Remarks by President Motlanthe to designates Heads of Mission at Credentials Ceremony, Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria, Friday 10 October 2008

Remarks by President Kgalema Motlanthe to Ambassador Designate of Egypt Mohamed Badr Eldin Zayed

Excellency, please accept my congratulations and also my most hearty welcome to you.

Egypt and South Africa are very important pieces in the economic engine of this continent and I have no doubt in my mind that your presence here will ensure that we lift Africa to where it rightfully belongs in the higher echelons of world economic development.

Once again congratulations and welcome.

Remarks by President Kgalema Motlanthe to Ambassador Designate of Sweden Peter Tejler

Your Excellency, the relations between our two countries and our two people go back a very long time and as you have correctly pointed out, it is actually a bond that spans the broadest cross section of our society because unlike in many other relationships, our people have been interacting for a long time.  They have benefited from that relationship and interaction and we believe that your presence here will cement this bond.

We have found the relationship with your people to be very enriching and genuine such that many of the Swedish people who have visited South Africa have visited the villages, lived with our people and they are regarded and treated as sisters and brothers.

With these words, congratulations and welcome.

We are here to give you all the support you need.

Remarks by President Kgalema Motlanthe to High Commissioner Designate of Nigeria Brig Gen (RTD) Mohamed Buba Marwa (ORF)

Your Excellency, please accept my congratulations and I do believe your appointment to South Africa will no doubt dynamise the relationship between our two countries and our people and that our two countries may continue to play a leading role in the African Union in ensuring there is peace and prosperity on the continent.

With these words congratulations and welcome.

Remarks by President Kgalema Motlanthe to Ambassador Designate of Austria Dr Otto Ditz

It is my honour to congratulate you Dr Ditz as Ambassador of Austria to South Africa.  We hope that your presence here will not only dynamise the relationship between our two countries but will also elevate these relationships to a higher level.  We hope to continue this partnership addressing some of the challenges on the Continent but specifically under the NEPAD project.  With these words I would like to congratulate you and welcome you to South Africa.

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

10 October 2008