On 1 June 2011, the South African Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal took part in the launch of the first International Mandela Monday which officially kicks off on 6 June 2011.The launch was an initiative of Mr Nuno Delgado, the Portuguese judo Olympic medalist, who organized the world’s largest judo class.Some 4000 youths took part in the event, establishing a new Guinness World Record.The event also had the support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, under the theme Achieve, Collect & Give Back.

Ambassador Keitumetse Matthews was invited by the Portuguese Secretary of State for Sport and Youth, Mr Laurentino Dias and the Mayor of Lisbon, Mr Antonio Costa to address the event, which took place at the lovely Terreiro do Paço, overlooking the Tagus River. Ambassador Matthews called on the participants to heed the appeal of the Nelson Mandela Foundation for people to volunteer at least once a week to help someone in need.

Ambassador Matthews with organiser Nuno Delgado (on the left), the Secretary of State for Sports and Youth, Laurentino Dias and Lisbon Deputy Mayor, Manuel Brito (on the right)

Last weekend (9 and 10 April 2011) the SA Embassy in Lisbon participated in the MUNDO ABREU TRAVEL FAIR, one of the most important travel exhibitions in Portugal, organized byAbreu,the biggest Portuguese tour operator.

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

According to Mr. Diamantino Pereira, Abreu’s General Manager, despite Portugal’s economic crisis, the fair was a huge success. It was attended by between 8.000 and 10.000 visitors, a 5% increase compared to 2010. According to Mr. Pereira, this increase was due to the variety of Abreu’s travel offer and discounts of up to 60%.

These discounts will be available at Abreu travel agencies until 30 April 2011, including the following travel packages to South Africa:

PACKAGE 1:Maputo, Kruger & Inhaca (8 days/6 nights) with prices from €1.623

PACKAGE 2:Maputo, Kruger & Bazaruto (8 days/6 nights) with prices from €2.100

PACKAGE 3:Maputo, Kruger, Vilanculos & Bazaruto (9 days/7 nights) with prices from €2.510

PACKAGE 4:South Africa – Classic Safari (9 days/6 nights) with prices from €1.710

Day 1: Lisbon – Johannesburg

Day 2: Johannesburg

Day 3: Johannesburg – Mpumalanga – Kruger Park

Day 4: Kruger Park

Day 5: Kruger Park – Pretoria – Johannesburg – Cape Town

Day 6: Cape Town

Day 7: Cape Town

Day 8: Cape Town – Lisbon

Day 9: Lisbon

PACKAGE 5:South Africa – African Safari (9 days/6 nights) with prices from €1.715

Day 1: Lisbon – Johannesburg

Day 2: Johannesburg – Kruger Park

Day 3: Kruger Park

Day 4: Kruger Park

Day 5: Kruger Park – Cape Town

Day 6: Cape Town

Day 7: Cape Town

Day 8: Cape Town – Lisbon

Day 9: Lisbon

PACKAGE 6:South Africa & Botswana (10 days/7 nights) with prices from €2.990

Day 1: Lisbon – Cape Town

Day 2 to 4: Cape Town

Day 5: Cape Town – Johannesburg – Victoria Falls

Day 6: Victoria Falls

Day 7: Victoria Falls – Chobe National Park

Day 8: Chobe National Park

Day 9: Chobe National Park – Johannesburg - Lisbon

Day 10: Lisbon

For more information, check Mundo Abreu's Catalogues.

On 14 January 2011, Mr. N. Sifuba, Second Secretary Political, gave a presentation on South Africa, its culture and traditions at the invitation of grade 12 students from the Augusto Cabrita Secondary School in Barreiro. The students chose South Africa as the theme for their Special Projects class, having organised the event under the supervision of their history teacher, Anabela Soares. The presentation was attended by fellow students who posed numerous questions regarding South Africa and appreciated the crafts on display.

Mr. N. Sifuba is seen here with some of the students who organised the event for their
fellow classmates.