there has been a concern from the african leaders that the existing banks that have been there before have not succeeded to produce an example country that has helped successfully and it is now this -- give concern and therefore a mixed feeling. that's why there's been a call that there must be a reform of these global financial institutions. and of course they are old institutions. the bricks bank comes from among developing countries, comes from the south. it has said from the beginning it is there to help countries develop the developing

countries. certainly it is going to have different approach, how it deals with struggling countries and developing countries. and that's a hope that we have, that it is going to do things differently. no country will go to the bricks bank and say i need to be rescued and find it not being rescued, but to more problems. we believe the countries that deal with the bricks bank will be taken out of the problem and indeed to be helped so that they can stand on their own. >> one more question on bricks. not all of the bricks are on the most solid economic ground. the brazilian and chinese economies have slowed. what effect will the slowdown have on the bricks' efforts?

>> while you'll agree with me again that there is no country that can say since the economic meltdown they have been thriving. everybody has struggling. you'll also agree -- i wish we had enough time because you'll agree that even the economic slowdown, somehow the bricks countries needed stock at some point and managed perhaps to address it quicker than it would have been. and we believe that with all of the challenges that face some of these countries, but certainly to be able to utilize the bank, better their positions, and also better positions for the

countries. >> what are the major bilateral priorities between south africa and the united states in 2014 and over the next three to five years? >> i think with our plan -- in light of market this morning in elia, certainly the american companies have a role to play with regard to the south africa to grow, as well as the continent. this will never go away and will never be less important. very important, given their experiences, particularly on the matters we're handling in south africa. the u.s. companies have the experience and we hope they will be able to share the experience with us and certainly working

together, we'll be able to move forward. >> barack obama is the first american president of african dedescent. has his engagement with african affairs met your expectations and do you think his background has influenced his dealings with african issues in any way? >> yes, it has. it has influenced his dealings with africa partly because of you have said. his background of the african descent. as an individual that has not helped to some degree. many people have looked at it from that point of view and africa has made to tread very carefully. i think that's a reality.

i believe he could have done more, but i think he always was aware of the fact. therefore, he has navigated that situation very well. >> changing topics. i asked the president how he's doing. he's doing fine. sir, is south africa at risk for ebola? what is your country doing to ensure the epidemic does not spread and in what way is south africa assisting the afflicted west african nations? >> no, south africa is in no

risk so far. ebola, i think, has been around for a long time in other parts of the continent. it has never come down to the south. of course, south africa is working together with all health institutions in the continent to address the problem. but there is no imminent risk to south africa. >> even though you're not directly affected, i think many people here would like to hear what you feel about what does the international community need to do to successfully eliminate the ebola virus. how much money do you think it would take and who should provide that financing? >> well, firstly i think the

world works together today through the world held organizations. there is no problem that they are not tackling together. ebola is one of those that they must tackle together, as something that threatens humanity. as to how much you need, i can't guess really. i think that's a matter of health practitioners who are dealing with this matters, given the challenges they face. and i'm sure they will be able to provide that answer. >> how does the unrest in nigeria, central african republic and other regions of africa impact development in south africa. what more needs to be done in terms of security to ensure

africa's continued development? >> well, any part of the continent, impact on the continent -- we discussed this in the a.u. continuously. we have tried many remedies. in the recent past, there has been new approaches to the problem that have affected some parts in the central africa, as well as north africa in particular, which was in a sense an overflow of arab problems. we have taken a decision to establish a military capacity by

the a.u. to be able to stop these. but the discussions were taking longer. we then thought, instead of going through that process, we better establish an action forth that must be established by volunteering countries in the continent who will have the capacity, the possibility to address these issues so that by the time we come to the ideal situation, but you are in a better position to deal with any matter that is going to arise. what, therefore, we are calling upon from big countries is the support of that initiative by the african countries, that they should support our initiative. i think that's one of the points we'll be making to president barack obama. >> a related question. south africa has sponsored a

very proactive peace keeping force in the democratic republic of congo. are there plans to expand south africa's peace-keeping forces in the future? >> with south africa, part of africa it plays a role that other african countries play. some of the role that it can play, some of the countries cannot play precisely because of the sizes, because of the situations. we have been in every part of the continent as making our own contribution to peacemaking and peace keeping. we will continue to do so as long as there is trouble in the continent. >> sir, islamic extremism is now a significant issue across the african continent from boko

haram in nigeria to al-shabaab in somalia and networks in between. to what extent, if any, has this issue affected south africa and how do you see the problem arriving in the next decade and what part will south africa play? >> anything that happens in the continent to some extent affects south africa. the issue of these extreme kind of activities have affected africa. we have not just looked at it as a country, but the continent in the a.u. has discussed this matter. part of the remedy i talked about earlier relates to these. that we have a quick reaction force to deal with these issues in many of the areas where it

emerges. the african countries have in fact completed a plan to deal with. it is a question of how much is going to be supported. we believe if it is allowed to be rooted in some areas, it will set and spread to other areas. therefore, we are coming together to ensure that it is stopped. km not take quicker, given the -- cannot take quicker, given the demand to other countries. we have taken the decision there are some areas where we succeeded to stop such activities. and i believe that from now on we are going to accelerate our activities to deal with this problem.

>> corruption has often skimmed much-needed development dollars from people who most need it in many countries of the region. what should african nations do to root out the this corruption and save development dollars? >> when countries would have their own way how to handle it as different countries, but it is an issue we talk about. we agree it is not wanted in the continent of africa. i think we have great agreement in the a. u. but of course there is an issue of specific countries, what specific countries do. if you take south africa for an example, we have remedies emanating from the laws to the

institutions that have been established. in fact, we have a number of people that have been arrested that are serving in prison. we are dealing with it, but it needs people to act together and countries to work together because those who commit crime or who are corrupt -- corruption is not a one-street kind of thing. it's a two-way thing. we work together, all of us, how we address it is a matter to deal with. in some areas you don't hear much of the talk about fighting corruption and that it is there. but in some areas it is talked about, it is acted upon. we are one country that has elaborate kind of structures and

remedies that address corruption. >> among south africa's biggest problems is the persistent racial and class divide of the nation. how long do you see that lasting and what are the steps the government is implementing to make it less severe? >> with the class -- the class division has a peculiar history. racism. in south africa as a given time just by race, you identified in a particular category of class. those are the matters we are dealing with. and i think we are making headways because we are tackling poverty, inequality, which we

said is a problem. and the gap between the rich and the poor, which perpetuates the class divisions. it is a matter that we cannot put a date that by this date we will deal with it. the matter we are going to deal with it as much as we can. but we think tackling poverty and inequality will go long way to address the issue. >> south africa has recently launched an ambitious nuclear program. what role will nuclear energy play in the development of south africa's economy? >> we believe it will play a greater role. energy is very critical to economic development. we have a great plan to utilize

our energy to help develop our economy and we believe very, very soon there will be a -- what role it plays. we are not looking at energy only as a country. we are looking at it from original point of view as well as the continental point of view. i cashed upon inga project that we believe will go a long way to augment whatever south africa is doing, but to southern africa and to the whole continent. >> aids remains a problem. the pharmaceutical companies are doing all they can do to make anti-aids drugs affordable? >> yes, i think they are trying

their best. they are trying their best and i think today it is far better than what it was when the pandemic started. you know that south africa was one of the countries that was being criticized very highly with regard to h.i.v. and aids. but today you'll agree that many countries say that south africa is an example because of our programs. if that is the case, i think that gives hope that we can deal with this in a shorter time than we could realize. >> a question related to the middle east. your party to questioner has called to expel the israeli ambassador. do you agree with that position? >> well, as you know, there are

demonstrations in south africa where this call was made. people were worried about what was happening. i think as a free country, a country with free expression, people indicated how they are feeling and made that call. but i believe calling an ambassador is not just a simple matter, particularly if you take the complexity of the problem with the middle east with regard to palestine and israel. particularly because we believe we have an example as a country, an experience that we can offer, we think the manner which we take our actions with regard to the israeli issue, it must take

that into account so that we don't do something that could in fact prevent you to do the more good thing. we believe that and we have offered this to both sides -- that we come from a conflict that nobody has ever thought it would be resolved. we resolved it. we are an example we believe we can offer. if we count ourselves in that kind of level, it means whatever we do, we must bear that in mind. and, therefore, it cannot be a quicker thing to say call the ambassador. we ought to say what will benefit both countries or the middle east in the long end. and as a country, we do have to take a bigger picture.

