Address by H.E Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy, and Agriculture, African Union Commission

on the occasion of The Dinner Gathering for the Launch of the African Journal of Rural Development and the Premiere of the RUFORUM Documentary’

Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
24 November, 2014, 18:15

• Thank you, Dr. Moses Osiru, Deputy Executive Director, RUFORUM,
• My sister Angela Thokozile Didiza, one a Minister always a Minister, so, I say: Honourable Minister
• There are many distinguished personalities, so, I am going to say: Ladies and Gentlemen, All Protocol observed.

The documentary was a great piece; I have loved it.
Africa is on take-off and we need to thump ourselves on the chest.

1. I believe that we have had a wonderful evening, not just in terms of the sumptuous dinner but also in terms of the invaluable content presented to us.

2. When I launched the RUFORUM Business Plan in Addis Ababa in November 2011, it was clear to me that we were witnessing the growth and maturity of an African-led organisation with a vision and leadership commitment to advancing agricultural development in Africa. I am happy to be here today to witness further growth and to see that you have done what you promised in the Business Plan.

3. Today, we witness your transformation from a sub-regional organisation, to an organisation extending services to the wider Africa. This is something I and colleagues at African Union Commission have been wishing for: thank you very much. We at African Union commit to support your activities, especially as we work to implement the Science Agenda for African Agriculture, sustaining the momentum of the Complehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), within the specific framework of Accelerated African Agricultural Growth ad Transformation and the overall context of Africa Agenda 2063.

4. I am also pleased with your sustained efforts in support of agriculture and rural development in Africa. It is right and fitting that we all accord due attention to this sector as it supports the overwhelming majority of our population. It is, therefore, with uttermost pleasure that I formally launch the African Journal of Rural Development, and I call upon researchers and other actors across Africa and beyond to use this Journal to share their insights, information, knowledge and experiences on issues affecting rural development in Africa. Thank you, RUFORUM, for making it an open resource journal.

5. Well the RUFORUM Documentary; you ve watched it. What can I say? Thank you for the vision, the focus on supporting Africa’s development and touching on the lives of African citizens. It is remarkable and refreshing that African Universities are, indeed, at the forefront of supporting transformative change in Africa. I salute you and encourage you to keep going. We look forward to our continued collaboration.

6. Ladies and Gentlemen, we had a long day; we have had an interesting evening. I want to thank RUFORUM for hosting this occasion and for the great service to Mother Africa, and I say: Good night.