South African History Online

Speech by President Mandela at the banquet in honour of Queen Elizabeth II

London, 11 July 1996

Your Majesty;
Your Royal Highness;
Honoured guests

It is a great joy, as well as an honour, to be able today in our own humble
way to return the unbounded hospitality you have bestowed on us. We had long
looked forward to paying a State Visit to the United Kingdom. It has, thus far,
been all that we anticipated and very much more.

Your Majesty, you and your government have stinted nothing and spared no
effort in making us feel welcome and in opening the doors to every point and
quarter of British society. We are certain that South Africa will benefit from
the opportunities we had. Already in meetings with leaders of industry, commerce
and finance; in the discussion with Your Majesty's government and in interaction
with ordinary Britons, we have been reinforced in our confidence that South
Africa and Britain are indeed forging a partnership for the future.

Ishould add that I do also sincerely appreciate Your Majesty's gracious
tolerance of my own prison bred daily routines which took me before dawn into
the beautiful grounds of Buckingham Palace!

In every way, wherever our delegation has been, we have experienced a warmth
which has made us feel at home.

The reception we received has conveyed to us everything that South Africans
felt towards Your Majesty when you visited South Africa last year.

Even our skies responded to your presence. When you arrived in Gauteng
Province it rained so heavily that we named you Motlalepula (the one who brings
rain). That rain heralded the best rainy season we have experienced in more than
a decade. Should we experience another drought, we may have to request you to
pay us another visit.

Your Majesty;

Your own interest and affection for South Africa and the support of Britain
for our re-entry into the world stage have all been evident and are deeply
appreciated.

We are at a very exciting time in South African history, and having Britain
and its people as friends will help us make a reality of the great possibilities
that beckon. We do believe also that such a relationship will be of benefit to
the people of Britain.

We have been fortified in our faith that in the Commonwealth of Nations we
have a powerful force for co-operation in the promotion of peace, prosperity and
equity within and amongst peoples across the globe.

Your Majesty;

I would like to express our sincere appreciation for your hospitality, and
for the affirmation of the new relationship between Britain and South Africa.
And I extend sincere wishes for the health and prosperity of this great country.

May I therefore invite you all to rise to the toast;

Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, the
Government and People of the United Kingdom.

Issued by: Office of the President