President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday began a two-day state visit to Switzerland where South Africa and the Swiss Confederation are set to sign bilateral agreements and mark the return of cultural artefacts belonging to the Nkuna Royal Family.
The visit, hosted by Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, includes high-level talks on bilateral cooperation and global governance, including Switzerland’s upcoming G20 Presidency.
According to the South African Presidency, two formal agreements will be signed: one on cooperation in arts, culture and heritage, and another – a letter of intent – focused on peace mediation and democracy resilience.
“The agreements will strengthen cultural ties, explore new cooperation initiatives under domestic law and promote joint efforts in peace-making and mediation within multilateral organisations,” presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
A highlight of the visit will be the official handover of heritage artefacts linked to South Africa’s Nkuna Royal Family, restituted by the Swiss government as part of ongoing cultural diplomacy and historical redress.
On Thursday, Ramaphosa and Keller-Sutter will visit a vocational education centre and an industrial firm in eastern Switzerland to showcase the European country’s dual education and apprenticeship model.
The initiative supports youth cooperation and skills development aligned with modern economic demands.
Ramaphosa is also expected to meet Swiss business leaders to explore opportunities for economic collaboration and investment.
JN/APA