Chairperson, on Africa Day we must celebrate the achievements of Africa and its people. Last week I attended a conference in Brussels at the European Parliament. I had just finished my speech there and had just told them how proud an African I was and how we were busy solving our problems when the first terrible pictures of people being killed in South Africa were broadcasted. I had to try and explain what is happening in my country because they did not understand. What a sad time to celebrate Africa Day.
Sir, white racism is condemned by the FF Plus. But we also condemn black racism and xenophobia. As long as articles are written, like the one recently in the City Press, for example, that African people cannot be racist but only white people can be, then we are not realistic about South Africa and Africa's problems. What we see presently is blatant black racism and xenophobia in Africa and South Africa. Mr Mandela spoke to this Parliament on 10 May 2004 and said that a guiding principle for him in his life has been that there are good men and women to be found in all groups and from all sectors of society, and that in an open and free society, those South Africans will come together to jointly and co-operatively realise the common good.
Wat is die werklikheid van Afrika en Suid-Afrika? In enige groep in Afrika is goeie en slegte mense. Mnr die Voorsitter, daar is goeie Afrikaners en slegte Afrikaners. Daar is goeie Sjonas in Zimbabwe en daar is slegte Sjonas in Zimbabwe - en ek noem nie name nie. As die goeie mense van elke groep kan saamwerk, kan ons hierdie probleme wat deur die slegtes veroorsaak word, oplos. Maar solank as daar witmense is wat s alle swartmense is sleg, vorder ons nrens heen nie. Solank daar swartmense is wat s alle witmense is sleg en hulle is sleg vir Afrika, vorder ons ook nrens heen nie. Laat ons kom by "n punt waar ons hierdie werklikheid aanvaar en saam van hierdie kontinent 'n suksesvolle kontinent maak. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[What is the reality of Africa and South Africa? In any group in Africa there are good and bad people. Mr Chairperson, there are good Afrikaners and bad Afrikaners. There are good Shonas in Zimbabwe and there are bad Shonas in Zimbabwe - and I am not mentioning names. If the good people in every group could work together, we would solve these problems caused by the bad ones. But as long as there are white people who are saying that all black people are bad, we are not making any progress at all. As long as there are black people who are saying that all white people are bad and that they are bad for Africa, we are also not making any progress. Let us reach a point where we accept this reality and co-operate to make this continent a successful continent. Thank you.]