President Zuma arrived at Heathrow Airport, London this morning (10h00 UK time) ahead of his state visit to the United Kingdom.
President Zuma and Mrs Tobeka Madiba-Zuma are visiting the United Kingdom as guests of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The state visit will begin tomorrow (Wednesday, 3 March 2010) when President Zuma will receive a Ceremonial Welcome on the Horse Guards Parade. He will be formally greeted by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, and will review a Guard of Honour.
Afterwards the President and Mrs Zuma will join the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for a state carriage procession along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where the President will be staying for the duration of the visit.
He will later visit Westminster Abbey, where he will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
President Zuma will unveil a plaque at Oliver Tambo House, the former residence of the late ANC President in Muswell Hill, and meet with community leaders who have had a long association with South Africa and the struggle for democracy. The Oliver Tambo House has recently been acquired by the South African government. The house is a representation of the solidarity of the British people during the anti-apartheid struggle and a tribute to the life of Oliver Tambo.
In the evening, the Queen will host a State Banquet for the President and Mrs Zuma at Buckingham Palace.
On Thursday, 4 March, President Zuma will hold talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street on bilateral relations and other matters of mutual interest.
During his visit, President Zuma will also meet Conservative Party leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg.
Other engagements include a visit to the 2012 Olympic Park in Stratford and Wembley Stadium. President Zuma will take the opportunity to outline South Africa’s readiness to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup and will invite British football fans to South Africa for the event.
He will also deliver a keynote address to members of the British Parliament at the Palace of Westminster.
On Thursday evening, the President will attend a banquet given by the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London at Guildhall.
President Zuma will conclude his visit with an address to the UK-South Africa Business Seminar, which is aimed at boosting investment and trade ties. A delegation of over 200 South African business people will be meeting their British counterparts during the seminar.
President Zuma said: “Our two countries have an excellent relationship forged over a long history together. This visit will further strengthen those ties, particularly in the areas of development, trade, investment, tourism and international cooperation.”
Enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya
Tel: +2772 715 0024
Issued by: The Presidency
2 March 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
