2013

SA Embassy in Portugal participated in 2013 Diplomatic Bazaar

It was a pleasure to once again be a part of the Diplomatic Bazaar, held on 22 and 23 November 2013, the proceeds of which will this year go to institutions supporting children and teenagers at risk. The Bazaar was well attended and it is always nice to see people coming back year after year for favourite South African goodies such as rooibos tea and Mrs Ball’s chutney, amongst other items. The Embassy would like to thank all of its partners for helping to make its participation in the Bazaar once again a success, namely Joaquim and Rosário Alfaiate with their attractive graphite statuettes and stone necklaces, Zita and Isaura Silveira with their beautiful paintings and Carlos Neves with his uniquely carved ostrich, goose and chicken eggs. We’d also like to say a special thanks to the GB Store in Cascais for providing us with a selection of South African treats, including biltong (www.gbstore.org) and to Bill Godley of Prime Wines, who came all the way from the Algarve with a fine selection of South African wines (www.primewine.eu.com). And again thank you to all of the members of the Associação do Bazar do Corpo Diplomático who always do a great job in organizing the Bazaar. Your hard work and dedication are always appreciated!

Film "Mama Goema: The Cape Town Beat in Five Movements" by Sara Gouveia at the Temps D'Image Festival

24 November 2013

To find out more, consult link below

http://tempsdimages-portugal.com/2013/projectos/20_tdi2013.html

SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY IN PORTUGAL ASSISTED MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION PORTUGAL

The South African Embassy in Portugal assisted the Portuguese branch of Make a Wish Foundation in respect of a project for a 9 year old sick Portuguese girl who is diagnosed with leukaemia.

Make-a-Wish Foundation is dedicated to assisting very sick children to make their biggest dreams come true. In this particular project, little Cristiana dreamed of travelling to South Africa to experience a safari.

Mundial Tours and Legacy Hotels in South Africa promptly assisted the Mission in making this dream come true.

Prior to departure, the family was hosted at the Embassy by Ambassador Matthews who personally offered the girl her dream trip to South Africa as well as some South African giveaways, such as Zulu love letters, key rings and a SA notebook.

Cristiana and family were hosted at SA Embassy

Embassy participated in the 6th edition of the Art & Tur Festival in Barcelos

The South African Embassy in Portugal participated in the 6^th edition of the Art & Tur Festival in Barcelos (31 October - 2 November 2013), an event focused on the promotion of the tourism films industry. Two films produced by SA Tourism were shortlisted and included in the Art&Tur 2013 Official Selection, namely: Meet South Africa and Odyssey Nelson Mandela

Mr. Rudolph Stroebel, First Secretary was an invited guest speaker at the Conference and used the opportunity to make a presentation on the potential of South Africa, as a tourism destination of choice. The Embassy further used the event to show case South African Tourism in the form of roll ups, backdrops, leaflets and promotional DVD’s and to network with Portuguese and international tourism industry players. After the projection of the SA Tourism films, typical South African culinary delicacies were offered to the guests.

Mr Rudolph Stroebel, invited guest speaker at the Art&Tur Conference

Ambassador KST Matthews addressed the audience

A local tourism school used the opportunity to expose their students at the South African cocktail

Business& Investment Seminar: South Africa – Ripe for Investment.

On 24 September 2013, the South African Embassy in Portugal hosted a Business& Investment Seminar: South Africa – Ripe for Investment.

Mr. Geoff Rothschild, immediate past Chairman of the Johannesburg Stock Exchangeand currentHead: Government & International Affairsat JSE was the keynote speaker at the event that was moderated by Mr. Luis Brites Pereira, former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador KST Matthews welcomed all the guests and chaired the conference. Four Portuguese companies, investors in South Africa, shared with the audience their experience in the South African market. The Vice-President of the Luso-South African Chamber of Commerce (CCILSA), Mr. Carlos Oliveira, and Mr. Pedro Pessoa e Costa, Board Member the Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency (AICEP) were also speakers at the event.

Mr G Rothschild, Keynote speaker

Mr G Rothschild, Keynote Speaker

Left to right: Mr C Oliveira (CCILSA), Mr Pedro Pessoa e Costa (AICEP), Ambassador Matthews and Mr Brites Pereira (Moderator)

Children from the Cape Verdean Community visit Embassy

On 09 September 2013, the South African Embassy in Lisbon hosted a group of children from the Cape Verdean Community. The purpose of the visit was to provide the children aged from 5-16 information on South Africa and the role of an Embassy through a power point presentation and was followed by a small Q&A session with the group. Ambassador Keitumetse Matthews addressed and welcomed the group to the Embassy and stated that it was important for young and inquisitive minds to follow the principles set out by former President Mandela and to make everyday a Mandela Day. Ambassador Matthews stated that ‘children should be active in their communities and interact with those less fortunate.’ The presentation was followed by some light refreshments where the embassy officials had the opportunity to interact with the children and the teachers.

Mission participated in OS ESPECIALISTAS workshop for Lisbon travel agents

5^th July 2013

The workshop for Lisbon travel agents was held at one of the most traditional venues in Lisbon ( Páteo Alfacinha), with a magnificent view of the Tagus River and the Lisbon Bridge. Approximately 120 agents attended the event, which was a follow up of the Mission’s successful participation in tourism road shows in three other Portuguese cities in April 2013: Albufeira (Algarve), Coimbra and Porto.

Mr R Stroebel, First Secretary interacting with the local tourism trade

Mr R Stroebel, First Secretary

Day of the African Child Celebrated in Portugal

The Fundo de Apoio Social de Cabo-Verdianos em Portugal (FASCP) organized for the first time in Portugal an event commemorating the Day of the African Child. The event was held in Azeitão, on 16 June 2013, at the local Sociedade Filarmónica Perpétua Azeitonense.

Ambassador K. Matthews, representing South Africa, made a speech evoking the theme of this year’s commemorations, “Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices affecting children: Our Responsibility”, and the history of South Africa’s own National Youth Day, which led to the date having been chosen by the African Union for the commemoration of the Day of the African Child.

The event continued with musical and dance performances by youth groups and adult performers. Andredina Cardoso, Chairman of the FASCP and event host, closed the event by giving Ambassador Matthews a painting executed by the participating children and a bouquet of flowers.

The Embassy also participated with a display of arts and crafts.

Congratulations to the organizers for a fine event!

(Photographer: Adão Marcelino)