Ramaphosa arrives in London for UK state visit
President Cyril Ramaphosa landed in London on Monday morning as he embarked on a state visit to the UK.
King Charles III will this week host his first state visit as monarch when he welcomes Ramaphosa and his wife to Buckingham Palace.
Ramaphosa will be in the United Kingdom until Thursday.
The last state visit to the UK came in June 2019, when Queen Elizabeth II hosted US president Donald Trump and his wife Melania.
Charles has yet to announce where he will go on his first overseas visit as king, and this was the first invitation he extended since succeeding his late mother in September.
President spokesperson Vicent Magwenya said the invitation will include discussions on boosting trade, rekindling relations and strengthening partnerships.
"The visit provides an opportunity for South Africa and the UK to identify new areas of collaboration in advancing economic recovery and stability in reaffirming the solid foundation between the two countries.
"This is the first meeting at this level after the United Kingdom withdrawn from the United union. At a time. Many countries are affected by the lingering Covid-19 and the conflicts of the Ukraine and Russia war.
"During the visit, the President will hold talks with Prime Minister to review range of issues of a bilateral continental nature."
