Cape Town, South Africa: The President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay met with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the founder and president of Inkatha Freedom Party, with other South African parliamentarians over a formal luncheon meeting yesterday.
Speaking of his first visit as “inspirational”, Dr Sangay thanked Prince Buthelezi and his party for the invitation. Highlighting South Africa’s history of freedom struggle, a quest for justice, equality and freedom, Dr Sangay expressed his hope that the country would stand up to its moral values and principles that it seem to deviate from under China’s pressure.
Dr Sangay spoke of the current concerning situation in Tibet and also iterated the growing presence and influence of China in Africa. Acknowledging Prince Buthelezi as a “true friend of Tibet”, Dr Sangay thanked Prince Buthelezi for his sincere support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet cause and expressed his hope to visit South Africa again.
Prince Buthelezi welcoming Dr Sangay to South Africa voiced his great admiration for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his support for the Middle Way Approach and the Five-Fifty vision. He further added that the situation in Tibet is of concern to all and expressed his hope that genuine autonomy will soon be achieved and that freedom will be restored in Tibet.
He thanked Dr Sangay for accepting his invitation to visit South Africa and expressed apologies ever the postponement of the State of the Nation Address, which Dr Sangay was schedule to attend.
The meeting was also attended by Narend Singh, Chief Whip and MP, Liezl land van der Merwe, Deputy Whip,MP, Inkosi Russel Nsikayeswe Cebekhulu, Caucus Chairperson, MP, Inkosi Elphas Mzamo Buthelezi, party’s Deputy President, MP and Mkhuleko Hlengwa, National Chairperson of the IFP Youth Brigade, MP.
– Report filed by Communication Officer Tenzin Lhakmon –