South African History Online

Speech by President Nelson Mandela at the banquet in honour of the Prime Minister of Norway

Cape Town, 12 February 1996

Prime Minister Harlem Brundtland;
Minister Godal;
Deputy President
Mbeki;
Deputy President De Klerk;
Honourable Ministers;
Members of
the Diplomatic Corps;
Distinguished Guests; Ladies and gentlemen,

Our countries could scarcely be situated further apart, lying at almost
opposite ends of the globe. Geography and history have bequeathed us only
limited economic relations. But the bond between us could not be closer or
warmer.

It is therefore a special pleasure, now that we have achieved our freedom, to
welcome you, Mme Brundtland, as the leader of a nation that elected to stand
with us and make our cause their own, at a time when it was neither fashionable
nor easy to do so. Indeed, we do know that this was not without cost. For that
we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your support for sanctions, and your
humanitarian and development aid have been of immense benefit in providing
support and succour; in making educational opportunities possible; and in
contributing to victory in struggle.

Above all we thank the Norwegian people for respecting the judgment of the
oppressed in South Africa as to what kinds of struggle could achieve their
liberation. This is the mark of a country which has had to struggle for its own
independence and for the preservation of its own freedom.

Even after the advent of democracy, that respect for our judgment informs
Norway's generous development assistance, In your support for our programmes for
uplifting the quality of life of all our people, and for strengthening democracy
and peace, you have again made our goals and priorities your own.

The quality of your caring was eloquent in your visit yesterday to Robben
Island, and your gift to help ensure that the Island remains a living symbol of
freedom, peace and reconciliation. It is consistent with the Norwegian people's
recognition, through the Nobel Prize, of the contribution which the people of
South Africa have made to world peace.

For us your visit is therefore an opportunity both to celebrate, and to
re-affirm, the partnership between our countries, and to ensure that the bonds
forged in struggle flourish in freedom.

The development of all round relations will be furthered by the agreements
which we signed this morning.

We attach great importance to the development of economic relations between
our countries, as a sound and lasting contribution to economic growth in South
Africa. We appreciate in particular the fact that our exports to your country
have been facilitated by Norway's extension to us of the Generalised System of
Preferences. We are confident that this visit will allow your delegation and
South African business to identify opportunities for further trade and
investment.

South Africa is immensely proud of the achievements of its sports-people and
grateful for the contribution they are making to uniting our nation. But sport
also has the capacity to draw nations closer together. We are therefore pleased
to see amongst your delegation the president of the Norwegian Confederation of
Sports, and look forward to co-operation between our countries in sport and
physical recreation.

Prime Minister; your own determination and courage in fighting for the rights
of women and children is widely admired. Norway is in the world's vanguard in
matters of gender equality and serves as an inspiring example. Our own
government is committed to implementing the UN Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child, both of which it ratified last year.

We are committed too to joining with Norway in working for peace and
stability, for development, prosperity and human rights every- where. We
therefore appreciate in particular the steps to co-operate in the fields of
peace-keeping in Southern Africa and nuclear non-proliferation. We welcome the
presence in your delegation of Foreign Minister Godal - this will help to cement
bilateral relations and to take our co-operation in international affairs to a
still higher level of partnership.

Ladies and gentlemen;

Allow me to propose a toast to His Majesty King Harald V and the people of
Norway, and to the flourishing of friendship between our peoples. SKOL

Issued by: Office of the President