South Africa’s Minister of Int’l Relations on Four-Day Visit

Jamaica welcomed South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, on March 20, for a four-day visit.

While here she will be engaged in discussions with the Government and civil society.

Welcoming the visit, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, said it is significant, especially in a year when the two countries are celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations.

She said that a long-standing relationship exists between Jamaica and South Africa, and many Jamaicans have fond memories of the 1991 visit to Jamaica by the late former President of the National African Congress (ANC), Nelson Mandela, who went on to become the first black President of South Africa in 1994.

“The Minister’s visit is an opportunity, as we celebrate 30 years, to reflect not only on that occasion but to reflect on the strength of the connections between the people of Jamaica and of South Africa,” the Minister said, in a media statement.

Minister Pandor will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, and the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority.

She will co-chair with Minister Johnson Smith, a hybrid CARICOM-South Africa Ministerial Meeting.

The two Ministers will also engage in bilateral discussions on critical areas, and review new areas for cooperation in education, healthcare innovation, technological advancement, and agricultural development for both countries.

Today (March 21), which is South Africa’s Human Right’s Day, Dr. Pandor will deliver a Guest Lecture at the University of the West Indies. She will also visit the Peter Tosh Museum, which is dedicated to the Jamaican musician whose work resonated with themes of African unity and strong opposition to apartheid.

During Mr. Mandela’s visit, when he was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University of the West Indies, Mona, he told a mass rally held at the National Stadium that it was the happiest day of his life.

Former President Jacob Zuma made an official visit in 2012 for Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence celebrations.

Dr. Pandor first visited the island in 2016 as South African Minister of Science and Technology.