Mandela's wit boosts RI-South Africa links
Mandela's wit boosts RI-South Africa links
JAKARTA (JP): With witty eloquence, South African President
Nelson Mandela charmed his audience at a state banquet here last
night, adding an air of ease to a normally very formal affair.
"My frequent visits (to this region), I assure you, are not
only in pursuit of your fine weather, or your good food or your
fine sense of hospitality. It is because of the importance of
which South Africa attaches to this part of the world," Mandela
said in his address at the banquet hosted by President Soeharto.
"Mr. President, the motto of your country is 'unity in
diversity'. I have seen this motto also written in Bahasa
Indonesia, but I will refrain from attempting to pronounce it. I
might cause more diversity than unity in doing so!"
Mandela arrived in Jakarta for a three-day state visit
yesterday morning after spending Sunday on the holiday resort
island of Bali.
This is his third visit to Indonesia. His previous visits were
in his capacity as chairman of the African National Congress.
Never one to be bridled by strict protocol, Mandela arrived at
Merdeka Palace in a colorful, batik shirt. Looking a bit stiff,
the 78-year-old Mandela had to be helped up the palace steps by
Soeharto, who wore a dark suit.
Great attention was given to Mandela's companion, Graca
Machel, the widow of former Mozambique president Samora Machel.
Machel was described by State protocol in the official
delegation list as "official companion of the President".
During the banquet, Machel sat next to Soeharto. A place
usually reserved for visiting first ladies.
Sandwiching Soeharto, again in a suit, Mandela and Machel wore
matching light-purple batik shirts.
Soeharto praised Mandela as a "die hard" independence fighter
and a sincere humanitarian warrior.
Both leaders spoke of the close ties bonding the two countries
stemming back from a common colonial legacy.
"In the colonial era, Cape Town in South Africa was once under
the administration of the Dutch Governor General in Batavia,"
Soeharto said referring to the old name of Jakarta.
"About 400,000 descendants of our independence heroes who were
expelled to South Africa have now become your citizens and work
together for the future of your country," he said.
As a memento, Soeharto presented Mandela with a new, light-
brown batik shirt.
The two leaders will get down to more stately business today
as they hold bilateral talks and witness the signing of the
Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation by Indonesian foreign
minister Ali Alatas and his South African counterpart, A.B. Nzo.
Indonesian nonoil exports to South Africa in 1996 stood at
US$108 million and its imports totaled $167 million.
Later this afternoon Mandela will meet members of the
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and hold a press
conference in the evening at the State Guest House.
Meanwhile, Machel will visit Pasaraya in Blok M and Danar Hadi
Batik Gallery in Melawai, South Jakarta, to shop for batik. She
will be accompanied by Mrs Yunisa Alatas.
Mandela and his entourage will leave for Bangkok tomorrow
morning. (06)