JEDDAH: The South African Consulate with the cooperation of Call of Culture, a non-profit group, organized on Tuesday an evening program on cultural exchange to enhance the relationship and understanding between South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
South Africa’s culture, food, music, artwork and architecture were enjoyed by the attendees.
Shoayb Casoo, South African consul general, said the cultural exchange program strives to give Saudis a better picture of South Africa.
“I hope Saudis get a better experience of South African culture today, so when they visit South Africa, they can experience the hospitality, the friendliness and the openness of the country and the people,” Casoo said.
He said: “It’s a unique opportunity and we hope this is first of many events. People will enjoy the diversity of South Africa and it will help to strengthen the relationship between people of South Africa and Saudi Arabia, and in understanding investment opportunities in both the countries.”
He said travel and tourism between the Kingdom and South Africa saw an increase of almost 45 percent in new visa applications from Saudis. The consulate is giving many Saudis multiple long-term visas. More than 15,000 Saudis traveled to South Africa in 2016.
Mohammed Bakhreiba, founder of Call of Culture and youth representatives to the UN, said culture promotion is am important component of country relations.
“We thought of promoting cultures and understanding in an innovative way by engaging social media celebrities who have millions of followers,” Bakhreiba said.
The Call of Culture team presented travel and tourism videos and shared their experiences of visiting South Africa.
South Africa’s culture, food, music, artwork and architecture were enjoyed by the attendees.
Shoayb Casoo, South African consul general, said the cultural exchange program strives to give Saudis a better picture of South Africa.
“I hope Saudis get a better experience of South African culture today, so when they visit South Africa, they can experience the hospitality, the friendliness and the openness of the country and the people,” Casoo said.
He said: “It’s a unique opportunity and we hope this is first of many events. People will enjoy the diversity of South Africa and it will help to strengthen the relationship between people of South Africa and Saudi Arabia, and in understanding investment opportunities in both the countries.”
He said travel and tourism between the Kingdom and South Africa saw an increase of almost 45 percent in new visa applications from Saudis. The consulate is giving many Saudis multiple long-term visas. More than 15,000 Saudis traveled to South Africa in 2016.
Mohammed Bakhreiba, founder of Call of Culture and youth representatives to the UN, said culture promotion is am important component of country relations.
“We thought of promoting cultures and understanding in an innovative way by engaging social media celebrities who have millions of followers,” Bakhreiba said.
The Call of Culture team presented travel and tourism videos and shared their experiences of visiting South Africa.
