South African President To Make Official Visit To Malaysia For 47th ASEAN Summit

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a four-day official visit to Malaysia from Oct 24 to 27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for a bilateral meeting and to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits as Guest of the Chair.

The Foreign Ministry, in a statement today, said this will be Ramaphosa’s first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office in February 2018.

Ramaphosa will be accompanied by several Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

According to the statement, Ramaphosa will be accorded an official welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya tomorrow, followed by a bilateral meeting with Anwar at Seri Perdana Complex.

Both leaders are expected to take stock of Malaysia-South Africa bilateral relations and explore avenues to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, halal industry, agriculture, defence, science, technology and innovation, education, tourism and culture, transport and capacity building.

“They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues including Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 and South Africa’s G20 Presidency 2025, BRICS and ASEAN-South Africa Sectoral Dialogue Partnership. Both leaders are also expected to reaffirm both countries’ firm commitment to the Palestinian issue,” it added.

The ministry said in recognition of his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to democracy and human rights, particularly his advocacy for the Global South and for the Palestinian people, the President will be conferred an Honorary Doctorate of International Relations by Universiti Malaya at a Special Convocation Ceremony on Oct 27.

Ramaphosa has also been invited to attend the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit on Sunday and on the next day he will deliver his remarks at the 20th East Asia Summit as well as attend the gala dinner hosted by Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“President Ramaphosa is also scheduled to participate in the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS), hosted by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council of Malaysia on Oct 25,” according to the statement.

In 2024, South Africa ranked as Malaysia’s largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade amounting to RM7.82 billion (USD1.71 billion).

Malaysia’s exports to South Africa were valued at RM3.84 billion (USD0.84 billion), while imports stood at RM3.98 billion (USD0.87 billion). These figures underscore the growing economic linkages and the vast potential for further cooperation between the two nations.

Malaysia’s main exports to South Africa included palm oil and palm oil-based products, petroleum products and electrical and electronic products, while imports from South Africa comprised manufactures of metal, agricultural products such as fresh and dried fruits and processed food.

Malaysia and South Africa established diplomatic relations in November 1993, with bilateral ties characterised by strong diplomatic, economic and historical bonds. Both countries also cooperate closely at various multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth, and BRICS.

“Malaysia and South Africa remain committed to advancing South-South cooperation and promoting sustainable development,” the statement said.

-- BERNAMA