South African Ambassador Thanks Iran for Mandela Commemoration

Foreign ambassadors, Majlis deputies, some prominent figures such as Zahra Mostafavi, the granddaughter of Imam Khomeini (RA) as well as a number of urban managers and City Council members and groups of peace and freedom lovers participated in ceremonies marking Nelson Mandela, known as a symbol of anti-apartheid struggle, AVA Diplomatic reports.According to Shahrnevesht, Tehran hosted a ceremony which was held by Social and Cultural Deputy of Tehran Municipality to commemorate Nelson Mandela. In this ceremony, Dr. Javad Kachouiyan, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs read a message in this regard in the capacity of representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian nation. The message said: “The ideas and aspirations of Nelson Mandela passed through boundaries of Planet Earth and conquered hearts of freedom-seekers on earth. We condole with the world people, especially people of South Africa, for the loss of such a great man.”

Meanwhile, Algerian ambassador to Tehran Safian Meimounitay said in his speech: “Mandela was the father of South Africa and a model for the world politicians and his departure was not only sensed by people in South Africa but by the entire world. Mandela will remain a source of inspiration for the world.”

Also, Mohamamd Ayazi, Social and Cultural Deputy of Tehran Municipality quoting Mandela said: “Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice everything in their possession for the freedom of their nation.” This sentence was a summary of the 95 -year life of Mandela who sacrificed his youth and life for his people and even at the height of authority he ignored power in order to free Africa from apartheid.”

On behalf of the Tehran mayor and members of the City Council he expressed condolences with the mourning people and government of South Africa and all freedom-seekers and free thinkers of the world on the occasion of passing away of Mandela.

In this ceremony, Palestinian Charge d’Affaires in Tehran Mohammad Jawhar, UNDP Resident Representative and Coordinator in the Islamic Republic of Iran Gary Lewis, Cuban Ambassador Vladimir Gonzalo and South African ambassador Whitehead spoke on this occasion.

The South African ambassador said commemoration of Nelson Mandela with such quality in Tehran was an indication of the attention of Iranians for having relations with South Africa and thanked Tehran Municipality for its support in holding the ceremony.