Secretary General of the African National Congress: Vietnam is a model worth learning from

The Secretary General of the African National Congress stressed that Vietnam is a model worth learning from for developing countries, and agreed with measures to promote bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC) Fikile Mbalula - Photo: VGP

During his participation in the G20 Summit and bilateral activities in South Africa, on the afternoon of November 21, in Johannesburg city, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC) Fikile Mbalula.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed greetings and regards of solidarity and friendship from General Secretary To Lam and the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the President, General Secretary and all leaders and members of the ANC. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his pleasure to return to visit the beautiful country of South Africa and shared good memories when leading the delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam on a working visit to South Africa in July 2019 at the invitation of the ANC.

Appreciating the heroic history and role of the ANC in leading democratic and patriotic forces to eliminate all forms of ethnic discrimination and oppression, and to build a democratic and unified South Africa, the Prime Minister said that the Communist Party of Vietnam and the ANC share many similarities in ideals and goals of fighting against colonialism and racism.

In a warm and fraternal atmosphere, the Prime Minister recalled the first friendly contacts between the two parties at the Asian-African Solidarity Conference in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955, considering this a good foundation for the friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and South Africa.

The Prime Minister was pleased to see that the ANC continues to hold the leading position in the Government of National Unity (GNU) of South Africa, affirming its role in steering the country in the context of many fluctuations in the region and the world.

The Prime Minister discussed measures to promote relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the ANC in the coming time - Photo: VGP

The Prime Minister shared about the strong developments in the relationship between the two countries and the two Parties in recent times with regular meetings and delegation exchanges between the leaders of the two sides, notably the high-level phone call between General Secretary To Lam and ANC Chairman and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in April 2025, setting out major orientations for the relationship, and the State visit to Vietnam by President Cyril Ramaphosa in October 2025.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that his working trip to attend the G20 Summit and bilateral activities in South Africa is a firm affirmation of the traditional, long-term and trustworthy friendship and cooperation between the two Parties and two countries.

Respectfully informing the ANC Secretary General that the two countries have officially announced the upgrading of Vietnam - South Africa relations to a Strategic Partnership during this visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his belief that this is a milestone of historical significance, opening a new stage in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries; and requested the ANC Party, in its role, to promote South African ministries, branches and agencies to realize this cooperation framework.

The Prime Minister suggested that the two Parties continue to strengthen political trust and focus on effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the ANC signed in May 2025 - Photo: VGP

Discussing measures to promote relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the ANC in the coming time, the Prime Minister hoped that the two Parties would continue to coordinate well, creating a solid political foundation, contributing to orienting and facilitating cooperative relations between the two countries.

In that spirit, the Prime Minister suggested that the two Parties continue to strengthen political trust, focus on effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the ANC signed in May 2025, increase contacts and delegation exchanges at all channels and levels, especially at high levels, promote the exchange of leadership and party building experiences, resolve the country's economic and social issues, strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation in a practical and effective manner, promote resources and strengths, and complement each other for development. Informing about the country's development strategy, the Prime Minister suggested that the ANC and South Africa in general cooperate and support Vietnam in achieving its 100-year goals.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC) Fikile Mbalula and delegates attending the reception - Photo: VGP

The Prime Minister also suggested that the two sides actively coordinate and support each other more at international multilateral mechanisms, especially at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Group of Seven (G77), contributing to maintaining peace, security, and stability in the world, promoting international cooperation to deal with common challenges, and protecting the legitimate interests of developing countries.

Secretary General of the African National Congress Fikile Mbalula congratulated and highly appreciated Vietnam's impressive socio-economic development achievements in recent years under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, especially sustainable growth, effective poverty reduction and strong international integration.

The ANC Secretary General stressed that Vietnam is a model worth learning from for developing countries, and agreed with measures to promote bilateral relations, including enhancing economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and mutual support at multilateral forums.

Recalling the historic phone call between the two leaders in May 2025, Secretary General Fikile Mbalula expressed his joy and warmly welcomed the official establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries; affirming that the ANC will continue to closely coordinate with the Communist Party of Vietnam to promote the implementation of the new partnership framework, contributing to regional peace and development.

Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said that along with maintaining and promoting good political relations, the two leading parties should promote substantive relations in all fields, especially the economy; the ANC is committed to working with the Communist Party of Vietnam to continue building bridges of solidarity, with long-term trust, together overcoming challenges so that the two Parties will become stronger, the two countries will become more prosperous, and the people will become happier.

Source: https://vtv.vn/tong-thu-ky-dang-dai-hoi-dan-toc-phi-viet-nam-la-mo-hinh-dang-hoc-hoi-10025112206511526.htm