>> one last question before our final question. this is a question -- the final question is generally on a more lighter note and we're just building up to that. this is a question that's related to many countries, but specifically what steps are considered or implemented to protect women and girls in south africa from violence of all kinds? >> with that question in south africa -- south africa is very active on that issue in terms of taking the position of women and children, it's taken very seriously. fighting very hard, the entire country. we have taken a position to empower women, not just to talk about them, but to give them

responsibilities in the decision making so that they are part of the process of addressing that issue. so an issue that we will fight continuously in south africa, how to protect women and children, is part of our leading programs in the country. >> thank you, sir. if you could just stand by for the final question. but, first, we are almost out of time. but before asking the last question, we have a couple of housekeeping matters to take care of. first of all, i'd like to remind you about our upcoming events and speakers. on september 18th there will be john state your full name ceo of wells fargo will speak. on september 19th, larry mur low, president and ceo of c v s corporation. the chair of our committee is here. the vice chair are working hard

to complete bringing you a very full program for the rest of the year. next, i'd like to present our guest with the traditional national press club mug. we are honored to do so as we did to nelson mandela. >> now the last question. sir, much has been said about nelson mandela's profound impact on your nation and the world. can you share your recollections of your experiences with him that will inform us about the kind of man he was? >> thank you very much for that question. and of course nelson mandela has always been a special man.

we who joined the struggle that he was leading at one point shared many things. i don't know which one you can talk about. but his greatness was felt by us as the followers of him when he was the volunteering chief, when i joined, i was a volunteer. so he was my commander. but there are many things that he did. his appearances in court twice in 1932, i think summarized what we all stood for. it reminded me -- and i was telling the story recently -- when he left to prison, he visited a -- he addressed the

public meeting first or as a last public act, 1961. among the people who were there was an old generalist. i'm remembering that because i'm among the generalists. he was asked to give an accounting of that day. he said he came such as the venue changed, was supposed to be there. with some difficulties, he came to the smaller hall than usual. this generalist -- we were there as volunteers, not wanting things to do go wrong. he looked around, found a window on top. so he jumped to the window and pulled himself inside. and where he came, people had no opportunity but to allow it. there was no way to push him

around. without realizing, a few police -- political police in south africa, called them special branch, were there taking notes as he was speaking. and he said he took his notes to report the following day. when mandela finished speaking, there was a bit of a scuff and he did not know that a scuffle was preorganized, prearranged, because it was meant to protect him as he escaped. some people pretend sick. he says as he finished, one of the special branch turned to the other and said, this is like a

state of the nation having been given by the president of the united states. thank you. >> before concluding, i'd like to take this opportunity to give two special thank yous and acknowledgments. first to his excel ensy, abraham, the ambassador of south africa who has worked closely with the national press club, starting with the south african night honoring the life, legacy and values of nelson mandela and for whom we are grateful for your support and the support of all your colleagues in the embassy who put this program together, sir. second, i'd like to acknowledge the president today of washington, d.c. mayor vincent gray. mr. mayor, could you please

stand? he signed a sister city agreement with the executive mayor of -- both cities are national capitals of their respective nations and we are pleased to recognize them today as sister cities. ladies and gentlemen, thank you again for coming today. thank you especially to aur very special guest of honor and pleased to thank you once again and to say we are adjourned. >> a couple of live events today on on c-span 3. the sner center for strategic and international studies looked at how to expand solar energy. at noon, the alliance for health reform hosts a forum on

so-called navigators of sisters and broker in the open enrollment in the health insurance marketplace. in a few moments a look at today's headlines, plus your calls live on "washington journal." just after 11:00 eastern, live coverage of a u.s.-africa business forum discussion on infrastructure. we'll return to that event at the commerce department at 1:50 p.m. eastern when secretary of state john kerry moderates a panel with the presidents of ro wanda and other leaders. they will hear from president barack obama at 2:45 p.m. eastern. in about 45 minutes we'll look at the issues members of congress will be dealing with during their august recess, leading up to the fall elections. our guest is sabrina siddiqui, political reporter for the

"huffington post." at 8:30 eastern we'll be joined by charles lewis, author of "935 lies," the future of truth and the decline of america's moral integrity. "washington journal" is next. >> good morning. it's tuesday, august 5th. it is primary today in four states. many will be watching in kansas to see if pat roberts can be knocked out there. in washington, african heads of states are here for the first-ever summit held by the obama administration. deals between african countries andus companies are expected to be announced today. president barack obama