Mandela calls for UN support to rebuild South Africa.

South African President Nelson Mandela has told the General Assembly that the new, democratic, non-racial South Africa would need the UN's continued support "to achieve the goal of the betterment of the conditions of life" of his people.

In a 3 October speech, Mr. Mandela said the was pleased and inspired that both the UN Secretary-General and the specialized agencies had taken up the development challenge in his country "with the enthusiasm that they have shown".

In resolution 48/258, the Assembly had strongly appealed to Member States and the international community to provide generous assistance to South Africa in the implementation of its reconstruction and development programmes. The Secretary-General was asked to consider appointing a high-level coordinator for UN development activities in South Africa.

By that text--adopted on 23 June, the day South Africa resumed its seat in the Assembly after a 20-year suspension--the Assembly had expressed satisfaction at the successful holding of elections in April 1994 in South Africa, the establishment of the Government of National Unity, and the coming into effect of a non-racial and democratic constitution for the transitional period. The Assembly congratulated all South Africans and their political leaders on their success in bringing apartheid to an end and in laying, through broad-based negotiations, the foundations for a new, non-racial and democratic South Africa, with equal and guaranteed rights for each and all.

The Assembly had also welcomed South Africa back to the community of nations as represented in the Assembly, and had called upon the specialized agencies and related organizations to take actions to re-establish South Africa's full membership.

Call to invest and open markets

Mr. Mandela began his state visit to the United States on 4 October. At a press conference at Headquarters on 3 October, he asked Americans to invest in South Africa and open their markets to it, which would be to the mutual benefit of both countries, he affirmed. His Government had created a situation of political and economic stability, and had formulated guidelines favourable to foreign investments. "I am not coming here cap in hand. I am coming as a representative of a sovereign and proud country. I do not want charity--I want to mobilize resources in order to address the ugly socioeconomic problems facing our country."

He declared: "Now we want to build our country and we need resources" to address such problems as the lack of jobs, houses and medical facilities, and to introduce electricity into urban and rural areas.

No conditions would be imposed on investors and the Government would discuss its concerns, if any, directly with them. He would like to see foreign investors enter into partnership with black businesses.

Donor conference 

Representatives from nearly 50 Governments and more than 25 international non-governmental organizations gathered in Cape Town from 26 to 28 October for the first major donor conference under a new and democratic South Africa. The conference, whose central theme was human resource development, represented the first substantial exchange between South Africa and the international community on the subject of the country's Reconstruction and Development Programme--a comprehensive and integrated development plan.