Statement delivered by Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe at the Celebration of the National Day of France, Monday 14 July 2008, Pretoria

Ambassador Pietton and Mrs Pietton
Deputy Minister
Your Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners
Distinguished guests

It is a great pleasure for me on behalf of the people and the government of South Africa to be here today to celebrate with you on the occasion of the National Day of the French Republic, the famous Bastille Day, the historic significance of which stretches far beyond the borders of France.

There is universal recognition of the fact that this day in French History marks an exceptional milestone in humanity’s quest for freedom and democracy – towards the ideal of a society based on the principles of “liberté, égalité, fraternité”.  The events of 14th July 1789 were to shape world history for centuries to come.  In an address to the French parliament in 2003, President Mbeki said:

“It was an epoch-making Revolution and placed on our firmament a lodestar that cannot be extinguished, the Declaration of the Rights of Man.”  

South Africans recognise in the first line of the Declaration, adopted by the National Assembly of France on 26 August 1789, in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Bastille, one of the cornerstones of the democratic, non-racist society for which we strive: “People are born and remain free and equal in rights”. 

South Africa’s own quest for freedom, expressed in our constitution, mirrors the hopes and dreams of the French patriots who immortalised this tripartite motto so many centuries ago.

We are honoured to be able to celebrate this ideal and these values with our hosts today.

As history tells us, it was social and economic discontent that influenced the French revolution including food scarcity amongst poor people in France. Tragically after all the centuries have passed, after all the advances humankind has made, we are confronted again with food scarcity in our modern world.

It is therefore now more urgent than ever, that the global community works together to ensure that the United National General Assembly’s 63rd session is able to move deliberately and effectively towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals as agreed at the turn of this new century.  We are confident that France will play a leading role as a steadfast partner of South Africa and of Africa assist our continent in attaining its Millennium Development Goals.   

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen

We are also fortunate to be able to look back on an exceptional year as far as relations between our two republics are concerned.  The highlight of this exceptional year was the visit of President Nicolas Sarkozy to our shores, for a visit that was both an expression of the strength and warmth of our relations, a well as an opportunity to take these relations to even greater heights.

When President Sarkozy addressed our parliament on 28 February this year he said: “I believe that French-African relations hold out much promise for the future provided we lend them new impetus.  Just as South Africa epitomises a new Africa, the relationship between France and South Africa should serve as inspiration for new relations between France and Africa as a whole.”

I believe his visit, with an impressive delegation of business people will indeed given impetus to our relationship.  During his visit President Sarkozy announced several important investment and assistance packages particularly in the area of energy. Importantly some of the announcements he made were not only for South Africa but for Sub-Saharan Africa.  These include the commitment to support economic growth by investing R2.5bn into an investment fund, and for the doubling to R20bn French Development Agency support for investment in Africa.

To further deepen our relationship with France and indeed with the French speaking world, our department has taken a decision that all our employees will learn French.  Currently 401 employees of the DFA are learning French under the Alliance Française programme, and in addition to this, 13 senior DFA managers are enrolled in the emersion French programme offered by the Organisations Internationale de La Francophonie.   

There was another moment of triumph involving France and South Africa during this past year.  While it was not perhaps the dream finish some of us here present might have hoped for, the Rugby World Cup was a triumph for France in that it was brilliantly organised, and was a truly great and memorable international sporting event. We would like to extend our special thanks to France and the French people for the warm and gracious hospitality that they extended to our rugby team in Noisy-Le-Grand, their home base in France during the World Cup.   We were of course delighted to bring the Cup home to South Africa after 12 years away.  

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen
Let me conclude by re-affirming the strong bonds of friendship and solidarity that exist between our countries and our peoples. I am convinced that the good that unites our peoples will continue to prosper and strengthen in the coming years.
We are honoured to be able to celebrate this extraordinary day and it unique significance with the Embassy and people of France.

May I propose a toast to the President and the people of France.

Vive la France

A votre Sante !!