GODFREY MADIBANE
On August 30, Unisa, in association with the Institute for Global Dialogue and the Norwegian Embassy, hosted a pivotal dialogue featuring Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Espen Barth Eide, at the Muckleneuk Campus, Tshwane.
The discussion what themed The shifting geopolitical landscape and the critical partnership between Africa and Europe.
This prestigious dialogue was attended by various international and national dignitaries, diplomats and scholars, and served as an opportunity to understand the new Strategy for Norwegian Engagement with African Countries, which was recently launched as a response to a changing geopolitical landscape and global challenges.
The dialogue paved the way for the university, stakeholders and dignitaries to understand how Norway is navigating its way through a difficult geopolitical terrain, including its response to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and in addition, its position on efforts by the Global South to reform multilateral institutions such as the United Nations (UN), World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), among other key areas of note.
In her welcome address, Professor Puleng Segalo, Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair, explained that the relations between South Africa and Norway are founded on strong Nordic support and solidarity during the struggle for freedom in South Africa.
"Today," she said, "the two countries cooperate on a wide range of interlinking global issues that include global health, climate change, renewable energy, blue economy, peace and reconciliation, multilateralism, and trade and investment."
Segalo stated that South Africa and Norway also cooperate closely on women, peace and security, partnering on the Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum on Conflict Resolution and Peace-making in Africa.
In her opening address, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, stated that the dawn of democracy in this country, was founded on the principles of respect for human dignity, equality and freedom. These principles, she said, resonate very strongly with those of Norway.
LenkaBula stated that Unisa hosted and continues to host seminars, symposia and conferences on the current internationally significant topic of the shifting geopolitical landscape. "Recent events like the war in Ukraine and Gaza, despite the decisions of the International Court of Justice, have led to the shift in the geopolitical landscape," she added.
"Today’s discussion," explained the LenkaBula, "is also an opportunity to understand the new Strategy for the Norwegian Engagement with African countries, recently launched as a response to a changing geopolitical landscape and global challenges. It will equally be an opportunity to understand how Norway is navigating its way through a difficult geopolitical terrain, including its response to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and its position on efforts by the Global South to reform multilateral institutions such as the UN, World Bank, and the IMF."
"Economic diplomacy has become of greater importance for South Africa, especially following the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), and the country will be looking to ensure that the more than 150 Norwegian companies invested in South Africa, deliver value," continued LenkaBula.
Concluding her message, LenkaBula praised the cooperation between the Norwegian Kingdom and South Africa, affirming that their investments in the country remain significant, particularly in the renewable energy sector. She explained: "For instance, Norfund, the Norwegian investment fund for developing countries, has been actively involved in various projects, partnering with the United Kingdom’s Commonwealth Development Corporation Group to invest R600 million in H1 Capital, a South African black-owned and managed renewables investment and development company."
In welcoming the keynote speaker and distinguished guest, Dr Philani Mthembu, Executive Director: Institute for Global Dialogue, stated that Eide has extensive knowledge in foreign affairs, and expressed optimism that the conversations from this dialogue will stimulate further discussions from academics and students on global issues, and the shifting geopolitical contexts.
In his keynote address, Eide, a fervent supporter of human rights, stated that the Nordic countries rallied against apartheid and voiced a global call to end it. He explained: "Since joining the Labour Party from the early 80s, we were involved in arguing for sanctions against apartheid in South Africa, not only in support of the ANC, but in addition, with other struggling Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. We felt apartheid was a total affront to everything we had set out in the United Nations and the Human Rights Charters’ key principles."
"I am very much against double standards, and I think that it is a fair argument to acknowledge that there are double standards in the world, because if you practise double standards the norms become the menu from which to choose from only when it suits you. However, the norm should have applied equally across the board, that is what we did when we stood up against apartheid. We did not ask for a peaceful settlement to make both sides happy, we chose what we believed was the right outcome," he further elaborated.
In the same breath, Eide stated that they are standing for Palestine, using the same principles, "because very serious key principles are violated. We do realise that after the brutal attack of Hamas on Israeli citizens, Israel had a right to defend itself against Hamas. However, that exercise of power should be constrained by humanitarian laws and the laws of warfare, unfortunately that has been violated."
Eide stated that the Nordic region was among the earliest in the West to take sides with Palestine. He posited: "We were the earliest among Western countries to state that what we are witnessing is excessive military force with civilians suffering harm. We are for ceasefire. We reminded the world that there is no other outcome from this than the Palestinian State. We have the Oslo accords which have been unfulfilled. After months of negotiations, we realised we had to come with a different solution, thereafter, months into the Gaza conflict, we recognised the State of Palestine, while knowing it does not 'appear' just by mere recognition, but it was an impactful decision in joining other countries in lifting the position of Palestinians and their recognised government."
Eide affirmed that they will keep fighting for peace in Palestine, "not just any peace," he argued, "but the peace that says we stop the fighting in Gaza, we stop incursions and illegal settlements in the West Bank and we help establish a Palestinian State, working together with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and other European countries who have taken key roles in laying out a map of regional peace settlement."
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Eide stated: "It is clear that our neighbour, Russia, is the aggressor and the victim is Ukraine. Much as we cooperate with Russia on various trade and political matters, Russia invaded Ukraine, and these kinds of actions are the very reason the United Nations was established."
On the African continent, Eide cited several countries that are in conflict, including the Democratic Republic of Congo. Regarding the related incursions, he said: "It is hard is hard to define whether these are civic, domestic or cross-border incursions. However, South Africa and the SADC have taken a stance to end this conflict, through using African-led transition methods."
Concluding his message, Eide stated that South Africa, having the most advanced economy in Africa, has a role to lead so they can draw from it, adding: "If you have power and do not use it, this turns out to be neglect. This is not necessarily military power, but the power to influence."
* By , Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement
** Photography by Shooheima Champion, Multimedia Centre