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Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma departs for Addis Ababa ahead of African Union summit
11 Jul 2012 South African Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will tomorrow, Wednesday 11 July 2012 depart for Ethiopia, where she will join the government delegation led by President Jacob Zuma for the forthcoming African Union Summit, held under the theme” Boosting intra-African Trade, scheduled for 15 - 16 July in Addis Ababa.
Minister Dlamini Zuma’s visit to Addis Ababa takes place against the background of the expected elections of the African Union Commission’s Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and other Commissioners scheduled for Sunday 15 July. In this regard, (South African Development Community) SADC has nominated Minister Dlamini Zuma as the candidate of the Southern Region for the position of the Chairperson of the African Union (UN) Commission.
This comes in the context of the view that now is the time for the Southern Region to be afforded an opportunity to lead the AU Commission. History has recorded that since its formation, the AU Commission has never been led by a candidate from the Southern Region. This applies equally to the history of its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
Minister Dlamini Zuma’s candidature also coincides with the African Union Heads of States and Government’s declaration of 2010 - 2020 as “Decade of Women”. Accordingly, her successful candidature will help communicate a positive message that women, acting jointly with their menfolk, have a meaningful and fundamental role to play in the political and economic renewal of the continent.
The government reiterates its unflinching support, sponsored by SADC, for the candidature of Minister Dlamini Zuma for the position of the African Union Commission, while expressing its conviction that she possesses both the capacity and the will to help the continent in its endeavours to create a better life for all Africans while taking its rightful place among nations of the world as an equal and partner for sustainable development.
For media enquiries contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Tel: 012 432 6646 Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
11 Jul 2012
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