A delegation comprising a Queen and 10 Princesses and Princes from tribes in South Africa recently visited Israel at the initiative of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meeting senior Magen David Adom (MDA) officials and touring the organization’s headquarters.
The visit followed a trip to Israel approximately a year ago by King Dalindyebo of the AbaThembu Kingdom, from South Africa’s Xhosa tribe, as part of a delegation organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During that visit, King Dalindyebo was introduced to MDA’s capabilities. After returning home, he shared information about the organization with members of his tribe and neighboring tribes, leading to the organization of the latest delegation so its members could see MDA’s activities first-hand.
Accompanied by Belynesh Zevadia, Director of the Southern Region of the Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation toured MDA’s headquarters in Ramla.
The visitors were introduced to MDA’s National Human Milk Bank, which collects, tests, and provides approximately 530 liters of breast milk each month in accordance with safety standards.
They also visited MDA’s Training and Simulation Center, which includes an ambulance driving simulator using augmented reality technologies and advanced training mannequins, as well as Magen David Adom’s National Emergency Dispatch Center.
The delegation toured MDA’s new National Blood Bank, described as the world’s first underground facility of its kind, which processes and supplies blood units to hospitals throughout Israel and to the IDF.
Members of the delegation were also shown specialized emergency vehicles operated by MDA, including intensive care buses capable of treating and evacuating seven critically ill patients and five patients in mild condition, Unimog vehicles designed to evacuate casualties across various types of terrain, emergency motorcycles, and off-road vehicles.
They received an overview of the work carried out by Magen David Adom’s 35,000 volunteers and staff during routine periods, emergencies, and throughout the war, including during Operations Rising Lion and Roaring Lion.
Princess Nandi Nobukhosi Maphothi, a member of the delegation, described her visit to Israel as “life-changing."
“My experience in Israel was life-changing. It reminded me of the power of cooperation and partnerships, and that at the heart of humanity is respect for human values, which is the most important thing," she said.
“Even when there are disagreements, we must know how to ‘agree to disagree,’ work together on the areas where we share common ground, and always strive to find shared solutions. I look forward to returning home and sharing everything I have learned from this amazing place."
MDA Director General Eli Bin said: “Magen David Adom, Israel’s national rescue organization, considers it a great privilege to showcase its technological, operational and humanitarian activities to distinguished guests from around the world."
“The visit of the royal delegation from South Africa is further evidence of the power of saving lives to bring together peoples, cultures and communities. We thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its initiative and partnership, and we are proud to continue serving as an international model for medical innovation, mutual responsibility and humanity during the most challenging moments."