Page 4 - Quarterly june letsebe 2016
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SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY IN ROME: NEWSLETTER
AMBASCIATA DEL SUDAFRICA A ROMA: NOTIZIARIO
CHAIRPERSON OF AU COMMISSION "IN AFRICA, ITALY IS LATER THAN CHINA”
In Rome for the Italy-Africa Conference, the first woman at the helm of the African Union Commission ex-
plains what initiatives we must take on the continent
"If we do not invest in development and the creation of jobs, we will not be able to keep the peace. In Africa,
you can create 7 million jobs every year by only tapping 50% of mineral re-
sources. To this purpose investments are needed and Europe has to make up
for lost time in comparison to other competitors, starting with China. Italy in this
context can be in the front row, it has all the right credentials".
First woman at the helm of the African Union Commission, South African
Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma participates in the front row in the Italy-Africa Confer-
ence at the Foreign Ministry. The message is that Africa "needs investment in
agribusiness, infrastructure, energy, mining industry, because it has a young and
growing population that needs training".
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Dlamini-Zuma has been a political figure for many years in her country. She was
Health Minister under President Mandela, but also Foreign Minister and after
2009 she was appointed Interior Minister in the government led by President Ja-
cob Zuma, her ex-husband, with whom she has four daughters.
What investments does Africa need?
"Infrastructure is the central point for a full development. And I talk about all kinds of infrastructure: aque-
ducts, airports, roads. Europe is undoubtedly late, at least compared to China, but is able to compete. The
Chinese model is often successful because they are able to participate in tenders with low cost offers".
What do you think of the words of Renzi?
"Italy can definitely play a crucial role and in part it is beginning to do so. We certainly need to cooperate
more on certain priorities, you have many food industries that can invest in our continent and you have a
demographic decline, like the rest of Europe, which can be compensated in an African context".
You have indicated agriculture as a priority investment sector, as well as infrastructure. It is really
convenient for the EU businesses to come to you?
"I think so. Africa has a lot of land for agriculture which is still untapped, which can produce income: we
need modern irrigation systems and industrial cultivation models, from this point of view we can be very at-
tractive for all European industries, and obviously also for the Italian ones that want to expand".
You spoke of peace and terrorism, Renzi tries to "turn the head of the European Union towards your
continent": is it possible to find a common interest model on the cultural level?
"There is no doubt about that. And not just geographically, but also demographically: a greater number of
our students have to come to Europe to study, your demographic decline can be addressed also with a
greater collaboration with the African countries".
Source: Marco Galluzzo in CORRIERE DELLA SERA on May 18, 2016
Video : Rome hosts the first Italy-Africa ministerial conference
4
AMBASCIATA DEL SUDAFRICA A ROMA: NOTIZIARIO
CHAIRPERSON OF AU COMMISSION "IN AFRICA, ITALY IS LATER THAN CHINA”
In Rome for the Italy-Africa Conference, the first woman at the helm of the African Union Commission ex-
plains what initiatives we must take on the continent
"If we do not invest in development and the creation of jobs, we will not be able to keep the peace. In Africa,
you can create 7 million jobs every year by only tapping 50% of mineral re-
sources. To this purpose investments are needed and Europe has to make up
for lost time in comparison to other competitors, starting with China. Italy in this
context can be in the front row, it has all the right credentials".
First woman at the helm of the African Union Commission, South African
Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma participates in the front row in the Italy-Africa Confer-
ence at the Foreign Ministry. The message is that Africa "needs investment in
agribusiness, infrastructure, energy, mining industry, because it has a young and
growing population that needs training".
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Dlamini-Zuma has been a political figure for many years in her country. She was
Health Minister under President Mandela, but also Foreign Minister and after
2009 she was appointed Interior Minister in the government led by President Ja-
cob Zuma, her ex-husband, with whom she has four daughters.
What investments does Africa need?
"Infrastructure is the central point for a full development. And I talk about all kinds of infrastructure: aque-
ducts, airports, roads. Europe is undoubtedly late, at least compared to China, but is able to compete. The
Chinese model is often successful because they are able to participate in tenders with low cost offers".
What do you think of the words of Renzi?
"Italy can definitely play a crucial role and in part it is beginning to do so. We certainly need to cooperate
more on certain priorities, you have many food industries that can invest in our continent and you have a
demographic decline, like the rest of Europe, which can be compensated in an African context".
You have indicated agriculture as a priority investment sector, as well as infrastructure. It is really
convenient for the EU businesses to come to you?
"I think so. Africa has a lot of land for agriculture which is still untapped, which can produce income: we
need modern irrigation systems and industrial cultivation models, from this point of view we can be very at-
tractive for all European industries, and obviously also for the Italian ones that want to expand".
You spoke of peace and terrorism, Renzi tries to "turn the head of the European Union towards your
continent": is it possible to find a common interest model on the cultural level?
"There is no doubt about that. And not just geographically, but also demographically: a greater number of
our students have to come to Europe to study, your demographic decline can be addressed also with a
greater collaboration with the African countries".
Source: Marco Galluzzo in CORRIERE DELLA SERA on May 18, 2016
Video : Rome hosts the first Italy-Africa ministerial conference
4
