South African History Online

Speech by President Nelson Mandela at the banquet for prince sultan bin Abdulaziz al-Saud

Cape Town, 24 September 1997

Your Royal Highness;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great privilege to welcome you and your distinguished delegation to
South Africa. We still have fond memories of the visit we paid to your country
in 1994. And so it is a pleasure to be able to repay some of the kind
hospitality that was bestowed on us then.

My visit to Saudi Arabia took place not long after South Africa's first
democratic elections. Today South Africa is a proud member of the international
community, and an active participant in international and regional
organisations. Wherever we can, in fora such as the United Nations and the
Non-Aligned Movement, we co-operate with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on matters
of mutual concern.

The support which our liberation struggle enjoyed from Saudi Arabia in
particular, and the entire Arab world, not only helped secure the defeat of
Apartheid. It brought us the opportunity to improve the lives of our people,
through our reconstruction and development program. And our freedom is serving
us well. Already millions have gained access to primary health care, clean
water, electricity, schools, houses and many other basic needs to which they
were denied access.

We do know that we have only just set out on this task and that it will
require years to complete. But we are confident that we will meet the challenges
that lie ahead, strengthened by our unity as a nation and by the support of our
friends.

As we rebuild our country the bonds with those who stood by us during the
struggle for freedom are being strengthened in the service of peace and
prosperity. I am therefore encouraged by the progress in working towards a South
Africa-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership.

We have much to benefit from each other, and South Africa is keen to learn
from the experience of Saudi Arabia.

Side-by-side with co-operation in these crucial fields, there has been a
welcome growth in people-to-people contact.

Due to the existence of a strong Muslim community in South Africa there have
long been strong cultural and religious ties between our peoples. These can now
flourish without impediment and add strength to the all-round relationship that
is developing between our countries. We are glad that you will have the
opportunity during your visit to meet with leaders of the Muslim community. When
you do so, you will be meeting representatives of a community that has made an
indispensable contribution to the life of our nation in every sphere.

Your Royal highness;

A key to our development lies in closer co-operation with other developing
countries. No country will succeed in breaking out of underdevelopment on its
own.

It is for this reason that South Africa places such emphasis on its
participation in the Southern African Development Community. That is why we seek
to play an active role in organisations like the OAU, the Commonwealth, the
Non-Aligned movement and UNCTAD.

That is also why we value our relationship with Saudi Arabia as a key member
of the Gulf Co-operation Council and the Arab League. The fruitful co-operation
and consultation between the Arab League and the OAU should encourage the
development of similar contact between SADC and the GCC.

I look forward to discussing some of these matters when we meet tomorrow. I
am confident that these and the other discussions which you and your delegation
will be having, will help our bilateral relations go from strength to strength.
I firmly believe that my visit to Saudi Arabia in the near future will further
consolidate our relations for the mutual benefit of both our countries.

Ladies and gentlemen:

May I now propose a toast to the good health of the Prince Sultan Bin
Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and to the bonds of friendship and co-operation between the
people of South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

Issued by: The Office of the President