By Guido Lanfranchi.On Tuesday May 22, H.E. Dr. Riad Malki, Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, visited the International Criminal Court in The Hague, asking the Chief Prosecutor Ms. Fatou Bensouda to open an investigation concerning the situation in Palestine.
On Tuesday morning, the , entered the gates of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and met with Chief Prosecutor Ms. Fatou Bensouda. After the meeting, H.E. Dr. Malki updated the journalists during a press conference, attended also by H.E. Ms. Rawan Sulaiman, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands, Mr. Ammar Hijazi, Palestinian Assistant Minister for Multilateral Affairs, and Prof. John Dugard, former Special Rapporteur to the UN Commission on the human rights situation in Palestine.
Minister Malki opened the conference announcing that he had just submitted a referral to the ICC concerning the situation in Palestine, thus asking for “an investigation without delay” on the ongoing violations committed by Israeli officials and citizens. These violations include the expansion of Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories, as well as land grabbing, the appropriation of natural resources, and the violence committed against civilians. Dr. Malki praised the referral as an “historic step towards justice for the Palestinian people,” stressing that the Palestinian people do not seek revenge, but rather justice, as justice is the “cornerstone of peace.”
Elaborating on the scope of the potential investigation, Dr. Malki clarified that the probe would concern crimes committed in the Palestinian Territories as defined by the 1967 border. As for the investigation’s timeframe, the probe would involve crimes committed after June 2014, month in which the PA signed the Statute of Rome, and it would extend until an undetermined time, thus encompassing “past, present, and future crimes.”
Dr. Malki noted that the Palestinian Authority’s decision to submit the referral to the ICC stemmed from the “intensification” of the crimes committed against the Palestinian people, for which Israel has not been held accountable. He also noted that this referral will be a test to the international community’s commitment to international law, stressing that the absence of a response from the Court would be “devastating” for the Palestinians.
Israel, which is not a signatory party to the ICC’s Rome Statue, publicly voiced its opposition to the ICC probe, and threatened the PA of repercussions. Dr. Malki and his colleagues stressed that, in spite of Israel’s absence in the ICC, the Court probe would nevertheless have jurisdiction over the Palestinian issue, given that the referred crimes have been committed on the soil of Palestine, a Member State in the ICC.
However, given the absence of an ICC police force and Israel’s lack of cooperation, the Court would have to rely on the actions of its Member States to enforce any potential decisions.
Questioned by the journalists, Prof. Dugard also explained the reasons behind the choice of the referral’s focus on the issue of settlements. Settlements – the Professor explained – are the most glaring aspect of Israel’s “colonial enterprise,” and the evidence on this issue is huge. However, as Mr. Hijazi clarified, while the investigation would indeed focus on settlements, its overall scope would definitely be wider, including a series of other crimes such as the recent violence committed in Gaza against Palestinian civilians.
Finally, answering to the journalists, Dr. Malki also highlighted the multilateral nature of this initiative. He noted that the Palestinian referral to the ICC has been supported by a number of countries, as well as by a series of resolutions issued by different intergovernmental organizations, such as the League of the Arab States, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, the African Union, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Now, the decision whether to follow up on the referral and open a formal investigation lies in the hand of Chief Prosecutor Ms. Bensouda and her office. Time will tell what the outcome of Tuesday morning’s actions will be. In the meanwhile, however, Dr. Malki closed his statement with a vow: the Palestinian Authority “will not allow injustice to be Palestine’s destiny.”
On the picture H.E. Bruce Koloane, Ambassador of South Africa.By Roy Lie Atjam.
Freedom Day celebration took place in Wassenaar-The Netherlands on Thursday 3rd May 2018. The Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa H.E. Bruce Koloane and Mrs Ntokozo Koloane hosted a superb reception.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157696451891824
Ambassadors of many countries, members of the Diplomatic Corps, OPCW, members of the various The Hague based Judicial Institutions, fellow South Africans and friends, were in attendance. Ambassador Koloane welcomed the many guests and delivered the following remarks:
“I would like to first take this opportunity to thank all of you for accepting our invitation to commemorate the 24th anniversary of our National day as the Republic of SA.
