President Jacob Zuma, at the invitation from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, will pay a state visit to the United Kingdom on 2 to 5 March 2010.
President Zuma will be accompanied by a large ministerial delegation, reflecting the significance of the relationship between the two countries. The delegation includes Minister in The Presidency Collins Chabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Defence Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhenkesi Stofile, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Buyelwa Sonjica, Minister of Public Enterprises Barbara Hogan, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande, Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters, Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, and Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu.
The visit will include a state banquet hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in honour of President Zuma, and a banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor of London. President Zuma will also hold talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown on relations between the two countries. He will also meet Conservative Party Leader, David Cameron and Liberal Democrats Leader, Nick Clegg.
Other engagements include a visit to Westminster Abbey, the 2012 Olympic Park in Stratford and Wembley stadium. He will also deliver a keynote address to members of the British Parliament at Palace of Westminster.
He will unveil a plaque at Oliver Tambo House, the former residence of the late ANC President in Muswel Hill, and meet with community leaders who have had a long association with South Africa and the struggle for democracy.
President Zuma will conclude his visit with an address to the United Kingdom and South Africa Business Seminar, which will be taking place during the visit. South Africa and the United Kingdom enjoy long standing cordial relations, which date back to the colonial era. Since 1994 the two countries have worked together as developmental partners on many bilateral and multilateral issues.
In November 1997, the South Africa and United Kingdom bilateral forum, a structured mechanism to manage and monitor bilateral relations between the two countries was established. Areas of cooperation within the bilateral forum include agriculture, arts and culture, defence and military veterans, education, health, home affairs, national treasury, police, science and technology, sport and recreation, tourism, trade and industry, and water and environmental affairs.
South Africa and the United Kingdom have extensive trade and economic relations. The United Kingdom was South Africa’s fourth largest export partner in 2008. Total trade between the two countries during the same period was R74,9 billion. The United Kingdom is also South Africa’s largest foreign investor with investment flows ranging from R21,8 billion in 2004 to R47,7 billion in 2005.
Furthermore, the United Kingdom is South Africa’s most significant source of tourists outside of Africa. South Africa and the United Kingdom will also have a chance to share experiences as they are both preparing for major sporting events. South Africa is hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while the United Kingdom is hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
Enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya
Cell: 072 715 0024
Issued by: The Presidency
25 February 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/)
