April 2009 dfa NowYour voice to be heard PRESIDENT-ELECT MR JACOB ZUMA ON THE OCCASION OF THE ELECTION VICTORY BY THE ANC Editorial Note Dear Colleagues The dfa Now is an internal newsletter of the Department of Foreign Affairs published by the Directorate: April is the month we say goodbye to summer and can see the signs of win- Content Development. ter creeping up on us, but it is also the month that we as South Africans once again have the opportunity to celebrate our human rights and democracy by Editor-in-Chief: partaking in the National Elections held on 22 April. We trust that we all acknowl- Ronnie Mamoepa edge the fact that to vote is not just a right but an obligation for all to cherish our Editor: Paseka Mokhethea democracy. Compilation, Sub-Editing & In this edition of the dfa Now we report on the successful G20 Summit held Proofreading: in London. We have an article on Human Rights Day and complimenting that an Elion Von Wielligh article on mainstreaming gender in the public service. Design and Layout: Shaune van Wyk & Zimele Ngxongo We report on Africa Day celebrations held in Thailand as well as activities from our mission in Zambia. We also report on the South African Consulate- Pictures: General that was officially opened in Juba, Southern Sudan. Jacoline Prinsloo, Sanjay Singh & Unathi Ngamntwini At Head Office, the Branch: Diplomatic Training and Research Development The views expressed in this newsletter (DTRD) held its open day for all employees and they send us a report on the do not necessarily reflect those of the activities of that day. DFA or the editors. Happy reading! The deadline for contributions is 15 May 2009. Contributions may be sent to cbe000 or [email protected] All enquiries: Paseka @ Tel: (012) 351-1569 Fax: (012) 342-1192 Human Rights Day national conference to reflect on and observance of human rights in South deliberate on progress and current Africa. challenges in the quest to protect and promote human rights as well as en- A two-day national conference (3rd trenching a culture of human rights in Annual Human Rights Conference), South Africa. on 18 and 19 March 2009, was held at the Freedom Park Trust with the Human Rights Day is a small theme: ‘Unity in Diversity: Promoting measure taken to ensure that the peo- and Advancing Constitutional Value ple of South Africa are aware of their in South Africa’. The conference drew human rights and to ensure that abuse stakeholders from different sectors of human rights, as occurred at Sharp- to discuss different thematic human eville, never again occur. This day was rights issues. set aside to celebrate and remind all South Africans of their human rights. A number of prominent commenta- Each year, the South African Hu- Everyone has human rights – simply tors, speakers and experts on the sub- man Rights Commission (SAHRC) because they are human beings. ject of human rights were invited. This commemorates national Human included the welcoming addresses by Rights Day (on 21 March) by dedicat- The Constitution provides for the the Chairperson of the Commission ing the entire month of March as ‘Hu- establishment of the SAHRC which (Mr J Kollapen) and the CEO of Free- man Rights Month’. Commemorative aims to promote respect for human dom Park (Dr Wally Serote). activities includes a series of provin- rights, promote the protection, de- cial human rights campaigns, start- velopment and attainment of human Article adapted from: www.sahrc.org.za. ing on 1 March and culminating into a rights, and to monitor and assess the 2 DFA Now • April 2009 International Relations 2009 Elections ...“The new President of We have gone through a dif- that creates an enabling envi- the Republic will be a Presi- ficult period over a few years; it ronment for women to develop, dent for all, and he will work is now time to put it all behind us. thrive and be successful. to unite the country around We must enter a period in which a programme of action that South Africa reclaims its position Let me emphasise that we will see an improvement in and image as a thriving nation, remain committed to every the delivery of services. He which can overcome all its diffi- word we uttered during the will strive to turn the climate culties, and which is able to put election campaign. We were in the country into a positive the country first above sectional serious when we said we would and relaxed one, that makes and party political interests.” improve the pace and quality of people free to be creative service delivery, that we will ap- and work hard to improve ...”There will be no surprises point competent people to gov- their lives and the economy in the next administration’s pro- ernment, and that we will be of the country. gramme of action. The elector- tough on non-performance”. ate has endorsed our call for Now