By Johnathan Paoli
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has arrived in London for a crucial working visit aimed at enhancing trade and investment relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom.
The visit, scheduled to conclude on Friday, follows a trip to Ireland which focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, science, innovation and education.
Mashatile’s acting spokesperson Keith Khoza said that the deputy president was expected to engage with various local and international private sector stakeholders to attract investment and bolster public-private partnerships essential for the country’s economic growth and transformation.
Khoza said the deputy president’s itinerary included meetings with organisations such as Bloomberg Media, the Financial Times, Sasol, Brand South Africa, the London Stock Exchange, and several financial institutions including JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs.
These discussions would focus on mobilising investment support to realise South Africa’s economic objectives.
In addition to the business engagements, Khoza confirmed that Mashatile would pay a courtesy call on the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, and UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, further strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The deputy president is accompanied on the visit by a delegation of key ministers, including Ronald Lamola (International Relations and Cooperation), Maropene Ramokgopa (Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation), Dean Macpherson (Public Works and Infrastructure), and Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (Small Business Development).
The UK remains one of South Africa’s key bilateral partners, particularly in areas of trade, investment, skills development and tourism.
The visit reinforces South Africa’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that drive economic expansion and create sustainable growth opportunities.
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