South Africa celebrated its National Day on 27 April 2012.  This year, South African democracy came of age as it turned 18 years old.

As is tradition, the official residence in Lapa opened its doors to friends of South Africa, members of the South African community in Portugal, numerous guests and prestigious members of the Portuguese government and the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Portugal as well as from various political, cultural and social sectors.

In her speech, Ambassador Keitumetse Matthews referred to this year’s Freedom Day theme, “Working Together to Build Unity and Prosperity”, recalling the progress that has been achieved to overcome many socio-economic challenges and build a truly non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and free South Africa.

In tribute to its large Indian community, the guests had the opportunity to taste several typical Indian dishes as well as the traditional gastronomy of other groups that comprise South Africa's large cultural diversity .

The warm sunny day allowed the guests to enjoy the beautiful garden of the official residence as well as the excellent view of the Tagus River.

30 March 20122

This weekend, the South African Embassy in Portugal will once again participate in the Mundo Abreu Travel Fair, one of the most important travel exhibitions in Portugal, organized by Abreu, the biggest Portuguese tour operator and owner of the largest network of travel agencies in the country.

Mundo Abreu will take place at FIL (Pavilion 2) in Parque das Nações and in 82 Abreu agencies across the country. On Saturday, the fair will be open from 11h00 to 22h00 and on Sunday from 11h00 to 20h00. The entrance is free.

As in previous years, the Embassy will share a stand with Mundial Tours, a South African-based Portuguese-owned travel agency and the main organizer of the travel programmes in South Africa that Abreu sells to its clients.

Representatives from the Embassy will be present at the travel fair to promote South Africa as a holiday destination of choice and to inform about Abreu’s travel offer and discounts to South Africa.

The Legislature is an important tool of provincial government in South Africa, aiming at deepening democracy, effective public participation and efficient lawmaking.

The study tour entailed the establishment of a network with relevant local authorities in Portugal and the understanding of its structures of local government and projects. For that purpose, the twelve member delegation visited the Municipalities of Gaia (third biggest municipality, North region), Maia (important industrial municipality in the North of Portugal), Guimarães (historical municipality-the cradle of Portugal), Coimbra and Lisbon (capital and biggest municipality). The delegation was also received by the Vice-Rector of the University of Coimbra, the oldest academic institution in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. The last part of the visit entailed a visit to the Parliament where the delegates interacted with the Portuguese MPs: Mr Laurentino Dias (former Secretary of State for Sport), Mr Fernando de Jesus (PS, Socialist Party, leading opposition party) and Mr Leitão Amaro (PSD, Social Democrat Party, ruling party) who will both be attending the COP 17 Conference taking place in Durban from 28 November to 9 December 2011.

Ambassador KST Matthews and Ms GN Swaartbooi, Chairman of the Portfolio Committee (first row, centre) with the KZN Legislature delegation and Embassy staff at Chancery

On 11 November 2011, the staff of the South African Embassy had a wonderful get-to-gether with participants in the Academia Ubuntu, a programme to teach leadership skills to young people of African origin, which culminated in a week-long visit to South Africa last September.  Following a lunch which combined South African wors, pap, chakalaka, koeksisters and milk tart with São Martinho´s typical chouriço, caldo verde, chestnuts and água pé, the staff had the opportunity to view a photo presentation and video of the Academia Ubuntu’s visit to the Western Cape, which took them to places such as District Six Museum, Slave Lodge Museum, Castle of Good Hope, Guguletu, Cape Point and Robben Island, where they also spent a night. 

 In South Africa, the group of 20 participants was generously hosted by the family of Professor John Volmink, who among other things is the President of the Cornerstone Institute – Christian Higher Education for Leadership in Africa.  With the continued support of Portugal’s Gulbenkian Foundation, the Academia Ubuntu plans to go on working with this marvelous group of young people who certainly deserve to be supported in their efforts to become leaders in their respective communities and fields of work.  The Embassy wishes them much success!

Rui Nunes da Silva from the Academia Ubuntu hands First Secretary,

Rudolph Stroebel, some souvenirs of the Academy's year-long experience

Embassy staff with participants of the Academia Ubuntu