National identity struggle goes on as Brazil turns 199 years old

For the second time around, we will not be able to celebrate with our friends from South Africa and from so many nations represented in Pretoria the anniversary of the Independence of Brazil – the 199th – which takes place today.

However, the message we would like to convey during the celebrations remains the same: it is an honour to commemorate this very important date in this country that is Brazil’s strategic partner and that shares with us the important diplomatic mechanisms of the Brics [Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA], Ibsa [India, Brazil and SA] and the G-20, in addition to being a partner of unique importance in the African political history that Brazil has been developing for decades as a state policy.

Indeed, South Africa is today a unique partner in the continued Brazilian effort, which endures for nearly two centuries, to build a great independent, democratic, prosperous and sovereign country, albeit open to the world and proud of its African roots.

In this long period beginning in 1822, Brazilians undertook and continue to undertake an immense struggle for the construction of their national identity and their economic, political, social and cultural development.

That is what independence is all about for countries like ours – a continuous effort, demanding the tireless labour of all of society to build a better present and a future of peace and prosperity under a democratic system.

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In two centuries of existence, we Brazilians have experimented with many political structures, consolidated our territory and our institutions, adopted sustainable development as the common objective of all Brazilians and built our democracy, which we continue to strengthen, with the goal of having a socially strong, institutionally powerful, culturally vibrant and economically developed and thriving country.

In this undertaking, which undoubtedly unites all Brazilians beyond the differences of opinion that democracy – and only democracy – should manage, the friendship with South Africa, a country with so singularly heroic a history in the construction of its own democracy, constitutes a powerful support tool.

It is indeed a privilege to be able to celebrate every year, in South Africa, together with our independence, a consolidated and strong relationship, built, since 1994, on the firm and solid basis of an immense identity of challenges, potentials, the commitment to sustainable development and to overcoming social and regional inequalities that affect us in a very similar way.

The pillars upon which we develop our relations are varied.

They encompass – among others:

• The political relationship that is expressed in an intense dialogue on international and regional issues that concern us;
• The fruitful high-level bilateral dialogue;
• The commitment to expand our network of agreements and memoranda of understanding to provide a solid basis for our bilateral cooperation and the cooperation;
• The cooperation that we have developed and that today involves very concrete areas such as the defence industry, biofuels, science, technology and innovation, especially agricultural and space technologies, information and communication technologies, security and the fight against crime and the cooperation on environmental issues, with emphasis on the administration of national parks;
• And tourism itself, which will resume after the pandemic.

In short, ours is an intense relationship, resistant to the vicissitudes that affect us simultaneously or alternately.

A relationship that allows us to walk together, disagreeing only when necessary or circumstantial, always looking at what we have built together: a beautiful common story since 1994, which unites not only states, but peoples, and a mutually valuable friendship that we must always care for and promote.

On this 7 September, still marked by the pandemic that imposed so many sacrifices and losses on us all, we Brazilians wish to transmit to all South Africans our thanks for your friendship – and for joining us in this very challenging task of building and consolidating the independence of Brazil.

–Sergio Franca Danese has been ambassador of Brazil to South Africa since December 2020