[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

The guns of the royal city of Windsor boomed out in salute - echoed by shots from the Tower of London - as the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, arrived in Britain on Tuesday, 12 June, on a State Visit, at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II, aimed at further cementing trade, economic and political bilateral relations between South Africa and the UK.

The President, leading a delegation of eight government ministers and officials, was greeted by thousands of people waving Union Jacks and the South African national flag, who thronged the streets of Windsor, in cloudy but dry summer weather, in an atmosphere of enthusiastic welcome.

After flying overnight from South Africa, the President drove with his visiting Ministerial suite up to the royal dais in the Home Park, Windsor. On one side of the park, large crowds, including young children in boaters and waving flags, cheered as the Presidential party arrived.

Queen Elizabeth II and her consort, the 80-year-old Duke of Edinburgh, welcomed the first citizen of South Africa and Mrs Zanele Mbeki. Then the Duke, umbrella in hand, took the President around the green parade ground to inspect the guard of honour.

Later, the party departed to be privately entertained by the Queen and civic dignitaries of Windsor and was expected at a State Banquet hosted by the Queen at Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening

During the visit, President Mbeki will also hold bilateral discussions with British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, in the context of SA-UK Bilateral Forum. President Mbeki is expected among others to consolidate support of the British Government for the Millennium Africa Recovery Plan. The President will visit Scotland where he will address members of the Houses of Parliament and Chatham House.

The President will also have an occasion to exchange views with members of the President's International Advisory Council and International Marketing Council in an effort aimed at promoting investment, trade and tourism for South Africa. In this context, the President will address an Investment Seminar and be hosted by the Lord Mayor of London at the Guildhall Banquet on Wednesday 13 June.

The state visit ends on Friday 15 June, and he will return to South Africa on Saturday 16 June.

Enquiries:

Bheki Khumalo on 083 256 9133
Jennifer Jean Chetty on 082 4110307/ 012-3375226

Issued by: The Presidency, 12 June 2001