Zanele Makina was distinguished with the medal of Grand Officer of National Order of Valour on December 14.

The South African High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E Zanele Makina was on December 14, 2017 decorated with the medal of Grand Officer of National Order of Valour in recognition to her diplomatic achievements in the country.

She was decorated by the Minister Delegate to the Ministry of External Relations in charge of the Commonwealth, Joseph Dion Ngute, during a State lunch offered to her on behalf of the Head of State.

In a toast by Minister Dion Ngute, he said Cameroon and South Africa have enjoyed excellent friendship and cooperation ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries in 1994.

Going by the Minister Delegate, the South African diplomat throughout the last four and a half years in the country, has worked relentlessly not only towards strengthening ties between both nations but also towards greater understanding and dialogue between the government of Cameroon and the African Diplomatic Group in Yaounde.

“We value and appreciate your contributions in the economic, financial, cultural and technical cooperation levels. During your tenure, the capacity building your country offered to the African military and diplomatic personnel is very much applauded,” he stated.

  Dion Ngute further highlighted the fact that the second inter-governmental consultations between Cameroon and South Africa held on September 29 and 30, 2016 in South Africa offered a great opportunity for respective experts to review the legal framework which gave a new vigour to cooperation ties.

H. E Zanele Makina on her part lauded the dexterity in which diplomatic relations between Cameroon and her country are handled. She expressed her objection to the separation of the country as proposed by some secessionists.

Zanele Makina also sympathised with the country on the security threats imposed on her by the terrorist sect, Boko Haram in the Far North region.