COMMUNITY NEWS

Africa is making progress, says Takalani Netshienzhe

This year’s Africa Day was marked in Budapest at the Central European University on May 22.

The event celebrated every year on May 25 worldwide is to commemorate the 1963 founding of the organization of Africa Unity now known as African Union.

Unlike in the past, this year’s celebration started with lectures and speeches from distinguished guests including the Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, János Hóvári.

The central message sent across by the speakers is the relationship between Hungary and the African continent described as rapid growing, especially with the northern parts of the continent.

The improvement in migration and integration as well as peace and security were also considered as important ‘due to the fall out of the Arab springs which has brought new conflicts in certain parts of Africa’.

The head of the African Diplomatic Corps, Takalani Netshienzhe, smiled her gratefulness while thanking the host country for its support and efforts in strengthening the relationship and development with the African continent.

 Ms.Netshienzhe who is also the Ambassador of the South Africa embassy said that Africa is making progress in different sectors most especially political stability which obviously is the gateway to investment.

Notable at the event were Professor Matteo Fumagilli, the dean of the faculty of International Relations and European Studies at the Central European University; Justice Richard Goldstone former member of the South Africa Constitutional Court; Iskander Ghattas, Vice-president of the Human Rights Council of Egypt.

Although some guests observed that this year’s event was without much fanfare, three young children beautifully clad in their Egyptian traditional dress recited a poem to the delight of the guests.

There was no drumming and dancing, yet there was a lot to eat from different cuisine on the continent as Mr. Hóvári was led to inspect kiosks showing the diversity of cultures from the continent.

Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia all displayed the stuff they are made of.

 Reported by Archie Bonka

Edited by Hakeem Babalola

Cross-Section

Children time to entertain

Cross section: African diplomats

Hungarian representative in black suit posing with some guests