South Africa Calls for African Unity

Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, speaks to journalists at United Nations headquarters following her country's election to the Security Council., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

SA calls for African unity

Saturday, 26 May 2012 00:00

PRETORIA. — South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Co-operation urged a multi-stakeholder solution of the problems characterising Africa so as to make the continent a better place for future generations.

Addressing the Ministerial Meeting of the Global African Diaspora in the capital Pretoria early this week, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said racism was one of the scourges that hinders the continent’s progress.

“These struggles on the continent and the Diaspora are far from over. The challenges of neo-colonialism are still before us.

“Racism is another reality that continues to cause pain, suffering and humiliation to its victims,” said Nkoana-Mashabane. She said many African people still lived in fear, citing the absence of peace and security in their countries.

Nkoana-Mashabane said disease, hunger and ignorance also remained an obstacle to the continent’s achievement of a better life for its people.

“We are in South Africa to pick up the spear relayed to us from the days of the Pan-African conferences.

“This is a heavy responsibility.

“We owe it to future generations to rid our continent of all its challenges; and help create a better life for our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora.”

Nkoana-Mashabane said the Africa Global Diaspora Summit scheduled for Pretoria yesterday will work for an outcome that will help create sustainable partnerships between the African Diaspora and the African Continent through a realisable Programme-of-Action, create sustainable dialogue, partnerships and strengthen Pan-African Solidarity, for a better Africa. — CAJ News.