Pretoria - The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Marius Fransman, has returned from a working visit in Lilongwe, Malawi, where he participated in a meeting of the Southern African Development Community.
While in Lilongwe, Fransman paid a courtesy call on President Joyce Banda and Chairperson of the SADC.
“Deputy Minister Fransman conveyed to President Banda and the people of Malawi the commitment that South Africa has towards the maintenance of the cordial relations that exist between the two sister republics,” Dirco spokesperson Clayson Moneyla said in a statement on Saturday.
Monyela said President Banda has “welcomed and accepted South Africa's assurance and commitment.”
South Africa and Malawi share strong historical political, economic and cultural ties.
Both countries have committed to the continuation of these warm relations in the context of regional integration and intra-Africa trade.
50th Anniversary of AU
Meanwhile, DIRCO in partnership with the City of Tshwane, on Saturday, hosted the annual diplomatic fair to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the African Union.
The fair was held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria under the theme: “Celebrating 50 years of the OAU/AU - Embracing Diversity, Tolerance, Unity and Pan-Africanism.”
It saw exhibitions from the diplomatic community where they shared their histories, cultures, traditions and cuisine with the public. - SAnews.gov.za
