Ramaphosa To Visit Angola After GNU Formation

President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit Angola on Aug. 8 as part of his various local and international tasks this month, after forming the Government of National Unity (GNU) and delivering the Opening of Parliament Address.

During a media briefing on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya announced the president's schedule for the entire month of August, starting from Ramaphosa's visit to Angola.

"The two heads of state will use the occasion of the working visit to reflect on the bilateral relationship between the two countries, who share very deep historical ties that are rooted in the liberation struggle against colonialism and apartheid," Magwenya said, SA News reported.

He added, "The leaders will also share perspectives on issues of regional mutual interest, including the situation in the DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo] and on regional and continental efforts aimed at resolving the conflicts that are plaguing the continent."

The president will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and the Minister of Defense Angie Motshekga.

Further, Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with Cabinet members, senior business leaders, and experts to discuss a new partnership aimed at overcoming growth barriers in South Africa on Aug. 13. This partnership was launched over a year ago.

The president will also host a public signing of the Health Compact at the Union Buildings in Pretoria at 1:30 pm on Aug. 15. He will attend the 44th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, hosted by Zimbabwe, on Aug. 17.

He will also visit the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng on Aug. 23 for a District Development Model oversight visit and Presidential Imbizo.

The president will speak at the Just Energy Transition (JET) Municipal Conference on Aug. 26, where key stakeholders will discuss how to implement the JET Municipal Portfolio from the JET Implementation Plan approved by the Cabinet in November 2023.

Ramaphosa will give the keynote address at the Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Annual General Meeting on Aug. 28 and appear in the National Assembly's hybrid plenary session at 2 pm to answer questions from Members of Parliament on Aug. 29.

The president is also scheduled to visit Zimbabwe on Aug. 30 at the invitation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa to attend the official opening of the 114th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.