Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE VISIT OF MINISTER JAY NAIDOO TO MAURITIUS AND THE CELEBRATION OF SOUTH AFRICA WEEK
The South African Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting, Mr Jay Naidoo, visited Mauritius from 19-20 April 1998 at the invitation of the Mauritian Government. Mr Naidoo was accompanied by the Chairman of Telkom, Advocate Moseneke, and senior officials from his Ministry and Telkom.
During the visit, the delegation met with the Mauritian Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam and the Minister of Telecommunications, Mr Sarat Lallah. The aim of the visit was to discuss closer cooperation in the field of telecommunications between Mauritius and South Africa. Preliminary talks were held between the CEO of Telkom, Mr Sizwe Nxasana and the CEO of Mauritius Telecom, Mr Megh Pillay. further talks are scheduled for the near future. During the Ministerial discussions, both Ministers welcomed the interest expressed by both India and China in the SAFE project. This project will link South Africa with Malaysia, via Mauritius, by sub-aquatic fibre optic cable which will not only increase telecommunications traffic but also render the project more economically viable.
Minister Naidoo and Advocate Moseneke also participated in the High Commission's Investment Seminar that was held on 20 April 1998. The seminar, which was attended by 80 prominent Mauritian companies, marked the start of the South African Week which will culminate with the celebration of Freedom Day on 27 April 1998. The South African High Commissioner to Mauritius, Mr Mbulelo Rakwena, emphasised during his opening remarks that the seminar offered Mauritians the opportunity to see South Africa through a new and broadened window, reflecting a diversity of South African interests.
The theme of the seminar was "South Africa, an Investment Destination for the next Millenium." The Mauritian Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam, opened the seminar and appealed to Mauritian companies to form strategic alliances with South African their South African counterparts to exploit regional business opportunities.
During his speech, Advocate Moseneke talked about Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa and the need for black business to acquire a greater share of the business sector. Minister Naidoo, the keynote speaker, encouraged Mauritian businesspeople to invest in South Africa and outlined the enormous opportunities that exist in the region, especially in the communications field.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSION IN PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS
PRETORIA
21 APRIL 1998