President Thabo Mbeki departs for Lusaka, Zambia

 Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki will, later today Wednesday 15 August depart for Lusaka, Zambia where he will lead a high-powered South African Ministerial delegation including Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for Thursday-Friday 16-17 August in Lusaka.

President Mbeki has been mandated by the SADC Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security to facilitate talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC as part of regional efforts to help the people of Zimbabwe in their endeavour to find a lasting solution to their current political and economic challenges.

In this regard, President Mbeki supported by Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to present a report to the SADC Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security scheduled for later today.

On Thursday and Friday, President Mbeki will lead the SA delegation to the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to discuss among others:

• the political situation in the region including Lesotho, DRC and Zimbabwe;
• infrastructure development in the region;
• Ministerial recommendations regarding:

(i)              Economic integration processes in the region;

(ii)             The status of implementation of the Free Trade Area scheduled for 2008.

(iii)            Food security;

 (iv)           Tourism related issues with a focus on 2010 FIFA World Cup and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Tournament scheduled for Angola;

• And the schedule of payments of member states.

President Mbeki, supported by Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Mosioua Lekota will on Friday 17 August 2007 participate in the ceremony to launch the SADC Brigade of the African Standby Force.

President Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Saturday 18 August 2007 whilst Minister Lamina Zuma will proceed to DRC ahead of President Mbeki for the SA-DRC Binominal Commission scheduled from Sunday-Tuesday 19-21 August in Kinshasa.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

15 August 2007