The writing off of debts of several African nations is a welcome step and will help to lessen the burden on their struggling economies. I think South Africa is one of the key players that can utilize its resources in generating regional economic development within Africa.
South Africa to write off debt of several African nations](http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-02/09/content_1305934.htm) Xinhua News, 09 Feb 04
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Feb. 9 (Xinhuanet) – **The South African government said here on Monday that it is considering writing off the debt owed it by several African countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said in a pressbriefing at the parliament that the debt dated from the apartheid era, before the first democratic elections in 1994, and was granted by the previous government. **
She told the media that the countries involved included the Central African Republic, Gabon and Mozambique, but there were others as well. It did not appear there was any chance of getting the money back, and writing off the debt could be the best way to deal with the issue, she said. However, it was not clear how much money was involved, but the foreign minister pledged to check up on the matter.
Dlamini-Zuma also touched upon a wide range of the African issues, including Zimbabwe, Angola, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and the Pan-African Parliament which be launched in several months. She said that South Africa would not act like a big brother but rather a partner in the region and work together other countries to strengthen the solidarity.