Deputy President David Mabuza will today head to Malabo for the 50th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
Mabuza received an invitation to the jubilee celebrations from the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
The cocoa, coffee and timber exporting country gained independence from Spain in 1968.
“South Africa and Equatorial Guinea enjoy fraternal bilateral relations. The visit by Deputy President Mabuza will further strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries, and enhance economic cooperation, trade and investment,” the Presidency said in a statement.
The two countries are playing an important role at a multilateral level where they will both serve in the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members during 2019.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries began in 1993 and have strengthened over the years.
“We have identified specific areas of cooperation including health, trade, manufacturing, infrastructure, industrial, as well as education and training niches as areas that will require our concerted effort, as we continue to deepen the implementation of the African Renaissance,” South African Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Victor Rambau, says on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation website.
Mabuza joined former Bafana Bafana internationals, Doctor Khumalo and Mark Fish, who on Thursday participated in a special match to celebrate the 50th anniversary. Several other retired footballers from across the continent also participated in the match.
Pierre Wome, Geremi Njitap, Francois Omam-Biyik, Rigobert Song (all Cameroonians), Garba Lawal and Daniel Amokachi (both from Nigeria), as well as former SA-based Malawian Ernest ‘Chirwali’ Mtawali. They, among others, formed an African All Stars that played against an Equatorial Guinea Legends XI. – SAnews.gov.za
