Bahamas Information Services (G.B.) SOUTH AFRICAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT GRAND BAHAMA The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosasana Zuma is to visit Grand Bahama for a meeting of The Bahamas / South Africa Joint Bilateral Commission, beginning Friday 23rd September, 2005. In 2004, The Bahamas and South Africa signed a bilateral agreement, which formed a joint commission on trade, tourism, health, education and cultural matters resulting from a state visit to The Bahamas in 2003 by South African President Thabo Mbeki. The South African Minister will be welcomed in Freeport by Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Vincent Peet for a tour of the City of Freeport and Grand Bahama Harbour in addition to meetings with the business community there. Dr. Zuma will also plant a tree to replace one originally planted by President Mbeki during his visit, but which was destroyed by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. On Saturday morning, 24th September, the Minister of Trade & Industry, the Hon. Leslie Miller and Attorney General & Minister of Education the Hon. Alfred Sears will arrive in Freeport to join Acting Foreign Minister Peet for the official opening of the Commission. The Honourable Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs arrives in Freeport on Saturday afternoon to join the meetings of the Commission. The Bahamas / South Africa Joint Bilateral Commission comprises five ‘sector groups’ which examine areas of bilateral co-operation, including representatives from both countries’ Ministries of Education, Culture, Offices of the Attorneys General, Health and Foreign Affairs. Teams of technical officials from the groups will meet in Grand Bahama before the Commission presents its report. The visit of the South African Foreign Minister to The Bahamas extends from Friday 23rd September to Monday 26th September. Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21st September, 2005