Media Release

14 July 2021

Minister Pandor travels to Windhoek, Namibia for Diplomatic and Political Consultations

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, is travelling to Namibia, today, 14 July 2021, to have Diplomatic and Political Consultations with her counterpart, HE Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Namibian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

Amongst other things, the two Ministers will discuss the way forward towards convening the long-overdue meeting of the heads of state of their countries. They will also use the opportunity to discuss regional and international issues.

South Africa and Namibia enjoy cordial relations that are fraternal and historic. Both countries have mutual interests on issues of political stability and economic integration of the Southern Africa region as well as the pursuit of Africa’s renewal in the context of the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063.

At the bilateral level, structured relations between the two countries are coordinated within the rubric of the South Africa – Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC), which is convened at the Heads of State Summit level. It should be noted that, in the recent past and due to scheduling challenges as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries could not convene the Third Session of the South Africa – Namibia BNC.

Both countries and governments, however, continue to work closely at the sectorial level as provided by the BNC Agreement and a number of these issues will be ventilated in the upcoming Diplomatic Consultations. Furthermore, the Ministers will utilise the opportunity to discuss regional, continental and international issues of mutual interests.

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

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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