Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), received Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, South African Minister of Tourism and an accompanying delegation, at his office in Riyadh.

Both Prince Alwaleed and the minister discussed economic and investment issues, Schalkwyk referred to investment opportunities in South Africa in the hotel sector and presented Prince Alwaleed with the proposals.

In response, the prince promised to study the investment opportunities in South Africa and said that such investments would strengthen economic relations between Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

In 2008, Prince Alwaleed received at his office, Ebrahim Rasool, premier of the Western Cape. Rasool’s visit was part of an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

The delegation included Lucas Makhubela, director general, Ministry of Tourism, Mogamat Sadick Jaffer, ambassador to the Kingdom, Tebogo Palai, official, Ministry of Tourism, Michael Sarjoo and Phoka Motsilili, both counselors at the South African Embassy, R. Mahlale, commercial counselor, South African Embassy, Erick Makhubela, first secretary, South African Embassy, Riaan Aucamp, personal assistant to the minister. The meeting was also attended by Fahad bin Saad bin Nafel, executive assistant to the prince.

In March 2007, Prince Alwaleed received President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa at Kingdom resort in Riyadh and hosted a luncheon in honor of his guest.