Ramaphosa: SA has constructive role to play in Middle East

NICOLA MILTZ

Ramaphosa was a guest at the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) Gauteng Council conference in Johannesburg on 25 November.

He thanked members of the business community for being at the forefront of economic inclusion.

In conversation with business leader Stephen Koseff, former Chief Executive of Investec Bank, the president said, “The Jewish community can teach all of us so many good lessons because you act as a community.

 “You are able to take positive steps to do things against poverty, to do things against inequality. When certain things are done against what you stand for as a community, you stand together. You stand together against anti-Semitism, against attacks targeted at you as a community, as Jews.”

These lessons, he said, could be “translated throughout the nation”.

“This is precisely what we should seek to engender – that all South Africans, without consideration of where we come from, what racial group we come from, should unite and act against all that militates against the values that are enshrined in our Constitution.”

The event was attended by numerous members of the diplomatic corps and Cabinet ministers, including Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan. Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein, business leaders, and members of the community were present.

There was silence in the auditorium as Ramaphosa spoke about the Middle East.

He acknowledged that the Jewish community was “concerned, shocked, and bewildered” by the resolution to downgrade the South African embassy in Israel.

“What we are seeking to do now is ask, does South Africa have a role to play in promoting peace? Does South Africa have a role to play in various parts of the world, but particularly in the Middle East? Our view is that we do have a role to play, and our foreign policy is going to be directed towards doing precisely that.” This was particularly pertinent, he said, as South Africa took its seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

 “So, the conflict in the Middle East is right on my radar screen. It’s an area where we are being called upon to play a role, and we will want to play a constructive role that will bring all parties together so that we find a solution to a problem that seems intractable in the Middle East.”

 Community leaders conveyed a strong message of support to the president for his efforts to confront corruption and state capture. They also emphasised the Jewish community’s eagerness to assist government in addressing socio-economic challenges.

Koseff told the president that the Jewish community had the ability, and was willing to play a continuing role in growing and developing the country and making a broader contribution to society. He asked the president what was expected from Jews.

Ramaphosa replied that the community should imbibe the spirit of Hugh Masekela’s song Thuma Mina, (Send Me), in other words, to be the kind of people that ask continually how they can make a meaningful contribution to the country.

He gave special thanks to members of the Jewish business community – many of whom were in the auditorium – that had embraced the notion of “broadening economic participation”.

“They have opened channels, platforms, possibilities, from training young people to enabling black entrepreneurs, and this I’m pleased about. They have been at the forefront of economic inclusion.”

On the contentious issue of land reform, Ramaphosa assured the audience that there would not be “marauding mobs going around taking people’s properties and grabbing land”.

He admitted he was “troubled” and “pained” when he heard of young South Africans – of all races – seeking greener pastures overseas.

It may seem to some people that the space has closed for some. The contrary is true. The space is opening for all of us. We especially want well educated and talented young people to stay in the country.”

He urged parents to encourage the youth to remain here and work together.

“We must deepen their patriotism so that they stay in South Africa and make a contribution on a non-racial platform where they demonstrate that we are very different from all other people in the world because we are the one country where the non-racialism project can become a true reality.”

The government, he said, was focusing on education, re-building the capabilities of the state, and encouraging young entrepreneurs.

“We are not sleeping at the steering wheel. We are wide awake. This plane is flying, and it has capable people who are going to fly it.”