The third meeting of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission.
A high-powered delegation of ministers and senior government officials from Botswana recently descended on South African soil for the 3rd South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission held at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.
Among the ministerial delegation accompanying Botswana President Ian Khama was the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, one of the candidates in the race for the hotly contested African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma currently holds the AUC chair post. She has held the chair since 2012, and is not seeking re-election. The elections to replace her will take place in January 2017 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Venson-Moitoi’s candidature already has the full support of the Southern Development Community (SADC) countries, including Zimbabwe and Namibia.
During Khama’s visit, it further emerged that South Africa was fully behind Venson-Moitoi’s candidature, due to her vast experience and background in international affairs.
Before her appointment as foreign affairs minister, Venson-Moitoi served as Botswana’s representative to the AU and UN. She was charged with the responsibility of articulating and protecting Botswana’s foreign policy positions, goals and achievements. She has also led trade and investment missions and rallied strategic partners to provide development and technical assistance where possible.
Venson-Moitoi said she believes that she will bring to the role of AU chair the necessary skills, competencies and experience to serve as a catalyst for change and help catapult Africa’s transformation process.
“It is my humble opinion and firm belief that the esteemed support of member states towards my candidature for the chairperson of our continental organisation will positively reinforce ownership, commitment, attainment and implementation of the continental agenda,” said Venson-Moitoi about her plans for the AUC chair.
“The ultimate objective is to change lives for the better. Africa’s potential is boundless, and her story is to see this potential cultivated and realised. Ensuring this [happens] will form the cornerstone of my agenda in my capacity as chairperson of the AU Commission.”
She said the AUC must develop and implement a holistic communications strategy that is aimed at popularising Agenda 2063 and ensuring the kind of buy-in that drives its success. Agenda 2063 is a vision of a peaceful and prosperous Africa and has been adopted by heads of state and governments as the continent’s new long-term vision for the next 50 years.
“This is another critical activity coinciding with the tenure of office of the next AU Commission chair,” said Venson-Moitoi.
“I will therefore ensure that the development of an effective understanding of and support of and support for Agenda 2063, thus instilling a culture of ownership by citizens of our continent.”
Venson-Moitoi also promised to prioritise peace and security if she became the new AU Commission chairperson.
She adds that solutions to conflicts should continue to remain a priority. “Despite some setbacks, we must acknowledge that there are clear signs of progress, as democracy and governance have taken root on the African continent,” said the foreign affairs minister.
“However, governance-related crises and conflicts are emerging as prominent features of Africa’s political landscape. This has brought to the fore the need to strengthen nascent democratic institutions. The AUC has to work closely with member states to develop a common understanding of the AUC’s shared values. This includes the ratification and domestication of the African Charter on democracy, elections and governance. The pursuit of democratic processes in African countries is consistent with their history, and one of the expected beneficial effects is the promotion of unity in diversity. We should spare no effort in seeking to achieve this, telling the story of a united Africa, comprising diverse countries rich in heritage and culture.”
Venson-Moitoi said regional integration is at the centre of Africa’s transformation agenda; Africa must move from being a continent that is a net exporter of unprocessed raw materials, labour and skills to one that is taking full advantage of a myriad of rich opportunities. “These exist, for example, in the form of minerals, natural habitats, flora and other resources,” said Venson-Moitoi.
She added that Africa’s transformation agenda would also focus on Africa’s youth population. “Young minds are an incredible resource in creating much needed innovation in transforming industries, moving towards development and growth of the continent. Now is the time for action and the requisite plans are in place to move us forward. They simply need to be seized and brought to fruition.”
Venson-Moitoi holds a Master of Science in Administration from the Central University of Michigan, and a diploma in Local Government from the Institute of Public Service in Connecticut, both in the US. She also holds a certificate in Journalism from the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation in Kitwe, Zambia.
“As minister of foreign affairs, I have gained the necessary experience to work with and serve heads of state and all their guests, including donor agencies and other development partners,” she said.
“Most importantly, I serve and remain loyal to the institution and its values and work according to its rules, policies and objectives. I am sensitive to the pan-African agenda and believe that the aspirations of the African Union can be achieved if we believe in them and work together as a collective to advance these values and objectives.”
Venson-Moitoi said her lifelong dream is to see an Africa at peace with itself, without conflict and hunger.
“One of the greatest wishes of all AU members is to silence the guns on our continent; to see all school-going age children attend class and get an education; to see the rights of women and men [realised]; girls and boys on the continent given their rightful place in the laws of the countries they live in. To see democracy flourish … this is the Africa we want. It is my dream to be a part of that process.”