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UK & SA partnership
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to the UK
Memes of His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, during his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom (UK) may have been circulating on various social media platforms, but the President didn’t visit the UK to play, he was there to discuss business.
The President honoured the invitation from His Majesty King Charles III with the visit that commenced on Tuesday and ended on Wednesday, 23 November.
Delivering his address to Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom, President Ramaphosa said the ties between the two countries are old and enduring.
He said over the past three decades, this story of the two countries has been one of trade, investment, tourism, sport, education, art, science and innovation.
He said they see the visit as an opportunity to celebrate the two countries’ modern relationship, as equal partners, working together for the prosperity and security of the people.
“We are grateful that the principles that are represented and safeguarded within these hallowed halls – democracy, liberty, humanity and equality – are now at the centre of our strong and dynamic bilateral relationship. These principles not only guide our interaction with each other.
“These principles also inform our shared perspectives on the difficulties confronting humanity and the opportunities for progress and development.
“Our world today is beset by conflict and instability, by poverty and inequality,” - President Ramaphosa. President Rampahosa added that collective action, within the appropriate global governance systems, is now “more important than ever before.”
He said a strong partnership between South Africa and the United Kingdom could make a significant contribution to multilateralism and the achievement of consensus on critical global issues.
“It is essential that we reform the international institutions on which we rely in times of crisis and need. We look to the United Kingdom to raise its voice in favour of more representative and more inclusive international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council and global financial institutions.
“These bodies need to be better equipped to respond to the needs of countries with developing economies,” he said. Touching on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rampahosa stated that the pandemic laid bare the huge disparities in wealth, power, technology and health capacity. “It demonstrated both the capabilities and the limitations of institutions of global governance, finance and development. Therefore, as we work to rebuild in the wake of the pandemic, it is essential that we address the inequality within and between nations. Unless we act with urgency and purpose to close the gap between the wealthy and poor, hardship and suffering will only deepen. Instability, conflict and terror will increase,” he said.
On inequality and climate change, President Ramaphosa said the countries that carry the least responsibility for global warming are most vulnerable to its effects as they do not have the resources needed to adapt to drought, floods and rising sea levels.
“And as they seek to grow, industrialise and diversify their economies, their energy needs will increase and the space they have to reduce emissions will narrow.
This places a responsibility on industrialised nations to contribute substantial resources to low- and middle-income countries to fund their climate actions.
“This is not charity. It is compensation for the harm done – and the harm yet to be done – to people in developing economies as a consequence of the industrialisation of wealthy countries.
“And because a global reduction in emissions benefits all countries and all people, it is also a necessary investment in the future of humanity. We greatly appreciate the commitment of the United Kingdom to the implementation of a just energy transition in South Africa.” - President Ramaphosa.
In a joint press release by the two countries, it was confirmed that the UK and South Africa will launch a new agreement on health, building on the work done to address climate and other global challenges.
“Institutions from across the UK and South Africa will undertake research into vital issues from health systems and financing to mental health and surgery.
“The projects formed part of a new agreement to enhance the UK-South Africa health partnership, signed by the South African Health Minister and UK Health Secretary today at the Francis Crick Institute in London, during the President of South Africa’s State Visit,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the UK and South Africa are also working together to protect global health systems from the increasing threat of climate change. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated: “The UK and South Africa have shown global leadership in joining together to protect people by preventing the spread of dangerous diseases, and by working to halt climate change – including through the ground-breaking Just Energy Transition Partnership, to help countries move away from using fossil fuels.”
According to the Presidency:
Since 2015, the United Kingdom has invested more than R350 million in Newton Fund partnerships with South Africa, reciprocated by a South African investment of R100 million. The activities of the Newton Fund include a programme to train the next generation of radio astronomers in Sub-Saharan Africa, marine food security in the Indian Ocean, bio-medical research and innovation, and support for entrepreneurs in the informal economy.
Over 800 South Africans have benefited from the Chevening Scholarship programme, and there are currently over 130 South African PhD candidates studying in the United Kingdom.
