Johannesburg – The South Africa International Relations and Cooperation Minister Dr. Naledi Pandor will attend the inauguration ceremony of the Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Vice President-elect, Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin Filho on Sunday, 1 January 2023
Dr. Pandor will represent President Cyril Ramaphosa at the ceremony.
South Africa enjoys cordial relations with Brazil.
Brazil is South Africa’s largest trading partner in Latin America and is the second largest trading partner in the Americas after the USA.
South Africa is Brazils second largest export partner in Africa, after Egypt, and its 4th largest import partner from Africa after Algeria, Morocco, and Nigeria.
The inauguration ceremony takes place at a time that Brazil is in mourning following the death of football legend Pelé.
President Ramaphosa has joined other world leaders in sending their commiserations to Brazil and its people on the passing of Edson Arantes do Nascimento the King of Football better known as “Pelé” at the age of 82.
“President Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing of global football icon and social activist, Pelé,” Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, said on Friday.
“The President has expressed his condolences in letters to President Jair Bolsonaro as well as incoming President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva.”
Pelé succumbed to colon cancer on Thursday. Brazil declared three days of national mourning ahead on Tuesday’s funeral for the legend.
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The only three-time FIFA World Cup champion, Pelé dazzled both fans and competitors alike with a skillful and entertaining style of play that made him a global star and icon of excellence in football.
Pelé was also a campaigner for improved social conditions in his home country and internationally and served as minister of sport in Brazil from January 1995 to April 1998.
Pelé visited South Africa in 1995 and met President Nelson Mandela.
The two global figures expressed profound admiration for one another based on their common social and political causes.
President Ramaphosa said: During the eight decades of his life, Pelé not only filled football stadiums with exhilaration but he filled hearts and homes with hope and the knowledge that adversity was surmountable.
He was a global inspiration who embodied the best that sport has to offer as an exhibition of physical endeavour and as a means to transform individuals and entire societies from within.
His endurance and impact on the field of play inspired the resilience with which Pelé worked for peace and justice globally.
Pelé will be missed by multiple generations of people worldwide who were touched by his life even if they never set foot in a stadium.
