President Mbeki sees hope for Africa

PRETORIA – South African President Thabo Mbeki said yesterday after he was sworn in for a second presidential term that he was confident Africa will “emerge as a place of human hope”.

“Having served as the prime example of human despair, Africa is certain to emerge as a place of human hope,” declared Mbeki in his inauguration speech. Drawing on the experience of South Africa, which peacefully emerged from decades of white minority rule and black oppression, Mbeki asserted that all of Africa can follow the same path.”Today we begin our second decade of democracy,” he said.”We are convinced that what has been achieved during the first demonstrates that as Africans we can and will solve our problems.”The statement reflected Mbeki’s view that South Africa can lead an “African Renaissance” and underscored that his presidency will seek to work toward that goal in the coming five years.Mbeki also singled out the Middle East, terrorism, globalisation and poverty as some of the world problems that South Africa must address.”Our joy today, when we celebrate an African achievement, is tempered by the reality that we live in a troubled world,” said Mbeki.”None of us can be indifferent to the violence that continues to claim lives in various countries in the Middle East, including Palestine, Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.”We cannot be indifferent to the acts of terrorism that took away many lives in Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam, New York, Madrid and elsewhere,” he said.Mbeki also cited “the negative outcomes of the process of globalisation, the growing impoverishment of billions across the globe and the failure of the multilateral institutions, including the United Nations to respond”.- Nampa-AFPDrawing on the experience of South Africa, which peacefully emerged from decades of white minority rule and black oppression, Mbeki asserted that all of Africa can follow the same path.”Today we begin our second decade of democracy,” he said.”We are convinced that what has been achieved during the first demonstrates that as Africans we can and will solve our problems.”The statement reflected Mbeki’s view that South Africa can lead an “African Renaissance” and underscored that his presidency will seek to work toward that goal in the coming five years.Mbeki also singled out the Middle East, terrorism, globalisation and poverty as some of the world problems that South Africa must address.”Our joy today, when we celebrate an African achievement, is tempered by the reality that we live in a troubled world,” said Mbeki.”None of us can be indifferent to the violence that continues to claim lives in various countries in the Middle East, including Palestine, Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.”We cannot be indifferent to the acts of terrorism that took away many lives in Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam, New York, Madrid and elsewhere,” he said.Mbeki also cited “the negative outcomes of the process of globalisation, the growing impoverishment of billions across the globe and the failure of the multilateral institutions, including the United Nations to respond”.- Nampa-AFP