I begin my remarks this morning by leaning on Nelson Mandela's words, the founding President of our democratic nation.

Writing as a president in waiting about South Africa’s future foreign policy, President Mandela argued:

“Because the world is a more dangerous place, the international community dare not relinquish its commitment to human rights.”

In setting out the pillars upon which our foreign policy should rest, Mandela stressed that

“The considerations of justice and respect for international law should guide relations between nations.”

I lean on President Mandela deliberately.

Nowadays, much work is being done to use his words and repurpose his actions in the service of projects he would have rejected. We are all aware of attempts – both domestically and abroad – to cast the Mandela administration’s commitment to reconciliation and nation-building as incompatible with the imperative to address historic injustice.