Chairperson, we might look at ourselves and say we are progressive compared to countries in the SADC region, but we need to bear in mind that we are still a fairly new democracy and before we are to lead the way to democracy for our neighbours we need to first find our feet.
The MF has no objections to us being at the forefront on issues regarding human rights and human development. In terms of the policy and our Constitution, we are on firm footing. A close look certainly shall open our challenges in applying policy and the chaos we have found ourselves in since 1996. This chaos referred to does not imply that our current system has failed, but rather that the legacy that we have been left with has been extremely difficult to transform.
The MF believes that we do have a pivotal role to play in the development of democracy and human rights on the continent. We feel that the mandate for South Africa to run as a hegemonic power in the region remains the mandate of our neighbours in consideration of the interest of all South Africans.
The challenge of poverty on the continent is big and we need to find ways as a new democracy to cross the borders of being classed as a developing state to one of great power and strength. This will only be achieved if we can overcome the strains of poverty and retardation and infiltrate the gap that the powerhouses exhaust themselves with by keeping us out.
If the foreign debt can be written off on the continent as an incentive to correcting the implications of colonialism, Africa would be placed in a very progressive position on the map. We need to endorse a world conscience on the debt of colonialism. This will pave our road to speeding up development and then invite us to lead democracy in the SADC region. I thank you.