Writer: President Cyril Ramaphosa
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
A beautiful tomorrow beckons for Africa
May is Africa Month which not only commemorates the founding of the African Union (AU) more than half a century ago but gives us a chance to reflect on our past, present and future.
A
frican unity should be
receptions on my recent visits to
Africa that was marred by fear,
close to the heart of every
Southern African Development
pain, loss and disappointment. It
South African because the
Community (SADC) countries, both
left many wounded and scarred
greater our level of regional and
as the new President of South Africa
for life. To this day our society is
continental integration, and the
and the SADC Chair. The countries
still hurting, damaged by our past,
more aware we are of what can be
visited are some of those that sup-
numbed by our present and hesi-
achieved collectively, the brighter
ported South Africa through the
tant about our future.
Africa’s future will be.
dark days of the liberation struggle.
Many of our brothers and sisters
Therefore, revitalising South Af-
Remember, the triumph over
rica’s international relations policy
apartheid was a joint effort. We
wipe our tears, ease our pain and
and regenerating important bilat-
were offered support, sanctuary
carry us through the difficult times.
eral, continental and international
and funding from our allies to allow
relationships is high on govern-
our struggle to continue despite
ment’s agenda.
immense odds.
I have enjoyed overwhelming
50
Apartheid was a period in South
from the continent were on hand to
Helping Africa fulfil its potential And just as these countries once
Public Sector Manager • May 2018