24 Years ago, South Africans of all races, gender, colour, creed and religious beliefs, were for the first time in their lives, able to exercise their democratic right to vote as equals before the law for a government of their choice, thus marking South Africa’s transition from the dark period of apartheid oppression to a free and equal society.
Ambassador Koloane and Mrs. Ntokozo Koloane with H.E. Mr. Aviv Shir-On, Ambassador of Israel.
It’s a day on which our rightful place as people deserving of respect and dignity was restored, where the humiliation of racial discrimination became a thing of the past. Many lost their lives during the struggle against the most inhumane form of human degradation under apartheid, but all of the fallen heroes were vindicated, as the dream for which they sacrificed now has become a reality.
We have all seized to be pariahs in the land of our birth.
As much as the successive democratically elected governments have made significant progress in transforming the society and the country, e.g accessible health care and the provision of basis services as enshrined in the Freedom Charter, many challenges still haunt us.
The Ambassador of Russia H.E. Alexander Shulgin came to congratulate Ambassador Koloane and its staff.
Therefore, whilst we celebrate the freedom we have achieved and the great advances we have made in redressing some of the institutional and legislative ills that were the trademark of the apartheid machinery, which were premised on the insidious structural racism, bigotry and privilege, we are cannot be naïve to the following realities:
• So many of our people still go to bed on empty stomachs
• Unemployment is still a serious threat to our teething democracy
• Many still do not have houses, electricity or clean water
• There is a still a huge gap in wealth and opportunity between white and black people, and between women and men
Therefore, our Government, through our democratic constitution, progressive laws, and concerted programmes of social and economic redress, has made a resolve to affirm our determination to intensify the struggle for economic freedom and emancipation for all South Africans. Whilst many refer to South Africans as a rainbow nation due to their diversity, we have taken a conscious decision to resolutely remove the obstacles that still divide our society and instead focus on strengthening the many ties that bind us together.
Ambassador Koloane and H.E. Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, Nuncio Apostolico.
We have done a lot to reduce poverty through social grants, access to healthcare and provision of houses to the poor, but the challenge is still how we grow the economy that creates decent jobs, how we transform the ownership, control and management of the economy, so that Black South Africans and women are fully represented and equally benefit, how we empower the youth of our country through education, skills development and workplace experience. And that is why we need to intensify radical economic transformation policies and programmes.
I would be failing in my job if I do not acknowledge and recognise the massive contribution and solidarity of the international community, and can assure all of you gathered here today, that we are determined to be champions of democracy, peace and human rights across the world.
We thank you sincerely, and would like to also convey our plea for an urgent need to further co-operate with us in the implementation of the radical economic transformation journey to ensure that we do not reverse the socio-political and economic gains already made.
Some of the most vocal, supportive anti-apartheid movements were in this country, The Netherlands, and it’s therefore no co-incidence that the first ANC policy conference that took a decision for a 50% mainstreaming of women in all government portfolios and in all three spheres of government, took place in The Netherlands.
Mrs. Ktokozo Koloane, H.E. Mr Sallah Ben Abdelkader Hamza, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire and the Ambassador of South Africa.
2018 has been declared a year in which we celebrate the centenary of two of our struggle icons, namely Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu. The vision and the principles they dedicated most of their lives to still remain but a dream for the majority of our people, and thus we rededicate ourselves to decisively address the poverty, crime, land redistribution, inclusive economic growth and ensuring that all South African have access to basic services as enshrined in the Freedom Charter.
Only last month, South Africans mourned the passing of the Mother of the nation, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. May her soul rest in eternal peace. She will never be forgotten for the pivotal role she played in mobilising democratic and progressive forces, exposing the ills of the apartheid government and keeping the plight of Black South Africans in the realm of the international community.
Mrs. Ktokozo Koloane, Mrs. Laura Dupuy, H.E. Bruce Koloane and H.E. Mr. Ricardo Nario, Ambassador of Uruguay.
At a bilateral level, we have seen the strengthening of bilateral relations between SA and the Netherlands, characterised by numerous exchanges of high level visits between our two countries.
