The commemorative programme celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tunisia and the Republic of South Africa kicked off on Thursday at the International Diplomatic Academy in Tunis. The event was chaired by Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad Mounir Ben Rjiba. The Secretary of State delivered a speech emphasising the profound bonds of brotherhood and friendship between the two nations for decades, outlining the fruitful cooperation achieved in various fields, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. He pointed out the visits made by Minister Nabil Ammar to South Africa twice in 2023. The first visit was on the occasion of his participation in the BRICS summit (August 2023), and the second during the 2nd session of political consultations between Tunisia and South Africa (September 2023). The Secretary of State also recalled Tunisia's support for national liberation movements and op position to racial discrimination on the continent, especially in South Africa, along with the historic visits made by leader Nelson Mandela to Tunisia in 1962 and 1994. In his turn, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa in Tunis Siphosezwe Masango, delivered a lecture titled "Towards Intensifying High-Level Visits between Tunisia and South Africa in the Framework of Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations." The lecture was attended by a group of ministry officials, members of the South African Embassy in Tunis, and the new batch of Foreign Affairs Secretaries. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse