Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma flanked by other dignitaries at the 93rd Saudi National Day at the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria on Thursday. Picture: Faizel Patel
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has highlighted the important role the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia played in the freedom of South Africa.
Dlamini-Zuma was speaking at the 93rd Saudi National Day at the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria on Thursday.
The minister said prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1994, Saudi Arabia “took a leading position in the Arab world against the injustices committed by the apartheid regime”.
“We pay tribute to the kingdom for their active engagement in our freedom and liberation.”
Dlamini-Zuma said South Africa and Saudi Arabia also recognise each other as prominent members of their respective regions.
“They are eager to develop a strategic relationship for purpose of enhancing bilateral, trade and economic relations.”
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Saudi Arabian ambassador to South Africa, Sultan al Angari whose mission in the country has ended, said he will miss the warmth of the South African people.
“I would like to acknowledge the strong relations between our two countries, which has been built on mutual respect and understanding.”
Al Angari also congratulated President Cyril Ramaphosa and South Africans for a successful Brics Summit in August.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the government of South Africa as the president of Brics 2023 and to all Brics members for extending an invitation to Saudi Arabia to become a full member of the bloc.”
In April, custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a message congratulating Ramaphosa as South Africa celebrated Freedom Day on 27 April.
South Africa commemorated the first post-apartheid elections held in the country 29 years ago.
King Salman expressed his best wishes and wished Ramaphosa “constant good health and happiness and the government and people of South Africa steady progress and prosperity”.
ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia’s Freedom Day message to Ramaphosa and SA
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