President Jacob Zuma will receive President Barack Obama of the United States of America for crucial bilateral talks that will take forward relations between the two countries, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Saturday 29 June.
President Obama will arrive tomorrow, 28 June 2013 in South Africa for the Official Visit at the invitation of President Jacob Zuma. President Obama will be accompanied by his family, senior and advisors and a business delegation. This is his second visit to South Africa, but his first as US Head of State.
South Africa values its warm and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States immensely. This is a significant visit which will take political, economic and people to people relations between the two countries to a higher level, while also enhancing cooperation between US and the African continent at large.
President Zuma will hold official talks with President Obama, which are expected to cover strengthening the status of bilateral relations, trade and investments, education, health, development assistance as well as security and development cooperation in Africa.
The United States is a major trade, investment, tourism and technology partner for South Africa. There are 600 US companies in South Africa employing more than 150 000 local people.
The visit also takes place just a few months before South Africa celebrates 20 years of freedom. South Africa greatly appreciates the solidarity provided by the Anti-Apartheid Movement in the United States during the struggle for liberation.
The historic visit also coincides with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity and presents an opportunity to showcase progress since the establishment of the African Union and to discuss cooperation on matters of socio-economic development as well as peace and security in the continent.
President Zuma will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of State Security, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Minister of Economic Development, Mr Ebrahim Patel.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
Email: macmaharaj@icloud.com
