South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inaugurated the “Proudly South African” food festival at LuLu Hypermarket in Al-Rawabi in Jeddah on Oct.15.
The grand function was held in the presence of Saudi Minister for Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb.
Shehim Mohammed, director of LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets welcomed the president, the Saudi minister, and a delegation of four South African ministers and businessmen.
The inauguration was also attended by prominent South African ministers: Ibrahim Patel, minister of Trade Industry and Competition; Naledi Pander, minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Thoko Didiza, minister of Agriculture,Land Reform and Rural Development; and Thandi Modize, minister of Defense and Military Veterans.
The visit of the president is seen as a recognition of the retail giant’s stellar role in promoting South African goods globally and nurturing commercial ties between South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
President Ramaphosa praised the LuLu Group for its leading role in nurturing meaningful commercial and friendly ties with South Africa. He welcomed the suggestion of LuLu Group executive director for a logistics hub in his country and indicated that the government of South Africa would work with LuLu to make this a reality by 2024.
His warm words of friendship with Saudi Arabia were welcomed by Al-Khateeb.
The “Proudly South African” Festival will run till Oct. 22, showcasing a range of juicy and wholesome food on the shelves from South Africa including fruits and vegetables, exotic antipasti condiments made from South African peppers, juices, and high-quality canned fruit.
Products from top South African brands such as Nando’s, Westphalia, Blue Diamond Almond Milk, Rooibos Tea, Dew lands Juices and Cape Herb & Spice among others are also available.
More than 433 varieties of South African grocery goods and 40 varieties of fruits and vegetables from South Africa, including apples, citrus, berries, stone fruits, and baby vegetables among others are available on special promotion.
“LuLu Group has recognized the range and quality of South African products and you will find more and more of them on our shelves,” said Mohammed.
“The bounty of South African produce at our LuLu festival is symbolic of our increasing ties with Africa where the LuLu Group has been exploring supply chain possibilities and agribusiness options!”
