The South African Government has denied a visa to the Buddhist leader, who will speak tomorrow at the celebrations for the 80th birthday of the African Nobel laureate, via videoconference. The Archbishop's wrath: "The government is defending their commercial interests, it is worse than the apartheid government. But let it beware." For two years, China has been the largest trading partner of Pretoria.

Dharamsala (AsiaNews) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama will participate as planned in the celebrations for the 80th birthday of Archbishop Desmond Tutu; only, he will speak via videoconference and not in person, as originally planned. Pretoria has denied an entry visa to the spiritual leader, who will not be able to enter South Africa. And his "friend and brother in spirit" Tutu thunders against the government: "You're defending your own commercial interests. But be careful, you could end up like the apartheid government"

The Dalai Lama visited the African country three times during Nelson Mandela's presidency. This time, despite the pressing demands, he was denied permission to enter. According to a confused government spokesman, the Buddhist leader "presented his original passport late." The current president, Jacob Zuma, refused to comment, but two years ago he denied the visa in person.

Desmond Tutu, who celebrates his birthday tomorrow, has called the recurrence "bitter": "I find myself in a country that is worse than in the days of apartheid. Whether they admit it or not, the government is determined to do nothing that might annoy China. Mr. Zuma, I warn you as I warned the nationalists (in power during apartheid, ed.): one day we will start praying for the defeat of a government that does not represent us anymore." The archbishop added that the ANC (the party in power) "must not consider itself safe just because it has a huge majority in the country. Mubarak also had it. And Gaddafi, too. Be on guard."

During the videoconference, the two Nobel laureates will discuss "peace and compassion, catalysts for change." Among the guests will be Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and the lead singer of U2, Bono Vox. A huge crowd is expected outside the building where the meeting will take place: here, say organizers, "many will bring protesters and slogans in support of the Dalai Lama."

Since Pretoria has aligned itself against the Buddhist leader, two years ago, Beijing has rewarded it with generous investments which have allowed the country to join - this year - the club of emerging countries, the BRICS. Since 2009, in fact, China has been the first destination of South African exports and the main country of origin of its imports. Beijing is the first investment partner in South Africa: in 2010 it spent almost billion in the country.

This year China invited South Africa to become part of the BRIC, the club of emerging countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China): a diplomatic coup for Zuma, who last week signed an agreement with the Chinese for 2.5 billion dollars in investment projects in South Africa.The two countries have also signed a "memorandum" on "geology and mineral resources", announced the South African Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe during a three days' visit in China, just as the Dalai Lama's visa delay situation was developing.

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