South African President Thabo Mbeki departed Pretoria Sunday for a three-nation West African visit that would take him to Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.
Aside from foreign minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota, communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, and the minister of Minerals and Energy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Mbeki is accompanied by a business delegation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the visit reflects the importance South Africa attaches to its relations with these countries, not only in promoting increased bilateral political and economic relations, but also their value as partners in promoting the ideals of the African Renaissance.
It is Mbeki's first state visit to Nigeria, and this signifies the degree to which bilateral relations between South Africa and Nigeria have normalised since the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo May 1999.
Mbeki, along with Obasanjo and president Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, the immediate past-president of the OAU, have been championing African and developing world's interests, in the areas of conflict resolution, debt relief, poverty and development.
At the bilateral level, the visit would provide an opportunity to review the progress of the South Africa-Nigeria bi-national Commission, the second session of which was held in Pretoria in April.
Mbeki will also be attending Nigeria's 40th Independence celebrations in the federal capital, Abuja, as Obasanjo's guest.
In addition, he will engage a wide spectrum of Nigerian political and civil society stakeholders, while South African industrialists hold sessions with their Nigerian counterparts.
Mbeki's visit to Senegal Wednesday will also be his first to that country, and comes after the successful democratic election of President Abdoulaye Wade in March.
Senegal-South African bilateral discussions are expected to focus on regional conflict and development issues, as well as the strengthening of relations.
The Ghana leg of the visit Thursday and Saturday, follows a state visit to South Africa in 1998 by President Jerry Rawlings.
Ghana is South Africa's major trading partner in West Africa and although Rawlings is soon to step down as the Ghanaian leader, he is expected to continue the role of a statesman.
Pretoria particularly sees him as a partner in promoting the ideals of African Renaissance.
While in Ghana, Mbeki will be discussing with a cross-section of Ghanaian public opinion and address the parliament.
He will also witness the conclusion of an agreement on Defence Training and Technical Co-operation, and attend the launch of the Ghana- South Africa Business Chamber.