• Visit by Prime Minister Routte to SA in 2015 accompanied by a high level business delegation
• Visit to the Netherlands by Minister Nkoane-Mashabane ( DIRCO) and the signing of a bilateral framework agreement, The Joint Co-Operation Commission (JCC)intended to enhance our bilateral co-operation
• Repeated visits by then Minister of Science and Technology, Minister Pandor, at least three, between 2016 and 2018, where joint funding for research programmes on astronomy of development were identified, agreed upon, and committed
• Signing of the MOU on research co-operation and Joint Phd Supervision facilitated by the National Research Foundation of SA and Nuffic
• MOU on Water Co-operation and the Orange Corner Knowledge Programme focusing on water, agriculture and vocational training
• Renewal of the King Fisher Programme
• MOU on Co-operation between Institutions of Higher Learning
Whilst these are not in any way exhaustive but merely indicative, they are indeed a testimony to the cordial historic relations that exist between our two countries.The tourism numbers between our two countries are also healthy and the investments f4rom the Netherlands are equally growing, and thus making a significant contribution in job creation.
Our cultural cooperation has been very consistent, as manifested in the following :
• Tell Freedom Exhibition in Kunshalkade Amersfoort which end on 6 May 2018
• Cities of the World by Mr Titus Thabiso Mtiyane at Zuidstrandtheater in May 2018
• SA Miagi Youth Ochestra in August 2018 at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam
• Die Mamas currently showcasing some of the Master works of the late Mirriam Makeba
• Annual participation in the Kwaku Festival in July in Amsterdam.
South Africa will continue to use her leadership and membership in SADC, BRICS, the G20, The Commonwealth and other international bodies to forge a new world order founded on equality, dignity and mutual respect.
With H.E. Vestine Nahimana, Ambassador of Burundi.
As President Ramaphosa said recently, and I quote :” Our duty , as custodians of this democracy, is to direct all our resources to conquer poverty, joblessness, racial hatred, anarchy, violence and lawlessness, illiteracy and idleness and place our country on a path of growth, development and lasting freedom”.
I thank you and would like to ask you break bread with us in a typical South African Tradition. God bless South Africa and the Rest of the World.”
King Felipe VI being received at Geilenkirchen by Ambassador Maria Victoria Morera – Picture by Casa de S.M. el Rey, Household of the Spanish Monarchy.
Thursday, 10 May 2018, Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain joined other heads of state and government to ceremony granting the International Prize Charlemagne to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Don Felipe VI arrived at the NATO base of Geilenkirchen in the vicinities of Aachen, wherein he was received by his ambassador to Germany, HE María Victoria Morera in order to attend the ceremony on 10 May.
The “Internationaler Karlpreis der Stadt Aachen” was set up in 1949. Since 1998 is known as the “Internationaler Karlpreis zu Aachen”. It is awarded since 1950 annually to personalities from the fields of politics, economics and spirituality who foster European unity. Since 1997 the award is buttressed up by the Foundation International Prize Charlemagne that aids to promote the goal of further European integration as well as to maintaining the peaceful dialogue amongst European states.
King Juan Carlos of Spain was granted the award in 1982. King Felipe VI attended the ceremony for the first time in 2015 for the bestowal to then European Parliament President Martin Schulz.
François Goullet de Rugy and Mars Di Bartolomeo.
Friday, 18 May 2018, Luxembourg City: Speaker of the French National AssemblyFrançois Goullet de Rugy was on a visit of parliamentary diplomacy to his Luxembourgish counterpart Mars Di Bartolomeo, and highlighted before the press that Franco-Luxembourgian relations were “very important”.
According to statistics on working days 92,000 cross-border employees travel between the two countries. Other topics of discussion besides cross-border mobility were the Cattenom, the Schengen school, the cooperation for the Culture Capital 2022 (Esch-Uelzecht – Esch-sur-Alzette) and even the Brexit.
Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade – Picture by Chambre des députés du GDL.
For François de Rugy it is clear that Luxembourg and France share plenty of European values, thus it is paramount that the European Union speak with one voice, he said before journalists.
M de Rugy was also welcomed for a bilateral meeting by the Prime Minister Xavier Bettel at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, official residence of the head of government.
The French deputy representing French nationals in the Benelux countries, M Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade, was partook in the delegation to the world’s only remaining Grand Duchy. There are 55,000 French nationals living in Luxembourg.
For further information:
The Amir of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Sultan III bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. Photography by Raimond Spekking.
Amsterdam and Rotterdam, May 2018, Kingdom of the Netherlands: A trade delegation hailing from the Emirate of Sharjah, representing its government’s key investment and business entities, travelled to Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands on a two-day trade mission.
The aim of the mission was to introduce Dutch investors to new business opportunities in sectors including logistics, tourism, environment, healthcare, education, media and digital productions. Sharjah is the third largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates, and is ruled by the House of Qassim currently personified by His Highness Sheikh Sultan III bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, an appreciated scholar, writer and avid protector of the arts.
The visit organised by Invest in Sharjah – the investment promotion agency of the emirate- is a follow up to the business round-table held in February, where in Sharjah hosted over 150 Dutch investors.
The delegation met representatives from key innovation hubs and centres in the city of Amsterdam, whilst Invest in Sharjah held a seminar in Rotterdam.
CEO of Invest in Sharjah, Director Mohammed bin Juma Al Musharrakh led the delegation keen to encourage more Dutch investors to discover Sharjah.
On the picture Harold Orozco, La Mambanegra.By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague, it is Thursday 17 May 2018, the venue, Het Korenhuis, the Embassy of Colombia in the Netherlands presented one of the most popular salsa groups in the World! JacoboVélez and his band La Mambanegra.
H.E. Juan José Quintana, Ambassador of Colombia, La Manbanegra JacoboVélez and H.E. Marithza Ruiz de Vielman, Ambassador of Guatemala.
Created in 2012 in Cali, Colombia, this Latin America music orchestra has been performing on numerous scenes in the world. El Callegüeso y Su Mala Maña is a much-appreciated piece. La Mambanegra is La nouvelle vague Colombienne !
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia Cultural Diplomacy’s program, aspires to promote knowledge of Colombia’s cultural expressions: literature, cinema, gastronomy and of course music to the world.
La Mambanegra put on a dazzling concert at the Korenhuis The Hague on Thursday 17 May. Some of Ambassador Juan JoseQuintana’s colleagues, Peru, Argentina, Curacao and others joined the fabulous salsa+ party. The ambiente was unmistakably Colombian-Latin America.
JacoboVélez , La Manbanegra
The band by all means succeeded in capturing the attention of the audience from start to finish. La Mambanegra presents a repertoire called “Break Salsa” a Latin music mixture of Colombian music, funk, New York salsa, R&B, along with Jamaican influences.
H.E. Juan José Quintana, with guests at the Mamabanegra’s concert in The Hague.
Members of the orchestra are:
JacoboVélez – singer, saxophone
Sergio ‘Checho’ Orobio – song, güiro
Roger Torres – trumpet
Fabio ‘Mifa’ Lucumi – trombone
Daniel Gutierrez – keyboard
YefersonCarabaldiObando – base
Harold Orozco – drums, timbales
Juan Carlos Arrechea – conga
Roy Lie Atjam, from Diplomat Magazine and H.E. Anthony Begina, Minister Plenipotentiary of Curacao.For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157696404580244
La Mambanegra is on a Eurasian tour that will take them to Azerbaijan, Turkey, Poland and Portugal.
This is how Colombia presents itself to the world!
Photo: F.l.t.r: Ngozi Uche (Managing Director), Jan van der Meijden (Co-Founder), Robbie Zein, (Co-Founder) and Mayor Klaas Tigelaar of Leidschendam-Voorburg International childcare provider now officially settled in “Huis de Werve”
Voorburg – Mayor Klaas Tigelaar commemorated the official opening of the new childcare centre of Zein International Childcare in Voorburg by unveiling a plaque in the monumental property known as “Huis de Werve”. Among the guests were the heads of the international schools in the region, staff of multinationals and expat organizations and other business associates of the childcare provider. Zein opened its doors for the first children in early March after an extensive and careful renovation.
Mayor Klaas Tigelaar: “More and more international and highly educated families are finding their way to Leidschendam-Voorburg, which contributes to the diversity within the community and benefits the local economy. To create an appealing living environment for these families, the availability of suitable facilities – such as international oriented childcare – is important. The arrival of Zein in Leidschendam-Voorburg is therefore very welcome!”
