Off to the Queen’s funeral

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In trying to build relations with South Africa’s third largest trade partner, President Matamela Ramaphosa has embarked on a trip to the USA and the UK as of Wednesday.

This was confirmed through a statement by the Presidency who said that Ramaphosa boarded a plane for Washington DC in the United States where he will honour an invitation by His Excellency President Joe Biden for engagement between the two leaders.

“The leaders will meet at the White House on Friday, 16 September, to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment, climate change, food security, energy, and peace and security.”

“President Ramaphosa will reaffirm the importance of the strategic and mutually beneficial relations between South Africa and the United States. The President will further emphasise the need for enhanced multilateralism and dialogue as the means through which the challenges facing humanity can be addressed. These include the urgent need to stimulate economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“In Washington DC, President Ramaphosa and his delegation will meet Congressional leaders and the veterans of the Civil Rights Movement who were instrumental in lobbying the American public against apartheid and who remain loyal to the cause of anti-racism in both the United States and South Africa.”

The Presidency added that Ramaphosa will also take this opportunity to board the UK to a funeral of Queen Elizabeth as well as The King’s Reception – a reception hosted by His Majesty King Charles III in honour of Heads of State and Government and guests invited to attend the State Funeral Service – at Buckingham Palace.