South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inaugurating the ‘Proudly South African’ food festival at the LuLu Hypermarket in Al Rawabi, Jeddah yesterday. Saudi Tourism Minister and a delegation of four S. African and senior LuLu officials led by Shehim Mohammed, Director of LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets were also present.
Jeddah: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday inaugurated the "Proudly South African" food festival at LuLu Hypermarket in Al Rawabi, Jeddah. His visit is being seen as a recognition of the retail giant's stellar role in promoting South African goods globally and nurturing the commercial ties between South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
President Ramaphosa praised the LuLu Group for its leading role in nurturing meaningful commercial and friendly ties with South Africa in his address. He also welcomed the suggestion of the LuLu Group Executive Director for a logistics hub in his country and indicated that the government of South Africa would work with LuLu to make this a reality by 2024. The words of friendship were welcomed by Saudi Minister for Tourism, H.E. Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib.
The "Proudly South African" Festival will run till October 22nd, 2022. It will showcase the range of wholesome food on the shelves from South Africa including fruits, vegetables, exotic antipasti condiments made from South African peppers, juices, and high-quality canned fruit. Top brands like Nando's, Westphalia, Blue Diamond Almond Milk, Rooibos Tea, Dew lands Juices, and Cape Herb & Spice among others will be participating. Over 433 varieties of South African grocery goods and 40 varieties of fruit and vegetables from South Africa will be available on special promotion.
Shehim Mohammed, Director of LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets, said the international group has recognised the range and quality of South African products and customers will find more and more of them on the shelves. "The bounty of South African produce at our LuLu festival is symbolic of our increasing ties with Africa where the LuLu Group has been exploring supply-chain possibilities and agribusiness options," he added.
The grand function was held in the presence of the Saudi Minister for Tourism His Excellency Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib. The President, the Saudi Minister, and a delegation of four S. African ministers, and businessmen were welcomed by Shehim Mohammed, Director of LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets. South African cabinet minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Ibrahim Patel, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pander, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza, and Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Thandi Modize were part of the delegation.