South African History Online

Speech by President Mandela During Swedish Parliament Visit

Stockholm, 18 March 1999

Mr. Speaker
Honourable Members
Ladies and Gentlemen,

When I spoke in the Swedish parliament nine years ago, almost to the day, it
was as a freedom fighter, only weeks out of jail, and still denied citizenship
in the land of his birth.

It was also the first time ever that I had the opportunity to speak in a
parliament, as the highest institution of democracy.

You can imagine, therefore, what a moving occasion this is today as I have
the privilege once more to address you, but this time as the elected President
of a free and democratic South Africa.

We know that we stand before those who used their democratic power so that
others should have democracy too. It was here that laws were made and budgets
adopted to give effect to the determination of the Swedish people as a whole, to
be in the forefront of the world-wide campaign to isolate the apartheid regime
and to support our struggle for democracy.

It is fitting that what is probably our last official visit to Europe before
retirement, should include Sweden, which made a contribution to our liberation
that was out of all proportion to your size.

Today South Africa has powerful friends. There is a danger that we may forget
those small countries who, when we were shunned by almost the entire world,
stood with us and in time mobilised the international community. It was
therefore important that we should pay this visit before the end of our first
democratic government.

We have come to once more thank Sweden from the bottom of our hearts for what
you did: the labour movement; NGOs; churches and others; and the millions of
ordinary Swedish men and women who insisted that the rights they enjoyed should
be enjoyed by all people everywhere. Their passionate commitment was reflected
in the resolute and remarkable support we had from the Swedish government.

We have also come to report to you that the people of South Africa are using
the freedom you helped them win, to transform their country. We have come to
tell you that your continuing co-operation is helping to change the lives of
millions as they gain access to clean water; electricity; telephones; proper
education and housing, things that were only a dream before.

The achievement of our goals depends also on others achieving the same goals.
In this modern world, whatever happens in one country has an impact elsewhere,
even across the globe. The integrated development of Southern Africa; peace and
stability throughout our continent; and the forging of an international order
which ensures that world economic growth translates into development are all
essential parts of our approach as we establish our place in the international
community of nations.

It is because Sweden shares this approach that we have such confidence in the
future of a relationship that was forged in the trenches of struggle for our
freedom. The seriousness with which our two governments take our partnership is
reflected in the agreement, following the visit here of Deputy President Thabo
Mbeki, that 1999 is to be a Sweden/South Africa Year dedicated to strengthening
our relations in every sphere.

Though the challenges of reconstruction are even greater than those of
liberation, and though we have some difficult problems, we face them with
confidence, knowing what progress South Africans have made by working together,
and knowing that we have the support of countries like Sweden.

Mr. Speaker,

Because my retirement from public is fast approaching, today is also almost
the last time that I may have the chance to speak in any parliament.

South Africa's democratic parliament is only days from the end of its first
term. Our people are busy preparing in their millions for elections which will
consolidate the institutions of our young democracy and strengthen our capacity
to continue making a reality of the hopes which you share with us. Those they
elect shall be your counterparts in the partnership between our peoples for
world peace, equity and prosperity.

There is therefore an important symbolism in this second opportunity you have
given me to speak, here in Northern Europe, in your parliament which nine years
ago greeted the first dawn of our transition to democracy in the southern tip of
Africa.

In a few hours I will be leaving your country, at the end of a visit to five
countries whose peoples were not content simply to enjoy their freedom, but
fought for our freedom as if it was theirs.

Naturally there is an element of sadness in taking leave of such men and
women.

But on my return to my country I will be able to tell my people that in
Sweden, as in the other Nordic countries and the Netherlands, we have true
friends indeed, ready to work with us in partnership for a better world.

I thank you