On behalf of the members worldwide, i would like to and those ofpeaker you attending todays event. Our head table includes guest of our speaker as well as working journalist. If you hear applause, i will note the members of the general public are attending, so not necessarily evidence of lack of journalistic objectivity. We always put that disclaimer in because it is important to do so. I would like to welcome cspan and public radio audiences. You can follow the action on the. Using we will have a question and answer time after lunch. Many questions as time permits. Now time to introduce our head table guests and asked each of you to ask it stands briefly. From your rights, Senior Vice PresidentThomas Jefferson waterman international. Until iold the applause finished. I know you are eager to do so. Eric smeltzer. Our friend has excellency ambassador to south africa to the United States. Chiefcall away, editor in of usa today. The first lady of the republic for south africa. The Washington Bureau chief of the washington news, chair of the National Press club Speaker Committee and former president. Skipping over the guest of honor bloombergt kasha, news correspondent and Speakers Committee member who organized todays event, thank you. The minister of International Relations and cooperation. Paul barber, the north american editor of afp tv. Connie long, president of audiovisual news and senior White House Correspondent who for many years was familiar to South Africans during the from washington and when she met Nelson Mandela when he was here 20 years ago he were and the radios smuggled into the cells, connies broadcast gave them hope. Thank you for being such an active member of the National Press club. Tony foster, founder and president to see fco international. The ceo of africa to the which launches today. [applause] very day, Nelson Mandela think the United States and International Media for supporting South African struggle for democracy and the fight against apartheid. Two decades later, our guest of honor today the current South African president his excellency jacob zuma presides over a much improved country. Apartheid has long ended. Many more in south africa have access to clean water and electricity. The murder rate has been cut by more than half. The country has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. The imf lowered the countrys growth forecast this year due to electricity shortages in labor complex. In a positive development, south africa was invited to join brazil, russia, india and china to an association of large, emergingmarket economies known as the bricks these nations seek more involved mint and International Affairs and more access to resources. And month president zuma other leaders agreed to set up a 50 billion new Development Bank and 12 100 billion Currency Exchange reserve, lowering the dependence on International Monetary fund and the world bank. President zuma and may secured a second term as the countrys leader. He is seeking more trade and investment, as well as president obama support for various African Union economic andlopment programs, peace security, Climate Change and environmental protections. Environmental protection issues. Please join me in welcoming to the National Press club, jacob zuma, president of the republic of south africa. [no audio] [applause] thank you very much. Thank you. Indeed. U very much the president of the national tent,club, mr. Myron bell and Deputy Ministers who are the ones wholarly to thismpanying me great country. Ambassador with us here, particularly ambassador to south africa to presenting the United States and the ambassador representing south africa. Distinguished guests. , it is an gentlemen honor. Speakeasure to be able to to you today from the same that our president nelson asdela spoke at 10 years ago we heard when he was thinking thanking the United States in media for having supported our struggle. He was south africas first the macquarie democratically elected resident. I would like to thank the National Press club for providing this unique opportunity for us to talk about to aountrys journey prosperous south africa. Lot since theed a in 1994. Reedom Firm Foundation for thriving democracy in a short space of time. Among our key achievements is creating an open democracy and open society. Ourselves in having a thatessive constitution inspires freedom and expression, that of the media. We are also proud of a wellestablished democratic as holdinguch elections successfully and transparently every five years. Year we cast our ballots for the fifth time, cheerfully, patiently and in peace. Agedemocracy has come of and a very short space of time. Well in aso done unique society and improved quality of life. We have made enormous strides in expanding access to free education, housing, electricity, clean water and sanitation for pete all who did not have these. Six close to half of the people are now in the middle to higher income bracket due to progressive transformation policies by the democratic of people the number poverty hassolute the extension of sustainable safety. Safety net to 15 million of our who are live airing living invulnerable conditions has led to the target of five. Ercent growth by 2019 we believe we have laid a sound economic foundation. Encouraged by the fact that our foreign direct continues totlook be positive. One of the companies was in south africa for the first time expanded their investment. Inflow direct investment of eight point do billion u. S. Dollars which is double the figure for 2012. Young predicts such africa into south africa will average 12. 