SOUTH Africa looks forward to much-improved trade ties with Penang when its high commissioner to Malaysia, Samkelisiwe Isabel Mhlanga, paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the latter’s office in Komtar today.
“Our president (Cyril Ramaphosa) has called it the beginning of a ‘new dawn’ when there was a change of government in South Africa last year. So, there are opportunities for us to connect,” she said, adding that there were a lot of similarities between South Africa and Malaysia.
“We’ve met some travel agents and we hope to get more Penangites and Malaysians to fly to South Africa as our country has a lot to offer.”
Also present were the South Africa High Commission counsellor Schoeman du Plessis, South Africa honorary consul in Penang Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Maidin, Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus and South Africa High Commission marketing and information officer Sofia Adam.
The South African delegation had earlier met officials from the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (Penang branch).
Chow, in response, said Penang and South Africa could explore some collaboration and work on some common areas.
Farizan gave the visitors some food for thought when he mentioned that Penang has the expertise in halal food manufacturing and services.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad