Addressing President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria, at a prestigious event where he presented his credentials, Rogachev said his sights were set on the summit, which Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will co-chair with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt, who is also chairperson of the African Union.

“Mr President, please accept the letter of recall for my predecessor, and my letter of credence,” Rogachev said to Ramaphosa. 

"I am glad that I am doing this just several days before the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi.

“One of my immediate tasks is to assist you and your delegation at this event.”

Before taking up the Pretoria post from Ambassador Mikhail Petrakov, Rogachev was director of the department on new challenges and threats at the ministry of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation.

Ramaphosa on Tuesday officially received at least 16 new heads of diplomatic missions designated by their countries to Pretoria. 

Presenting her credentials to Ramaphosa, Australia’s new Ambassador to South Africa Gita Kamath said for the short while she has been in South Africa, she had been “struck by the breadth and depth” of the relations between Canberra and Pretoria.

“We are looking forward to your investment conference as number one investor in your mining sector, the number two investor in business process outsourcing, and I think the seventh largest investor last year overall. 

"Almost a 100 thousand Australians visit South Africa every year. We have great co-operation in science and technology through our co-hosting the Square Kilometer Array and let’s not mention our friendly, robbery on the sporting field,” she quipped as Ramaphosa laughed loudly.

“I look forward in my role as Australia’s High Commissioner to building on these very strong foundations. It’s a real honour for me to present my credentials to you.”

Taking over from former Zambian High Commissioner, Emmanuel Mwamba, who has been transferred to Addis Ababa, Lusaka's incoming top diplomat, Major General Jackson Miti also presented his credentials, delivering a message of solidarity to Ramaphosa from President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Morocco’s incoming top diplomat in South Africa, Ambassador Youssef Amrani also presented his credentials to Ramaphosa, saying Rabat appreciated the critical role Pretoria played in peace and security on the African continent.

For more than a decade, Morocco has not had an ambassador in South Africa owing to frosty relations that have begun to thaw under Ramaphosa’s administration. 

The previous ambassador left Pretoria in 2004 after South Africa recognised the self-proclaimed Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

In his keynote address, Ramaphosa said his government and the people of South Africa looked forward to deepening economic partnership, political dialogue and co-operation on matters of mutual interest with the Pretoria-accredited diplomats. 

“You are arriving in our country at a time when we are seized with efforts to revive our economy, create jobs, alleviate poverty and significantly reduce inequality.

To this effect, we will be hosting the second South Africa Investment Conference next month, from 5 to 7 November,” Ramaphosa said.

ANA