PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has left Mzansi for his working visit to the United States.
Ramaphosa left the country on Monday, 19 May.
He is expected to land in the US in the afternoon.
He will meet President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington D.C on Wednesday, 21 May.
The two presidents will discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest.
Among the pressing issues they are expected to talk about is the unfounded allegations by Trump that there's genocide against Afrikaners in Mzansi. This has led the US president to extend an invitation to the Afrikaners to come and live in the country.
So far, only 49 Afrikaners from Mzansi have been recorded as "refugees" in the US.
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They left South Africa last Monday.
Among Ramaphosa's entourage is DA leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen
The minister confirmed that he's part of the delegation on Monday, 19 May.
"This week, I will form part of the delegation led by President Cyril Ramaphosa on a historic and crucial visit to the United States of America to engage with President Trump and other senior US officials.
"The highest issues on my priority list will be securing trade relations between the US and SA, particularly in agriculture, to protect jobs, grow the economy and expand employment opportunities," said Steenhuisen.
He said South Africa's relationship with the United States is one of immense importance.
He pointed out that preferential trade agreements, such as AGOA, contribute significantly to Mzansi's economy.
"Losing these benefits would be disastrous for farmers, farm workers and the economy at large. Relationships between countries are never simple. We cannot pretend that we are not facing unique challenges in our country. This delegation to Washington D.C represents all South Africans, who have entrusted us to put the shared national interests and desire for economic growth and job creation first, ahead of any party or ideological positions," he said.
Steenhuisen said as a proud member of the Government of National Unity (GNU) delegation, he'll endeavour to ensure every effort is made to mend and improve relations between the US and SA.
"There is a renewed hope in South Africans, thanks to the formation of the GNU, and we dare not fail them on our mission to increase economic growth and job opportunities for all South Africans. South Africa will work if South Africans can get work," he added.
