The South African president will be received this Tuesday, November 22, at Buckingham Palace for the first visit of a head of state under the era of Charles III. The new British sovereign has invited Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife for a two-day visit to the United Kingdom. It is therefore an African country of the Commonwealth which has the honor of being received first by Charles III.
With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Roman Song
This invitation also symbolizes the continuity of a long friendship between South Africa and the British Crown, since the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, died at the beginning of September.
Two months after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II which he attended, Cyril Ramaphosa is already back in London. It is no longer flags at half mast that await him, but South African flags for this first visit by a Head of State under the era of Charles III.
Cyril Ramaphosa is to deliver a speech to the British Parliament and be received at a banquet at Buckingham Palace. After the new king, he is to meet the new prime minister, Rishi Sunak. Together, they will discuss cooperation between the two countries.
Compared to the United States or even Germany, the United Kingdom is a small trading partner of South Africa and both nations can hope to do better. The issue of energy will be on the menu of discussions as the week promises to be difficult in terms of access to electricity in South Africa.
As an air of deja vu, after attending the funeral of the queen, Cyril Ramaphosa had returned hastily to Pretoria to respond to the electricity crisis. This continues and should tarnish this prestigious visit. It’s complicated to shine abroad when your fellow citizens spend their evenings in the dark.