Issued by: The Department of Foreign Affairs
President Nelson Mandela will present the Order of Good Hope CLass I : Grand Cross (Gold) to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, His Excellency Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, during a ceremony at Genadendal, the President's official residence in Cape Town, on Wednesday 7 May, 1997 at 12h30. Following the presentation ceremony President Mandela will host a luncheon for Prime Minister Mahathir and his delegation.
The Order of Good Hope is the highest award with which the Republic of South Africa honours citizens of other countries who have, through their personal efforts, contributed towards the well-being of the people of South Africa and who thereby deserve the respect and recognition of the Republic of South Africa. The Grand Cross (Gold) is only awarded to Heads of State and i exceptional cases to Heads of Government.
Prime Minister Mahathir has a long-standing involvement with South Africa. He was a staunch supporter of the struggle of the people of South Africa against apartheid in the international arena, and has tirelessly promoted close bonds of friendship between democratic South Africa and Malaysia. Prime Minister Mahathir has been a consistent and committed advocate of closer involvement by Malaysia's businesspeople in South Africa's economy, and it is largely due to his personal commitment ad confidence in South Africa that Malaysia has developed into South Africa's fourth largest foreign investor and major trading partner.
The Order of Good Hope is also awarded to Prime Minister Mahathir in recognition of his leading role in the promotion of the interests of the developing world and the development of South-South cooperation in the international arena.
Prime Minister Mahathir will arrive in Cape Town from Botswana on 7 May 1997 ad will be accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah, and a delegation of senior government officials. Dr Mahathir will depart from Ysterplaat Airforce Base for Malaysia on the same day.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 5 MAY 1997