MEDIA ADVISORY ON STATE VISIT TO MAURITIUS

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs

STATE VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS AND AND ATTENDANCE OF THE SADC SUMMIT BY PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA 10 - 14 SEPTEMBER 1998

Journalists interested in covering this visit should please send a fax on their letterhead indicating the person who will be representing their news organisation to Machiel van Niekerk at (012) 351-0260, asap.

Please enquire at the Mauritius High Commission on entry requirements to visit Mauritius and the procedure to attend the SADC summit. Contact details at the bottom of the advisory.

No flash lights or television lights will be allowed at venues where President Mandela is involved.

Thursday, 10 September 1998

1700 President Mandela and Mrs Machel arrive at SSR International Airport, Port Louis To be met by Prime Minister Ramgoolam and Mrs Ramgoolam

1900 Private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Ramgoolam and Mrs Veena Ramgoolam

Friday, 11 September 1998

0900 Arrive at Pamplemousses Garden. To be met by Prime Minister Ramgoolam and Dr A Boolell, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives (Remove shoes before entering the garden)

Laying of wreath at Memorial of the late Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Father of Nation (The memorial is the place where the late Sir Ramgoolam was cremated on 17 December 1985)

President Mandela and dignitaries proceed along Belle Eau Avenue to the site for the tree planting ceremony Planting of an ebony tree

President Mandela to meet disabled children

1000 Meeting with Prime Minister Ramgoolam at Clarisse House Signing of agreements by President Mandela and Prime Minister Ramgoolam

- Agreement on Economic Cooperation - Agreement on Arts, Culture and Sport 1115 Conferral of Doctorate in Civil Law "Honoris Causa" of the University of Mauritius on President Mandela

Conferral of Doctorate in Civil Law "Honoris Causa" of the University of Mauritius on Prime Minister Ramgoolam

1204 Arrive at State House. To be met by Mr Cassam Uteem, President of Mauritius. Unveiling of Commemorative Plaque.

Bestowing of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean on President Mandela

1800 State banquet at the Sir Harilall Vaghjee Memorial Hall

Saturday, 12 September 1998

1029 Laying of Foundation Stone at the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture

1100 Address by President Mandela to Members of the National Assembly

1155 Unveiling of the Monument and Declaration of Human Rights at the Waterfront

1205 Lunch with the Mauritian business sector

Signing of bilateral business agreements

- The establishment of Mauritius/South Africa Joint Business Council

- Signing of Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding between Mauritius/Johannesburg Stock Exchanges

1415 Courtesy calls on President Mandela at the Royal Palm Hotel by the Vice President, Mr V Chettiar, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Berenger and the former Prime Minister, Sir Jugnauth

1500 Press conference by President Mandela and Prime Minister Ramgoolam, at the end of the State Visit

SADC HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT SUMMIT, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, GRAND BAIE

Sunday, 13 September 1998

1600 DC Summit Opening Ceremony at the International Conference Centre

1900 Banquet hosted by the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr Ramgoolam at the Sir Harilall Vaghjee Memorial Hall

Monday, 14 September 1998

0930 Group photograph of Heads of State/Government at International Conference Centre

0945 Closed SADC Session

1230 Luncheon for Heads of State/Government

1400 Closed SADC Session resumes

1700 Closing Ceremony

1815 Press Conference attended by President Mandela, Dr Rangoolam and Dr Mbuende, Executive Secretary of SADC

ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

1. South African High Commission

British American Insurance Building 4th floor Pope Hennessy Street Port Louis

Tel 09230-2126925/6 Fax-09230-2126936

2. Mauritius High Commission

1163 Pretorius Street Hatfield Pretoria 0083

Tel 012 342 1283 Fax 012 342 1286