Media Statement
19 September 2015
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrives in Jamaica on a Working Visit
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived today, Saturday, 19 September 2015, in Montego Bay on her Working Visit to Jamaica, scheduled for 20-22 September 2015.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane is scheduled to address the International Women’s Forum (IWF) on Sunday, 20 September 2015, under the theme: “Phenomenal Women.”
The Minister will proceed on Monday, 21 September 2015, to Jamaica’s Capital, Kingston, where she will hold bilateral consultations with her counterpart, the Honourable Arnold J. Nicholson, QC, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. It is expected that the Ministers will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Political Consultations.
Whilst in Kingston, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane will also pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, O.N, M.P.
South Africa and Jamaica enjoy strong bilateral relations as symbolised by high level visits and various Agreements signed across a number of sectors since 1994. The key sectoral areas of cooperation include education and skills development; science and technology; arts and culture; and tourism. However, trade remains minimal and considerably imbalanced in South Africa’s favour. The move to develop Jamaica as a logistics hub has a potential to improve trade between South Africa and Jamaica.
The two countries have strong historical and political ties, with Jamaica having played an important role in supporting South Africa in the struggle against Apartheid. South Africa has bestowed national orders on two former Jamaican Prime Ministers. The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo (Gold) was bestowed on Michael Norman Manley posthumously in 2004 and on PJ Patterson in 2013.
The relationship between the two countries is also underpinned by a common desire to influence the global agenda in the 21st century in a manner that reflects the aspirations of developing countries, and the African Diaspora in particular. Both countries play an important role in their respective regional organisations and in multilateral fora, such as the United Nations (UN), and are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Group of 77 plus China (G77) and the Commonwealth.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084
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