South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inaugurated on Sunday the “Proudly South African” food festival at LuLu Hypermarket in Al Rawabi, Jeddah. The grand function was held in the presence of Saudi Minister for Tourism, Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib. The President, the Saudi Minister and a delegation of four S. African ministers and also of South African businessmen were welcomed by Shehim Mohammed, Director, LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets. 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 the commercial ties between South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Also attending the inauguration were prominent S.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. In his address, 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 Saudi Minister for Tourism, Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib. The “Proudly South African” Festival will run till October 22nd, 2022. It will showcase the range of juicy and wholesome food on the shelves from South Africa – fruits and veg, exotic antipasti condiments made from South African peppers, juices and high-quality canned fruit. Top South African brands such as Nando’s, Westphalia, Blue Diamond Almond Milk, Rooibos Tea, Dew lands Juices and Cape Herb & Spice among others. More than 433 varieties of South African grocery goods and 40 varieties of fruit and vegetable from South Africa, including apples, citrus, berries,stone fruits, baby vegetables and many more will also be 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 Shehim Mohammed, Director, LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets, “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!”