Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrives in Lesotho ahead of the State Visit

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has today, 11 August 2010, arrived in the Kingdom of Lesotho ahead of President Jacob G. Zuma’s State Visit scheduled for 11 – 12 August 2010.

The visit takes place within the context of consolidating the African Agenda and will further strengthen bilateral political, economic and social relations between South Africa and Lesotho.
Upon her arrival in Lesotho, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane will meet with her counterpart Mr Mohlabi Tsekoa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations to discuss the implementation of all “flagship” projects and the strategic areas of cooperation under JBCC (Joint Bilateral Consultative Commission) as signed in 2001. The two countries have agreed on strategic partnership that would assist Lesotho to graduate from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Taking this commitment into consideration, South Africa has since financed a number of developmental projects in Lesotho through a number of funding mechanisms, including the African Renaissance Fund.

Upon the conclusion of the State Visit, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane is expected to proceed to Namibia for the SADC Ministerial Meeting ahead of the SADC Summit – which will also be attended by President G. Zuma and other Heads of State and Government from the SADC member countries.

For further information please contact Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Saul Kgomotso Molobi on +27 82 940 1647, +27 12 351 0083 or email him on molobisk@dirco.gov.za.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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