Speaker, certainly, South Africa does not pretend to have a big land mass at her disposal, nor the population close to the population of the other member states, but certainly South Africa is recognised by these countries and globally.
The fact that these countries have invited South Africa to participate shows that they understand the importance of South Africa. As you know, in one description of South Africa, you can say that South Africa is small and has a small economy, but the reality is that South Africa is the biggest economy on the continent of Africa. That is another side of the coin. [Applause.] Precisely the point I made as I was answering the very first question is that the membership of South Africa links Africa with the world. That must indicate our view of ourselves with regard to the continent. We are not cutting ourselves off the continent. In fact, for South Africa or any of the countries on the continent not being the member of Ibsa or Brics would have meant that Africa is not part of the global political or economic activities. The fact that South Africa is part - a very powerful region - means the continent of Africa with one billion people is represented.
Therefore, this emerging and fast-growing market of the continent links up to these two groupings very well. It compensates whatever else. South Africa, therefore, as it goes in there, clearly represents a very powerful region in one sense. As a country, it also represents itself. South Africa also has its own policies and values which it has always cherished.
The question of human rights is one of the important elements of the beliefs of all of us in South Africa. We may not agree on anything, but that is the only point that we agree on - human rights. Is that not so? Everybody agrees on this one. It is important. We are going to be consistent regarding this issue, like all other countries. Wherever the question of human rights emerges, we will be very principled. We will raise the issue. We are not going to change or say that our relationship with these counties is based on us compromising our principles. We will always stand on our principles. [Applause.]