Parliament, Tuesday, 14 July 2026 – – The South African Parliament delegation, led by Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, today begins the official parliamentary working visit programme to the Russian Federation with a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral parliamentary relations between South Africa and Russia.
The Chairperson is leading a South African parliamentary delegation on a strategic working visit to the Russian Federation from 13 to 17 July 2026 at the invitation of the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Her Excellency Ms Valentina Matvienko.
The day's programme will commence with a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall, where the Chairperson will lay a wreath in honour of those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. The delegation will thereafter visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "Moscow Kremlin", providing an opportunity to appreciate the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Russian Federation.
The highlight of the day's programme will be the bilateral engagement between the South African and Russian parliamentary delegations.
The bilateral meeting will focus on deepening cooperation between the Parliament of South Africa and the Federation Council under the 2014 Memorandum of Cooperation, strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, expanding cooperation between South African provinces and Russian regions, and enhancing collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including agriculture, education, science and technology, youth development, women's empowerment, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
The discussions will also provide an opportunity to exchange views on parliamentary cooperation within multilateral institutions, particularly the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, and the role of legislatures in promoting dialogue, sustainable development and mutually beneficial international partnerships.
Following the bilateral engagement, the NCOP Chairperson will grant an interview to Vmeste-RF, the official television channel of the Federation Council, where she is expected to reflect on the longstanding relationship between South Africa and Russia, the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy, and opportunities to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The day's programme will conclude with an official reception hosted by Her Excellency Valentina Matvienko in honour of the Chairperson and the South African parliamentary delegation.
South Africa's Parliament regards this visit as an important milestone in advancing parliamentary diplomacy and reinforcing the historic friendship and strategic partnership between South Africa and the Russian Federation. The visit also reaffirms Parliament's commitment to strengthening dialogue between legislatures and ensuring that international cooperation contributes meaningfully to the development aspirations of both countries and their peoples.
The South African delegation comprises NCOP Members of Parliament Ms Sindiswa Masumpa and Ms Sanny Ndhlovu, as well as National Assembly Members of Parliament Mr Mogodu Samuel Moela and Mr Imraan Ismail Moosa.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament Spokesperson
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