Welcome remarks by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka at the opening ceremony of the fifth statutory sitting of the sixth parliament of the Pan-African Parliament
President of the Pan-African Parliament, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira,
Members of the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament,
Honourable Members of the Pan-African Parliament,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with profound honour and great responsibility that I address you today, on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, as the host country to the Seat of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).
As we gather here in this esteemed Chamber, we do so under the banner of the African Union's theme for 2025: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”. This theme calls for our collective reflection, action, and commitment to a vision of justice, reparation, and restorative healing for all African and People of African Descent.
Mr President,
I must applaud you and the Bureau in ensuring that this august House practicality lives up to the values of this Theme. It is through your leadership that we have seen the closer collaboration between the PAP as an Organ of the AU, with the Sixth Region Diplomatic Missions and other sectors. This collaboration will ensure the unity, as we collectively seek to advance the aspirations of the African continent and the African diaspora.
It is no doubt that the African Union has recognised the undeniable need for reparations as a means of addressing the centuries of exploitation, enslavement, colonialism, and institutionalised racism that have left deep scars on the African continent and its people. Hence, the time has come for the global community to confront the legacy of historical crimes of slavery, the slave trade, trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonialism and apartheid.
Mr President and Honourable Members,
You would agree with me that Reparations are not only about financial restitution, but also about restoring dignity, healing, apologies and atonement, and memorialisation, as well as ensuring access to opportunities, and guaranteeing justice for generations past, present, and future. Reparations also include consideration of debt cancellation and debt relief processes, restitution of looted African heritage, investment in education and infrastructure development.
Honourable Members,
South Africa is both proud and humbled to host the Pan-African Parliament. As we navigate the challenging times of tight fiscal conditions, our commitment to supporting the PAP has not wavered. The importance of this institution, and the work it does to represent the African people, is crucial to the pursuit of the African Union’s broader objectives.
As we collectively confront global challenges, from climate change to instability, it is critical that we continue to support the work of the PAP, both in terms of financial resources and political commitment. South Africa, as the host of the PAP, is deeply committed to ensuring that the institution continues to be a beacon of democratic participation, dialogue, and collective decision-making.
Despite our own fiscal constraints, we understand that the health of the Pan-African Parliament is a reflection of the health of African unity and progress. Our responsibility as hosts goes beyond logistics; it is about ensuring that the PAP is empowered to do its work efficiently and effectively. In this context, I am pleased to inform that the process of reviewing the Host Country Agreement is at an advanced stage.
Mr President,
South Africa is honoured to be the Presidency and host of the G20 for 2025, an opportunity that positions us as a critical player in global economic governance, and to prioritise issues such as: sustainable development, climate change, global trade, and the debt crisis.
As a country, we remain focused on ensuring that Africa’s interests are at the front and centre of discussions about the global economy, hence the admission of the AU as a permanent member of the G20 provides a space to ensure alignment of priorities.
South Africa will use the G20 platform to advocate for an inclusive global economic order in collaboration with AU institutions and we therefore invite the PAP to work alongside us in ensuring that African voices are not only heard but also acted upon.
The PAP working together with all relevant stakeholders can play a pivotal role in shaping policies that foster sustainable economic growth, reduce poverty, PAP can help drive Africa’s economic transformation, promoting entrepreneurship, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and promote intra-Africa trade.
Mr President,
The challenges before us are immense, but they are not intractable. Together, we have the power to shape the future of our continent by creating a just, equitable, and prosperous Africa.
As I conclude Mr President, a call was made by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government for all stakeholders to commemorate the AU Theme for 2025 in a meaningful manner. I must indicate that there were various activities in South Africa throughout the Africa Month to appropriately celebrate the Theme.
In this context my DIRCO will be collaborating with the Sixth Region Diplomatic Missions and the AU Member States Missions to host the Diaspora Week later in the second half of the year. This event will mark an exciting commemoration with concrete outcomes to contribute to the reparatory justice mandate through tangible actions.
I thank you.
