Deputy President Mashatile to Welcome the Duke of Edinburgh on a Working Visit to South Africa

Pretoria, 19 January 2024 – His Excellency Deputy President Paul Mashatile is set to extend a warm welcome to His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, on a working visit to South Africa. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 23 January 2024, at the OR Tambo Official Residence in Pretoria.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit, spanning 22 and 23 January 2024, follows the successful State Visit undertaken by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the United Kingdom in 2022, reflecting the enduring strength of the bilateral relationship shared between the two nations.

As part of his itinerary, Prince Edward is scheduled to engage with various stakeholders from prominent environmental organizations, including WWF South Africa, Endangered Wildlife Trust, GreenMatterZA, TRAFFIC, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Birdlife, and Conservation South Africa.

Furthermore, the Duke will join Minister Barbara Creecy of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment for a tour of the Pretoria National Botanical Garden. This excursion will symbolize the ongoing collaboration between the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew, and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in preserving the country’s diverse plant life.

A dinner meeting with Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, is also on the agenda, celebrating the deep partnership in the realms of Science and Innovation between South Africa and the United Kingdom.

In a nod to youth empowerment, the Duke of Edinburgh will meet with awardees of the President’s Awards, the international arm of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, reinforcing the shared commitment to fostering the next generation.

Deputy President Mashatile is expected to hold discussions with the Duke and his delegation during the courtesy call, focusing on key areas of significance in the enduring bilateral relationship between South Africa and the United Kingdom. This visit stands as a testament to the strong ties uniting the two nations across various sectors.