President Jacob G. Zuma hosted Heads of State and Government at a reception in their honour and 2010 Soccer World Cup education Summit at the Presidential guesthouse, Pretoria, Sunday, 11 July 2010

The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Hon. Mr Jacob G. Zuma, hosted a Heads of State and Government Reception and a 2010 Soccer World Cup Education Summit at his Pretoria Presidential Guesthouse this afternoon, 11 July 2010. The Summit was addressed by, among others, His Excellency Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands; a representative of the African Union (AU); and Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO. Also given the opportunity to address the dignitaries were Mr Sepp Blatter, President of the world soccer governing body, FIFA; and Mr Aaron Mokoena, Ambassador of the 1Goal Education for All Campaign and Captain of the South African National team.

1Goal Education for All Campaign is a global initiative aimed at galvanizing countries to recommit themselves to implementing the commitments made for making education accessible to all. Today, some 72 million children are still denied their right to education and 759 million adults lack basic literacy skills.

Among the Heads of State and Government who attended are Botswana’s President Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Burkina Faso’s President Blaise Compaore, Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza, Comoros’ President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Ghana’s President John Atta Mills, Guinea’s President Malam Bacai Sanha, Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki, Lesotho’s President Pakalitha Mosisili, Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika, Mozambique’s President Armando Guebuza, Swaziland’s King Mswati III, Zambia’s President Rupiah Banda and Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe.

President Zuma was supported by, inter alia, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe; Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon. Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, who read the Summit Statement to the delegates; Minister of Education, Ms Angie Motshekga; and Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane.
For enquiries please contact Spokesperson for the President, Vincent Magwenya, on +27 72 715 0024 and Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Saul Kgomotso Molobi, on +27 12 351 1000, +27 82 940 1647 or e-mail him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
PRETORIA
0001

11 July 2010