Media Statement
02 November 2018
IORA Member States establish “The IORA Nelson Mandela be the Legacy Internship Programme” in honour of Mandela
The 18th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers Meeting which took place on 02 November 2018 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, has honoured former President Nelson Mandela by establishing “The IORA Nelson Mandela Be the Legacy Internship Programme.”
The programme is aimed at empowering young people under the age of 30 years from IORA member states with work experience in their chosen fields of study.
The establishment of “The IORA Nelson Mandela Be the Legacy Internship Programme” comes as the country celebrates the centenary of the first democratic President of the Republic of South Africa who is also widely acknowledged as the Father of IORA.
Speaking at an event, Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini, who is also South Africa’s High Commissioner to Mauritius, thanked IORA member states for honouring the legacy of Madiba. Princess Mandela-Dlamini told the IORA Council of Ministers that Madiba believed that the key to empowering people is education.
Challenging IORA Member States to invest in young people, Minister Sisulu said: “Madiba loved young people and he strongly believed that education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.
The programme will be launched on 18th July 2019, the day Madiba would have turned 101 years. Minister Sisulu indicated that South Africa will submit its request for the first intake.
IORA was established through the vision of former South African President Nelson Mandela, when 14 member states launched the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) in March 1997. Currently, the membership of IORA is sitting at 21 member states. These countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Thailand, and United Arab Emirates.
Speaking at the reception dinner, Minister Sisulu appeal to IORA member states and dialogue partners to support South Africa in its efforts to address the imbalances of the past through land redistribution programme. She emphasized that the land redistribution programme will be within the confines of the law.
Minister also expressed the country’s gratitude to the IORA member states and dialogue partners for their support during South Africa’s bid to attain a non-permanent seat at the United Security Council (UNSC) for the period 2019-2020.
Enquiries: Mr Ndivhuwo Mabaya, MabayaN@dirco.gov.za / 083 645 7838
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
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