South African Government Conveys Condolences Following Reports of Plane Crash off the Comores Island. Pretoria – South African President Jacob Zuma has expressed condolences to the French and the Comoran families following the Airbus 310 flight 626 crash, off the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Comoros, with 153 people on board.

President Zuma arrives in Libya for AU Summit. Sirte, Libya – President Jacob Zuma arrived in Sirte, Libya on Monday morning, 29 June 2009 for the 21st Summit of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) scheduled for Tuesday, 30th June 2009. He will also lead the South African government delegation at the 13th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit (AU) scheduled for the 1-3 July 2009 under the theme “Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”.

President Jacob Zuma to attend 21st Summit of the NEPAD Heads of the State, Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC), and African Peer Review (APR) Forum. Sirte, Libya - Upon his arrival in Sirte, Libya, South African President Jacob Zuma accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Maite Nkoana- Mashabane; Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Ms Buyelwa Sonjica and Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Mr Roy Padayachie, is scheduled to participate in both NEPAD and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APR Forum) meetings scheduled for 30th June 2009.

President Jacob Zuma to Lead South African Delegation to the 13th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit, 1 – 3 July 2009, Sitre, Libya. South African President Jacob Zuma will on Sunday 28th June 2009 depart for Libya where he will lead the South African delegation to the 13th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit scheduled to take place from 01 – 03 July 2009 in Sirte, Libya. President Zuma will be supported at the Summit by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson and senior government officials.

Minister Maite Nkoana - Mashabane arrives in Libya for the 15th ordinary session of the AU Executive Council, 28- 30 June 2009 . International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana - Mashabane arrived, today Saturday 27th June 2009 in Sirte, Libya ahead of the 15th ordinary session of the Executive council scheduled for 28 - 30 June 2009. The Executive Council will precede the AU Summit scheduled for 01 – 03 July 2009 where President Jacob Zuma will lead the South African delegation.

Minister Maite Nkoana - Mashabane to attend the 15th ordinary session of the AU Executive Council , 28- 30 June 2009. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana - Mashabane will, today Friday 26th June 2009 depart New York for Sirte, Libya ahead of the 15th ordinary session of the Executive council scheduled from 28 - 30 June 2009. The Executive Council will precede the AU Summit scheduled from 01 – 03 July 2009 where President Jacob Zuma will lead the South African delegation.

Statement delivered by Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe at the 49th National Day Celebration of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Friday, 26 June 2009. On this important occasion celebrating  the National Day of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it is my honour to extend through Your Excellency, to the Government and the Peoples of the DRC, the warmest greetings and sincere congratulations, on behalf of the Government and fellow Peoples of the Republic of South Africa.

Deputy Minister Sue Van Der Merwe holds meeting with Amb Hashim Mbita. Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Sue Van Der Merwe will, on Friday 26 June 2009 meet with Ambassador Hashim Mbita (Brig Gen ret) to discuss the Hashim Project aimed at collating a comprehensive information about the history of the liberation struggles in the SADC region and beyond.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to pay courtesy call to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. New York- International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will, on Thursday 26 June 2009 pay a courtesy call to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in her capacity as the new Minister of International Relations and Cooperation under the leadership of President Jacob Zuma.

Deputy Minister Concludes South Africa-Cuba 7th Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) Meeting. International Relations Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim today, 24 the June 2009, concluded the 7th South Africa  - Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) Meeting held with his Cuban counterpart HE Marcos Rodriguez Costa from 23 -24 June 2009, in Havana.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to participate in UN High-Level Conference on global financial and economic crisis, New York, USA, 24 to 26 June 2009. New York – Today, Wednesday 24 June 2009, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will participate in the United Nations High Level Conference on World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development scheduled for 24-26 June 2009.

Address by the Minister of International Relations & Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on the occasion of the Forum for Supporters of the CPA Washington D.C., 23rd  June 2009. As South Africa we are indeed honoured to be given the opportunity to participate in this very important Forum for Supporters of the CPA to review the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the Sudan. We commend the government of the United States of America for taking the initiative to bring together many countries to exchange views on how best to forge ahead with the task of supporting the peace process in the Sudan.

Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim holds meetings with senior Cuban Government Officials. Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr. Ebrahim Ebrahim, who is currently in Havana Cuba to co-chair the 7th South Africa – Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) Meeting will, today 24th June 2009 hold meetings as follows:

South Africa to Co-Chair South Africa - Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism, 23-24 June 2009, Havana. Pretoria – Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim will lead the South African delegation to the 7th South Africa – Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) Meeting scheduled for 23 -24 June 2009 in Havana, Cuba.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to participate in the High Level Conference on Sudan, Washington D.C. Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, will today 21st June 2009 depart for Washington DC to participate in the High-Level Conference on the role of the international community in the implementation of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), slated for 22-23 June 2009. 

Communiqué: Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, 20 June 2009, Sandton, Republic of South Africa. The Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government met in Sandton, Republic of South Africa, on 20 June 2009 to consider the political and security situation in Madagascar. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Jacob G. Zuma, Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of South Africa.

