The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Kgalema Motlanthe, is scheduled to pay a Working Visit to the United Kingdom, scheduled for 23 to 26 April 2014. 

South Africa and the United Kingdom have longstanding historic relations which cover a wide spectrum and have a far-reaching impact. Cooperation between the two countries covers the fields of health, education, science and technology, energy, the environment, defence, police, arts and culture, and sports and recreation. 

During the visit, on 25 April 2014, Deputy President Motlanthe will deliver a lecture at a conference organised by Oxford University entitled “1994-2014: 20 Years of South African Democracy'. The conference is to be attended by British scholars and South African academics.   

The Deputy President will be the guest of honour at the South African High Commission's Freedom Day reception, which aims to celebrate 20 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa.  

The Deputy President is also expected to engage with high level business people, as well as a meet with the South African Diaspora. 

The United Kingdom is one of the important sources of Foreign Direct Investment into South Africa from Europe, with total investment for the period January 2009 to June 2012 at R44.3 billion.  In 2012, the United Kingdom was South Africa's seventh largest export market.  It also continues to be one of the important source of long haul tourists to South Africa.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

Issued by The Department of International Relations and Cooperation