Amman: South Africa's Ambassador to Jordan, Tselane Mokuena, emphasized the longstanding and friendly bilateral relations between South Africa and Jordan, which have been in place since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1994. Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) during "South Africa Week" in Amman, Mokuena highlighted the recent momentum in the relationship between the two nations.
According to Jordan News Agency, Mokuena detailed the visit of South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to Jordan in August, where discussions were held with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs, leading to the launch of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Consultations. The ambassador noted that the second round of these consultations is scheduled to take place in South Africa in 2026. Additionally, the Chief of the South African National Defence Force visited Jordan in June for talks, further reflecting the strength of the bilateral relationship.
The ambassador recalled the visit of Deputy Minister Alvin Botes in February, who engaged with local business leaders and explored various tourist sites in Jordan. Mokuena stressed that both countries share similar positions in multilateral forums, particularly in relation to peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law. She mentioned that several bilateral agreements are currently being negotiated and will be signed upon finalization.
On the issue of Palestine, Mokuena reiterated South Africa's commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause against atrocities reminiscent of apartheid. She cited South Africa's move to bring a case before the International Court of Justice, which has garnered support from other states concerned with violations of international law. Mokuena affirmed that South Africa, along with its partners, will continue to demand accountability for crimes in Gaza. She highlighted President Cyril Ramaphosa's address at the UN General Assembly, emphasizing South Africa's commitment to a geographically contiguous Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
Mokuena expressed appreciation for Jordan's humanitarian efforts in aiding the Palestinian people, particularly through coordinated aid efforts. She highlighted the deep connection both countries share with Palestine, recalling Nelson Mandela's words on the matter. Mokuena noted South Africa's legal actions against Israel at the ICJ, citing concerns over potential genocide, and welcomed the findings of a UN commission confirming genocidal acts in Gaza.
Turning to cultural events, Mokuena explained that "South Africa Week" aims to showcase her country's heritage, marking the first such celebration in Jordan in 30 years. The week-long event, themed "Reimagine Our Heritage Institutions for a New Era," features a variety of cultural activities, including traditional cuisine, music performances, and film screenings. Notable participants include chef Bathabile Sharon Sambo, trombonist Mfaniseni Phillip Thusi, musician Charmain Nomsa Burkhardt, and opera singer Thabiso Jafta Masemene. The film screenings, patronized by HRH Princess Rym Ali, include acclaimed South African films.
Mokuena highlighted South Africa's vibrant film industry, noting its role in hosting major international productions. Despite the scaled-down celebrations due to the conflict in Gaza, the ambassador reaffirmed the embassy's dedication to promoting South Africa's cultural and artistic diversity through key events.