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Deputy President wraps up her Working Visit in Australia Sydney
- The Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, wrapped up her working visit to
Australia by meeting various Australian Federal politicians in Canberra. Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka
met with Rod Kemp, the Minister of Arts and Sports to discuss ways in which South
Africa could benefit from Australia's experience in developing a viable and world-class
film industry. During her discussion with the Australian Foreign Affairs
Minister, Alexander Downer, the Deputy President deliberated with Mr Downer on
the promotion of economic and trade relations, the support of the Accelerated
Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) and the Joint Initiative for
Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA). The two principals agreed that the issue
of Zimbabwe was better handled by the multilateral fora. This approach would help
improve the effectiveness of mechanisms such as the Commonwealth, to which both
countries were members. In her interaction with her host, Deputy Prime
Minister Mark Vaile, the issue of finding practical ways in which Australia could
help South Africa realise the goals of JIPSA and AsgiSA was discussed. Matters
of subsidisation of training in South Africa and the training of South Africans
were raised. Mr Vaile indicated that the Australian Government was willing
to assist South Africa achieve her goals, as a prosperous South Africa would be
beneficial to Australians as well. Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka indicated that she was pleased
with the visit and felt that she had achieved her objectives. "We
have strengthened our ties with Australia. More of such visits, from both sides,
will cement this very important relationship," she said. The Deputy President
proceeds to New Zealand where she will be the guest of the Prime Minister of New
Zealand, Ms Helen Clark, and interact with the New Zealand Parliament, its speaker,
various ministers and the Young Christian Women's Association (YWCA). New
Zealand has been a strong supporter of the anti-apartheid movement orchestrating
and playing a leading role in sports and cultural boycotts of the seventies and
eighties. New Zealand's Prime Minister visited South Africa in March this year.
Enquiries: Thabang Chiloane
Tel: (+61) 438 964 778 Issued
by: The Presidency
19 October 2006
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