praag.co.uk

President Jacob Zuma has expressed his solidarity with the government of Zimbabwe on a state visit to that country. Here is his complete speech, as issued by the South African presidency:
27 August 2009

Your Excellency President Robert Mugabe and Mrs Grace Mugabe,
Your Excellency, Vice-President Mujuru,
Honourable Prime Minister; Morgan Tsvangirai
Hon Deputy Prime Ministers
Honourable Ministers;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Distinguished guests;

I would like to thank you, Your Excellency, for your kind words
of welcome.
We further wish to extend our words of gratitude for the warm
and comradely hospitality you have extended to us since our arrival
in your beautiful country.
We bring fraternal greetings from the people of South Africa who
have closely followed with keen interest the positive developments
that have taken place in this great country in recent times.
These are positive developments that foretell good things that
will come to the Zimbabwean nation.
These positive developments are the historic signing of the
Global Political Agreement and the subsequent formation of the
Inclusive Government.
These achievements signalled to the people of Zimbabwe, the
region and the world, that the Zimbabwean political leadership was
ready to collectively tackle the political and the socio-economic
challenges head-on.
We are all encouraged by how the three parties put their
differences aside in the service of this country.
It is indeed very encouraging to note the significant progress
that has been made under the auspices of the Inclusive Government.
SADC remains at your disposal for assistance. The remaining
issues are not insurmountable, and can be overcome. The most
difficult path has already been travelled.
Your Excellency, the bonds that united us when we battled the
inhuman systems of apartheid and colonialism still guide us
today as we endeavour to build a better life for all our people.
We remain very committed as guarantors of the implementation of
the Global Political Agreement and partners, to continue working
with the Zimbabwean people to find solutions.
Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow we will be attending one of the
mainstay shows in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Show.

We are humbled by the invitation extended to us to experience
this country's enormous potential in agriculture.
We are encouraged by what Zimbabwean farmers have managed to
achieve amidst the scarcity of resources and the global recession
that afflicts the world. We look forward to the show.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Please rise and join me in a toast to the people of Zimbabwe,
and to peace and prosperity! To the cherished success of the Global
Political Agreement.
I thank you.