2 billion annually for the next four years. Foreign institutions and other investors also continued to seek opportunities within the continent, working with South African companies. Among the words best independent ofhe our courts and protection property rights. We also are recognized for transparency of policymaking. Another important study was done by Goldman Sachs last year, entitled to decades of freedom. Doing withafrica is it and what now needs to be done. Bank found much to admire in the performance between 1994 and 2015. Gdp from 136 billion 400 billion u. S. Dollars. We tamed inflation while more thanour tax base sevenfold. Capitalization under johannesburg stock grew eightfold. We increased the goal from 3 we really have a good about southl africas democratic rule. But, we are also the first to admit our work is not yet complete. We still have a long, hard hard road ahead. Fortunately we have a roadmap in the form of the National Development plan vision 2030. 2030 we want poverty to be history. Reduced, andto be an annualaverage 5. 4 . These are not easy targets, but with determination and hard work, nothing is impossible. Gentlemen, earlier we met with members of the u. S. Chamber of commerce. We have about 600 economy in the fashion investing u. S. Economy. The president of these companies demonstrate south africa is a viable investment destination. Forward to the further expansion of trade and Investment Opportunities with the u. S. And other key markets. The african growth and a powerful has been instrument in achieving this goal. Over 95 of our exports go into the u. S. Markets through all coop. It has also been opening up for many goods and services. To unconditional commitment ofng alcoa with south africa included among the beneficiaries. Gentlemen, let me hasten to add that south africa alone but asnot africanthe broader success story. We are working to integrate our and regional trade. We are promoting and powerization generation. We are transporting infrastructure to get our goods and internalarkets markets that we are creating. Together as african countries we are making progress and all of these areas. Transcontinental corridors to the south and east, west are realities. This to tap 40,000 hydropower also becoming a reality. Area turninge south africa into a market that 600 Million Consumers with a combined gdp of one trillion now a reality. And the prospect. Indicates how much we are reorganizing the continent of africa for the best. It is truly a reason of great wide challenges ofain in the areas of peace poverty and parts of the continent. Toy eased the determination find the african Led Solutions to african problems. Partnerships with the world in dealing with these challenges are important. Regard, we welcome the opportunity that this weeks u. S. African Leaders Summit to engage further on Economic Growth development and security. We think president obama for the invitation to participate in the summit. We are ready to discuss partnerships that would assist in making african Led Initiative succeed. We hope that the outcomes of the achieved and implemented through mechanisms. We also look forward to outcomes that would be coowned, by the participating nations. Gentlemen, we meet during a difficult time in the middle east. By killing of civilians israel. United nations shelters ofo condemned the killing israeli civilians by hamas. Upon all sides to lay to work towards a negotiated solution that would lead to the International Recognized and supported two state solution. We believe violence would not solve the israelipalestine problem. Negotiations, compromising that people must make in the spirit of give and take for the sake of a bigger future in the lives of their all. Of people. Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a real privilege to meet with you today. Africa has a good story to tell. We are open for investment, open for trade, tourism and open for partnerships. A better life for all of our people. Program i amhe with my minister and deputy minister put money on the table sure engageand i am where they feel necessary to emphasize or throw light on other issues. I thank you very much for the opportunity. [applause] thank you again for a very substantive speech. Now we have the traditional question and answer session. What industries in south africa will help the economy most to rebound this year from a weak First Quarter to the promised of reject a five percent growth . While well, we will be expecting all industries that will find an opportunity in south africa. As you know, south africa is one of the mining areas of the world. We are consoled by the fact that the relations between companies and the unions has a very good tradition in south africa. Those matters have been addressed by both government, the private sector and companies, as well as themselves. I am mentioning it because you cannot excuse mining in the industry that south africa will undertake for london long time to come, and therefore open for investment. Were also looking at energy. We have taken very key decisions energy mix, which includes the wind, hydro, all of the energies that we talk about. One thing that we deal with, exploding exploiting each of these but also aware that south has given up shale gas which americans would agree is an economic game changer. Oil andare discovering abundance of coal. Therefore the innocent issue of energy is very important. I am merely mentioning a few. Why should american businesses invest in south because the opportunities are open in south africa. I think we have a country that is democratic, constitutional democracy. It is entrenched in the constitution. Things, wellthe organized