President Lula meets with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa

This Tuesday (23) President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hosted a meeting at the Planalto Palace with South Africa’s minister of Foreign Affairs, Naledi Pandor. The meeting, which lasted about an hour, was accompanied by Brazil’s minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira.

Naledi Pandor transmitted to President Lula the greetings and a letter from the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa. Lula suggested the South African President to visit Brazil before the G20 summit, scheduled for 18 and 19 November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro. President Lula also expressed his appreciation for South Africa and the entire African continent.

The chancellor is visiting Brazil in the context of the resumption of the Brazil-South Africa Bilateral Commission, which encompasses matters from various ministries. She commented that the results of the meetings were excellent.

Lula and Pandor talked about resuming social programs and policies in Brazil, the good numbers of the Brazilian economy, and the need to increase trade between Brazil and South Africa. In 2023, bilateral trade between the two countries totaled USD 2.21 billion, with Brazilian exports adding USD 1.64 billion, and imports USD 577.1 million.

In this context, Lula remarked that it would be advantageous to include a delegation of South African businessmen during a potential visit by the country’s president. Minister Mauro Vieira further highlighted that both LATAM and South African Airways have commenced direct flights between São Paulo and Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Pandor thanked President Lula for his "strong stances" in defense of international law and human rights. "It's the time for the South," the Minister stated.