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PRESIDENT ZUMA VISITS ANGOLA FOR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS |
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Angola is one of South Africa’s major trading partners on the continent and the main imports from Angola are petroleum and diamonds. |
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President Jacob Zuma travelled to Angola for bilateral consultations with his counterpart, Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, on 16 January 2013. The objective of the visit was to further strengthen bilateral relations between South Africa and Angola.
During the visit, the two heads of state exchanged views on issues affecting the two countries’ bilateral relationship, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the continent.
Angola chaired SADC during 2012 while South Africa was the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. Both countries are still part of the SADC Troika and the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Troika. In this regard, the two countries are working closely in the promotion of peace and stability as well as regional integration and the promotion of the SADC Agenda.
South Africa also participated in the SADC Election Observation Mission to Angola’s last parliamentary elections, which took place on 31 August 2012. |
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AFRICAN BLOCS TO ATTEND BRICS SUMMIT |
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The decision to invite the African Union (AU) along with the various regional groupings is in line with South Africa's goal of promoting regional integration. |
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| DIRCO Director-General Jerry Matjila addressing a BRICS media workshop held at DIRCO Head Office on 15 January 2013. |
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In a first for Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS), high-level representatives of Africa's regional economic blocs and the AU have been invited to attend the fifth BRICS Summit, which will be taking place in Durban from 26 to 27 March.
The decision to invite the AU along with the various regional groupings, including the East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Central Africa (Comesa) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), is in line with South Africa's goal of promoting regional integration.
It also fits in with the theme for the Durban Summit: "Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialisation".
The EAC, SADC and Comesa are working towards the creation of a 26-nation free trade area (FTA) covering southern, central and east Africa. The FTA will comprise nearly 60% of the African economy, have a combined gross domestic product of US$ 1 trillion and encompass 600 million people.
Preparations for the summit are in full swing. To raise awareness of this important event, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation will conduct a number of provincial roadshows. The first was held in Polokwane, Limpopo, on 23 January. |
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TEAM SA TO PUSH INVESTMENT AT DAVOS |
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By mingling with the best in the world, Team South Africa can learn from the insights of others, thereby enriching its focus towards improving the economy and the livelihoods of citizens. |
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This year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting opened on 22 January under the theme "Resilient Dynamism". President Jacob Zuma is leading a team of top businesspeople and government representatives to the flagship event of the Swiss non-profit, which takes place every year at the end of January and is attended by heads of state, heads of corporations, academics and religious leaders.
The WEF is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
The main focus of this year's Davos event is on global health. A number of sessions will highlight the development of sustainable national health systems and the continuation of workplace wellness and individual health. |
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AU SUMMIT TO DISCUSS PAN-AFRICANISM AND THE AFRICAN RENAISSANCE |
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| President Jacob Zuma will lead the South African delegation to the 20th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), which is taking place from 21 to 28 January 2013 at the headquarters of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: “Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance”. The summit is expected to ring in the Golden Jubilee celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation for African Unity/AU, which will be marked on 25 May 2013. |
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SOUTH AFRICANS SHINE AT OBAMA INAUGURATION |
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| South African artists Lira and Mi Casa performed for President Barrack Obama at the prestigious 2013 Ambassadors Inaugural Ball, following his inauguration. In addition, Hugh Masekela performed at a separate event also marking President Obama’s swearing-in into office for the second time as the President of the United States of America. |
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