Pretoria — President Jacob Zuma is today wrapping up his state visit to Britain where he clarified government's position on the nationalisation of mines and allayed fears about security during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
After an official farewell from Queen Elizabeth, Zuma will go see Prince Charles and British volunteers working in South Africa.
He will also address the UK-South Africa Business Seminar attended by more than 200 South African business leaders.
The seminar - aimed at boosting investment and trade ties between the two countries - will also discuss climate change, in which both countries are playing a leading international role, and the global economic downturn.
On Thursday, Zuma held talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown with Zimbabwe topping the agenda.
Zuma had suggested sanctions should be eased to help the country move forward - a call that was rejected by Brown.
He also visited the Wembley Stadium, the home of British football, to assure prospective World Cup visitors of their safety during the tournament.
Relevant Links
Later in the evening Zuma and his delegation attended the Lord Mayor's Banquet where he spoke about South Africa's long economic and cultural links to the UK.
He also emphasised the constantly evolving ties between the UK and South Africa.
Zuma said the relations were forged not through bilateral agreements but through study, culture, friendship, marriage, sport and food.
However he said the two counties needed to take the economic, political, social and cultural ties beyond the current levels.
Zuma also reassured the UK that there is no discussion within the South African government about the nationalisation of mines.
"There is no law that authorizes the South African Government to nationalize mines or mineral resources. The nationalisation of mines is not government policy at all.
"Nothing has changed in this regard," said Zuma.
Comments 1 to 1 of 1 Post a comment
Now here's the critical part; when President Zuma asked Brown for Britain to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe, Brown refused. But yet Brown and the rest of the British Government don't want to see South Africa do what's best for her people and the Africa Countinent; can you imagine that ?? Is it because British think their skin or race is more important than South African or Africans as a whole?? Is it?? If Nationalizing or Nationalization of the mines in South Africa is the better way to share the wealth equally since the death of Apartheid, so be it and let it be done. How long should these people keep on playing on our intelligent?? How long?? With centuries of raping the continent, stealing her minerial resources plus the people of Africa etc, why is Britain still not satisfying of the massive criminal acts she did during the centuries of colonizations?? Why?? Why is some African leaders always betraying their country and the continent for some others sweet tooth and nothing in return to actually please the people of that African country or the continent?? Why?? Is Africans not as important as others; and how long should Africans continue to suffer just to feed the deeply rooted creed, selfishness and hatres of others against us, "Africans". Do you think with all what we "Africans and Africa" have gone through since the dawn of pre-historic time that these Europeans care of our development?? If they do; they won't leave Africa empty casted upon with devastation just to continue to steal our little minerial resources that they left. And, furthermore, why is Britain and the rest so care of Zimbabwe ?? Is it because Zimbabwe is sharing the wealth equally ??? How can an individual comes into your territory, stole all that you get and won't let you gain anything back ??? Is this what Africa is about when it come in dealing with the Europeans??? And, why won't the Europeans do such a criminal act with the Asians, or the Asians Countries at this day of Age. SHAME on any Africans who is belittling the Africa Countinent and her people. SHAME !!!! I guess that's why they keep and always fighting Africa so that their puppet leaders will continue to stay in power just for their dirty behaviours.