Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister of Defense and Military Veterans in the Republic of South Africa left Muscat Tuesday evening after an official several-day visit to the Sultanate of Oman.
The guest was seen off at Muscat International Airport by Brigadier Saud bin Khalifa al-Hatmi, Head of Military Protocols and Public Relations at COSAF and the South African Ambassador to the Sultanate, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.
H.H. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers received the South African Minister on Monday. During the meeting, she conveyed greetings and best wishes of President Dr. Jacob Zuma to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, his government and Omanis
Sayyid Fahd commended the existing relations between the two countries and the positive progress witnessed.
Nosiviwe expressed her country’s appreciation of the wise policy pursued by the sultanate under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan in tackling regional and international developments.
She also thanked the Sultanate on behalf of the accompanying delegation for the opportunity accorded to closely view the progress made by the sultanate. She stressed the importance of the talks she conducted with the Minister Responsible for Defense Affairs, which comes within the framework of strengthening ties and fruitful cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was also attended by H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defense Affairs and H.E. Lungile Chris Pepani, South Africa’s Ambassador to Oman.
For his part, Major General Matar bin Salim al Balushi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), received the visiting Minister (photo), and her accompanying delegation, at the headquarters of Sultan of Oman’s Artillery in Muaskar Izki on Tuesday.
The meeting comes within the framework of her current visit to the Sultanate. The two sides discussed several relevant topics and exchanged viewpoints on issues of common concern, as well as discussing aspects of cooperation between the two friendly countries. Brigadier Mohammed bin Abdullah al Shidi, Commander of the Sultan of Oman’s Artillery and RAO senior officers attended the meeting.
The South African Minister, accompanied by the South African Ambassador to the Sultanate, visited Nizwa Castle, within the framework of her official visit to the Sultanate.
The South African guest and her accompanying delegation were briefed on the ancient castle during which they viewed the historic landmarks of Nizwa Castle, its traditional facilities and markets, besides touring the Omani traditional crafts exhibition and various Omani foods show.
