The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Jacob G Zuma will receive His Excellency Mr Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia, on a state visit to South Africa scheduled for 2 to 3 December 2010.
President Banda’s visit takes place within the context of consolidating the African Agenda through the enhancing and deepening of the political, economic and social relations between South Africa and Zambia.
This visit is aimed at strengthening the already existing cordial relations between the two countries which were further enhanced by President Zuma’s State Visit to Zambia in December 2009.
The two Presidents will discuss amongst others:
- Cooperation in the key bilateral priority areas such as economic cooperation, energy, mining, agriculture, health and environment
- Mutual cooperation at regional level, especially within SADC, as both countries are members of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security; and
- Discussions on broad issues affecting the continent within the context of the AU, as well as enhanced cooperation in dealing with multilateral issues such as the reform of the global institutions of governance in particular the United Nations Security Council.
Though South Africa is the largest exporter to Zambia, the trade balance shows a steady decline of South Africa’s exports, which were valued at R11.2 billion and R7 billion in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
The same decline applies to imports, as the statistics show R1.6 billion in 2009 and 1.4 billion in 2010.
This notwithstanding, Zambia remains one of South Africa’s top ten (10) trading partners on the Continent.
South African exports to Zambia consist mostly of machinery and mechanical appliances, fertilisers, petroleum oils, motor vehicles, edible fruits and cereals.
Imports, on the other hand, include mainly copper and other base metals, copper concentrates, other ores, sugar, tobacco, coffee and cotton.
It is expected that during his visit, His Excellency President Banda will lay wreaths on the tombstones of the late ANC President OR Tambo and his wife, Mrs Adelaide Tambo.
The two Heads of State will address a Business Forum which is organised to promote trade and investment between the two countries.
President Banda will be accompanied by several Ministers and a business delegation that would participate in a Business Forum to explore investment and trade opportunities between the two countries.
President Zuma will be supported by the Ministers of International Relations & Cooperation; Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries; Energy; Finance; Health; Mineral Resources; Water & Environmental Affairs; as well as Trade & Industry.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Venue: Waterkloof Air Force Base
16:00 Members of the media arrive at Waterkloof Air force Base ahead of the arrival of President Banda and delegation.
(Please note the time change)
17:00 Arrival of President and Mrs Banda at Waterkloof base
Photo Opportunity: Please present press cards
Thursday, 2 December 2010
07:30: Members of the media arrive at the Union Buildings
Please present press cards
Contact person:
Matshepo Seedat
Cell: 082 679 9473 (Presidency)
08:35: Guard of honour and the military band take position
08:55: Arrival of President and Mrs Banda at the Union Building
Photo Opportunity
09:00: Welcome Ceremony
Media in attendance
09:25: Official photo Opportunity
President Zuma and President Banda,
The two Presidents and Spouses
09:35: Tête-à-tête between President Zuma and President Banda
10:00: Official Talks
Photo Opportunity
11:15: Press Briefing at Room 153, Media Centre
11:30: Members of the media arrive at Freedom Park ahead of the two Presidents and delegation
Contact person:
Magda Strydom
Cell: 082 570 9745 (Freedom Park)
11:40: Arrival, received by Minister of Arts and Culture; Minister P Mashatile
11:50: Wreath laying and a guided tour of the Freedom Park
Media in attendance
15:15: Members of the media arrive at Villa Sterne Guesthouse in Waterkloof ahead of Deputy President K.P Motlanthe
Venue: 212 Johan Rissik Street, Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Please present press cards
16:00: Courtesy call on President Banda by Deputy President KP Motlanthe.
Photo Opportunity
Contact person:
Nthabiseng Rantao
CellL: 082 570 5503
17:30: Members of the media arrive at the Presidential Guesthouse
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse,Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Gate 9), Pretoria
Please present press cards
18:50: Arrival of President and Mrs Banda at the Presidential Guesthouse, received by President and Mrs Zuma
Photo Opportunity
19:00: Gala dinner hosted by President and Mrs Zuma in honour of President and Mrs Banda
Welcome remarks, remarks by President Zuma, remarks by President Banda.
Media in attendance
Friday, 3 December 2010
09:00: Members of the media arrive in Wattville Cemetery ahead of the arrival of the two Presidents
09:50: President Zuma and President Banda arrives at Wattville cemetery, received by Arts and Culture Minister Mashatile; Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Mr Gungubele and Mr D Tambo
Photo Opportunity
10:00: Wreath laying ceremony
Media in attendance
10:30: President Zuma and President Banda arrive at Kwa-Thema Community Centre for persons with disabilities and received by Minister of Social Development Minister Dlamini
Welcome remarks by Minister Dlamini, remarks by President Banda, remarks by President Zuma.
Media in attendance
11:00: Members of the media arrive at the Gautrain Hotel in Sandton ahead of the Business Forum
12:00: Business Forum
Media in attendance for the remarks only
17:00: Members of the media arrive at Waterkloof Air force base for the departure ceremony
17:50: President Banda and Mrs Banda are conducted to the Aircraft through the silent Guard of Honour
Media in attendance
End of media programme
For more information please contact:
Saul Kgomotso Molobi
Cell: 082 940 1647
E-mail: molobisk@dirco.gov.za
