Strengthening South Africa - Cyprus Relations

23 December 2024

On 16 December 2024, Dr Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela had the honour of meeting H.E. Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus. She presented the Letters of Credence by which H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed her to be South Africa’s non-resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus.

South Africa is strengthening its relations with Cyprus, a country which is strategically located within the Mediterranean Region, Europe, and is in close proximity to the African Continent and the Middle East.

We value the historic relations between the people of both countries, the role of the diaspora and new opportunities for expanding ties and exchanges in areas such as trade, investment, maritime transport, education, health, tourism, sport and cultural heritage.

Following the meeting with H.E. President Christodoulides, the High Commissioner Msengana-Ndlela, together with SA’s Honorary Consul in Cyprus, Mr John Mavrokordatos, engaged with key institutional representatives in Nicosia, including the following:

•    Head of the Permanent Secretariat Trilateral Mechanism of Cooperation and, Ambassador Theodora Konstantinidou,
•    Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Penelope Erotokritou,
•    Head of the Political Directorate for the Middle East, Africa and Gulf Department, Ms Andrea Petrányi,
•    Director of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, Dr Terpsa Constantinidou,
•    President of the Cyprus-SA Business Association, Ms Maria Zavrou and the President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce, Mr Stavros Stavrou, and
•    Tourism stakeholders.

These engagements are crucial as we seek to contribute towards employment creation, entrepreneurship, human resource development and principled political relations.

South African Embassy in Athens, Greece