SOUTH AFRICANS in Ireland celebrated the country’s “heroes and heroines” on Freedom Day last week.
Jeremiah Ndou, South Africa’s Ambassador to Ireland, told Metro Éireann that 27 April is commemorated by South Africans each year as it marks the day in 1994 when their country held its first post-apartheid elections.
“It’s a day when we celebrate the heroes and heroines and all South Africans who have played a part in bringing about the current democracy, and all those who continue to work very hard to promote democracy, unity and peace,” said Ambassador Ndou.
The Embassy of South Africa in Ireland held two events to mark the occasion. The first gathered around 400 people at a Dublin hotel, bringing together South Africans, foreign diplomats in Ireland, members of the business community and NGOs.
It was marked by a performance by South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza, who has been hailed as one of opera’s most exciting new voices.
The occasion was further marked last Saturday when a family day was held at Belvedere Rugby Club in Dublin. It featured games, South African cuisine and DJs, and was aimed at a multicultural population, not least South Africans and Irish people.
