South African Ambassador to Palestine visits Gaza Strip

The South African Ambassador to Palestine Professor M W Makalima has visited the Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday where the two discussed issues of mutual interest.

The ambassador thanked the prime minister for his message of solidarity with the South African people following the death of the late South African leader Nelson Mandela. Professor Makalima said that his visit was to express South Africa’s solidarity with Gaza Strip against the challenges it endures; particularly the Israeli siege and stressed that his country would continue to follow Mandela’s supportive approach towards the Palestinian people. Maklima quoted the late South African leader who said “our freedom is not complete until Palestine and its people are free. South Africa is fully engaged towards achieving this.”

Meanwhile Mr Haniyeh briefed the South African diplomat about the political developments in the Palestinian arena, mainly Palestinian national reconciliation, the results of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations and the future of the Palestinian issue and explained to him the difficult conditions experienced by the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip due to the siege. Mr Haniyeh also thanked the South African government for its supportive positions of the Palestinian people.

Source: Knspal