KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the international community to intensify efforts towards achieving lasting peace in Gaza and realising a two-state solution.
He said the people of Gaza were facing what Ramaphosa described as “genocide” after decades of dispossession, repression, and oppression.
“We cannot but be moved to action by the slaughter of tens of thousands of civilians, forced displacement, deliberate starvation, and the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure,” he said in his public lecture after receiving an Honorary Doctorate in International Relations from Universiti Malaya at the UM Special Convocation Ceremony today.
The honorary doctorate was conferred by UM Chancellor and the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, in recognition of Ramaphosa’s significant contributions to global diplomacy, international negotiations and strategic leadership.
Meanwhile, the President welcomed the recent ceasefire deal brokered by United States President Donald Trump and supported by several Middle Eastern nations, but expressed concern over the ongoing attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, which he said were undermining the ceasefire.
“As an international community, we must make every effort to ensure that the peace deal provides a pathway towards Palestinian statehood and self-determination,” he said in his public lecture titled 'South-South Diplomacy in the 21st Century: Malaysia and South Africa'.
Ramaphosa added that peace efforts must lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
“We salute Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership in publicly supporting South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and for Malaysia’s active leadership within the Hague Group,” he said.
On Malaysia-South Africa ties, Ramaphosa said the historical bonds between the two nations have evolved into ‘a principled solidarity’ that continues to define their cooperation in the modern era.
“When we were liberated from apartheid bondage, Malaysia stood with us. From the anti-apartheid struggle to our democracy, our destinies have been intertwined,” he said, noting that both nations continue to work closely in multilateral platforms like the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Ramaphosa also paid tribute to the rulers and peoples of the Malay-Indonesian archipelago, whose exiles, workers and scholars helped build the South African nation several centuries ago.
Their arrival, though under conditions of slavery and exile, brought Islam to South Africa and introduced enduring values of equality, justice, and dignity that continue to shape South Africa’s social fabric today.
“These early communities carried with them a spiritual inheritance that later evolved into organised resistance against colonialism and apartheid. Their legacy remains part of the foundation of our democracy,” he said.
Ramaphosa also highlighted the economic opportunities between the two countries, particularly in trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, as Malaysia is South Africa’s largest trading partner in Africa.
As chair of the G20 Presidency, he said South Africa’s priorities are anchored in the principles of solidarity, equality and sustainability, and expressed appreciation to Malaysia for its continued support.
“Our presidency focuses on four key priorities: strengthening disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for developing economies, mobilising finance for a just energy transition, and using critical minerals for inclusive growth,” Ramaphosa said.
He is undertaking a four-day official visit to Malaysia, from Friday (October 24) to today, at the invitation of Anwar for a bilateral meeting and to attend the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits as a guest of the chair.
The Malaysian Foreign Ministry said that this is Ramaphosa’s first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office in February 2018.
