By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola has confirmed the passing of South Africa’s ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Zolani Mtshotshisa.
Mtshotshisa passed away in a hospital in South Africa.
In a statement, Lamola said Mtshotshisa was devoted to the maintenance of good political, diplomatics economic and people to people ties between South Afriaca and Cote d’Ivoire.
“Ambassador Mtshotshisa worked tirelessly to promoteSouth Africa’s engagements with Cote d’Ivoire including facilitating re-launch of SAA’s Johannesburg to Abidjan route, said Lamola.
Mtshotshisa was an activist in the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) with Steve Biko before joining the ANC in later years.
Meanwhile Lamola has concluded a two-day working visit to Russia.
During his visit to Moscow, Lamola co-chaired the 18th session of the Joint Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) alongside Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation.
ITEC is a structured bilateral mechanism that aims to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between South Africa and the Russian Federation.
The 18th ITEC session facilitated a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation across key sectors.
These include trade, investment, agriculture, education, digital technologies, mass communication and transport.
On the margins of the ITEC proceedings, the Minister held a constructive dialogue with Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs.