MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DLAMINI ZUMA TO LEAD SA DELEGATION TO ZIMBABWE

10 October 2002

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will visit Zimbabwe from today, Thursday, 10 October, to Friday, 11 October, to hold a bilateral discussion with her Zimbabwean counterpart, Dr Stan Mudenge.

The visit by Minister Dlamini Zuma is part of efforts by South Africa, acting as part of the international collective, to assist the people of Zimbabwe in their strides towards national reconciliation, which will lay a firm foundation for their political and economic recovery. Minister Dlamini Zuma's delegation will include Dr Pandelani Mathoma, Chief Director, Southern Africa and other senior Foreign Affairs officials.

The decision to hold the bilateral meeting was decided by the two Ministers during the recent SADC Summit held in Luanda, Angola, from 1 to 3 October 2002. The bilateral meeting is expected to focus on:

• Bilateral political, economic and social relations between SA and Zimbabwe
• Land reform programme in Zimbabwe
• Food crisis in Southern Africa
• Protection of investments and avoidance of double taxation.
• Regional security issues
• Efforts aimed at reconciliation among Zimbabweans specifically focusing on the resumption of political discussions between the Zimbabwean government and the opposition MDC

Minister Dlamini Zuma and her delegation will return to South Africa on Friday, 11 October 2002.

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs