20 August 2007
Sonia Gandhi, the President of the Indian National Congress and the leader
of the ruling Indian Congress Alliance, is expected to arrive at the Oliver
Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, 21 August 2007, for a two-day working
visit to South Africa from Tuesday to Thursday 21 to 23 August 2007. Ms Gandhi
will be accompanied by Indian Minister of State, Minister Sharma.
Sonia Gandhi will visit South Africa as part of ongoing efforts to
strengthen and consolidate political, economic, trade and cultural relations
between the peoples of South Africa and India.
In this regard, Sonia Gandhi is expected to pay courtesy calls on current
and former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela and hold bilateral
political discussions with Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. In
addition, Ms Gandhi will hold further political discussions with African
National Congress (ANC) leaders led by party Deputy President, Jacob Zuma at
ANC Headquarters in Johannesburg and address its Party caucus in Cape Town.
Sonia Gandhi is further expected to hold discussions with Mrs Zanele Mbeki
with whom she shares a passion for women's development before attending the
launch of the Jobs for Growth Co-operative Women's fund hosted by Deputy
President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Old Mutual.
Sonia Gandhi, like all international visitors to our country will visit the
Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg before visiting our parliament at the
invitation of the Speaker Baleka Mbete and then proceed to the former Robben
Island Prison in Cape Town where she will be guided on a tour of the precinct
by Ahmed Kathrada.
Media programme for official visit to South Africa by Sonia Gandhi president
of the Indian national congress and the leader of the ruling Indian congress
alliance.
Tuesday to Thursday, 21 to 23 August 2007
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
07h40: Arrival of media for photo opportunity on arrival of Sonia Gandhi
Venue: VIP lounge (Between international and domestic terminals) OR Tambo
International Airport, Johannesburg
Please present press cards, parking at own cost
Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Tel: 082 389 3587
Arrival of Sonia Gandhi, media in attendance for photo opportunity
15h00: Sonia Gandhi to visit the Apartheid Museum
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
11h00: Former President Nelson Mandela to receive courtesy call from Sonia
Gandhi
16h00: Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of
discussions between President Thabo Mbeki and Sonia Gandhi
Venue: Genadendaal, Groote Schuur Estate, Rondebosch, Cape Town
Please present press cards, please make reservation
Contact:
Terrence Manase
Cell: 082 338 6707
17h00: Sonia Gandhi to pay courtesy call on President Mbeki. Media in
attendance for photo opportunity
18h00: Media arrive for photo opportunity ahead of meeting between Deputy
President Mlambo-Ngcuka and Sonia Gandhi
Venue: Ballroom, Arabella Sheraton, Cape Town
Please present press cards, please make reservations
Contact: Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Terrence Manase
Cell: 082 338 6707
19h00: Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka to hold discussions with Sonia
Gandhi
Media in attendance for photo opportunity
Thursday, 23 August 2007
11h15: Sonia Gandhi to visit Parliament
15h00: Sonia Gandhi to visit Robben Island
18h30: Sonia Gandhi to address the University of Cape Town
For further information contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
20 August 2007
