Pretoria: Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe of the Republic of South Africa will jointly host a series of activities in South Africa with his counterpart, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as part of the 10th year anniversary celebrations of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC), from 26 to 29 October 2009, in South Africa and 12 to 14 November in Nigeria.
The planned BNC activities are premised within the broader framework of promoting trade and investment in the African continent as well as enhancing people to people cooperation and institution building between South Africa and Nigeria. With regard to trade, exports and imports flows between South Africa and Nigeria registered substantial growth over the period 1999 to 2007, from R181 3578 000 to almost R11 billion in 2007. This increase in growth can be attributed to an increase in the demand for energy resources in South Africa; hence 98% of imports from Nigeria are crude oil. Most notably is the fact that, prior to 1999, there were only four South African companies in Nigeria. Since 1999, the situation has changed dramatically, with over 100 companies currently doing business in Nigeria.
Activities to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the South Africa-Nigeria BNC will include amongst others the business round table; academic activities; trade fair; sporting activities; arts and culture; fashion week; civil society seminars; gala dinner; joint parliamentary activities and a women and youth forum.
The theme of the celebrations is "South Africa – Nigeria Bi-National Commission: Celebrating 10 year anniversary and is aimed at highlighting and projecting the noble objectives of this milestone. The BNC activities will be co-hosted by South Africa and Nigeria in both capitals. South Africa will host its 10th anniversary celebrations from 26 to 29 October 2009 and Nigeria to host its 10th anniversary celebrations from 12 to 14 November 2009 ahead of the third session of the Review Council meeting, scheduled for 14 to 15 November in Abuja, Nigeria.
During the First Review Council meeting between the former Deputy President of South Africa, Ms Baleka Mbete and Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in Pretoria on 9 December 2008 an agreement was reached that South Africa and Nigeria would mark and celebrate this milestone (10 years) of the BNC, with a view to further consolidate the already strong bilateral relations that exist between South Africa and Nigeria.
The BNC was borne out of a commitment by South Africa and Nigeria to effectively structure bilateral relations through the establishment of a Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Nigeria, the inaugural session of which was held in Abuja from 4 to 5 October 1999 under the co-chairmanship of the Former Deputy and Vice Presidents of South Africa and Nigeria, respectively.
Calendar of events of the 10th year anniversary celebration of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC)
Events in South Africa: Sports activities
Host country: South Africa
Approved dates: 24 October 2009
Number of days: 1
Events in South Africa: Pre-launch media interview
Host country: South Africa
Approved dates: 26 October 2009
Number of days: 1
Events in South Africa: Civil Society Groups
Host country: South Africa
Approved dates: 26 to 28 October 2009
Number of days: 3
Events in South Africa: Educational exchanges
Host country: Nigeria/South Africa
Approved dates: 26, 27 and 28 October 2009
Number of days: 3
Events in South Africa: Joint parliamentary activities
Host country: South Africa
Approved dates: 28 to 29 October 2009
Number of days: 2
Events in South Africa: Gala Dinner
Host country: South Africa
Approved dates: 29 October 2009
Number of days: 1
Events in South Africa: Women's Forum
Host country: South Africa
Approved dates: 26 to 27 October 2009
Number of days: 3
Events in South Africa: Media activities
Host country: South Africa
Approved dates: 23 to 29 October 2009
Number of days: 7
Events in Nigeria: Trade exhibition
Host country: Nigeria
Approved dates: 12 to 14 November 2009
Number of days: 3
Events in Nigeria: Business Round Table
Host country: Nigeria
Approved dates13 to 14 November 2009
Number of days: 2
Events in Nigeria: Fashion show
Host country: Nigeria
Approved dates: 13 to 14 November 2009
Number of days: 2
Events in Nigeria: Youth Forum
Host country: Nigeria
Approved dates: 13 November 2009
Number of days: 1
Events in Nigeria: Gala dinner
Host country: Nigeria
Approved dates: 14 November 2009
Number of days: 1
Events in Nigeria: Media activities
Host country: Nigeria
Approved dates: 6 November 2009
Number of days: 1
For more information contact:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
22 October 2009
