MFA Press Statement: Visit by Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman to South Africa and Namibia, 31 Oct-5 Nov 2016

SMS Dr Maliki Osman visited the Republic of South Africa from 31 October to 3 November 2016, and the Republic of Namibia from 3 to 5 November 2016.  SMS Maliki’s visit was part of a series of ministerial visits from Singapore to Sub-Saharan Africa aimed at signalling our growing political and economic relations with the region.

In South Africa, SMS Maliki called on former President Kgalema Motlanthe, and met with Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Nomaindiya Mfeketo to reaffirm our strong bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas including trade and investment, defence and technical cooperation.  SMS Maliki also called on Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and thanked South Africa for hosting the Singapore Armed Forces’ training exercises.  

SMS Maliki visited the provinces of Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria), KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), and Western Cape (Cape Town) to discuss trade and investment opportunities, as well as capacity-building programmes.  In Gauteng, SMS called on Premier David Makhura and met with senior African National Congress (ANC) leaders, including ANC Gauteng Chairperson Paul Mashatile.  Separately, SMS Maliki met prominent members of the Muslim community and hosted a reception for Singaporeans. 

In KwaZulu-Natal, SMS Maliki held wide-ranging discussions with the Premier’s team, led by provincial minister for Health Dr SM Dhlomo.  SMS Maliki also met with KZN ANC Chairperson Sihle Zikalala.  To better understand port and maritime-related opportunities in Durban, SMS Maliki met the senior management of the Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) and was hosted to lunch by Chief Executive Karl Socikwa.

In Western Cape, SMS Maliki called on Premier Helen Zille.  SMS Maliki also met the Muslim Judicial Council and discussed issues such as religious harmony and the challenges of religious extremism.  SMS Maliki hosted dinner for members of the Cape Malay community and visited the Cape Malay Quarters, including the Bo-Kaap Museum and Auwal Masjid, the oldest mosque in South Africa.

In Namibia, SMS Maliki called on President Hage Geingob, Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi and Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.  SMS Maliki was hosted to a working lunch by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.  In his meetings, SMS Maliki reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties between Singapore and Namibia and explored potential areas of cooperation such as civil service training, as well as trade and investment opportunities.  SMS Maliki visited the Supreme Court, and together with Chief Justice Peter Shivute, witnessed the demonstration of the e-Justice system that is being implemented by a Singapore company.  As part of his visit, SMS Maliki also hosted a reception for the Namibian alumni of the Singapore Cooperation Programme and Singaporeans based in Windhoek.

SMS Maliki was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
6 NOVEMBER 2016