South African High Commissioner Mthuthuzeli Madikiza gave a web-talk on ‘South Africa’s perspective on evolving geo-economic trends and Pakistan South Africa economic ties’ at the Centre for Middle East and Africa (CMEA) Ambassadors’ Platform Series.

He welcomed the creation of CMEA by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and said: “Pakistan and South Africa enjoy excellent and cordial bilateral relations. This partnership has evolved over the years, expanding to include strong people-to-people links and new and exciting opportunities.”

He said stronger ties and increased collaboration between the African continent and partner countries in the Asian region have been growing steadily over the years. This has also strengthened the notion of progressive internationalism, which entails opposition to the perpetuation of the legacy of global imperialism, colonialism, racism, the dominance of the global North over the South as well as global structural inequality and poverty.

ISSI Director General Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the government attached high priority to economic diplomacy particularly with Africa.

CMEA Director Amina Khan said ties between Pakistan and South Africa were highly valued since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1994. South Africa and Pakistan share several commonalities such as their struggle against colonialism and the vision of the late Nelson Mandela. South Africa is one of the top trading partners of Pakistan from the African continent. Under its ‘Engage Africa Policy’, Pakistan looks forward to further deepening its political and economic ties with South Africa.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2020