that the election is an equitable, sustainable and ...”We will work with all par- over, we must enter a new era inclusive growth path that will ties in Parliament to deepen the of hope and progress. We must bring decent work and sus- oversight role of Parliament. To- enter a period where we bury tainable livelihoods. We have gether we must promote and de- mistrust, uncertainty, pain and scored a victory for a better fend the integrity of our State In- tension, and begin a new chap- education system, better health stitutions, including the judiciary ter of harmony and collabora- care, safer and secure commu- and law enforcement agencies, tion. We cannot afford to dwell nities, and rural development. and the Chapter 9 institutions”. on the negatives. We will make our country one ANC President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of a victory by the African National Congress in the 2009 Elections DFA Now • April 2009 3 International Relations PRESIDENT KGALEMA MOTLANTHE REPRESENTS SOUTH AFRICA AT THE G20 SUMMIT resident Kgalema Motlanthe of a more balanced and inclusive growth, to be distributed in the follow- joined world leaders at the world economy premised on a ing ways: stronger and more equitable system G20 Summit on 2 April in • US$500 billion for the IMF to aid of global economic multilateralism. PLondon. This G20 Summit was held struggling economies This will require consideration of the against the backdrop of the raging • US$250 billion to boost world trade social and economic architecture • US$250 billion for a new IMF global financial crisis and set to of a sustainable recovery by overdraft facility agree on a plan to restore global rebalancing global demand, • US$100 billion to assist international growth development based on four strengthening social safety nets and development banks in lending to pillars. protecting employment. poor countries. - Stabilise global finance by South Africa’s participation at the unblocking credit and taking London G20 Summit took place within An agreement was reached in an at- decisive, co-ordinated and the context of its continued commit- tempt to bring wider global regulation temporary national action to restore ment to the reformation of the global of hedge funds and credit-rating agen- confidence in the financial system. - Counter the global recession by financial architecture. As the only Af- cies, a common approach to cleaning boosting domestic demand through rican country in the G20, South Africa up bank toxic assets. The G20 lead- co-ordinated fiscal and monetary has consistently stressed that a glo- ers also agreed to establish a financial policy actions that take account bal response is required to mitigate stability forum working with the IMF to of medium-term sustainability and the impact of the crisis and prevent ensure wider global co-operation and ensuring that the global economy its contagion to emerging markets to provide an early-warning system for remains open for trade and capital and developing countries, in particu- future financial crises. flows. lar Africa - Deploy resources to support Despite calls for a green new deal and demand and sustain investment in developing countries in order At the Summit, President Kgalema political hype regarding environmental to prevent a further deepening Motlanthe was supported by Finance concerns, none of the US$1,1 trillion of the global recession and Minister, Trevor Manuel; National stimulus package was allocated for en- provide a more effective boost to Treasury Director-General, Lesetja vironmental investment, and no other counter-cyclical efforts on a global Kganyago; and Senior Government environmental agreements were made. scale. Resources must also be officials. mobilised to respond to the incipient One of the general conclusions at the development emergency including, Outcomes London Summit was the fact that there the growing crisis of unemployment The G20 Summit reached an agree- needs to be more government regula- and poverty, particularly in Africa. - Lay the foundation for a ment which, in principle, provides tions over businesses to prevent such sustainable recovery on the basis US$1,1 trillion to stimulate economic a crisis in future. 4 DFA Now • April 2009 Mission activities Zambian President Rupiah Banda greeting members of the local community while SA High Commissioner Mr Moses Chikane looks on News from Zambia The South African Mission in Zambia facilitated the visit of Mr Jacob Zuma to one of Zambia’s provinces. The president of the African National Congress (ANC) was invited by President Rupiah Banda of Zambia to be the guest of honour at the Easter Province (Chipata area) N’cwala Ceremony on Saturday 28 February 2009; it was a special event for the local population and Paramount Chief Mpenzeni of the Eastern Province.