Pretoria, Dec 12, IRNA - South Africa President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday that the South African people will never forget Iran’s support and assistance in fight against Apartheid.
President Zuma made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Vice-President for Executive Affairs Mohammad Shariatmadari who is on a visit to South Africa to participate in the funeral procession of the former South African president Nelson Mandela, as Iran’s representative.

Zuma called for enhancement of mutual ties and expressed his warm greetings to the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani and the Iranian nation.

Shariatmadari, for his part, extended the condolence messages of the Supreme Leader, Iranian president and nation over the sad demise of Mandela.

The Supreme leader, Iranian president and nation accord high esteem to late Mandela, Shariatmadari said.

Shariatmadari underlined that the Islamic Republic of Iran is keen to expand ties with South Africa.

Shariatmadari left Tehran for South Africa on December 10 to pay tribute to Mandela.

Some 90 world leaders are to attend the funeral procession of the father of modern South Africa, who died at age of 95 on December 5, slated for December 15.

Mandela is hero of peace and forgiveness and a model for the revolutionary leaders who toppled dictatorial regimes.

After he became president of South Africa, he pardoned security officers and justice officials of the apartheid regime for detaining him for 27 years.

He said that he forgave, but, never forgets the crimes the Apartheid regime perpetrated in South Africa.

By IRNA

 

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