T Mbeki and N Dlamini Zuma to attend inauguration of President of
Liberia, 16 Jan

15 January 2006

Tshwane – South African President Thabo Mbeki will depart from South Africa
on Monday, 16 January 2006, for Monrovia, Liberia where he will attend the
inauguration of Africa’s first female Head of State, Liberian President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf.

President Thabo Mbeki will be supported by Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma who will depart from Côte d’Ivoire for Liberia on Monday, 16
January 2006.

President Thabo Mbeki on 24 November 2005 conveyed the congratulations of
the South African government and people to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on her
election saying, "Your election is indeed a victory not only for Liberian women
in particular but also represents a beacon of hope for women in Africa and the
world in general. It most eloquently makes the unequivocal statement that,
indeed, a new dawn has arrived for African women."

President Thabo Mbeki also assured the President-elect that the South
African government stands ready and committed to assist in the country’s
steadfast movement toward the consolidation of democracy and good
governance.

President Thabo Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Monday, 16
January 2006.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
15 January 2006