Media Statement

15 March 2023

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini undertakes Official Working Visit to West Africa

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, has begun her Regional Working Visit to the Republics of Benin and Togo.

Deputy Minister Dlamini arrived in Cotonou, Benin, on 14 March 2023, where she is on an Official Working Visit and will hold Political Consultations with her counterpart. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The two delegations will review political cooperation, sectoral cooperation and exchange views on regional and global issues.

Bilateral relations between South Africa and Benin are anchored on the Agreement for the establishment of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), which was signed in 2015. A Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) was also established.

As a prelude to the Deputy Minister’s visit, a Senior Officials Meeting was held in Cotonou on 13 March 2023 and has paved the way and set the framework for substantive discussions between the Deputy Minister and her counterpart.

Whilst in Cotonou, the Deputy Minister is also expected to visit the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone to further explore trade and investment opportunities between both South Africa and Benin. The two countries enjoy warm diplomatic relations which were established in May 1994.

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