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President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially embark on his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom hosted by King Charles today.
Ramaphosa will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Consort Camila at Buckingham Palace, according to an invitation extended to the president before Queen Elizabeth’s death.
Ramaphosa’s visit to the UK
It is not just another foreign visit for Ramaphosa, as the ruling monarch usually invites only two foreign leaders for a state visit, per year.
The late Queen Elizabeth invited Ramaphosa before her death, but King Charles III was not required to show up.
It is also the first meeting at this level after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
Tuesday’s itinerary
The first day will include much pomp as Ramaphosa’s welcoming ceremony begins in central London.
The ceremony will include a British army regiment on horseback, as well as a 63-gun salute before the president is escorted to Buckingham Palace.
After meeting King Charles III, Ramaphosa will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
Afterwards, he will visit the memorial stone for the late South African President Nelson Mandela.
Ramaphosa accused of ‘washing the king’
Although Ramaphosa is the first leader to meet with the new monarch, South Africans feel he should be on home soil.
Several members of the Democratic Alliance gathered at the House of South Africa in Trafalgar Square, with one referring to the state visit as an attempt to “wash to king” his administration.
“While he’s here to have tea with the king, most South Africans have stage 5 load shedding at home and can’t even make tea.”
WATCH: Protests in London
As reported by Mzwandile Mbeje, many South African expatriates in London wanted to know what Ramaphosa is doing in London.
To this, the Minister of International Relations, Naledi Pandor, said that the government has an economic program in place to revive the economy, adding:
“We are looking to the UK to do this.”
“In the fields of medicine, we want to acquire expertise and be able to push some of these programs together.”
READ ALSO: Ramaphosa arrives in London for King Charles III’s first state visit [PICS]
The search for solutions of charges
As for the problem with load shedding – and Ramaphosa criticized for drinking tea in London while South Africans can’t even boil a kettle – Pandor said South Africa “needs alternative sources and support”.
“As we made the decision to move into a just transition, the United Kingdom was one of the countries that pledged that support.”
In terms of foreign investment coming into the country, South Africa needs to play on a global field, and the United Kingdom is one of South Africa’s biggest trading partners.
Cullinan diamonds
Meanwhile, Camilla had been advised not to wear the Cullinan diamonds when meeting Ramaphosa, as it would be considered “a slap in the face”.
The gem – discovered in South Africa in 1905 – is the largest gem-quality diamond ever found. Today, it is part of the Crown Jewel selection after being “gifted” to the monarchy in 1906.
The stone was brought under a heavy British police escort to Sandringham and presented as a “gift” to the king on his 66th birthday.
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