Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to host SA Heads of Mission Conference, 13 – 15 August 2009

Pretoria – International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana – Mashabane will today 13 August 2009 host a Conference of South African Heads Mission at the Sandton Sun Hotel, in Johannesburg.  The Conference will be the first such gathering since Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane was appointed to her current portfolio at the International Relations and Cooperation Department.

The Conference takes place a few months after the fourth democratic elections as well as at a critical time when the world experiences a myriad of challenges such as the economic and financial crises that have a direct bearing on the work of the South African Diplomatic Corps abroad. Accordingly, the Conference will endeavour to sharpen and re-emphasize South Africa’s international relations policy approaches to a range of issues of national and international importance in line with the pronouncements made by the President in his State of the Nation address on 3 June 2009.

President Jacob Zuma is expected to address the Conference at 10: 00 AM on Friday, 14 August 2009. In addition the Conference will feature a series of high level presentations by, among others, Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti, Finance Minister, Mr Pravin Gordhan and National Planning Commission Minister in the Presidency, Mr. Trevor Manuel as well as representatives from the Nelson Mandela Foundation as well as the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will later this evening host a farewell dinner in honour of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, to which the Diplomatic Corps, as well as other stakeholders will be invited.  

MEDIA PROGRAMME

THURSDAY, 13 AUGUST 2009

                                    Photo opportunity:  Open to the Media

19:00 for 19:30         Farewell dinner in honour of Minister Nkosazana Dlamini
Zuma, hosted by Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

                                    Media is invited to cover the event

FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST 2009

09:00                          Arrival of Media

09:30                          Heads of Mission assemble for a group photo with President Jacob Zuma

                                    Photo opportunity
 
10::00 – 13:00           Introduction of the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob, Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

Address by the President

Open to media

End of Media Programme.

For more information contact Nomfanelo kota on 082 459 3787

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria

13 August 2009