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Bilateral meeting between the Executive Director and South Africa’s Ambassador to Spain
IOC Executive Director Jaime Lillo welcomed South Africa’s Ambassador in Madrid, Sankie Dolly Mthembi-Mahanyele, at the IOC’s headquarters on Wednesday 9 October. The bilateral meeting was an opportunity for both representatives to take stock of the world olive sector, challenges and opportunities ahead, and to strengthen the ties between the intergovernmental organisation and South Africa. Lillo took the opportunity to invite the Ambassador to participate as an observer in the upcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee and the 120th plenary session of the Council of Members, on 19 and 20 November respectively, and also extended an invitation to the celebration of World Olive Day on 21 November. The Ambassador welcomed the invitations and reaffirmed South Africa’s interest in coming closer to the IOC.
South Africa’s olive sector is expanding steadily. The area of olive groves used for olive oil production is increasing considerably each season, with an estimated olive oil production of over 1,500 tonnes. South Africa imports around 6000 tonnes of olive oil per season with Spain and Italy being its main suppliers.
