It is clear that the African continent sees the South African government, led by the ANC, as a subimperial power that seeks only to advance its own narrow interests. The EFF believes that the African Renaissance fund has not met the mandate it was allocated, which was to achieve the establishment of the SADPA, the SA Development Partnership Agency. It is just another convenient means of sweeping under the carpet the R500-million given to the fund so as to draw attention to a new cash cow.
The EFF strongly believes that a passive position on the continued oppression of the people of Palestine and Western Sahara is not an indication that we are truly committed to the self-determination of the oppressed people of the world. The EFF says that the budget of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation has not had an impact in terms of educating our people on the conditions in the world and the positions taken by this South African government. It is a budget that causes more confusion and chaos in international relations and it should be rejected.
Accordingly, we call upon the South African government to recall its ambassador from Israel and also to dismiss the Israeli ambassador in South Africa.
In the absence of this demand being met, the EFF rejects the Budget Vote of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation. Thank you.