SA has always stood with oppressed countries: Mashatile

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says South Africa has always stood with countries where there is war and insecurity, in the interest of solidarity and unity.

He was delivering the valedictory speech at the end of the two day annual Cape Town Conversations, a conference hosted by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation in Somerset West.

Its aim is to serve as a meeting place for voices and stakeholders of the Global South.

It will facilitate issues of global governance, where new challenges, possible solutions and a map for the future are discussed.

Mashatile has hailed former President Thabo Mbeki for his efforts to promote peace on the continent.

“Since when war and conflicts, access to key resources becomes big challenge affecting economies but more importantly development. As countries of Global South must firmly ground multilateral cooperation in the synergy between peace and development.”

Mashatile added that upon assuming the presidency of the G20 next month, South Africa aims to put Africa’s development at the top of the body’s agenda.

He says the theme of South Africa’s term will be ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable development’.

“South Africa intends to place Africa’s development at the top of the G20 agenda. We shall use this opportunity presented by G20 to advance the priorities of the AU Agenda 2063, which is the Africa we want.”