Media Statement
10 May 2023
Deputy President Mashatile to host Vice President Márquez of Colombia for an Official Visit to South Africa
His Excellency Deputy President Paul Shipokosa Mashatile, will on Friday, 12 May 2023, host his counterpart Her Excellency Mrs Francia Elena Márquez, Vice President of the Republic of Colombia for an Official Visit to South Africa.
The objective of the Official Visit to South Africa is to strengthen political relations and define a roadmap for mutually beneficial economic as well as social relations and multilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Colombia were formally established in April 1994, with Colombia opening its Embassy in Pretoria during 1995. Since the establishment of the South African Embassy in Venezuela in 1998, the South African residential Ambassador in Venezuela is accredited as the non-residential Ambassador of South Africa to Colombia.
Bilateral relations between South Africa and Colombia are cordial and the shared values of democracy, peace, sustainable development and multilateralism provide a basis for the strengthening of bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries. Cooperation with Colombia is also in line with South Africa’s foreign policy objective of the South-South Cooperation.
Colombia is the 5th largest economy in Latin America after Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. Colombia is also the 6th largest trade partner of South Africa in Latin America after Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. There is a steady growth of Colombian investors in the food, beverages and confectionery industries and South African investments in Colombia in mining and agribusiness.
The focus areas for discussions between the two governments will include trade, investment, and technical cooperation (in agribusiness, mining and energy, environment, science and innovation, tourism, and transport) as well as cooperation in higher education; sport, arts and culture, and exchanges on regional and multilateral issues.
Vice President Márquez will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of Culture; Deputy Minister of Tourism; Senior Government Officials; Parliamentarians; Business, Chambers of Commerce, and Industry of Colombia and some of the country’s Artists.
Members of the media are invited to cover the visit as follows:
Date: Friday, 12 May 2023
Time: 09h00
Venue: Sefako M Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse (off Dumbarton Road), Pretoria
Dress Code: Formal/Smart Casual/Traditional
Members of the media covering the visit are requested to confirm their attendance, for accreditation purposes, with Ms Linah Ledwaba on 066 240 7635 by 11 May 2023 at 16h00.
Media enquiries: Mr Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 081 307 9233
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria