SOUTH AFRICAN President Jacob Zuma will visit Jamaica to join in the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations next month.
Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Arnaldo Brown said yesterday that Zuma accepted an invitation from the Jamaican Government.
historic connection
“It is gracious of the South Africans to have accepted the invitation and to be represented at the highest level,” Brown said.
“The connection between Jamaica and Africa as a continent is well known historically, but more importantly, the connection between Jamaica and South Africa is also of historic note,” Brown said.
He added: “Jamaica was one of the countries that led the anti-apartheid movement and, to that extent, the South African government recognises Jamaica’s role in that and therefore places a premium on being present at the highest level and we are pleased to welcome the president of South Africa.”
The minister noted that the visit of former South African President Nelson Mandela to Jamaica in 1991, following his release from prison, is testimony to the relationship between both countries.
In the meantime, Brown said a high-level delegation would be visiting from the United Kingdom. He also said Ralph Gonsalves, prime minster of St Vincent and the Grenadines, would be visiting for the celebrations.
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