11 August 1998
Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Palestinian National Authority president, Yasser Arafat, arrived in Cape Town on his first state visit to South Africa at the invitation of President Nelson Mandela. The visit, from 11 to 13 August, marked continuing good relations between the African National Congress and the PLO. SA recognised the State of Palestine on 15 February 1995. Arafat's visit raised controversy among South Africa's Jewish community. Mandela awarded him South Africa's Order of Merit, Excellence Class, for foreign citizens. In exchange, Arafat gave Mandela the Star of Holy Jerusalem. Arafat died on 11 November 2004. Click here for more on Arafat.
References

Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human Rousseau.|

info.gov,'The President of the State of Palestine',[online],Available at www.gov.za[Accessed: 08 August 2013]