Media Statement
2 June 2023
President Ramaphosa to host President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa of the Portuguese Republic on a State Visit
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 6 June 2023, host the President of the Portuguese Republic, His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa, on a State Visit to South Africa.
President Ramaphosa will in honour of President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa host a welcome ceremony at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Tuesday morning.
South Africa and Portugal maintain friendly political relations.
The state visit to South Africa by the Portuguese Republic occurs in the same week Portugal celebrates its National Day on 10 June 2023. Each year, the Portuguese President visits a different country to celebrate the Day of Portugal with the Portuguese Diaspora.
There are approximately 500 000 South Africans of Portuguese descent and about 200,000 Portuguese nationals who reside in South Africa permanently, serving as an important economic link between South Africa and Portugal.
Bilateral relations between South Africa and Portugal remain strong, covering a wide range of areas of cooperation. The 7th Bilateral Consultations were hosted in Portugal on 24 June 2022 and co-chaired by South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation, Deputy Minister, Mr. Alvin Botes and Portuguese Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. Francisco Andre.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa will lead their respective delegations in offical talks during the occasion of the State Visit. Engagements will focus on the enhancement of cooperation in agriculture; basic education; defence; ocean economy; science and technology; tourism; and trade and investment.
South Africa and Portugal have well established trade relations which are abound with potential for further growth and diversification in 2023 and beyond. Bilateral trade figures for 2020 and 2021 have been positive. South African exports in 2021 were valued at approximately R2,8 billion while imports from Portugal were approximately R4,6 billion in the same year. Food constitutes about 50% of South African exports to Portugal.
Details of the State Visit by the Portuguese Republic are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 6 June 2023
Media Programme
Welcome Ceremony of President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa
Time: 11h00 (Media to arrive at 09:00)
Venue: Union Buildings
Opening Remarks of the Official Talks by President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa
Time: 12h00
Venue: Union Buildings
Media Briefing and Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation
Time: 13h00
Venue: Union Buildings
Media wishing to cover the State Visit by President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa are encouraged to fill in the attached accreditation form and submit it to Hlobisile Nkosi on hlobisile@presidency.gov.za and Khutjo Sebata on khutjo@presidency.gov.za / 079 898 4621 by 13h00, Monday 5 June 2023.
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria