Amman, Sept. 29 (Petra) - South African Ambassador to Jordan Tselane Mokuena praised His Majesty King Abdullah II, the government, and the Jordanian people for their steadfast support of the Palestinian cause, easing the suffering of Palestinians, defending their legitimate rights and territorial unity, and upholding international humanitarian law and the rules-based international order.
Speaking at a dinner hosted by the embassy on Monday to mark South Africa Week, which celebrates the country’s culture, music, and traditional cuisine, Mokuena said history will honor Jordan’s principled stance alongside Palestinian men, women, and children. She expressed her country’s deep disappointment at the Israeli occupation authorities’ rejection of Palestinian statehood and commended UN member states that have recognized the State of Palestine.
Mokuena explained that the week-long event coincides with September, celebrated in her country as Heritage Month to honor the diverse cultures that form the Rainbow Nation. The program features traditional South African dishes prepared by a renowned chef, as well as musical performances by South African artists.
She said the embassy aims through these activities to strengthen bilateral ties between South Africa and Jordan by fostering people-to-people connections, noting that Jordan was among the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with democratic South Africa in 1994 under the leadership of the late President Nelson Mandela and the late King Hussein.
The ambassador also highlighted that South Africa is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites of unique cultural and historical value, including Robben Island, the Cradle of Humankind, the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, the Cape Floral Region, and the Vredefort Dome.
Mokuena expressed her admiration for the warmth of Jordanian hospitality and the strong ties she observed during her diplomatic mission, noting she had visited different parts of the Kingdom and grown fond of its people and culture. She also praised her embassy team for months of preparation to ensure the success of South Africa Week, voicing hope that the event would provide Jordanians with an opportunity to discover her country’s rich nature, beaches, wildlife, and diverse tourist attractions.
//Petra// AO
