Hon Speaker, as we celebrate Africa today, we can say with some certainty that our continent is well and truly on the path of renewal.
This is a continent that has had to endure centuries of abuse, first from slavery, then colonialism, and in the last 50 years of independence certain dictatorial regimes that have been allowed to thwart the hopes and dreams of the African people.
This year, however, we have seen Africans in the north of the continent rising up and demanding control of their own countries. In countries like Ghana we are seeing a consolidation of democracy, and in Sudan we have even seen the will of the people bringing into being a new country. We must rejoice in these events and ensure that the momentum for democratic change is fostered throughout our continent. It is now time for Africa to ensure that accountable governance institutions are put in place in every country so that all African people can truly benefit from their own resources.
Economically, Africa is also rising quickly, with the World Economic Forum stating that it is the fastest growing area in the world outside of Asia. Asia, in the form of China and India, is also looking to cement its presence on the continent, as the bounty of our natural resources is a prize that everyone is looking to secure. In this second ``scramble for Africa'', though, we must ensure that the exploitation of our resources is done to further our continent's own development and not simply to entrench the power and wealth of elites.
In this regard, the ID believes that we should be looking to develop an African corporate accountability convention that can hold all companies accountable to certain standards wherever they may operate on the continent.
Finally, we also need to raise the voice of Africa on important global issues that will affect our future development. One of the most important of these issues is climate change, the effects of which are already starting to be felt with devastating consequences. It is a cruel injustice that Africa is the continent most vulnerable to climate change, even though it has done the least to cause it. As the hosts of CoP 17, South Africa has a duty to help galvanise and amplify the African voice on this issue so that the world can finally be awoken to its moral responsibility. No longer can we allow African people to suffer due to the excesses and interests of other nations. This is Africa's century and we need to claim it. Mayibuye i- Afrika! [Africa must come back to us.] Thank you. [Applause.]