Warm welcome for Ramaphosa

SOUTH AFRICA took centre stage in the Indian capital, New Delhi, yesterday, when President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived for a state visit. With him were first lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe, nine cabinet ministers, senior officials and a business delegation.

It was Ramaphosa’s first visit to India as president. Today, he will attend India’s 70th Republic Day parade as the chief guest, an honour that, historically, has been bestowed on some of the greatest leaders of our time. In 1995, former president Nelson Mandela attended as the chief guest.

After days of overcast weather, Ramaphosa arrived to blue skies. Streets were adorned with flags of both countries, while billboards carried a picture of Ramaphosa and the word “Welcome”.

At the president’s official home, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Ramaphosa was given a ceremonial welcome.

Later in the morning, Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks at Hyderabad House, also in the Indian capital.

Addressing the media thereafter, both leaders spoke in glowing terms of each other and the bond between the two countries.

Modi said when he met Ramaphosa for the first time in 2016, he realised the then deputy president of South African had a “love” for India.

Last year, the two men met in South Africa during the BRICS Summit. Modi said he appreciated the hospitality he was shown by Ramaphosa who, by then, was president.

Modi said he hoped Ramaphosa would feel the warmth of Delhi even though it was winter.

Ramaphosa responded that he had just arrived from Davos, Switzerland, where temperatures had dropped to below -16°C.

“It is a pleasure to be in the warm climate of Delhi and we are looking forward to some hot Indian food later on.”

On a more serious note, Ramaphosa described India as South Africa’s “strategic partner”.

“Considerable scope exists for our two countries to grow and strengthen bilateral relations, especially at an economic level,” said Ramaphosa.

He added in the past two years there had been significant trade between India and South Africa. India was now South Africa’s second largest trading partner and there were plans to extend co-operation in the mining, financial, defence and agro processing sectors.

To this effect, both countries signed a three-year agreement.

There is also interest in resuming direct air links between the countries.

In a joint statement released later in the day, they said: “Both leaders acknowledged the significance of the 100th birthday anniversary celebrations of Nelson Mandela and the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi as an invaluable legacy of peace, non-violence and compassion.”

On Friday afternoon, Ramaphosa delivered the first Gandhi Mandela Freedom Lecture.

He said the legacies of Gandhi and Mandela went beyond their stature as founding fathers.

“What they lived for, what they stood for and indeed what they fought for continues to resonate with people across the world decades since their birth.” He described both as visionaries.

“We often take for granted the sheer force of will, courage of conviction and strength of character than would have been required at such time.” Ramaphosa took aim at those who have criticised Gandhi and Mandela in recent times.

“The issues they advocated for and how they articulated them, the political positions they took and the political decisions they made – will always be subject to interpretation and reinterpretation.

“Those of us who have chosen a life of politics will know too well that the actions we undertake at a particular time will, by necessity, be held up to public scrutiny by future generations. They may be praised, but they may also be derided or condemned.

“Yet we know that the transience of politics is one thing, and the enduring nature of universal values – of justice, of equality, of self-sacrifice, of solidarity with the underdog – are another.”

Ramaphosa concluded by expressing the view that bonds between the two countries would strengthen to ensure a future of hope and renewal.

“A future of peace and prosperity for all,” he said. “A future that is bright, and guided by the light of these two great men.”

| ELMOND JIYANE GCIS PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by his wife Dr Tshepo Motsepe, arrives at the Presidential Palace and is welcomed by President Ram NathKovind, his wife Savita and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ramaphosa is in India at the invitation of Modi for a state visit and to attend the country’s 70th Republic Day celebrations today and tomorrow. The visit is expected to yield elevated bilateral relations and co-operation between the two countries, with an anticipated mutual increase in foreign direct investment.