Press Release

26 April 2012

President Jacob Zuma to receive President Joyce Banda of Malawi on 27 April 2012

On Friday, 27 April 2012, His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma will receive the new President of the Republic of Malawi, Her Excellency, President Joyce Banda. President Banda is paying her first official visit to South Africa following her inauguration as President. Her inauguration followed the death of her predecessor President Bingu wa Mutharika who was laid to rest on Monday, 23 April 2012 in Blantyre, Malawi. At the funeral service, South Africa was represented by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

President Zuma and his counterpart will exchange views on issues of mutual interest and common concern, paying particular attention to the economic challenges facing Malawi, inter alia the shortage of fuel and foreign exchange. South Africa is currently the second largest provider of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Malawi.

South Africa and Malawi enjoy good political and economic relations. Structured bilateral relations are conducted within the framework of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JCC) which was signed in 2007. Both countries regard the JCC as a vital mechanism to strengthen political, economic and social relations and to create an environment for a more focussed and well coordinated engagement in the areas of trade, tourism, mining, sports, culture, technology, health and agriculture.

In addition, there is a strong trade cooperation between the two sister countries. Malawi is one of South Africa’s top ten trading partners on the Continent.

For enquiries, please contact the spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Clayson Monyela, 082 884 5974 

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION OR Tambo Building

460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria