Publications
Partners
Eastern Cape premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, is currently leading a government delegation on an official outbound mission to Lower Saxony, Germany, which commenced on November 4, and is expected to conclude on November 11.
Topping the agenda of the visit is the exploration of further investment and trade opportunities that will mutually benefit both the Eastern Cape Province and Germany.
High level engagements between the two sides will reflect on the state of bilateral relations, and similarly identify new areas of co-operation.
The Eastern Cape and Lower Saxony have enjoyed long-term bilateral relations, having signed the Joint Declaration about the co-operation and development of friendly relations in 1995, and subsequently renewed the Declaration in 2004.
The twinning agreement has, over the years, resulted in the implementation of programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the province.
Germany played a substantial role in the fight against Covid-19 in the province, through the provision of an increased capacity of oxygenated beds, isolation and ICU wards at the VW field hospital, Dora Nginza and Livingstone hospital.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Development further donated a R65 million modular 100-bed facility at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane.
Mabuyane and his delegation, which includes the MEC of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, mayors and representatives of the provincial entities, are expected to explore areas of collaboration in relation to socio-economic development and gender equality, agriculture and rural development, smart technologies and digital economy, sport (including volunteer service in the sports sector), social cohesion and youth exchange, arts, and matters relating to cultural heritage, crime prevention and community safety, in line with the existing Memorandum of Understanding.
In addition to the envisaged engagements, Mabuyane will also travel to Mercedes-Benz Group headquarters to position the province in the event of future expansion by this company, and further proceed to Berlin for follow-up engagements with the business and investor community.
The visit will contribute to the strengthening of partnerships between the Eastern Cape and Germany, while promoting the province’s capabilities and expertise in various sectors.
Eastern Cape Education MEC, Fundile Gade, has been sworn in as the Acting Premier during Mabuyane’s absence.
