14. May 2009
Dalai Lama is free to visit South Africa any time
(Sapa) The Dalai Lama is welcome to visit South Africa, the International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane said, adding that nobody may abuse the country's pro-human rights stance for their own agenda. "The Dalai Lama is more than free, like any other citizen of the world who would want to, to visit South Africa. South Africa does not discriminate against anyone", the newly appointed minister told reporters in Pretoria. The Dalai Lama was refused a visa to attend a peace conference in March. Pretoria initially said it did not want his presence to overshadow the aim of the conference, but later conceded it had acted to protect its economic ties with Beijing.