Address by President Nelson Mandela at the State dinner hosted by the Governor-general of New Zealand, Dame Catherine Tizard
South African History Online 
Address by President Nelson Mandela at the State dinner hosted by the Governor-general of New Zealand, Dame Catherine Tizard
Wellington, 15 November 1995
Your Excellency, Dame Catherine Tizard;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies
and Gentlemen.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank Your Excellency as well as the
Government and the people of New Zealand for the hospitality accorded me and my
delegation during this visit.
I had the privilege of visiting a few of your cities and addressing business
and interest groups on developments in South Africa. Wherever I went, I felt as
if I was among citizens of my own country.
The people of New Zealand played a critical role in the international
campaign against apartheid. I wish to express our gratitude for that generous
support.
The inauguration of the Government of National Unity in May last year marked
a profound and fundamental break with the past. It opened the way for
re-building our nation and our country on the basis of democracy, justice and a
better life for all.
This has thrown up enormous challenges. Years of apartheid rule have
bequeathed a frightening legacy of poverty, illiteracy and social
disintegration. But we have, in South Africa's people, a determined and creative
nation, united in the effort to eradicate these socials ills.
Only a few days ago, we held our first democratic local government elections,
an important step in the democratisation of our country. In these elections, the
people not only expressed their confidence in the government. They also took
their destiny into their own hands, to share responsibility in the massive
reconstruction effort our country is undertaking.
Your Excellency;
The implementation of our Reconstruction and Development Programme relies
primarily on the mobilisation of domestic resources. Thus we are encouraged by
the healthy signs of economic growth that South Africa is starting to
experience.
But we know too well, that in our interdependent world, there is little that
we can achieve without joining hands with friends such as New Zealand in trade,
investment, scientific co-operation and other ventures.
Such co-operation will also benefit Southern Africa as a whole. In our
sub-continent, a partnership in politics, economics and other areas of human
endeavour is taking root. Southern Africa, at last liberated from the
destabilising effects of apartheid, is at peace with itself, and ready to tackle
the problems that really matter. South Africa is an equal and proud partner in
this effort.
Along with our neighbours, we are committed to promoting world peace, human
rights, democracy, development and equitable interstate relations.
In this regard, the issues of disarmament, in general, and nuclear
proliferation, in particular, are among the major questions on our nation's
agenda. We are therefore as perplexed and as distressed as the people of New
Zealand at the flagrant disregard for the understanding reached earlier this
year at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review and Extension Conference. We
are of the firm view that the recent nuclear tests are retrogressive, unhelpful
and unwarranted.
Your Excellency;
The relations between our two nations derive from this adherence to principle
as well as the great opportunities for co-operation in such fields as trade and
investments, education, sport, science and technology. The foundations for such
co-operation have already been laid; and we are encouraged that our visit has
cemented the bond between us.
Given the many things we share, including climate, geographic location and
passion for sports, relations between New Zealand and South Africa can only grow
from strength to strength. And you can be assured of our support as you set out
to resolve the issue of the conditions and claims of New Zealand's indigenous
community.
We leave your shores, in a few hours, inspired by the love and warmth that we
felt in your midst. And we shall tell our people, back home, that, in new
Zealand, we have friends in need and friends indeed.
Thank you.
