Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet with you today, and to experience South Africa first hand. And thank you all for the warm welcome. I have been very impressed by the South African hospitality and the friendliness I have met during my stay.

The collaboration between Denmark and South Africa dates back to the fight against apartheid. Since then, the cooperation between our two countries has included programmes on governance and human rights, skills development to increase employment opportunities for young people, environment, business-to-business partnerships, and efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. And now healthy lifestyles and diabetes awareness.

Even though Denmark and South Africa are different in many aspects, we face some of the same challenges when it comes to the importance of active and healthy lifestyles.

Type II diabetes is a lifestyle related disease. If you are overweight, eat unhealthy, and don’t get enough exercise you are at risk. Left untreated, diabetes will cause serious health problems.

I am pleased that Denmark is able to contribute to making South Africa a place where the poorest sections of society also have an opportunity to benefit from a healthy lifestyle.

The “Smart Living” project addresses all these aspects, and will hopefully contribute to create healthier societies. And the focus on young people will also ensure that the important knowledge is carried forward to the next generation.

The Soccer World Cup that is currently being held right here in South Africa will hopefully motivate everybody to become more active and involved in sports.

I want to urge you to seek further information and use this opportunity to get screened for diabetes today. The screenings will be available in the Novo Nordisk truck.

With these words, I am pleased to have visited Daveyton with you today and look forward to a fruitful collaboration between Denmark and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan.

Thank you very much and good luck to both Denmark and Bafana Bafana.