President Mandela,

As I said this morning, I have been hoping, ever since I came here in 1947, that one day I could pay a State Visit to South Africa. Forty-eight years is a long time in anyone’s life, but I know well that those years were much more painful for you than they were for me. I was therefore delighted to receive your invitation, and am even more so to be here now. Prince Philip has told me how you welcomed him at your inauguration, and the reception we have both received today has been unforgettable.

On my last visit, my parents, sister and I were away from home for nearly three-and-a-half months, visiting the countries of Southern Africa. I have much enjoyed, in recent weeks, refreshing my happy memories of our journey, not least of celebrating my twenty-first birthday here in Cape Town. I recall the beauty of this land, its variety, and the rich tapestry of the peoples we met as we crossed the country by land, sea and air.

This morning I quoted from the speech my father gave in Parliament during our tour: tonight I want to mention something he said three days after our return, when he spoke at Guildhall in London:

“Nobody who travelled through the length and breadth of their wonderful sunlit country can fail to be impressed, and heartened by the faith in its destiny that animates all who live in it and love it so well…..If our visit has done anything to strengthen the bonds which, please God, will always unite us within our great fellowship of nations, then, perhaps, we have in some measure repaid them for the wonderful and unforgettable experience that they have given us.”

I remember that experience vividly and am grateful for the opportunity to renew it.

But while South Africa’s scenery remains as spectacular as it was, the political contours have changed for ever. That famous and courageous vigil kept by you, Mr President, on Robben Island, did much to bring about that change. Now, under your wise and generous leadership, South Africa is emerging onto the world stage as a champion of reconciliation, harmony and democracy. There will be more changes, and some of them may present real difficulties. I wish you, Mr President, Deputy Presidents Mbeki and de Klerk, and Minister Buthelezi, and all your colleagues, God speed in your noble endeavour.

South Africa has an important international role to play. No-one present at the celebrations last year in London when you rejoined the Commonwealth will ever forget that day. They marked a happy return, and the start of the contribution, which South Africa will make to the values and ideals of the Commonwealth. That contribution will, I hope, include the bringing of peace to countries on this continent which are, from time to time, beset by violence.

Mr President, like so many others in Britain, my family have had a close association with South Africa for much of this century. Only eight years after our two countries had been at war, with all the pain and suffering which that entailed, especially for the Afrikaner people, Queen Victoria’s son, the Duke of Connaught, laid the foundation stone of the Union Building in Pretoria. Ten years later in 1920, his son became Governor-General. Last year, Prince Philip attended your Inauguration at the very same Union Building and has been associated with what is now the President’s Award Scheme. Our daughter, The Princess Royal, had a memorable visit here last November. My Silver Jubilee Trust is working with your National Youth Development Forum to create “The Nation’s Trust” here in South Africa for the benefit of young people. And I was delighted to hear, Mr President, that you have agreed to join me as Co-patron of the Africa ‘95 Festival in Britain this year.

Our journey through South Africa this week will recall many of these connections, old and new. I especially look forward to visiting Khayelitsha, Soweto and other towns, and to seeing how the hope inspired by change is giving people a new found confidence, and sense of proportion and direction. We shall be meeting representatives of all the communities that make up Archbishop Tutu’s “Rainbow People of God”: that is why we are here, and it is that which will give us most pleasure.

Tomorrow, we set off on our journey. It will be an exciting and poignant experience and I look forward to sharing my impressions with you at our journey’s end in Durban.

I drink to your health, Mr President, and to the prosperity, peace and happiness of the South African people.