elections, a tolerance of dissent and the unfettered rule of law."

There is also a profound divide that continues to exist between the industrialised and developed North and the developing countries of the South. Therefore, a major priority for South Africa and Africa has been the promotion of the agenda of the South. This stems from the recognition that Africa cannot pursue its struggle for a fair dispensation in the world alone. The establishment of the ties of solidarity between Africa and the rest of the countries of the South is therefore imperative.

In this regard, the Tenth UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD X) in Bangkok, Thailand in February 2000, at which South Africa handed over the Chair of UNCTAD to Thailand, helped clarify a range of issues that need to be dealt with if meaningful progress is to be made in reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development.

This was followed by the South Summit in Cuba in April 2000, the first time that the developing country members of the Group of 77 and China met at Head of State level. The Summit highlighted the need for the countries of the South to work in a much more integrated and co-ordinated manner, if their voice is to be heard. The Summit further recognised the need for a continued constructive dialogue with the developed world, particularly the G8. In this context, the Summit mandated several leaders including President Mbeki to attend the G8 Summit in Japan, in order for them to raise issues of importance to the South.

The groundbreaking Millennium Summit of the UN General Assembly in 2000, adopted a plan of action which builds on the work of UNCTAD X and the South Summit, and establishes important specific milestones and targets. Perhaps the most important of these is the aim of reducing the number of people living in extreme poverty by 50% by the year 2015. This will require a concerted effort not only by all members of the UN but also by all the global development and financial institutions.

The Third UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (UNLDC III) took place in Brussels in May this year, and decided on measures to improve the plight of the LDCs. It is important to note that this new element of partnership between the developed and developing countries is defining the agenda for development co-operation. This needs to be sustained as a major objective that MAP seeks to achieve.

A further event is the UN Conference on Financing for Development, which will take place in Mexico in March 2002. This will cover a whole range of issues pertinent to the financing of development, such as debt relief, official development assistance, and foreign direct investment amongst others.

The launching of a new round of global trade negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is regarded by many as an important step in correcting the current imbalances and distortions in global trade and in opening up new market opportunities for developing countries. Even though some developing countries are suspicious of allowing a new round to proceed, fearing that it may lead to further marginalisation, South Africa and many others see an engagement with the other members of the WTO in a new round as the most effective way of making progress. A new round would, however, have to be launched on the clear understanding that it should have a strong development focus, and a balanced agenda.

The UN-ECOSOC meeting in Geneva in July will focus on Sustainable Development of Africa. This is an important follow-up to the Millennium Declaration of 2000. Another very important development will be the convening of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg World Summit) in September 2002. The fact that this will take place on the African continent and focus on the important subject of Sustainable Development has raised the expectations of those on our continent who believe that decisive interventions to alter the 'African condition' is overdue. The Summit on Globalisation in September in New York 2001 will be an important prelude to this important event.

On the eve of their 2000 Summit, G8 leaders met with Presidents Mbeki, Bouteflika and Obasanjo in Tokyo. For the fist time the outcome of a G8 Summit had a focused approach on development issues. Through continued dialogue with the North, South Africa has been able to play an important role to ensure that the same focused approach was evident in the agenda and outcome of the Millennium Summit last year. Central to the approach is the recognition of the need for a partnership between North and South in order to improve the living standards of the vast majority of the inhabitants of the global village.

Consequently, it is envisaged that President Mbeki and his counterparts from Africa will again engage the North in the context of the annual Summit of the G8 countries in Genoa, Italy, later this year.

Globalisation has, over the past decade, become a major feature of commentaries on contemporary social life. The global focus extends almost everywhere in business, sport, politics, fashion, the environment, music, law and cultural identity. There is a sense that the fate of all parts of the globe is somehow bound together more intensely than before through ties of interdependence and the inter-linkage of economic, political and cultural relationships across existing borders and boundaries.

For some, globalisation is seen negatively as the dominance of Western economic and cultural interests over the rest of the world. This dominance means the perpetuation of inequality between rich and poor countries and regions. The developing world is often seen as being incorporated into the global economy as passive consumers of standardised products and being reduced to a form of cultural imperialism.

