The President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, met this morning with the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap, on a working visit to the Magistral Palace in Rome.
This marks the first high-level institutional visit between the Order of Malta and South Africa; a meeting which testifies to the desire to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the two parties, in recognition of the growing role of South Africa at regional and international level and as an authoritative voice of the Global South.
Also present were the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Ozzy Lamola, and the Grand Chancellor of the Order, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo.
The meeting focused on the deepening of prospects of cooperation in the humanitarian, health and social care sectors, with special attention given to the initiatives which are already active in South Africa and to possible synergies in the development of new programmes in areas of common priority. The opening of diplomatic relations – it was emphasised – would represent a decisive step in expanding this collaboration, facilitating the definition of cooperation agreements in the fields of development and humanitarian assistance.
In particular, the commitment of the Brotherhood of the Blessed Gérard (BBG), the Order of Malta’s aid organisation active in South Africa since 1992, was mentioned. Founded by Fr. Gerhard Lagleder, the BBG runs the Blessed Gérard Care Centre di Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal – a centre which treats and supports patients affected by HIV and their families.
The Order of Malta authorities reaffirmed the centrality of Africa in the activities of the Order, highlighting its extensive presence on the continent, where it maintains diplomatic relations with 39 countries and operates in 36 States, with hospitals, medical centres, food security programmes, education and assistance to refugees.
The Order also has a Permanent Representation at the African Union in Addis Ababa and maintains a growing dialogue with African authorities, as demonstrated by the recent meetings with the governments of Gabon, Burundi and Egypt.
President Ramaphosa expressed his great appreciation of the Order of Malta’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable communities and for the contribution of its initiatives in South Africa and the African continent.
