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PRETORIA - Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang expressed the condolences of all South Africans and the government in her solidarity speech at the emergency tsunami summit in Jakarta on Wednesday.
"Africa and Asia have been bound together by 350 years of historical and cultural linkages," said Tshabalala-Msimang. The summit marks the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. The Bandung Conference held in 1955 was a historic milestone that brought the people of Africa and Asia closer together in the struggle for freedom, justice and human rights for Africa and Asia. Msimang reflected on the disaster and its aftermath, calling the death, suffering and displacements part of the biggest catastrophe of the 21st century. "Thousands of children were orphaned, scores of women widowed and families dislocated. Communities and nations, including our own, are devastated about the infrastructural loss," she said. The summit aims to unite and co-ordinate the global efforts to help deal with the pain and suffering of those affected. Calls have been made across the globe that the summit make a difference sooner rather than later. The South African government has unleashed a massive response to help the affected countries both financially and materially. Furthermore, an inter-ministerial committee has been established and has mandated the Jakarta delegation to assess the extent of the needs. - Sapa
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