The South African Embassy in Kuwait hosted a reception at the Radisson Blu Hotel – on Tuesday, 28 May, 2013 under the theme ‘Celebrating the role of Women in South Africa’s Democratic Transition’.
The event formed part of South Africa’s Freedom Day celebration as well as the 50th-anniversary commemoration of the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The event was attended by women from various sectors of Kuwaiti society, South Africa nationals, spouses at foreign diplomatic missions and representatives from the expatriate community in Kuwait.
In his welcoming remarks, the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa Delarey Van Tonder commemorated the contribution of South Africa women in the struggle for South Africa’s freedom and democracy. He reminded the guests of the saying created by oppressed women in South Africa to unite against the human rights abuses of Apartheid. “You strike a woman, you strike a rock,” he said as a translation to “Watint Abafazi- Watint Imbokodo”.
Ambassador Van Tonder pointed out that South Africa will celebrate its twenty years of freedom next year while the African Union (AU) is celebrating its golden Jubilee since the establishment of the Organisation for African Unity fifty years ago in the ancient African State of Ethiopia.
The theme of the 50th anniversary is ‘Pan Africanism and African Renaissance’ which also reflect positively on the role of Women in Africa’s socio-economic development. “I wish to acknowledge that in its short life, democratic South Africa has carved out significant milestones towards improving the status of women and substantively increasing their role in national governance and economic life of the country.
Equally Women in Africa continue to fulfill their respective roles and overcome many challenges towards unity, peace, security and sustainable development on the African Continent.” Ambassador Van Tonder also paid tribute to the constructive role of Women in Kuwait society and congratulated Sheikha Naima Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Chairperson of the Organising Committee for Women Sport in the GCC for receiving the GCC Sport and Environment Award. He also acknowledged the continued efforts of Sheikh Salman Al Sabah, the Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs to strengthen the participation of young people in sport and culture as well as the promotion of the environment.
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