For others, globalisation is evaluated more positively as bringing the possibility for all the world’s population to benefit from the fruits of the international division of labour and the global economy. In a somewhat different vein, other features of globalisation associated with trans-national developments such as the UN, or social movements such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace International, have become new vehicles for political and religious desires for the creation of one world free from conflict and a planet liberated from exploitation and environmental degradation.

This means that the world is increasingly becoming an interdependent system. The challenge we face in implementing a foreign policy is to develop the political tools with which to identify the many ways in which the global system impacts on the existence of South Africans as well as our African brothers and sisters, and to distinguish between those influences that are negative which we must pursue and those that are positive and which we should encourage. Although South Africa is only a small to medium player in this complex global economic system, the international community has placed expectations on us that far exceed our economic standing.

Parallel to the assertion of neo-liberal ideas of free trade and the market economy, a revolution has taken place in information technology and communications. South Africa has recognised the need to seize the challenges presented by this phenomenon and is eager to seize the new economic opportunities, which it presents. But it has to do so within this global economy in which states have performed unevenly. The major Western states remain the leaders, but progress has been made in Asia and in Latin America, whereas other parts of the world have regressed, including much of Africa. This negative trend needs to be reversed, and it is incumbent on the Department of Foreign Affairs to apply all available energy and commitment to help achieve such a reversal.

Africa is a technological desert, a continent that has been almost completely marginalised from the global knowledge revolution. In July 1998, South Africa ranked 20^th in the world in terms of Internet hosts, with a count of 140 000. The next African country was Egypt, with an Internet host count of a mere 2 043. Twelve more countries had host counts below 1000, while a further twenty had no Internet connectivity. The acute lack of a technology-driven knowledge agenda for Africa provides a serious obstacle to the rate of flow of information and new ideas. Information and communication remain the key to harnessing the political will to implement Africa’s renaissance. Thus bridging the digital divide also constitutes a vital component of our engagement with the global community.

Internationally, Africa does not enjoy the image it deserves. Although Afro-pessimism is clearly on the decline, perceptions of a continent that is poverty-stricken, characterised by underdevelopment and plagued by chronic instability still persist.

The world unfortunately does not differentiate between localised problems encountered in Africa and the Continent at large. In this regard, South Africa’s image is sometimes projected negatively. We therefore have a responsibility as South Africans to project a positive image of our country and the rest of the continent.

No matter how hard and rocky the road might be, travel we must! There will be many obstacles and potholes. The cycle of under-development to which Southern Africa and, indeed, Africa at large is continuously subjected, with its attendant economic, political and social ills, can only be broken by a collective endeavour at the regional and continental levels and in partnership with the global community.

Increasingly, there is a realisation among the wealthy and industrialised nations of the North that the development needs of Africa and the South need to be addressed in a fair and transparent manner. Simultaneously, however, we need to understand that the economic recovery and sustained development of Africa rests on its people in general and its leaders in particular. African states, therefore, have no choice but to co-operate energetically and in concert in promoting socio-economic development.

In conclusion, I wish to quote from a speech by President Thabo Mbeki, which he delivered on 12 August 1998:

"An ill wind has blown me across the face of Africa. I have seen the poverty of Orlando East and the wealth of Morningside in Johannesburg. In Lusaka, I have seen the poor of Kanyama township and the prosperous residents of Kabulonga. I have seen the slums of Sirulere in Lagos and the opulence of Victoria Island. I have seen the faces of the poor in Mbare in Harare and the quiet wealth of Burrowdale…..

…..Surely there must be politicians and business people, youth and women activists, trade unionists, religious leaders, artists and professionals from the Cape to Cairo, from Madagascar to Cape Verde who are sufficiently enraged by Africa’s condition in the world to want to join the mass crusade for Africa’s renewal.

It is to these that we say, without equivocation, that to be a rebel in the cause of the African Renaissance, whose success in the new century and millennium is one of the greatest historic challenges of our time."

Let us rise to this call!

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