Deputy President arrives in the United Kingdom on a working visit

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has, today 14 September 2010, arrived in the United Kingdom to commence his two-day working visit within the context of strengthening the North-South cooperation.

The Deputy President is supported on this visit by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu and International Relations and Cooperation's Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim.

While in the UK, the Deputy President will meet with his counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and also meet with the new Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham.
 
The meetings aim to establish relations with the new coalition government and to broaden the current bilateral relations South Africa enjoys with the UK. The Deputy President will build on the success of the State Visit that took place in March and maintain the momentum for the UK-SA Bilateral Forum to be held in 2011.

The Deputy President is expected to raise several issues which will include developments in the African continent and the promotion of the African agenda as a cornerstone of South Africa's foreign policy. 

The visit will also provide a platform for the two countries to consolidate and strengthen diplomatic relations and broaden economic and commercial interaction.

The Deputy President is also expected to use the opportunity to thank the UK for its support during the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament. He is also expected to garner support for South Africa's bid for a Non-Permanent seat in the United Nation's Security Council (UNSC) for 2011 - 2012 period.

The Deputy President will address at The Economist's Emerging Markets Summit where he is expected to speak on the topic "Africa's Excellent Growth Prospects for the 21st Century”.

The Finance Minister is expected to participate in a panel discussion entitled: "The New BRICS - Who is climbing the economic ladder?” Minister Gordhan will also meet with a few investors.

Minister Shabangu will meet key stakeholders in the mining sector to clarify South Africa's mining laws and address whatever concerns they may have. 

For more information, please contact Vusi Mona 082 047 2260

Issued by the Presidency on 14 September 2010