
=====================================================================
Friendship among Nations is very important to cope with Globalisation
=====================================================================

Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

[         w

 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
SPEECH BY PREMIER STOFILE :
 FRIENDSHIP AMONG NATIONS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO COPE WITH GLOBALISATION
 28 SEPTEMBER 2000



The advent of the democratic order in South Africa finally gave meaning to the dreams of millions who had yearned for freedom for many 
decades.Majority rule was the most recent expression of the yearning of black people to be free. But these events also marked the final 
triumph of human solidarity with the people of every continent rejecting the ideology of Apartheid.The new dawn was succinctly captured in 
President Mbekis phrase of the African Renaissance.But the affair of a black Renaissance should not be seen as an affair which will 
exclude other people from other race groups.But the focus is on Africans.

The late President Deng Xiaoping once alluded to the need for people in the South and in 3rd World Countries to come closer together and to 
talk among themselves.But they also needed to talk to rich countries in the Northern Hemisphere.But Mr Deng warned that the richer a man 
is, the meaner he is. (Selected Works, Vol. III p.30).

But for us in the 3rd World, friendship must address the following issues:

1)People  to people relationship, mutual understanding and trust.This will, we believe, lead to happy nations and a happier world;

2)Country  to country co-operation and mutual assistance.This, we believe, will go a long way in assisting 3rd World countries in their 
battle against poverty, HIV/Aids and socio-economic and moral decay.We believe that such mutual friendship and co-operation will assist the 
3rd World Countries, on the one hand, develop their economies and reduce their debts; on the other hand rich countries from the North will 
have access to markets in Third World Countries.

3) Productive skills will be developed, shared and spread amongst all nations.With technology spreading and developing so fast, 3rd World 
Countries should not be left behind in the global battle for competitiveness.No city, no Province and no country is an island.(I think both 
Confuscious and Aristotle would agree with that.) Yes the South-South dialogue is very important.But the North must be drawn into this 
dialogue for the equation of human development, prosperity and peace to be complete.

The Peoples Republic of China has a long record of friendship and solidarity with South Africa.Recently the Presidents of these two great 
countries signed co-operation agreements.Our President declared that such agreements must be taken down to the person-to-person levels for 
it to be richer and more meaningful.We are doing just that.The cherry on the cake is that the friendship, outreach or network (call it what 
you will) is now not just bilateral.It is multilateral.This is good for our people, our cities, our Provinces, our countries and for the 
World.We Congratulate both the organizers and participants.

A special word of thanks to the Chinese Consul General in Cape Town for making sure the Eastern Cape Province became part of such an 
important event.We have true friends here.

REV. M.A. STOFILE

PREMIER : EASTERN CAPE

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About the Eastern Cape | Documents
 Economy | Structures | International Relations | Site Map
 Premier's Office | Speeches & Media Releases | Links
 Top of Page

---------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Eastern Cape

Premier's Office

Structures

Documents

Speeches & Media Releases

International Relations

Economy

Links


