By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has arrived in Hanoi, the capital city of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to begin the second leg of his of his first working visit to South East Asia.
Mashatile began his visit on Tuesday with a tour of the Mausoleum and home of the late leader of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh.
He laid a wreath at the Mausoleum and conveyed a message of support from the people and government of South Africa through the Mausoleum’s visitors’ book, “the statement read.
South Africa and Vietnam enjoy friendly and constructive relations grounded in a shared history of struggle against colonialism and to achieve national freedom.
The two countries also share common values such as the pursuit of multilateral cooperation, peace, and the progressive reform of the institutions of global governance to counter geopolitical inequalities.
South Africa and Vietnam also celebrate 30 years of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations this year.
Mashatile visit follows the visit to South Africa of the Vice President of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan, in September this year, where she extended an invitation to the Deputy President to pay a reciprocal official visit to mark the 30-year milestone and further strengthen bilateral ties.
“As part of his duties in Vietnam, the Deputy President will hold official talks with Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, meet Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, and pay a courtesy call to the Vietnam President Vietnam, Vo Van Thuong.”
“He will also meet with the CEOs of some of Vietnam’s largest companies that are looking either to invest in or source goods and services from South Africa. He will also interact with African ambassadors to Vietnam.”
The Deputy President is accompanied in Vietnam by International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini; Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina; Higher Education, Science and Innovation Deputy Minister Buti Manamela; Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu, and senior government officials.
Mashatile began his visit to Singapore with a tour of the Marina Barrage Development, Singapore’s innovative water resource management project.