President Cyril Ramaphosa has told new ambassadors from across the world that South Africa’s most immediate and pressing task is to stabilise the supply of electricity and ensure energy security into the future.
Ramaphosa was speaking while welcoming 18 new heads of mission-designates, who will serve at missions in South Africa to advance diplomatic relations.
Ambassadors from countries, including Norway; Austria; Belgium; The Gambia; South Sudan; Japan; Botswana; Australia and Mozambique handed letters of credence to the president.
Ramaphosa said the ambassadors were beginning their service at an important time of rebuilding after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These efforts to rebuild are being held back by a severe energy crisis that has affected every aspect of life in this country. Therefore, our most immediate and pressing task is to stabilise the supply of electricity and to ensure energy security into the future,” Ramaphosa said.
“We are therefore focused on several measures to substantially improve the performance of our existing power stations and bring additional generating capacity online as speedily as possible.”
Ramaphosa said the country was willing to acknowledge its shortcomings and prepared to implement measures to correct them, grow the economy, increase investment and create jobs.
“It is an understanding that jobs will not be created and poverty will not be reduced unless we grow our economy. It is our wish that we will use the good relations between our countries as the basis for greater levels of investment and bilateral trade, which will promote economic activity and development in our respective countries,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the presence of the ambassadors was a firm indication of the commitment of their governments to maintain and deepen relations.
“Global solidarity is required if we are to meet pressing international challenges such as energy and food insecurity, climate change, conflict and the existential threat of nuclear weapons. We need to be united in our efforts to advance sustainable peace and development.”
He added that South Africa sought to work with its partners across the world to build a more democratic, just and equitable world order that prioritised the interests of the poor and vulnerable.
“As the peoples of the world, we have a shared interest in ending poverty and closing the disparities in wealth, skills, resources and access to education, health and social support. South Africa stands ready to work with all governments and peoples in achieving these objectives,” said Ramaphosa. – SAnews.gov.za
