"Hierdie is ʼn kontinent met ongelooflike potensiaal. Hierdie kontinent gaan die wêreld van môre vorm."

Dit was die boodskap van mnr Edward (Ed) Randall Royce, Voorsitter van die Huis se Buitelandse Sake-komitee van die Amerikaanse Kongres, by ʼn spesiale geleentheid by die Wallenberg Navorsingsentrum by STIAS op Stellenbosch waar hy deur die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) vereer is met die instansie se prestigeryke Pro Bene Merito-toekenning.

Royce, sedert 1993 ʼn lid van die Amerikaanse Huis van Verteenwoordigers vir Kalifornië se 39ste Kongresdistrik , het die toekenning ontvang vir sy rol in die bevordering van ekonomiese, politieke en omgewingsbelange in Afrika en spesifiek vir sy rol in AGOA , Pepfar en die Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Die toekenning word net in baie spesiale omstandighede toegeken vir uitsonderlike diens aan die Universiteit of aan die sameleweing – veral in Afrika – wat op plaaslike op internasionale vlak kan wees. 

In sy aanvaardingstoespraak het Royce gesê dat hy al wyd en vêr in Afrika gereis het en “waar ek ook al gaan, word ek getref deur die enorme potensiaal en die lewenskrag van die ekonomieë en geleenthede van die kontinent. Die jongmense wat ek hier ontmoet het, is van die beste, skerpsinnigste en het ʼn ongelooflike visie vir hul eie gemeenskappe van wat hulle wil sien gebeur in Afrika. En ten spyte van al die uitdagings, is hierdie land vol optimisme. "

[Volledige mediavrystelling in Afrikaans volg.]

An attitude towards Africa

He added that that the US Congress has developed an attitude towards Africa. “We've worked hard on this over the years. We have a strong majority of Republicans and Democrats who share that optimism with you." He said this will lead to building strong partnerships between the USA and economies across Africa.

Royce is an original sponsor of the 2000 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to encourage investment in African export sectors by opening the US market to products grown or manufactured in Africa. He also led the 10-year renewal of AGOA and it has since been renewed to 2025.

He also rallied Republicans to fund the two African initiatives of the George W Bush presidency: Pepfar and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The latter embodies Royce's commitment to promoting the rule of law in Africa. Pepfar has affected the lives of millions of people across the globe while the Millennium Challenge Corporation has changed collective thinking on development spending.

According to Royce, South Africa has benefitted the most by AGOA and he used as an example wine exports that have increased five fold with the USA now the 5^th largest market for South African wine.

“PEPFAR saved countless lives and has stemmed the tied of HIV infection that threatened to wipe out a generation of young people in Africa," he added and also referred to the Electrify Africa Act that will significantly reduce the reliance on wood, charcoal and toxic fuels and drive capacity.

The fight against wildlife trafficking is one of Royce's' passions and he introduced anti-poaching and illicit trade of African wildlife legislation and steered it into law in 2016. This Act, Royce said in his acceptance speech, comes in the nick of time. “The effort to stop the extermination of these species – of rhino and elephant – really allows us to leverage our resource to help African countries conserve that majestic and unique habitat that provide these economic opportunities to so many people in Africa."

Royce also referred to the Build Act and said that it will double Africa's ability to finance private sector development in Africa. “These initiatives are especially important in a time when we're seeing increasing investment in Africa from the international community." He added that he welcomes increased investment in the continent and that the US must compete for the continent's business. 

In his presentation, Royce also made mention of leading a first delegation to South Africa in 1997 and meeting the then President, Mr Nelson Mandela and that an inspiring vision of South Africa and the country, presented by the South African business leader, Mr Whitey Basson, stuck with him.

Royce, who has announced that he will not be seeking re-election in November, is concluding his term with his last visit to Africa in office and has decided to include Stellenbosch due to links to tralac (Trade Law Centre) who conducted work on AGOA and links to the Water Institute and others in the field of conservation.​

Ondersk​rif: Prof Stan du Plessis, US-Bedryfshoof; mnr Ed Royce, Voorsitter van die Huis se Buitelandse Sake-komitee van die Amerikaanse Kongres; en dr Ronel Retief, US-Registrateur.​