DHARAMSHALA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his greetings to Cyril Ramaphosa, the new president of South Africa in a congratulatory letter posted yesterday, 20 February 2018.
“Your great country has so much potential for development and prosperity,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote.
“I am hopeful that under your leadership South Africa will continue to make further progress in prosperity and development, particularly by improving the lives of the less privileged section of the society. It is also important to instill optimism and hope for the people of your nation, which could be an example for others to emulate,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama added.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also noted that such a peaceful, orderly transfer of power is a heartening indication of how deeply rooted democracy is in South Africa. His Holiness went on to praise the way, following President Nelson Mandela’s inspiring leadership, South Africans have worked hard to nurture peace, democracy and equality in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
His Holiness concluded by wishing President Ramaphosa every success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of South Africa.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has visited South Africa thrice: the first visit was in 1996 followed by the second in 1999 and the last visit was in 2004 at the invitation of the African Cultural Heritage Trust – ACHT.