Minister Dlamini Zuma announces Annual Heads of Mission Conference, Somerset West, Cape Town, Thursday, 17 - Tuesday, 22 February 2005

Cape Town - South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has today, Wednesday - 16 February 2005 - announced that President Thabo Mbeki will deliver a keynote address during South Africa's Heads of Mission Conference (Ambassadors and High Commissioners) on Friday 18 February 2005 in Cape Town. The Conference is scheduled from 17-22 February 2005.

The Conference will be officially opened on Thursday 17 February 2005 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs focusing on the consolidation of the African Agenda, South Africa's foreign policy thrust and also have an opportunity to interact with several cabinet Ministers including Mandisi Mpahlwa, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi and Mosioua Lekota.

The Conference comes in the wake of the recent State of the Nation Address by President Thabo Mbeki in which the national programme for 2005 including major foreign relations initiatives with a specific focus on the African continent, South-South relations, trade and investment as well as the reform of the United Nation was unveiled.

In this regard, the Conference will deliberate among others on:

• A reflection on the democratic gains of the past decade, and to chart South Africa's foreign policy path in the medium to long term.
• The development of concrete plans for the implementation of NEPAD and the operationalisation of the AU;
• The promotion of an integrated approach in the implementation of foreign policy; and
• And to inform Heads of Mission of the strategic imperatives of South African foreign policy, particularly in the global and African arenas.

The Heads of Mission Conference will receive further inputs from the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank, as well as the South African Airways, SA Tourism and South Africa the Good News. Deputy President Jacob Zuma will deliver a closing address on Monday 21 February 2005.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

16 February 2005

Media Programme for the Heads of Mission Conference, Somerset West, Cape Town, Friday, 18 February & Monday, 21 February 2005

Friday, 18 February 2005

08:00 Arrival of photo-journalists for photo opportunity ahead of keynote address by President Mbeki

Venue: Lord Charles Hotel
Somerset West
Cape Town

Contact: Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587

08:30 Photo opportunity only ahead of President Thabo Mbeki's keynote address to South Africa's Ambassadors and High Commissioners

Monday 21 February 2005

11:00 Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad to brief media on outcomes of Heads of Mission Conference

Venue: Union Buildings
First Floor East Wing
Pretoria

Contact: Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587

For further information contact Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

16 February 2005