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.12 September 2004
ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS, DR NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA, AT THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BLACK
WOMEN AFTER RECEIVING THE GOOD BROTHER AWARD ON BEHALF OF PRESIDENT
THABO MBEKI, Washington, USA
Madam chairperson,
Honourable Members of Congress,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted to accept this honour on behalf of President Mbeki.
Though I am perhaps a little bias, there are few leaders in today's
world who more genuinely deserve to be recognised in this way. President
Mbeki is truly a "Good Brother" to the women of Africa, the diaspora and
the world,
He is grateful, and humbled, that you have chosen him for this award. He
would have loved to be here today had his calendar permitted. President
Mbeki recognises with deep gratitude the work of the National Congress
of
Black Women as you celebrate 20 years of advancing the empowerment of
Black Women.
This is indeed a happy coincidence that we are also celebrating 10 years
of victory for Democracy, non-racialism and non-sexism. This victory of
course is as much ours as it is yours,
You were with us during the difficult days of our struggle and you are
still with us today in our struggle against poverty and underdevelopment
and more importantly you are still with us in this global struggle
against racism and sexism.
We have tried to ensure gender friendly policies, of course some of the
things I will mention are things that you take for granted in this part
of the world. Provision of water, electricity has freed millions of
women from spending their time walking long distances in search of water
and firewood. Women have now got access to land, health services and
girls' access to education. Women can now own business.
They have maternity leave and other benefits. There are of course still
many challenges because not all women have access to what I have
mentioned yet but a good foundation has been laid over the past decade.
The struggle continues of course.
Together we share the conviction that women must take leadership
positions in all sectors of society if countries and communities are to
develop to their full potential. The contribution of women is vital for
peace, stability the resolution of conflict, for the eradication of
poverty and for the creation for a more humane world.
Our government tries to lead by example. Out of 28 Cabinet Ministers, 12
are women. Though this is not enough, we are moving in the right
direction. 4 out of the 9 Provincial Premiers' are women. Parliament has
close to 30% of women.
We are also working hard internationally, in our continent and in the
world for the implementation of the Beijing Platform. I am particularly
proud that the African Union is the one and only international
organisation that decided to have at least 50% women in its Commission.
South Africa contributed very strongly to have that implemented.
Now the AU (African Union) has gone further to say all its institutions
should strive for gender parity, and that alls public institutions in
member states should also strive for parity and that the Heads of States
should report every year to the Assembly of Heads of State on progress
in this regard.
Since the President cannot be here personally I would like to share with
you an address he gave last month to the South African chapter of the
International Association of Women Judges. He took as his text for the
occasion the word of Judge Constance Baker Motley, the first African
American woman appointed to the US Federal Court for the Southern
District of New York.
"Surveys" Judge Motley said over a quarter of a century ago, "have shown
that women are inclined to be more concerned with ethics, community
projects, good schools and furthering general welfare, which concern is
reflected in their voting habits."
Women representatives, likewise, reflect in the conduct of their
political careers a deep interest in, and dedication to, the higher
aspect of public service."
Judge Motley continued. "This is probably due, in part, to the fact that
women must still prove themselves professionally in competition with men
in an atmosphere of considerable prejudice against their sex. But it
must also be due to the natural tendency of women to desire passionately
a world without war and a society without chaos.
For President Mbeki, Judge Motley's insights are key to realising the
vision of the African Renaissance. Without the full emancipation and
empowerment of women our Continent is likely to remain synonymous to the
world's eyes with poverty, disease, conflict and misrule, This baneful
reputation will continue to shackle the dreams and prospects of everyone
of African descent wherever they may live.
Africa's women are rising to the challenge. We are living, President
told the judges' association, through a moment of great awakening. The
ordinary people of our continents are beginning to set their own agenda,
in action they are saying that the demagogues and the time-servers and
the men who behave like "little gods" will not determine what they, the
people, will do today and tomorrow.
"It is the women of Africa," the President continued, "who are leading
the charge, They have been the principle victims of oppression and war,
poverty and marginalisation, the loss of human dignity and
dehumanisation and even genocide. And they are saying that now is the
time to end all that."
"In action they are making the statement that they want to see a new
Africa motivated to address the concerns identified by Judge Motley.
This is a new Africa motivated to address the concerns identified by
Judge Motley. This is a new Africa that must focus its attention on
"ethics, community projects, good schools and furthering general
welfare".
"It is a new Africa whose governments and public representatives must
demonstrate "dedication to the highest aspects of the public service."
It is renewed Africa that reconstructs itself as "a world without war
and a society without chaos whose institutions are dedicated to serve
"the best interest of humanity."
Let me close by thanking you again for the recognition you have bestowed
on South Africa with this award to President Mbeki. I will leave you
with his own parting words to the judges association. They are equally
apt here: "I am certain that, as women, you have the possibility to
define what the 21st Century will be, Certainly, it should not and
cannot distinguish itself as yet another age characterised by the
oppression of women and the impoverishment of billions. Together we have
the collective strength and the obligation to give birth to a new
world."
We are also aware of your interest in conflict resolution that South
Africa, led by our President is involved in. The AU (African Union) is
also striving to end all conflicts. We are seized with the situation in
Sudan. I am aware of your own efforts for the resolution of that
conflict
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
12 September 2004
