Cape Town – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay an official visit to Japan from August 22 to 25, the presidency said on Friday.
He would lead a high-level delegation of government ministers and officials, spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said in a statement.
The visit was intended to “consolidate political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries”.
In the midst of the current economic climate, which saw the rand fall to R13 against the US dollar in a 14-year all-time low early on Friday, Mamoepa said: “The visit is also aimed at reassuring Japanese businesses that South Africa is indeed open for business, and to brief them about the stability, vibrancy, and conducive business environment that exists in South Africa for Japanese business to invest in the country, particularly in ventures that can create jobs.
“The visit is also expected to consolidate the objectives of the African agenda through the strengthening of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) partnership by promoting increased trade, investment growth, and infrastructure development in the continent of Africa.”
This was in accordance with Agenda 2063, the African Union’s vision for maximising the African continent’s resources in such a way that it benefited all Africans.
Accompanying Ramaphosa would be ministers Naledi Pandor, Rob Davies, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, and deputy ministers Bheki Cele, Nomaindia Mfeketo, and Mzwandile Masina.
Also forming part of the delgation would be Ramaphosa’s special advisor Dr Nono Simelelela, and other senior government officials, including Deputy Director-General in Ramaphosa’s office Busani Ngcaweni, Ambassador Anil Sooklal, and South African Ambassador to Japan Mohau Pheko.
Mamoepa said Ramaphosa would seek to secure commitments from Japan to help fight HIV/Aids, TB, and malaria, and explore partnerships in various fields.
These partnerships would look at how South Africa could tap into Japan’s expertise in harnessing innovative technologies relevant to the fields of science and technology.
Such partnerships were necessary to boost economic growth and “attracting essential skills in support of South Africa’s training and human resource development”, Mamoepa said.
Ramaphosa was expected to address Japanese leaders of industry and various organisations, and visit the Toyota plant in Tokyo, among other things.
African News Agency