Deputy President Paul Mashatile is today undertaking a working visit to Ireland to reinforce South Africa's historic and warm bilateral relations with the nation. The Deputy President is expected to meet his Irish counterpart, Prime Minister Simon Harris, to reaffirm the strong political and diplomatic ties between the two countries. According to the Presidency, South Africa and Ireland established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago and relations between both nations encompass a broad spectrum of cooperation, such as trade and investment, education, science and innovation and gender equality. 'Ireland's developmental programmes have greatly assisted many initiatives in South Africa since 1994, and the partnership continues to this day,' the statement read. During the visit, the Deputy President will participate in the South Africa-Ireland Trade and Investment Round Table with Irish companies that are already invested in or intend to invest in South Africa. He is also expected to deliver remarks at t he Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering connections between the South African and Irish tech ecosystems. The Deputy President will be accompanied to Ireland by the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield. Once he wraps up his Ireland visit, the country's second-in-command will then proceed to the United Kingdom from Saturday, 29 September to Friday, 4 October 2024. 'The visit will focus on showcasing South Africa as an investment destination of choice and strive to identify and create new trade opportunities for South African businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.' The island nation is also one of South Africa's most significant bilateral partners in the northern hemisphere, particularly in trade, investment, skills development, science, innovation, the Just Energy Transition and tourism, among others. The Deputy President is expected to engage selected investors and trade partners invited in coope ration with economic partners in the United Kingdom and deliver a lecture at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University in London, focusing on South Africa's forthcoming Presidency of the G20. 'The Deputy President will also pay a courtesy call on the Duke of Edinburgh, and meet the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Angela Rayner.' He will be accompanied by the International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni Abrahams and some of the Deputy Ministers from various departments. Source: South African Government News Agency