Dignitaries have started arriving in the country ahead of the inauguration of the President of South Africa. Most of the leaders who will be attending the ceremony on Wednesday are from the SADC region.
The heads of state and governments who will attend the inauguration are from different countries in the SADC region and leaders of the regional organisations in Africa.
ECOWAS Chairman and President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived on Tuesday evening. The African Union (AU) Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat is expected to arrive in the country. Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also arrived.
Vice President of the Republic of Cuba, Salvador Valdés Mesa and Burundi’s Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca arrived on Tuesday while other countries around the world will be represented by their ambassadors and high commissioners.
At least 18 Heads of State and Government, 3 former Heads of State and Government, and nine Heads of Delegation are expected to attend.
Countries that will be represented at a high level at the Inauguration include the Kingdom of eSwatini and Kingdom of Lesotho; the Republics of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola and Tanzania; the Republic of Uganda; the People’s Republic of China; the Arab Republic of Egypt; the State of Palestine and the Republic of Cuba.
The theme for the occasion is “30 Years of Democracy, Partnership and Growth.”
The swearing-in of the President-Elect will be conducted by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in the Union Buildings’ Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre.
