Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, accompanied by Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe, this afternoon concluded his two day working visit to Sweden, after attending the Olof Palme Day Conference and other series of meetings with the civil society of Sweden.
After laying a wreath at the grave of the late Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr Olof Palme, Deputy President Motlanthe had an informal lunch with the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Sweden, Ms Mona Sahlin.
Deputy President Motlanthe was the Guest of Honour at the Olof Palme Day Conference, where he expressed his appreciation and thanked the Olof Palme Centre for ensuring that the burning torch of enlightment embodying the superior ideals that Mr Olof Palme lived and died for, continues to shine the path that must be travelled by all progressive forces in the world.
"Importantly, it is only proper to pay homage to the towering memory of the late Mr Olof Palme, who paid the ultimate price of his commitment to our cause, indeed the cause of freedom everywhere in the world, and under whose inspirational life we are gathered here today".
Deputy President met with members of the Swedish Business Community, the Swedish Solidarity Groups and the Chairman of Stockholm Enskilda Bank (SEB), Mr Marcus Wallenburg. He expressed his confidence that this visit had served to strengthen even further, the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the people of Sweden and South Africa.
For soundbites please call the Head of Communications at The Presidency, Mr Vusi Mona on 082 047 2260
Issued by The Presidency
11 October 2009
