Speaker, the ANC welcomes the announcement by Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane that South Africa is set to create a United States- style development aid agency, as it seeks to play a more prominent role as a major donor country in Africa.
The South African Development Partnership Agency, which has already been approved by Cabinet, will operate along the same lines as the United States Agency for International Development, USAid, an initiative that provides developing countries with funding for economic and humanitarian projects, as part of the United States' foreign policy objectives.
The planned agency will not only enhance our contribution to institutional and capacity-building on the continent, but will also ensure that our post conflict reconstruction and development efforts are centrally co-ordinated.
Through the multimillion-rand African Renaissance Fund, managed by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, South Africa is one of the largest development aid providers in Africa and all its activities will eventually be absorbed by the new aid agency, which will reduce bureaucracy and duplication. We applaud the ANC-led government's commitment to continually provide aid in Africa.
Motsamaisi wa dipuisano, ke a leboha. [Mahofi.] [Thank you, Speaker.] [Applause.]]