Welcome Statement by His Excellency JG Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, on the occasion of the Extra-ordinary Meeting of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, South Africa, 20 June 2009. It is an honour for me to welcome our esteemed guests to South Africa. The convening and hosting of this SADC Extra-Ordinary Summit is not only a privilege for me, but also for the Government and the People of the Republic of South Africa.

President Jacob Zuma to host SADC Extra-Ordinary Summit on Madagascar, 19 – 20 June 2009. President Jacob Zuma, as Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), will host an Extra-Ordinary Summit on Madagascar on 20 June 2009 at Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. The SADC Summit will be preceded by the meeting of the Council of Ministerial Troika and the Summit Troika of the Organ and SADC Chair on 19 June 2009.

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Address by Deputy Minister of International Relations & Cooperation Sue van der Merwe in Reply to the Budget Vote, National Assembly, 18 June 2009. We gather here today at a very difficult time in modern history.  Across the globe families are in distress as jobs and livelihoods are lost.  We are not immune to this, here in our own country.  It will be our challenge to mitigate the effects of this crisis for our people. 

Reply to the Budget Vote by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, to the National Assembly, 18 June 2009. It has often been said that foreign policy is the art of the possible, which makes foreign relations the means by which we intend to achieve our goals. Our approach to international relations over the next five years will be driven by the need to deliver to the masses of our people, which is at the core of our national interest.

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting held on 17 June 2009 in Cape Town. Cabinet held its ordinary meeting in Cape Town yesterday, 17 June 2009. Government congratulates Bafana Bafana for their excellent performance against New Zealand last night and wishes them well in their next match against Spain.

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim at Diplomatic Academy Graduation Ceremony, 15 June 2009. It is indeed a great honour for me to address you this evening, and to share a very special occasion with you all in recognition of the accomplishments of the graduating Class of 2008.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to represent South Africa during the funeral of the late President Omar Bongo Ondimba. Pretoria-South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane supported by Mrs Sizakele Makhumalo Zuma, the Spouse of President Jacob Zuma will depart South Africa , on Monday 15 June 2009 ahead of the funeral of the late President Omar Bongo Ondimba scheduled for Tuesday 16 June 2009.

Deputy President Motlanthe to lead South African Delegation to ILO Conference. Pretoria – South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will on Saturday 13 June 2009 depart for Geneva, Switzerland where he will lead the South African delegation to the 98th session of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference currently underway.

Opening Address by His Excellency, the President JG Zuma at the World Economic Forum on Africa, Cape Town, 10 June 2009. We wish to extend a warm welcome to all distinguished delegates to this session of the World Economic Forum on Africa. We are honoured to host you and appreciate that you took time to attend this session in our country, and in this beautiful city of Cape Town.

Address by President Jacob Zuma in response to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address, Parliament, Cape Town, 9 June 2009. One of the most wonderful things about being a South African is our very progressive Constitution. It allows a multiparty constitutional democracy, which enables the government of the day to benefit from the views and opinions of many political parties. This enriches the work of government.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to participate in World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa. Pretoria – International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane will, in support of President Jacob Zuma, participate in the 19th World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, scheduled to take place in Cape Town from 10-12 June 2009.

President Zuma extends condolences on death of Gabonese President Omar Bongo Ondimba. Pretoria – South African President Jacob Zuma, today Tuesday 09 June 2009 extended deepest condolences to the government and the people of Gabon following the passing of the Gabonese President, El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba in a Spanish clinic on 08 June 2009.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane response during the Debate on the State of the Nation Address. President Jacob Zuma laid out a comprehensive work programme for our government. He identified both the tremendous possibilities that lie before us, and the challenges that we face. He also emphasised the role that our country needs to play in the rejuvenation of our Continent as well as in making the world a better place for all.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to Host UAE Foreign Minister Al-Nahyan. Pretoria – South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will, on Thursday 4 June 2009 host the United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al- Nahyan during his visit in Cape Town.

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State of the Nation Address by His Excellency J G Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, Joint Sitting of Parliament, Cape Town. 03 June 2009. Dumelang, Abusheni, Molweni, On the 22nd of April, millions of South Africans went out to cast their votes. They exercised their democratic right spurred on by the desire to change their lives for the better. In their overwhelming numbers, they confirmed that working together we can do more to fight poverty and build a better life for all.

South African Government confirms that 1 South African National on board ill fated AF 447 French Plane. Pretoria – The Department of International Relations and Cooperation wishes to confirm earlier reports that one of the passengers on board the ill-fated Air France 447 plane was indeed a South African. As a matter of policy the Department is providing consular assistance to the family.

President Zuma congratulates Justice Richard Goldstone. Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma today, Monday 01 June 2009 congratulated Justice Richard Goldstone on being the recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Award for International Justice. President Jacob Zuma described Justice Goldstone as “an extraordinary South African who has dedicated himself to the pursuit of justice, here in South Africa and internationally.

Opening Remarks by Ms Sue van der Merwe, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the Occasion of the “Showcase South Africa, Leverage China opportunities” Expo 2010 Shanghai China Roadshow, Friday 29 May 2009. It is a great honour for me to address, on behalf of the South African people and government, this grand event to mark the launch of the promotional road-shows for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.