1. It is an unusual act of reconciliation of one party to invite a representative of another party to participate in discussions on how to combat the problem of poverty alleviation.

2. It is an important step in the renewing of the spirit of political reconciliation in which Nelson Mandela had put so much energy.

3. Political reconciliation is high on the agenda of Mr. Jacob Zuma and a priority in his leadership initiatives.

4. This he has already illustrated by, amongst others, his visits to white squatter's camps.

5. The Freedom Front Plus has always followed the practice of non-confrontation in order for it to negotiate a better bargain for those whom it represents.

6. It is an approach which the ANC appreciates and which through the years has lead to points of cooperation between our two parties.

7. Such an agenda of political peaceful co-existence can only hold good things for our country and I would like to express my personal appreciation for the leadership of the Freedom Front Plus for their visionary approach.

8. Both the Freedom Front Plus and the ANC views the Afrikaner's contribution to nation  building and prosperity as an integral ingredient for the future recipe of South Africa.

9. In the political mix of good service delivery, economic growth and a safe country and region the Afrikaners have an extremely important role to play.

10. Both our parties have it as their aim to promote that role of the Afrikaner and to further develop it.

11. Both our parties also know that there are vast opportunities for the Afrikaner to play a role within and outside of the state machinery in combating poverty.

12. I see today a gathering - and I mean a coming together in its deepest meaning - as an act of and an opportunity for meaningful political economical partnership.

13. With that I mean that we can sometimes seriously differ politically with each other, but that we are both concerned in negotiating and creating a prosperous and safe future for our country.

14. I personally have the highest appreciation for those Afrikaner heroes who regarded - and still today regard - personal honour to be subject to the interest of the country. Some of those heroes did it in public view, others did it outside of the public's view. Today I honour them - both the known and the unknown ones.

15. The ANC had seriously considered where the starting point would be for the alleviation of poverty - a challenging task if a person takes into consideration the massive task which stares us in the face.

16. Other than once-off projects it is our feeling that our social transformation program, where we try to speed up service delivery and creation of infrastructure in the health, housing and education sector, is part of the solution.

17. Underlying this, is the conviction in our midst that great opportunities are created when one involves the poorest of the poor in projects within their own communities.

18. The starting point of this approach is that one creates skills, economic participation as well as increased income.

19. We would welcome inputs from experts from the Freedom Front Plus.

20. We are also of the opinion that the principle of participation by those who are targeted for poverty alleviation in various economic sectors should be promoted and made practical.

21. We still believe that commercial agriculture is a vehicle through which prosperity could be targeted.

22. If we could get the balance right of availability of land, availability of resources from the state, expertise training and partnerships between white farmers and black farmers, we could, in my opinion, succeed.

23. In sectors such as agriculture we should also think in terms of the region. South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have different resources, water resources and expertise in agriculture.

24. It is of cardinal importance to me that we develop a regional food basket which can provide in the needs of our people, but also create jobs and opportunities for those who are at present being chafed by the limitations of poverty.

25. As you know we thought deeply about the Expropriation Bill and we, after serious considerations, felt that it would not be the correct instrument to speed up the acquisition of land.

26. From different submissions it became clear for us that market values and the encouragement of cooperation and help and advice from the state would be a better way of promoting the acquisition of land.

27. The above however does not take away the responsibility from us to see to it that more people are advantaged through economic participation. Our country will only be peaceful when a larger number of people own property and assets which they want to protect.

28. I would like to repeat here which I have said in public recent weeks, i.e. that we have to get white expertise back into the government administration.

29. The exodus of white expertise from the public sector happened too fast and there are key areas in which we need the knowledge, experience and skills of white specialists.

30. As examples of this I refer to financial expertise, skills in the IT industry, as well as expertise in the medical services sector and certain sensitive areas of law-enforcement.

31. NP van Wyk Louw wrote about loyal resistance. In the ANC we have just gone through such a freeing process. We indeed also expect political loyal resistance from the Freedom Front Plus.

32. This spirit of political disagreement, but peaceful and constructive cooperation is deeply and sincerely appreciated by us.

33. My view on cooperation and partnership is well-known.

34. I once again extend my hand to you, my co-Afrikaner, in a spirit of practical cooperation so that, together we can make our country a better place for all to live in.

35. Lastly, I as an Afrikaner would like to close with a well-known slogan in our beautiful language, a saying which I share with you in the most positive spirit possible, and one which I would very much like to hear from more South Africans and especially leaders, i.e.:

36. I will.

37. I shall.

38. I can.

39. I believe the majority of our people want a better life, I believe the majority of people will have a better life, and I believe that each one of us here today can in a practical way make a huge difference to make that dream come true.

Let's do it together.

Thank you very much.

This is the text of the address by Dr. Mathews Phosa, Treasurer General of the African National Conference, at the Conference on Poverty, hosted by the FF Plus in Pretoria, August 29 2008. Issued by the Freedom Front Plus.