President Jacob Zuma arrives in Botswana ahead of the SADC Summit

President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Jacob G. Zuma, has this afternoon, Friday 19 November 2010, arrived in Gaborone, capital of Botswana ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State Summit scheduled for Friday-Saturday, 19-20 November 2010.

South Africa’s participation in the SADC Heads of State comes within the context of South Africa’s commitment to consolidate the African agenda through its commitment to strengthening and consolidating SADC as a sub-regional economic bloc and a vehicle for the attainment sustainable regional political and economic integration and development.

The SADC Heads of State and Government follows the SADC’s Council of Ministers which is scheduled for 19 November 2010, the latter followed the Standing Committee of Senior Officials which took place on 18 November 2010.

Accordingly, Heads of State will discuss, amongst others, the following:

• The political situation in the region including Madagascar
• Infrastructure development in the region
• Economic integration processes in the region.

The SADC Region is generally peaceful and stable and SADC remains seized with political developments in the region with significant progress being made towards addressing the political and socio-economic challenges facing some of the Member States.

During the Summit, SADC Headquarters in Gaborone would officially be inaugurated as decided upon by the SADC Summit held in Namibia 2010.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane earlier attended the Minister’s meeting on Interstate Politics and Diplomacy Committee (ISPDC) where Ministers discussed measures on strengthening the various SADC efforts that seek to entrench the consolidation of democracy within the region.

President Zuma is supported by International Relations and Cooperation’s Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and other Senior Government officials.

President Zuma and delegation are expected to return back to South Africa on 20 November 2010.

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. Alternatively, call President Zuma’s Spokesperson, Mr Zizi Kodwa, on +27 82 330 4910.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
PRETORIA
0001

19 November 2010