Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will tomorrow, Tuesday 29 June 2010 depart South Africa for Kinshasa, DRC ahead of the 50th anniversary celebrations of their independence.
This historic occasion will be attended by various African Heads of State, including the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon as well as the Belgian King Albert II amongst others. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will be supported by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ebrahim Ebrahim as well as senior government officials.
South Africa views this occasion as an important celebration not only for the DRC, but for the continent as well, said Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. He further added that, “South Africa remains closely linked to the DRC as it played a prominent role in guiding the negotiation which led to the 2006 election and that the celebrations should be seen as a symbol of hope that stability is returning to the country”.
Over the past six years, the country (DRC) has evolved as one of South Africa’s growing and leading trading partner in the region. In October 2009, both President Zuma as well as President Kabila co-chaired the Sixth Session of the Bi-National Commission in Pretoria where President Kabila led a delegation consisting of twelve ministers and senior government officials from various ministries in the Democratic Republic of Congo involved in joint projects with South Africa. The Bi-national Commission is the mechanism utilised to foster closer cooperation between the two countries.
Both countries cooperate in several projects covering various fields including security sector reform, capacity and institution building and infrastructure development.
The celebrations in Kinshasa will be preceded by a Gala Dinner followed by a big show at the Cite de l’Union Africaine on the evening of the 29 June 2010, a civilian and military parade on the morning of the 30 June 2010 as well as an Official Luncheon.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe returns to South Africa on 30 June 2010 ahead of a meeting that he will attend with President Jacob Zuma with organised labour on Thursday, 1 July 2010 at the Union Buildings.
For more information, contact:
Mr Vusi Mona
Cell: 082 047 2260
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/index.asp)
