The Minister of Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, is scheduled to host her counterpart from the Republic of Zimbabwe, Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, for the 4th Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), scheduled for 28 to 30 October 2012 in Pretoria.
South Africa and Zimbabwe formalised their structured bilateral cooperation with the signing of an Agreement establishing the Joint Commission for Cooperation in 1995. The JCC Agreement seeks to promote political, economic and social cooperation between the two countries.
The Senior Officials’ Session will take place on 28 to 29 October 2012, followed by the Ministerial Session on 30 October 2012, which will be co-chaired by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Minister Mumbengegwi.
South Africa and Zimbabwe not only enjoy historical political cooperation but also strong economic cooperation. The economies of the two countries are interlinked. Trade cooperation between the two countries is high to the extent that South African exports to Zimbabwe amounted to approximately R13.3 billion in 2009, R15 billion in 2010 and R16 billion in 2011, thus firmly placing Zimbabwe among South Africa’s top trading partners.
A large number of South African companies are operating in Zimbabwe, mainly in sectors such as mining, tourism, agriculture, banking, manufacturing and retail.
All media are invited as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Time: 15h00 - 15h30 Joint Press Conference (Media Room, DIRCO)
Venue: Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), OR Tambo Building, 460 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria
All media wishing to attend the press conference are invited to apply for accreditation, providing the following details:
- Full names (as in ID or Passport)
- ID or passport number
- Media House
- Designation, e.g. reporter, photographer
- Contact number(s)
- E-mail address.
NB: Media should please present their press cards and ID/passport when collecting accreditation cards. The venue for accreditation is Basement 1 (Gym) near the underground parking entrance of the OR Tambo Building. The accreditation Centre will be open from 8h00 on 30 October 2012.
RSVP:
Laoura Lazouras
Cell: 083 564 2024
E-mail: LazourasL@dirco.gov.za
For enquiries contact:
Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Cell: +27 82 884 5974
Nelson Kgwete
Cell: 076 431 3078