About Zein International Childcare
With international families in focus, Zein has developed a family-oriented approach that views the child as a global citizen; providing them with a solid socio-emotional foundation to integrate in the (host) community and thrive with appreciation of diversity. Integral to Zein’s programme is their unique behavior guidance system called ‘Choices’. Developed by founding director Robbie Zein, a book has been published on the system.
The Zein approach gives international parents the confidence to accept assignments in the Netherlands with the assurance that their little ones will not miss out on the quality internationally integrative pedagogic and developmental foundation they need.
President Meron speaks at Security Council The Hague 18/05/2018 The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Judge Theodor Meron, yesterday briefed the UN Security Council on progress toward ensuring accountability for serious violations of international law and the role that different actors, including the Council, can play to advance efforts in this regard. The open debate was organized at the initiative of the Republic of Poland, which currently holds the presidency of the Council, with the aim of reflecting on the current state of respect for international law in the context of the maintenance of international peace and security and what could be done to improve it.
His Excellency Mr. Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, chaired the debate, which also included briefings by Her Excellency Ms. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Chef de Cabinet of the UN Secretary-General, on behalf of the Secretary-General, and Judge Hisashi Owada, Judge and former President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), on behalf of the President of the ICJ.
President Meron observed that, as the result of work by international criminal courts such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, “there is an ever-increasing expectation in communities around the world that where atrocities are committed in violation of international law, accountability shall follow. This is a profound change from just a quarter of a century ago”. However, President Meron acknowledged that international criminal justice is “still very much in its infancy, and it is in a highly vulnerable stage of development at present […] facing something of a period of contraction […] after a remarkable period of expansion”.
President Meron stressed the importance of accountability efforts by national jurisdictions, noting that it is only through the engagement of States on a broad scale that the accountability gap may be closed. He further proposed a number of steps that the Council may consider in order to advance efforts to ensure accountability for international crimes, including revisions to the Council’s decision-making approach in addressing alleged violations of international law such as through the development of objective criteria to be applied by the Council in assessing allegations of international crimes and steps to be taken in relation thereto.
On the picture, H.E. Vestine Nahimana, Ambassador of Burundi to the Netherlands with representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission and political parties at the Burundian embassy in The Hague. By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague 17 May 2018, Embassy of Burundi. Burundian nationals residing in the Netherlands cast their vote in the country’s constitutional referendum.
Voting started from 9.00h and ended at 19.00h Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( CENI) and of the various political parties took position at the polling station in the Chancellery. Counting of the votes took place immediately after the closing of the polling station.
The referendum is aiming at amendments in the constitution. Proposed changes: reintroduce the post of Prime Minister and reduce the number of Vice-President from two to one. They also involve increasing the presidential term from five to seven years, but restricting a president to two consecutive terms.
The amendments will also reduce the parliamentary majority required to pass legislation. It has been reported that Bujumbura, the capital, had long lines of voters as security forces were deployed across the city.
Five million people across the country were registered to vote. Voting appeared to be going smoothly in most areas, although activist group which monitors reported some allegations of intimidation.
Israel, which is not a signatory party to the ICC’s Rome Statue, publicly voiced its opposition to the ICC probe, and threatened the PA of repercussions. Dr. Malki and his colleagues stressed that, in spite of Israel’s absence in the ICC, the Court probe would nevertheless have jurisdiction over the Palestinian issue, given that the referred crimes have been committed on the soil of Palestine, a Member State in the ICC.
However, given the absence of an ICC police force and Israel’s lack of cooperation, the Court would have to rely on the actions of its Member States to enforce any potential decisions.
Questioned by the journalists, Prof. Dugard also explained the reasons behind the choice of the referral’s focus on the issue of settlements. Settlements – the Professor explained – are the most glaring aspect of Israel’s “colonial enterprise,” and the evidence on this issue is huge. However, as Mr. Hijazi clarified, while the investigation would indeed focus on settlements, its overall scope would definitely be wider, including a series of other crimes such as the recent violence committed in Gaza against Palestinian civilians.
