SA 'wants to export ubuntu'

The global financial crisis has highlighted the need to reform certain global governance structures, the minister of international relations and co-operation said on Wednesday night.

"The current financial crisis is an opportunity for the international community to show the political will and institute the necessary reform to the global financial architecture," said Maite Nkoana-Mashabane at a gala dinner with the diplomatic corps at Emperors' Place in Kempton Park.

"Reform is in our collective interest because it would make these institutions do their work better, promote broader representivity in decision-making and also enhance their legitimacy."

She said that during South Africa's two-year non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council "we also drew the conclusion that now is the time to reform that important organ of the United Nations".

Dressed in a black velvet jacket with colourful embroidery, Nkoane-Mashabane said the South African government was also focused on drawing in partners from the international community to work together towards achieving development goals.

Discussions in government had started on the possibility of creating a development agency to help co-ordinate the organisation of this.

New name clarifies mandate

She also said the change of name in the department clarified its mandate.

"We plan to enhance our public diplomacy initiatives and increase the level of our engagement with South Africans on foreign policy matters."

Nkoane-Mashabane said her department wanted to "export ubuntu.

"Ubuntu says I am because you are. We want to export ubuntu by building relations outside of the country. That is why we don't have an enemy and have friends all across the globe".

Both deputy ministers in the department Sue van der Merwe and Ebrahim Ebrahim also attended the dinner, held in the plush senate room of the conference centre.

In his address to the gathering, acting dean of the diplomatic corps Bene M'Poko said South Africa needed to continue with work on the African continent, mentioning Madagascar in particular.

"I am hoping you can address the problem in Madagascar," he said.

M'Poko said South Africa was home to 117 diplomatic missions, the second largest in the world besides Washington.

"That is the force which is at your disposal."

- SAPA