‘Oman and South Africa share warm, cordial relations’

Muscat: The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa celebrated its national day at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Muscat on Sunday.
Speaking at the event, Sibusisiwe Mangoegape, Deputy Head of Mission at South African Embassy extended warm greetings from Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
“May the Almighty perpetuate health, long life, and happiness on him, as well as success to achieve further aspirations for the people of Oman,” Mangoegape added.
She welcomed everyone at the 25th celebration of a free and democratic South Africa. “I welcome and greet you all on this important day in our history, when, as a diverse people and as a united nation, we celebrate the triumph of freedom over subjugation, the triumph of democracy over racial tyranny, the triumph of hope over despair.
End to apartheid
“April 27 marked exactly twenty-five years since South Africans of all national groups went out in millions to vote for the very first time in free and fair democratic elections. This day, in 1994 not only marked the end of the tyranny of apartheid. For us, it also signified the triumph of good over evil.”
She went on saying that South Africa and Oman share warm and cordial relations that are based on the principles of solidarity, working towards creating a better life for our people, our regions and the world.
“Oman was among the first few nations to foster political relations with South Africa in 1995 as a gesture of goodwill when the country emerged from apartheid. Oman has emerged as a top priority market for South Africa in the GCC due to its stable environment and ease of doing business.
“Plans are in place to move our economic relations to greater heights, under the auspices of the Oman-South Africa Partnership Forum and other MoUs and agreements in place between our
two sister countries,” Mangoegape said.
She added that they look forward to increased collaboration and cooperation projects in the fields of agriculture, mining, infrastructure development, defence and security, economy and finance, trade and investments as well as social and humanitarian affairs to raise bilateral relations to new levels.
“Together, I strongly believe that our joint efforts will be rewarded in bringing forth radical economic transformation which will translate into better lives for all in our two countries.
“Furthermore, South Africa and Oman are both leaders in their respective regions. I believe that our shared view of the world around us, has also contributed to the quality and durability of our bilateral relationship,” Mangoegape said.