labor force. We have rules and regulations to deal with south africa. I think it has opened opportunities. What do you think the bricks bank will do that the world bank, imf and other Development Banks are not doing today caps day . The banks that have been there a long time have not been doing. But of course we are dealing african leader who has been there quite a while. There has been concern from the african later that an existing bank that has been there before has not succeeded to produce an example country that has been driving. That has tended to give concern. And therefore a mixed feeling. There has been a call that there must be reform mobile financial institutions. Bank comes from different countries. Among the south. Said it is there from the beginning to help people up developing countries. It will have a different for how it deals with developing countries and struggling countries. But as a hope that we have that what it will do things differently. No country can look at the bricks bank and say i need to be rescue and say it will not have more problems. We feel the countries would be taken out of the problems and helped so they can stand on their own. One more question about bricks. Not all are on solid ground. The brazilian and chinese have slowed for example. What effect will the slowdown have on the efforts . You would agree with me again that haveo country been driving. Everybody has been struggling so there is nothing new. Agree and i wish we had enough time because you even in the economic haddown somehow the brick money to address it. With all of the challenges that face, but brick countries but certainly be able to utilize the bank, better their position and also better position for the country. What are the major bilateral priorities between south africa and the United States in 2014 and over the next 35 years . I think with our plan of the remarks this morning and earlier that certainly the American Companies have a role to play with regard to the economy to grow as low as the continent. This will never go our way and be less important. Particularly on the matter were handling in south africa. The u. S. Companies have the experience and hope we will be there to share experience with together we will be able to move forward. Barack obama is the First American president of african descent. Has his engagement with African Affairs met your expectations, and do you think his background has influenced dealings with africans in any way . Has. S, it it has influenced dealings with africa, partly because of what was said. Background of african descent. Sayas an individual i would that has not happened to some degree because many people who looked at it from that point of view and therefore have made him to tread very carefully handling this matter. Believe he is i could have done more but always was aware of the fact, and therefore has navigated the situation very well. [applause] changing topic. Like interaction. I asked the president how he is doing, and he is doing fine. Is south africa at risk for ebola . What is your country doing to ensure the epidemic does not spread come and in what way is south africa assisting the west african nations. So far. Has been around in other parts of the continent. To thenever come down south. Of course south africa is working together with all Health Institutions in the continent to address the problem but there is no imminent risk to south africa. Even though you are not directly affected, i think many people would like to hear what you feel about what does the International Community need to do to successfully eliminate the ebola virus . How much money do you think it would take and who should well,e the financing . First, i think the world works together today through the world. Ealth organization there is no problem they are not tackling together. Ebola is one they must tackle together. Need, i canch you guess really. Ofhink that is a Matter Health practitioners who are dealing with this matter, given the challenge it poses, i am sure they will be able to provide that answer. How does the unrest in nigeria, Central Africa republic and other regions in Africa Impact development in south africa . What more needs to be done in terms of security to ensure africas continuing development. We have tried many remedies in terms of peacemaking and peacekeeping. Past there hast been new approaches to the problem that have affected some , as wellentral africa as north africa in particular, which was in a sense an overflow of the arab problems. We have taken a decision to a military capacity to be able to stop these. The discussions were taking longer. Going through that process, we better establish an action force that must be established by countries in the continent. Will have the capacity, possibility to address these issues so that by the time we come to the ideal situation you are in a better position to deal with any matter that is going to arise. What therefore we are calling upon from countries is the support of the initiative by the african countries. That they support the initiative. I think that is one point we will make two president barack obama. Related question, south africa has sponsored a very proactive peacekeeping force in the democratic republic of congo. Plans to expand at south africas military peacekeeping forces in the future . South africa is part of africa. It plays a role that other african countries clay. Some of the role it can play some of the countries cannot play, precisely because of the situations. Ofhave been in every part the continent as making our own contribution to peacemaking and peacekeeping. We will continue to do