| President Jacob G. Zuma to host the SACU Summit,  15-16 July 2010, Pretoria The two-day  Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Summit hosted by President Jacob Zuma  begins with a meeting of the Heads of States and Government this evening, 15  July 2010 in Pretoria. The SACU  Summit will continue tomorrow, 16 July, at the Presidential Guest House. During  the summit, South Africa will assume the Chair of the Southern African Customs  Union (SACU). The decision  to convene the Summit was taken in April 2010 during the celebration of SACU’s  100 years of existence when member states reflected on SACU’s achievements and  challenges. The SACU Summit will be attended by  the following Heads of State and Government: H.E Lieutenant General Seretse  Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana; Prime Minister  Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili of the Kingdom of Lesotho; HE Hifikepunye Pohamba,  President of the Republic of Namibia; His Majesty King Mswati III Kingdom of  Swaziland and President Jacob G. Zuma of South Africa.  The SACU 100-year commemoration that  was held on 22 April 2010 in Windhoek, Namibia, marked a milestone for the  institution and demonstrates the important political, cultural, economic and  developmental relationship that exists amongst the SACU member states.  The upcoming SACU Summit will address  a range of issues that SACU has to deal with its progress as an organisation  particularly the future strategic direction of SACU in view of recent regional  and global economic and political developments.  There is consensus among SACU member  states that in order to ensure that SACU remains a relevant and viable  organisation, it has to be transformed into a vehicle that promotes sustainable  development and economic integration dedicated to the welfare of its people for  a common future. The SACU Summit will also reflect on  the ongoing global economic challenges and consider ways for the organisation  to address these challenges. President  Zuma is accompanied by Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Trade  and Industry; Mr Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Finance and Ms Sue van der  Merwe, Deputy Minister of International  Relations and Cooperation. 
 For enquiries please contact:- Chief Director for Communications in the President’s Office  Zanele Mngadi on 082 330 1148 and
 - DIRCO Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Saul Kgomotso  Molobi, on +27 12 351 1000, +27 82 940 1647 or e-mail him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za
 
          
            | MEDIA  PROGRAMME |  
            | Venue | : | Presidential Guesthouse |  
            | Friday 16 July 2010 |  
            | 08h00 | : | Arrival of media at the Presidential Guesthouse |  
            | 9h30 | : | Arrival of Heads of State/Government at the  Presidential Guesthouse (Photo opportunity)
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            | 10h00 | : | Welcome remarks by President Zuma(Media  in attendance)
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            | 10h15 | : | Media takes leave |  
            | 12h30 | : | Media are conducted to the meeting room |  
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                Reading  of CommuniquéClosing  remarks by President Zuma |  
            |  |  |  |  
            |  |  | (Media in attendance) |  
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            | Members of the media wishing to cover the state visit are  requested to send their details to Bongani Lukhele for accreditation at  078 526 8572 or BLukhele@thedti.gov.za. Enquiries: Curtis Singo at 072 625 7060
 |  Issued by the Department  of International Relations and CooperationPrivate Bag X152
 PRETORIA
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 Thursday, 15 July 2010
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