The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, received the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr. Alvin Botes and Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, two Special Envoys of the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, for a courtesy call at State House this afternoon.

Mr. Botes and Ambassador Nhlapo are in Seychelles to formally convey a special message on behalf of their President, whereby South Africa wish to reinforce the bilateral cooperation that already exist with the Government of Seychelles nationally as well as at multi-lateral level.

President welcomed both; Mr. Botes and Ambassador Nhlapo to Seychelles shores and reciprocate the interest for the two countries to find new avenues of cooperation and to further cement the bond of friendship between Seychelles and South Africa. There, President Ramkalawan proposed further cooperation in trade among other possibilities.

Also present at the meeting was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vivienne Fock Tave, Director General for Regional Affairs, Mr. Steve Lalande and Third Secretary/ Desk Officer for South Africa, Ms. Nisha Serret.

The two Special Envoys were accompanied by the Chief Director: East Africa, Ms Tselane Mokuena, the Head of the Office of the Deputy Minister Botes, Mr. Justin De Allende.