Africa diplomats visit the City of Joburg

25 January 2018

 

Ahigh-level delegation consisting of ambassadors from over 20 African countries visited the City of Johannesburg to discuss diplomatic relations between their countries and the City on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein.

 

The meeting with the African Diplomatic Corps was held to discuss matters of mutual interest and to strengthen existing diplomatic relations between the City of Johannesburg and African cities, particularly in the context of migrants’ issues and trade exchange opportunities.

The discussions were led by Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Cllr Herman Mashaba and Cllr Vasco da Gama, the Speaker of the Council, and attended by the Members of the Mayoral Committee in the City.

Mayor Mashaba presented the City of Johannesburg’ priorities and programmes to the delegation that included representatives from Namibia, Niger, Algeria, South Sudan, Ghana, Angola, Lesotho, Botswana, Egypt, Tunisia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Seychelles, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Chad, Swaziland, Mauritania and Zambia.

He outlined the City’s integration of legal migrants’ policy into communities guided by national legislations such as the Refugee Act of 1998 and the Immigrant Act. The City has also established a Migrant Help Desk to assist migrants by linking them to relevant services.

Mayor Mashaba said: “I believe that the African community is a vital part of the larger Johannesburg community. In pursuit of the African agenda, we must remain committed to the promotion of human rights and democracy. Advancing multinational interests such as migration, urbanisation and development require strengthening our global governance, political and economic relations.

“The City of Johannesburg is a beacon of culture and migrant programmes are prioritised as key to celebrating our diversity and promotion social cohesion. As a centre of choice for heritage tourism, art, cultural and recreational events, the City is involved in organising annual public events that integrate both locals and migrants,” said Mayor Mashaba.

“We want to invite all of you to participate in our annual Johannesburg Carnival that takes place on 31 December. In celebrations of the New Year, performers across Africa join to enhance our various heritages. The carnival is an ultimate fusion event that brings arts, communities and residents together to celebrate their similarities and differences,” explained Mayor Mashaba.

Ghana’s Ambassador to South Africa, George Ayisi Boateng, thanked the City of Johannesburg for an opportunity to host them and for creating an understanding of doing business in the City of Johannesburg that boasts the region’s biggest economy