It is truly an honour for me as first and foremost as a South African and a dear friend of Palestine to stand before the face of the struggle against occupation; it is an honour for me to stand before the future of Palestine.” Mr. Edgar Motsisi, First Secretary for South African Representative Office to the Palestinian National Authority said in symposium held at the Central Conferences Hall at the Islamic University of Gaza.
Prof. Rifaat Rustom, Vice President for External Relations and Information Technology, Mr. Beshara Shahin, Gaza Office Manager, at South African Representative Office, Mr. Husam Ayesh, Vice Director of Public Relations Office, South African Representative Office members, academic staff members, students of the university, attended the symposium.
Prof Rustom confirmed that there is a good link between the Palestinian people and the South African People adding that there is a similarity of struggle, siege conditions, oppression, and finally a distinguish role to overcome problems.
Prof. Rustom talked about the Role of Nelson Mandela to achieve reconciliation and get rid of apartheid and oppression despite the challenges.
Prof. Rustom welcomed the visit and such a symposium from Mr. Edgar Motsisi , First Secretary for South African Representative Office.
My message to you today is a simple one. It is a message of hope; hope that just as we did it in South Africa, the walls that have imprisoned you will one day fall; the buildings that lie crushed will one day stand tall again…” Mr. Motsisi added.
“The ‘truth and reconciliation’ process is a very complex subject that should never be treated lightly. It should never be assumed that because it worked in South African or elsewhere in the world that therefore it can work in any given society. This would be a very simplistic and dangerous approach to the matter.” Mr. . Motsisi confirmed.
Mr. . Motsisi assured that reconciliation in South Africa meant that people had to accept and perhaps even embrace each other. After all you do not get reconciled with someone you agree with otherwise there would be no point in having reconciliation.
Mr. . Motsisi concluded that Palestinians need to unite; and the youth have a great role to play in assisting leaders to finding a middle ground that has so far eluded them adding that Palestinians should stand together against foreign forces; to not allow foreign dictates to determine their future.
