KUWAIT: Ambassador of South Africa Manelisi Genge praised the ongoing support and the common position that the embassy shares with Kuwait on the Palestinian cause. “South Africa has a long history of supporting the Palestinian cause, which was further consolidated by former President Nelson Mandela’s declaration when he said South Africa’s freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians,” he said.

During a Ramadan Ghabga for members of local media held by the South Africa Embassy, the ambassador affirmed that South Africa will continue to do everything within its power to contribute to the preservation of the Palestinian people and end all acts of apartheid and genocide against them. On South Africa-Kuwait bilateral relations, the ambassador said his country values its relations with Kuwait and is working hard to consolidate the growing cordial relations between the two countries into a solid strategic partnership.

“The year 2024 marks 30 years of South Africa’s diplomatic relations with Kuwait. The two countries have cordial diplomatic relations, where they signed various agreements/MoUs,” Genge said, noting Kuwait has become an important market for South African high-quality food products, which include fresh fruits and vegetables, chilled meat, juices, spices, salad dressings, cereals and dairy products, among others.

Regarding tourism, he indicated the South African tourism sector is on the rise, and there has been a noticeable increase in the numbers of travelers from the Middle East, including Kuwait, with 54,339 arrivals to South Africa from January to December 2023, a 33.7 percent growth when compared to the same period in 2022. “South Africa’s inbound tourism figures from Kuwait increased in 2023 to 1,477, compared to 2021 and 2022 where the numbers were 262 and 1,179 respectively,” the ambassador said.

Genge pointed out that South Africa’s strength lies in its diversity of culture, religious faiths and history, amongst others. “In this regard, the embassy has successfully participated in many events, exhibitions and engagements hosted by various entities in Kuwait to showcase and promote the South Africa brand. These engagements have provided the embassy the opportunity to advance South Africa’s public diplomacy and promotion of South Africa as a touristic destination (leisure and medical) and education, trade/business and investment destination of choice for Kuwaitis and expatriates,” he said.