Finally, answering to the journalists, Dr. Malki also highlighted the multilateral nature of this initiative. He noted that the Palestinian referral to the ICC has been supported by a number of countries, as well as by a series of resolutions issued by different intergovernmental organizations, such as the League of the Arab States, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, the African Union, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Now, the decision whether to follow up on the referral and open a formal investigation lies in the hand of Chief Prosecutor Ms. Bensouda and her office. Time will tell what the outcome of Tuesday morning’s actions will be. In the meanwhile, however, Dr. Malki closed his statement with a vow: the Palestinian Authority “will not allow injustice to be Palestine’s destiny.”
Israel, which is not a signatory party to the ICC’s Rome Statue, publicly voiced its opposition to the ICC probe, and threatened the PA of repercussions. Dr. Malki and his colleagues stressed that, in spite of Israel’s absence in the ICC, the Court probe would nevertheless have jurisdiction over the Palestinian issue, given that the referred crimes have been committed on the soil of Palestine, a Member State in the ICC.
However, given the absence of an ICC police force and Israel’s lack of cooperation, the Court would have to rely on the actions of its Member States to enforce any potential decisions.
Questioned by the journalists, Prof. Dugard also explained the reasons behind the choice of the referral’s focus on the issue of settlements. Settlements – the Professor explained – are the most glaring aspect of Israel’s “colonial enterprise,” and the evidence on this issue is huge. However, as Mr. Hijazi clarified, while the investigation would indeed focus on settlements, its overall scope would definitely be wider, including a series of other crimes such as the recent violence committed in Gaza against Palestinian civilians.
Finally, answering to the journalists, Dr. Malki also highlighted the multilateral nature of this initiative. He noted that the Palestinian referral to the ICC has been supported by a number of countries, as well as by a series of resolutions issued by different intergovernmental organizations, such as the League of the Arab States, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, the African Union, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Now, the decision whether to follow up on the referral and open a formal investigation lies in the hand of Chief Prosecutor Ms. Bensouda and her office. Time will tell what the outcome of Tuesday morning’s actions will be. In the meanwhile, however, Dr. Malki closed his statement with a vow: the Palestinian Authority “will not allow injustice to be Palestine’s destiny.”
Ambassadors of many countries, members of the Diplomatic Corps, OPCW, members of the various The Hague based Judicial Institutions, fellow South Africans and friends, were in attendance. Ambassador Koloane welcomed the many guests and delivered the following remarks:
“I would like to first take this opportunity to thank all of you for accepting our invitation to commemorate the 24th anniversary of our National day as the Republic of SA.
24 Years ago, South Africans of all races, gender, colour, creed and religious beliefs, were for the first time in their lives, able to exercise their democratic right to vote as equals before the law for a government of their choice, thus marking South Africa’s transition from the dark period of apartheid oppression to a free and equal society.
We thank you sincerely, and would like to also convey our plea for an urgent need to further co-operate with us in the implementation of the radical economic transformation journey to ensure that we do not reverse the socio-political and economic gains already made.
Some of the most vocal, supportive anti-apartheid movements were in this country, The Netherlands, and it’s therefore no co-incidence that the first ANC policy conference that took a decision for a 50% mainstreaming of women in all government portfolios and in all three spheres of government, took place in The Netherlands.
Ambassadors of many countries, members of the Diplomatic Corps, OPCW, members of the various The Hague based Judicial Institutions, fellow South Africans and friends, were in attendance. Ambassador Koloane welcomed the many guests and delivered the following remarks:
“I would like to first take this opportunity to thank all of you for accepting our invitation to commemorate the 24th anniversary of our National day as the Republic of SA.
24 Years ago, South Africans of all races, gender, colour, creed and religious beliefs, were for the first time in their lives, able to exercise their democratic right to vote as equals before the law for a government of their choice, thus marking South Africa’s transition from the dark period of apartheid oppression to a free and equal society.
We thank you sincerely, and would like to also convey our plea for an urgent need to further co-operate with us in the implementation of the radical economic transformation journey to ensure that we do not reverse the socio-political and economic gains already made.
Some of the most vocal, supportive anti-apartheid movements were in this country, The Netherlands, and it’s therefore no co-incidence that the first ANC policy conference that took a decision for a 50% mainstreaming of women in all government portfolios and in all three spheres of government, took place in The Netherlands.
