Johannesburg,South Africa

The Presidency of Republic of South Africa has confirmed that Deputy President Paul Mashatile will travel to Ireland and United Kingdom(UK) on working visits from 27 September to 04 October 2024.

Mashatile will spend two days in Ireland which is 27-28 September 2024 and then on the 29 September 2024 will travel to the UK.

The Presidency said upon arrival in Ireland,the Deputy President will meet his Irish counterpart,Prime Minister Simon Harris,to reaffirm the strong political and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Mashatile is visiting these two countries in the absence of President Cyril Ramaphosa who is in the United States of America(USA) where he is attending the 79th UN General Assembly in New York.

According to Presidency,South Africa and Ireland established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago.Political and economic relations between South Africa and Ireland encompass a broad spectrum of cooperation,such as trade and investment,education,science and innovation and gender equality.Ireland's developmental programmes have greatly assisted many initiatives in South Africa since 1994,and the partnership continues to this day.

On his trip in Ireland will be expected to meet with Irish business leaders which are invested or willing to invest in South Africa.

The Presidency said during the visit,the Deputy President will participate in the South Africa-Ireland Trade and Investment Round Table with Irish companies that are already invested in or intend to invest in South Africa,he is expected to deliver remarks at the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa,established to support innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering connections between the South Africa and Irish tech ecosystems.

Mashatile will be accompanied to Ireland by the Deputy Minister of Trade,Industry and Competition,Mr Andrew Whitfield.

Once he completed his official visit in Ireland will fly to the United Kingdom of Great Britain(UK) and there he will spend couple of days before flying back to South Africa.

In the UK,the Deputy President's visit will focus on showcasing South Africa as an investment destination of choice and strive to identify and create new trade opportunities for South African businesses,especially small and medium enterprises.

The Presidency revealed that the UK is one of South Africa's most significant bilateral partners in the Northern Hemisphere,particularly in trade,investment,skills development,science,innovation,the Just Energy Transition and tourism,among others.

The Presidency added that the Deputy President will engage selected investors and trade partners invited in cooperation with economic partners in the UK,and deliver a lecture at School of Oriental and African Studies(SOAS) University in London,focusing on South Africa's forthcoming Presidency of the G20.

The Presidency continued to say that the Deputy President will also pay a courtesy call on the Duke of Edinburgh,and meet the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,Ms Angela Rayner.

Mashatile will be accompanied by entourage of Ministers and Deputy Ministers to UK,that entourage will comprised the likes of Minister of International Relations and Cooperation,Mr Ronald Lamola;the Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Planning,Monitoring and Evaluation,Ms Maropene Ramokgopa;the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure,Mr Dean Macpherson;the Minister of Small Business Development,Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams;the Deputy Minister of Agriculture,Ms Rosemary Capa;the Deputy Minister of Finance,Mr David Masondo;the Deputy Minister in the Presidency,Mr Kenneth Morolong and the Deputy Minister of Trade Industry and Competition,Mr Andrew Whitfield.