South Africa: visit of minister for africa
Published 23 September 2014
© Crown copyright 2014
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/south-africa-visit-of-minister-for-africa/south-africa-visit-of-minister-for-africa
0.1 This publication was archived on 5 August 2016.
This article is no longer current. Please refer to Overseas Business Risk - South Africa.
0.2 Summary
Mr Duddridge’s first visit opens way to new opportunities through new UK emphasis on National Development Plan, launch of the joint Newton fund; UK uplift of Chevening Scholarship; and mentoring initiative for young leaders. Positive response from South African interlocutors. We now need to build on this momentum.
0.3 Detail
From 8 to 10 September, James Duddridge, paid his first visit to South Africa as Minister for Africa, alongside the Lord Mayor of London, Fiona Woolf, and the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Baroness Scotland.
National Development Plan
Mr Duddridge’s central narrative was around UK support for the delivery of South Africa’s impressive National Development Plan (NDP). This chimed well with all South African interlocutors. Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, South Africa’s third in charge, was clear that the UK could be a strong NDP partner.
Trade Minister Davies was also supportive of the UK approach and encouraged British investment in business process and industrial services. Deputy Foreign Minister Mfeketo, Mr Duddridge’s opposite number, agreed to reframe the UK-SA bilateral strategy basis of NDP delivery. Four National Planning Commissioners (NPC) welcomed the UK’s interest in the NDP and came up with a range of potential areas of UK engagement.
New initiatives
The Minister was able to make several significant announcements during the visit, which caught the imagination and interest of Ministers, business leaders, civil society and the general public.
The launch of the UK-South Africa Newton Fund was described by Science Minister Pandor as the start of a new kind of partnership of equals, and of huge importance for broader South Africa-UK political and economic cooperation.
Education and support for future leaders was also an important thread running through the visit. At a reception for over 300 future leaders and youth organisations, the Minister announced an uplift of Chevening scholarships for 2015/6 and the launch of a new High Commission mentoring initiative to support the next generation of South African leaders.
There was a powerful media impact. The Minister’s interview with SABC Channel Africa broadcast across the continent. The Minister’s interview with South African journalists continued the visit’s media impact into the weekend. The young leaders’ reception had a strong presence on Twitter, particularly amongst the youth community and positive correspondence about the event, and its impact, continues to stream into the High Commission.
New prosperity opportunities
Radebe, Davies, the NPC Commissioners, academic and business interlocutors were all clear on the NDP opportunities for UK business on infrastructure, energy, education, and science and innovation.
Mr Duddridge used his meetings to probe on how the UK might support prosperity regionally. Radebe suggested that the UK might support the North-South Corridor and regional energy projects. Radebe also urged the UK to use its relative advantage in infrastructure and finance across the continent. Meetings with Barclays, Old Mutual and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Minister’s speech to the British Chamber of Business in Southern Africa focussed on how the UK government and business could work together to build prosperity and promote further the Africa rising narrative.
0.4 Disclaimer
The purpose of the FCO Country Update(s) for Business (”the Report”) prepared by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is to provide information and related comment to help recipients form their own judgments about making business decisions as to whether to invest or operate in a particular country. The Report’s contents were believed (at the time that the Report was prepared) to be reliable, but no representations or warranties, express or implied, are made or given by UKTI or its parent Departments (the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)) as to the accuracy of the Report, its completeness or its suitability for any purpose. In particular, none of the Report’s contents should be construed as advice or solicitation to purchase or sell securities, commodities or any other form of financial instrument. No liability is accepted by UKTI, the FCO or BIS for any loss or damage (whether consequential or otherwise) which may arise out of or in connection with the Report.