Premier Zille addresses delegates at business reception in Angola

The following speech is an extract of the address delivered by Premier Helen Zille to delegates at a business reception on Monday, 27 April 2015, during an official visit to Angola.

Governor of Luanda, H.E. Mr Graciano Francisco Domingos,
Provincial Minister of Economic Opportunities in the Western Cape, Mr Alan Winde,
Deputy Head of the SA Mission in Angola, Mr Lucas Mokwena,
Senior Angolan Government officials,
President of SA-Angola Chamber of Business,
Members of SA Business,
Representatives of Angolan Business,
Honourable Guests,
Ladies and Gentleman.

Today marks the 21^st anniversary of democracy in the Republic of South Africa. On this day we remember the injustices of the past, celebrate the gains made since 1994, but are also reminded of the need to preserve and maintain democracy, good governance and economic emancipation for the majority of our people.  We are aware of Angola’s own contribution and support for the SA liberation struggle. We encourage and welcome Angola’s own democratisation process and are willing partners in the national rehabilitation and reconstruction project.

The year 2015 also marks 21 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Angola and South Africa. Our presence on this day acknowledges that South Africa’s much needed economic development cannot be achieved without partnership and cooperation with other African regions. We therefore condemn in the strongest sense the recent xenophobic attacks in some of South Africa’s provinces. In the Western Cape, we are working with various stakeholders to ensure awareness and hopefully avoid the spread of the malady into our province.

The Western Cape Province is committed to building and strengthening relations with Luanda, as evidenced by the recent visit by the Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Mme Patricia de Lille. Since an official visit by Provincial Minister Alan Winde in 2013, there have been numerous trade and investment missions led by the Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Agency (WESGRO) to this region. The Western Cape enjoys excellent relations with the Angolan Diplomatic Mission in South Africa, particularly the Consulate in Cape Town with whom we will be celebrating Africa Day on 25 May 2015, together with other African Consular representatives in Cape Town.

The Western Cape Province is here to explore opportunities for partnerships with the Province of Luanda. We hope that our future cooperation at a regional government level would cover areas such as tourism, agriculture, trade and investment. The Western Cape and Luanda are natural partners because we share the Atlantic coastline, and with our common challenges of poverty and youth unemployment.

We are aware of the appetite for travel between Cape Town and Luanda. Businesses from both sides should take advantage of the direct flights between Cape Town and Luanda with TAAG on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The other days of the week are served by SAA through Johannesburg.

The Western Cape is a willing partner and we hope businesses from our region will have an opportunity to contribute to your road and infrastructure development projects. The improved transport infrastructure (including freight and ports) is beneficial for trade between our two regions.

We should work together to build strong economies for people to live lives that they value. We cannot do this without the active role of the private sector. To this end, I am here with a business delegation from the agri- business, logistics, petro- chemicals, oil, gas and marine, engineering and manufacturing sectors who are interested in trade and investment opportunities with you.

The purpose of the networking event tonight is to create a platform for partnership and collaboration between Angolan and South African business stakeholders for mutual economic growth and development. I invite you to our networking platform and hope you get to know each other better over quality South African wine that will be served later this evening!

I assure you of the Western Cape Government’s commitment to explore opportunities for partnership and cooperation our mutual development.

Thank you for being here this evening and we look forward to welcoming you to the Western Cape in the near future.