Ambassador of South Africa to Qatar Faizel Moosa underscored the strength of bilateral relationships between South Africa and Qatar, affirming that these relations are on the verge of being significantly strengthened over the next few years.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassador referred to the success of Qatar Petroleum/Total in finding a huge gas condensate field off the South African coast in South African waters in the two wells that was explored called Brullapadda (Bullfrog) and Luiperd (Leopard) wells.
He explained that this would be a new event in South Africa, which is not a producer of oil or gas, as energy security has become an inevitable and important need at the global level, and clean energy supplies will greatly help in achieving their sustainable development goals. He noted that Qatar will also be playing a major role in South Africa’s energy production capacity as they kickstart their economy during and after Covid-19 crisis, adding: “There is big opportunity for Qatari companies in the energy space to take advantage of South Africa’s aggressive plan to introduce Independent Power Producers in the cleaner energy and renewable energy space. South Africa remains a critical partner with Qatar in terms of its food security programmes. I am confident that this relationship to go from strength to strength.”
The ambassador of South Africa commended the Qatari people for their resilience at a time when their sovereignty has been threatened by the demands of the blockading quartet, pointing that Qatar has embarked upon a foreign policy direction that have maintained and even advanced their global standing when it comes to peace initiatives around the globe.
“This is testament in Qatar being the trusted mediator in the Afghan Peace Process which is happening in Doha. It has clearly chosen the path of the rule of law and international legitimacy as is core fundamentals,” he said.
In the area of international solidarity, the ambassador said: “South Africa, through the teachings of our Father of Nation Nelson Mandela, and Qatar, by its wise youthful leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, demonstrate its commitments to human rights which are clearly defined by our common commitment to the Palestinian issue.”
Ambassador Moosa also said that the Covid-19 pandemic had a huge impact on the whole world, where not a single country was spared its ravages. The very decisive response to the pandemic by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) under the very competent leadership of HE Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari at the very beginning played a major role in flattening the curve, he said, adding that this allowed the MoPH enough time to prepare its health systems and infrastructure for the eventuality of the pandemic.
The Qatari response deserves to be congratulated as it has managed to stave off the second wave as is seen in many countries around the world and also having one of the lowest mortalities in the world, the envoy noted, adding that the world can learn something from Qatar when it comes to the management of the pandemic.
The ambassador pointed out that Qatar also managed to assist over 70 countries around the world with equipment and other assistance to manage the pandemic, pointing out that Qatar has successfully managed its economy as most of the world went into recession; and has also maintained positive economic growth in spite of the pandemic.
Ambassador Moosa underlined that the Qatari government has also assisted by providing stimulus packages for businesses, especially small to medium businesses, adding: “I am confident that Qatar will manage the pandemic and emerge triumphant as we see a number of initiatives around a vaccine.”
Concluding his statement, Ambassador Moosa said: “Let me take this opportunity to congratulate His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the government and all the people in Qatar on their National Day on December 18, 2020, on behalf of the President of South Africa, the South African embassy in Qatar and all the people of South Africa.
The celebration of Qatar National Day is testimony to the growth of the Qatari nation and reflects its determination to be successful and prosperous against the many challenges that exists at this time including the illegal blockade and the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Ambassador of South Africa to Qatar Faizel Moosa.
