New Zealand Executive Government Speech Archive

I am very pleased to be here, and feel privileged to see first hand the
valuable work Volunteer Service Abroad is doing in South Africa.

Over the last few years, we have witnessed far reaching political change in
South Africa.

This visit to South Africa and today to Buffalo Flats brings home to me that
the process is far from over.

There is an ongoing need to heal the wounds of the past, to tackle poverty and
meet the material needs of all people in South Africa, and to promote
development.

I am proud that New Zealand through Volunteer Service Abroad is able to
participate in a small way in the reconstruction and development of South
Africa.

And I believe that you, as part of the wider VSA team, can take pride in the
work you are doing to achieve these goals.

The VSA ideals of promoting understanding between countries through people to
people linkages and promoting development through the transfer of appropriate
forms of technical assistance are ones I wholeheartedly endorse.

These are the key ingredients which make projects, such as the one here in
Buffalo Flats, possible.

The New Zealand Government is committed to an ongoing partnership with VSA, and
to continuing support for its programmes.

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One of VSAs key principles is support for programmes which seek equitable
participation by women.

I would like to make particular reference to this given that today, in South
Africa, it is National Womens Day.

I understand that 40% of VSA assignments in Africa focus specifically on womens
development, and that this reflects the VSA philosophy that women are and will
continue to be key agents of change in the development process.

This philosophy is mirrored in my Governments official aid policy which
emphasises as a key strategy the importance of activities which enhance the
role and position of women and increase their equitable participation in and
benefits from development efforts.

This match in philosophy and strategy between VSA and New Zealands Official Aid
Programme is just one example of why our partnership with VSA is effective.

This extends around the world, with support for various projects and volunteers
in Africa, Asia and the South Pacific.

It recognises the particular strengths non-governmental organisations have in
working with communities.

What I have seen here today, however briefly, demonstrates important aspects of
VSAs work - community participation, people to people linkages, working with
non-governmental organisations.

These strategies are clearly working well and are a tribute to VSAs operation
and your own efforts.

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While New Zealand is a relatively small donor in Africa - with much of our
focus on our neighbours in the South Pacific - we are committed to increasing
the resources which are targeted to this continent and to South Africa.

This year we have increased the aid programme by 50% to R9 million [NZ$3
million].

Here in the East London region and in the Border Kei area we are planning to
develop and expand activities in non-formal education and training, and
continue providing support for VSA volunteers.

Development is about change.

However change takes time and results can be slow in coming.

But South Africa is a clear example that continual effort will be worth it.

There is much to do in the development of South Africa, and the projects which
you have shown me today clearly demonstrate the needs which must be addressed.

You, as VSA volunteers, are part of that development process.

You are playing your part and, as the Buffalo Flats project demonstrates, you
are doing it well. Congratulations, we are proud of you.