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The President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma arrived in Gaborone this morning to begin a two day State Visit.

President Zuma is being accompanied on his visit by the following members of his Cabinet – the Minister of Energy, the Hon. Dipuo Peters; the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, the Hon. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Affairs, the Hon. Nosiviwe-Nqakula; the Minister of Transport, the Hon. Dikobe Martin; the Minister of Science and Technology, the Hon. Naledi Pandoor; the Minister of Water and Environment, the Hon. Edna Molewa, as well as the Director-General of the Presidency, Dr. C. Lubisi and other senior officials.

President Zuma was welcomed at the airport by H.E. the President, Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, along with members of Cabinet, diplomats and senior officials.

After the formal welcoming ceremony the two Presidents along with their Ministers proceeded to the Office of the President for the Tete-a-Tete between the two leaders followed by Official talks.

During the Official talks President Khama was joined by His Honour the Vice President and Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Affairs, Dr. Ponatshego Kedikilwe; the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Mokgweetsi Masisi; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Hon. Phandu Skelemani; the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, the Hon. Kitso Mokaila; the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, the Hon. Johnnie Swartz; the Minister of Trade and Industry, the Hon. Dorcus Malesu; the Minister of Transport and Communications, the Hon. Nonofo Molelfi; the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, the Hon. Edwin Batsu, the Attorney-General, Dr. Athaliah Molokomme; as well as the Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale and other senior officials.

At the beginning of the talks President Khama welcomed President Zuma and his delegation noting that they were not strangers to Botswana having been here many times before. He further observed that the close contacts being maintained by the leaders and their deputies was appropriate given the strong relations and common interests that existed between the two neighbouring republics. In this respect he expressed his hope and belief that President Zuma’s current visit would be followed by a “Part 2”.

In response President Zuma affirmed that Botswana was indeed like another home to him and members of his delegation, also affirming the need for further contacts as there was much that the two countries should accomplish together.

President Khama also expressed his appreciation at the recent election of Mrs. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as Chairperson of the African Union., while President Zuma thanked Batswana for their support on the issue.

Subsequent discussion focused on such areas of existing and potential bilateral and regional cooperation as the energy, transport, environmental protection and natural resource management and trade.

Following the talks Ministers signed three agreements –

1) An agreement establishing a Bi-National Commission to promote further high level cooperation between the two countries. This agreement was a follow-up to the understanding to establish such a framework during President Khama’s October 2010 state Visit to South Africa.

2) An MOU for further cooperation in the Energy Sector; and

3) An MOU for a social assessment of coal based energy projects along the Botswana-South Africa Border.

After the signing ceremony the two leaders proceeded to the Gaborone International Conference Centre where President Khama hosted a State Banquet in President Zuma’s honour.

This afternoon President Zuma will continue his State visit with an Address to the Botswana-South Africa Business Seminar. Some 86 business leaders from South Africa are reported to have come to Botswana to participate in the Seminar with the Batswana counterparts.

President Zuma will thereafter go to Extension 14 Cemetery where he will lay wreaths at the graves of the victims of the victims 14 June 1985raid by the former Apartheid regime forces.

Later President Zuma will also unveil a plaque symbolising the opening of the new Agricultural show site, before departing for Kasane where he will spend the evening.

Tomorrow morning President Zuma is expected to go to Kazangula as well as Kasane villages, where tribute will be paid to the communities historic role as a transport centre for regional refugees and freedom fighters.

Later tomorrow the South African President is scheduled to visit the Diamond Trading Company before departing for South Africa.