The ANC has congratulated Deputy President David Mabuza as the recipient of the African Leadership Impact Award.
The glittering leadership Awards took place in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Saturday and was attended by African Development Bank president Akinwumi Adesina, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu.
“The ANC is humbled by the ongoing contribution to the mediation process led by Deputy President Mabuza as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy to the Republic of South Sudan,” said ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe in a statement.
“South Africa’s fraternal political relations with South Sudan originates from the ties of the liberation struggle between the ANC and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. In pursuit of our African Agenda to build a peaceful and stable Africa, the ANC led government continues to provide both political and humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan on the Post Conflict Resolution, Reconstruction and Development processes.”
Mabuza has been shuttling between Pretoria and Juba for consultative meetings on the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan.
He is credited with playing a key role in resolving the conflict in South Sudan, including being a mediator in the fight between President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar.
Since the civil war broke out in South Sudan in December 2013, over 50,000 people have been killed and nearly four million people have been internally displaced or fled to neighboring countries.
The violence prevented farmers from planting or harvesting crops, causing food shortages nationwide.
The formation of the Government of National Unity a week ago is seen as a positive step to ending that conflict.
Receiving his award, Mabuza thanked Kiir and Machar for demonstrating selfless leadership by making real the formation of the transitional government of national unity in South Sudan.
“South Sudan stands as a testament to what can be achieved and gained when dialogue replaces the force of conflict and violence,” said Mabuza.
“I graciously accept this Award on behalf of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar Teny, for demonstrating selfless leadership by making real the formation of the transitional government of national unity in South Sudan.”
Mabuza also thanked organizers of the African Leadership Magazine’s 2020 Award Ceremony for the award.
“Our resolve remains firmly that as Africans we must find ‘African solutions to Africa’s problems,” said Mabuza.
“We are committed to playing our role with diligence within the African family of nations, driven by the desire achieve peace, development, social justice and economic progress for all on the Continent.”
The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards is now the most popular vote-based third-party endorsement in Africa.
Meanwhile, Adesina was also honoured at the awards.
Adesina, a former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has been a leader in the African agricultural innovation space for over 30 years.
He has contributed to Africa’s economic growth by helping to strengthen the continent’s food security and promoting a workable agribusiness model.
Under his leadership, in the past four years, the bank has helped 18 million people get electricity, 141 million people get agricultural technologies, 13 million people get finance through private sector investee companies, 101 million people get improved transport services, and 60 million people get better water and sanitation.
In his remarks, Adesina urged Africans to rise, be bold and determined.
“Africa does not need anyone to believe in her or to affirm her place and position in history. Africa will and must develop with pride. For right on the inside of us, as Africans, lies our greatest instrument of successes: confidence!” Adesina said.
(Compiled and edited by Charles Molele)
