Vietnam’s great loss

SOUTH Africa sends condolences to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam following the passing of Vietnam’s former prime minister.

The South African government is saddened to learn of the passing on March 19 of the former Vietnamese prime minister (from 1997 to 2006), Phan Van Khai.

The former prime minister contributed greatly to the building and development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Former prime minister Phan Van Khai played an important role in promoting bilateral relations between South Africa and Vietnam.

During his official visit to South Africa in 2004, former prime minister Phan Van Khai met his counterpart, then-president Thabo Mbeki, and the two leaders officially established the South Africa-Vietnam Inter-Governmental Partnership Forum for Economic, Trade, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Co-operation (Partnership Forum or PF).

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, extended a message of condolences to the government and people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam during this moment of sadness and grief. Ndivhuwo Mabaya

Department of International Relations and Co-operation Pretoria