Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Tarikh/Date : 21/08/95
Tajuk/Title : DINNER HOSTED BY HE VICE PRESIDENT
OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
May I first of all thank you, Mr. Vice
President, for your warm words of welcome to my wife
and I and members of my delegation. We are indeed
delighted to have the opportunity to visit your
beautiful country. Some sixteen months ago, I was here
for a very brief period, at a time when your country
was in the midst of a great historic change. As with
many other friends of South Africa, we are gratified
that South Africans have finally put an end to the
blight of apartheid and that this great country is
moving towards building a new united, non-racial South
Africa.
2. Malaysia and South Africa has had a long
association, through historical and cultural ties and
in recent decades, through our active support of your
liberation struggle. These links have served to bring
us closer together following the establishment of a
democratic South Africa through free and fair elections
in April 1994. As with other nations, we are elated at
your return to the international community and
readmission to the various multilateral organisations
following the demise of apartheid. It is our belief
that your country could contribute significantly to the
cause of peace, economic development, and stability,
not only in the African continent, but in the
international community as a whole.
3. We note with satisfaction that since the
establishment of the government of national unity,
bilateral exchanges between our two countries have been
on the upward trend. In fact, exchanges of visits at
all levels have now developed its own momentum. The
energy and momentum we have initiated at the government
to government levels is being matched by contacts and
cooperation between businessmen from our two countries.
South Africa today has become one of the favourite
destinations for Malaysian investors and tourists. The
volume of trade between our two countries has seen
significant increase over a period of just two years,
with South Africa emerging as Malaysia's largest
trading partner in the African continent. To further
accelerate these economic interactions between our
private sectors, I have brought along with me Malaysian
businessmen who are keen to explore investment and
other business opportunities with their South African
counterparts. It is my hope that their discussions
over the next few days would help to identify areas of
cooperation that would further enhance existing
economic relations between our two countries.
4. Perhaps our best effort yet is through the
proposed cooperation to provide affordable housing for
the South African people. Discussions between our two
sides have resulted in a dual track approach, with the
national government undertaking a joint feasibility
study on the provision of affordable housing for the
whole country, and at the provincial level, with the
provincial government of Gauteng, agreeing to undertake
a pilot project to construct a thousand units of
affordable housing by a joint-venture company of
Malaysian and South African partners.
5. As we move towards more intensified exchange
between our two countries, I wish to assure you that
Malaysian participation in the South African economy
will take full cognizant of your government's
aspirations for affirmative action programme to help
accelerate the participation of the disadvantaged
communities in the country's economic activities. We
are aware that your government has embarked upon a
noble and just course through the Reconstruction and
Development Programme. We have had a similar
programme in Malaysia which has been relatively
successful and about which we are ready to share our
experiences.
6. In our ventures overseas, we are motivated by a
desire to achieve a win-win situation. We desire
shared prosperity, to contribute to the development of
a prosperous new South Africa which will, in turn,
contribute to the continuing growth of the Malaysian
economy.
7. We are particularly impressed by your government's
efforts and the initial success in achieving national
reconciliation. The magnitude of this challenge can
only be appreciated by another country with a similar
multiracial make-up. Malaysia is one such country, for
it too has a multiracial and multicultural population
further polarised by economic disparities. Countries
such as ours are constantly challenged to maintain
national consensus-to reconcile the many divergent
thrusts of our multiracial and multicultural
communities. From our own experience we believe that
there must be peace if there is to be stability. And
there can be no economic growth and development if
there is no peace and stability within the country. In
this context, South Africa is fortunate to have a corps
of dedicated leaders, led by President Mandela, who
recognise what peace and stability means to South
Africa. The role that President Mandela has played in
the past in bringing freedom and democracy to South
Africa and his present efforts at consolidation will
ensure that South Africa remains non-racial, united and
a peaceful country.
8. May I once again thank you for your kind
hospitality and for receiving us with such warmth and
friendship. My wife and I look forward to visiting the
many interesting places that South Africa is renowned
for, and to meeting a cross section of your people. We
will certainly take back with us many pleasant memories
of our visit here to South Africa.
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