Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived in Cape Town, leading a delegation of government officials and business people on a two day official visit. This was the first ever visit of a Russian head of state to SA. He was welcomed by President Thabo Mbeki in a special ceremony. The two rulers held bilateral talks and attended a joint press conference later in the day. Strategies to strengthen economic and political ties between the countries topped the agenda. South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), received military training and financial support from Moscow during its many years of fighting apartheid.
eventREF E-0013693Revised
5 September 2006
Putin visits South Africa
- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019
How we know this
- 01International relations & cooperation,"Media Programme for State Visit to South Africa by Russian President, Vladimir Putin, Tuesday, 5 - Wednesday, 6 September 2006", from International relations & cooperation,[Online], available at www.dfa.gov.za [Accessed : 23 August 2013]
- 02south Africa Government online, "Media programme for state visit to South Africa by Russian President, Vladimir Putin, Tuesday, 5 - Wednesday, 6 September 2006" from south Africa Government online,[online], available at www.gov.za [Accessed : 23 August 2013]
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Putin visits South Africa. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013693
South African History Online (2011) 'Putin visits South Africa', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013693 (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
South African History Online, Putin visits South Africa [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013693, (accessed 7 October 2026).
"Putin visits South Africa." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013693. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "Putin visits South Africa." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013693.
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