(ii) The detailed itinerary for this day is still to be confirmed and will be published at a later date.(ii)
Cape Town Tuesday, May 21
9 a.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
Their Excellencies will be officially welcomed by His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa. During the ceremony, the Governor General will inspect the guard of honour and receive a 21-gun salute.
Parliamentary Precinct, Tuynhuys
OPEN TO MEDIA
9:35 a.m.
Courtesy Call with the President of the Republic of South Africa
The Governor General will meet with the President of the Republic of South Africa. An expanded meeting with the official and accompanying delegations will follow at 10 a.m.
Parliamentary Precinct, Tuynhuys
PHOTO OP-At the beginning of both meetings
MEDIA AVAILABILITY-The Governor General and the President will deliver a joint statement and answer questions from members of the media following their meeting, from 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
10 a.m.
Visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens by Her Excellency Sharon Johnston
Her Excellency will visit this amazing botanical garden, which is dedicated to preserving the fynbos genus of plants. The genus is unique to the Western Cape, yet contains one of the greatest number of plant species in the world. During Her Excellency's tour, she will hear about the work that Canada has supported through the South African Department of Treasury and the National Biodiversity Institute, in such areas as leadership development and change management. For more information, visit www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch.
Kirstenbosch Gardens
OPEN TO MEDIA
12 p.m.
State Luncheon Hosted by the President of the Republic of South Africa
On the occasion of Their Excellencies' visit to the country, the President of the Republic of South Africa will host a State luncheon. The Governor General and the President will deliver remarks on this special occasion.
Banquet Hall, Tuynhuys
OPEN TO MEDIA-Speeches only
2 p.m.
Address to the Joint Session of Parliament
Upon their arrival at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency and the President will be welcomed by the Honourable Max Sisulu, Speaker of the National Assembly. The Governor General will be the first Canadian head-of-State representative to address a joint session of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. In his speech, the Governor General will highlight Canada-South Africa partnership and shared values regarding democratic institutions, the rule of law, freedom of expression and human rights. For more information, visit www.parliament.gov.za.
Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
OPEN TO MEDIA
4:30 p.m
Courtesy Call from the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa
The Governor General will meet with His Excellency Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa.
Table Bay Hotel
PHOTO OP-At the beginning of the meeting
Pretoria Wednesday, May 22
9:24 a.m.
Journey on the Gautrain
His Excellency and Canadian delegates will travel on the Gautrain, Africa's first rapid-rail public-transport project. Bombardier, as part of the Bombela Consortium, is the builder of this high-speed commuter rail service that travels between the central business districts of Johannesburg and Pretoria. For more information, visit www.gautrain.co.za
Hatfield Station
OPEN TO MEDIA
Johannesburg Wednesday, May 22
10:30 a.m.
Visit to the Apartheid Museum
His Excellency will visit an exhibition dedicated to Nelson Mandela, who was central to every stage of South Africa's epic struggle against apartheid. from formulating a new approach in the 1940s and leading the mass struggles of the 1950s to the formation of Umkhonto we Siswe in the early 1960s and his 27-year imprisonment. This great African leader initiated and led negotiations in the 1990s, and served as the first president of a democratic South Africa, building a new nation from the fragments of conflict. For more information, visit www.apartheidmuseum.org.
Apartheid Museum
OPEN TO MEDIA
12 p.m.
Canada-South Africa Business Networking Luncheon
His Excellency will deliver a keynote address to over 120 South African and Canadian business leaders at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the largest exchange on the African continent. The Governor General's address will focus on the strong South Africa-Canada trade relationship, as well as the advantages of having Canadian companies as partners in such areas as research, academic exchanges and innovation.
Atrium, Johannesburg Stock Exchange
OPEN TO MEDIA-Speeches only
Pretoria Wednesday, May 22
7 p.m.
Official Farewell Ceremony
Their Excellencies will be bid farewell during an official ceremony that will include a guard of honour.
Waterkloof Airbase
PHOTO OP-Official photographers only
Visits abroad by a governor general play an important role in Canada's relations with other countries. They are highly valuable as they help broaden bilateral relations and exchanges among peoples.
Members of the public can follow the Governor General's State visits to the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of Botswana and the Republic of South Africa online at www.gg.ca, where speeches and photos will be posted.
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Contacts:
Marie-Eve Letourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-0287
marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca
