*  *  *  Your Excellency, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners Your Excellency, the Chief of State Protocol Your Excellencies, Heads of International Organisations represented in the Republic of South Africa Deputy Governors of the South African Reserve Bank Senior officers of the South African National Defence Force Senior Management of the South African Reserve Bank and their spouses/partners Financial Editors and other media representatives Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen This has been an eventful year.
Indeed, the roots of commercial banking in the United States can be traced to the development of community banks soon after the founding of the republic.