The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique, Dr Veronica Nataniel Macamo Dhlovo, and a multiparty delegation from that legislature, visits Parliament on Tuesday, 10 September to hold talks with National Assembly (NA) Speaker, Mr Max Sisulu, and to sign a Protocol on Cooperation with Parliament.
The protocol commits the two legislatures to, among others:
- exchange experience and knowledge on Parliamentary activity
- organise regular meetings between the two Parliaments for exchange of experiences on issues of common interest
- conduct reciprocal study visits by Parliamentary delegations
- encourage the establishment of Parliamentary Friendship Groups
- exchange views and coordinate positions regularly on major international issues, especially those related to common geopolitical zones.
- consult each other through their respective delegations when taking part in meetings of international Parliamentary organisations where both countries are represented.
Dr Macamo Dhlovo’s visit follows Mr Sisulu’s official visit to Mozambique in December 2010. That visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two Parliaments and the cooperation protocol to be signed now formalises areas of cooperation identified and agreed upon.
At the level of the executive of both countries, there is already an agreement to establish a Bi-National Commission. That was signed in December 2011, when President Jacob Zuma paid a state visit to Mozambique. The agreement replaced earlier bilateral forums, such as the 1997 Heads of State Economic Bilateral Forum.
There is a history of friendship and solidarity between democratic South Africa and Mozambique and there are bilateral relations in trade, investment, tourism and security. The Maputo Development Corridor, linking Maputo with South Africa’s industrial heartland, epitomises these bilateral ties.
When Mr Sisulu visited Mozambique in 2010 he had the opportunity to pay a courtesy call to the President of the Republic of Mozambique and Dr Macamo Dhlovo will, likewise, have an opportunity to pay a courtesy call on President Zuma during her official visit.
While at Parliament, Dr Macamo Dlhovo and her multiparty delegation will attend the joint sitting which will debate Heritage Day under the theme: Reclaiming, restoring and celebrating our living heritage.
Media opportunities on 10 September
- 09h55: Arrival of Dr Macamo Dlhovo and her delegation at the steps to the NA building, where they are received by Mr Sisulu. The Parliamentary choir will also perform at the steps at that time.
- Mr Sisulu and Dr Macamo Dlhovo are conducted to the foyer of the NA where Dr Macamo Dlhovo signs the distinguished guest book.
- 10h10: Mr Sisulu and Dr Macamo Dlhovo are conducted to V8 in the Old Assembly building where they join their delegations for bilateral talks. Media may photograph and film at the beginning for about three minutes, before the meeting gets underway.
- 11h00: Mr Sisulu and Dr Macamo Dlhovo are conducted to the Queen’s Hall in the National Council of Provinces building, for the signing of the cooperation protocol and to exchange gifts.
- 14h00 to 14h55: Dr Macamo Dlhovo and her delegation attend the joint debate on Heritage Day.
- 15h00: Dr Macamo Dlhovo pays a courtesy call on National Council of Provinces Chairperson, Mr Mninwa Mahlangu.
Media, who do not have Parliamentary media access permits, who wish to make use of the media opportunities listed above should contact the Media Management Unit by 15h00 on Monday, 9 September 2013.
The following details should be supplied:
- Full name
- ID/passport number
- Name of media organisation and media group
- Designation (writer, photographer, for example)
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Mobile phone number
These details may be sent to the following media management unit officials:
- Nolizwi Magwagwa - nmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za (021 403 2465 or 083 313 1323) and
- Stuart Grobbelaar – sgrobbelaar@parliament.gov.za (021 403 8126 or 071 538 4670)
Filming in the NA Chamber is not allowed. But a live feed or recording of proceedings may be obtained from Parliament’s Sound and Vision Unit. Please notify the Media Management Unit if you wish to obtain this.
