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South African President, H.E. TM Mbeki is to pay an official visit to Lesotho later this month at the invitation of the Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili. This visit will take place on 19 April 2001. The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Steve Tshwete, will accompany the President together with the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Mangosutu Buthelezi, Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alec Erwin and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr Penuell Maduna.

The visit will focus among other things on the electoral process in Lesotho and discussions on a new strategic framework for co-operation and development between the two countries. President Mbeki will meet with the Lesotho Interim Political Authority and the Lesotho Independent Electoral Commission.

The President will in also pay a courtesy call on King Letsie III for the official handing over ceremony of cows. During the visit, both governments will sign several agreements and discuss various matters of mutual concern.

South Africa and Lesotho have a unique relationship in the Southern African regional context. The two countries, aside from a common border, have a shared history and culture, which necessitates close co-operation in all political and socio-economic spheres.

In the multilateral context, South Africa and Lesotho also liaise within the framework of the SADC, the Customs Union, the Common Monetary Area, the Regional Tourism Organisation and the Soil Conservation Conference.

In order to make functional liaison possible between the two neighbouring states with regard to the multitude of matters in which official co-operation takes place, the bilateral Intergovernmental Liaison Committee (IGLC) was established in 1973. This committee of officials, under the leadership of the Directors General of Foreign Affairs of the two States, has been meeting biannually to revise the operation of its subcommittees and to identify and plan co-operative opportunities for the coming year.

South Africa and Lesotho will now be entering into a new strategic relationship, which will guide the strategic partnership and further intensify and enhance economic, social, good governance, security and stability co-operation between the two countries.

The two countries also have close economic ties. Lesotho derives a sizeable portion of its income from the remittances of Lesotho migrant workers in South Africa, especially in the mining sector, as well as from the Customs Union Pool and development aid grants.

During 2000, there was a notable increase of South African investors in Lesotho on a partnership basis.

In 2000, the Development Bank of Southern Africa committed R1,2 billion to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project for purposes of infrastructure and resettlement. This technical assistance is done in consultation with the Lesotho Government and the Lesotho National Development Corporation.

Another area of co-operation is the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which is one of the most ambitious multi-purpose water schemes presently being undertaken in the world. Its sheer magnitude and ingenious engineering concepts have captured the imagination of water authorities and laymen alike the world over. Lesotho will eventually be able to meet its internal demand while at the same time delivering water to South Africa.

Another project of note is the Maluti/Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area, a joint initiative between the two countries towards conservation, sustainable development and the promotion of eco-tourism in the area.

Contact: Basetsana Thokoane on 083 443 7740/ (012) 351 0174

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs, 17 April 2001