South African Ambassador Mpendulo Jele welcomes guests to a large reception at the Serena Hotel this week, to celebrate South Africa’s 23rd Freedom Day.

Freedom Day is celebrated to mark the end of apartheid in South Africa and the establishment of the country’s first democratically elected government in 1994.

Riaz Hussain Pirzada, the federal minister for provincial coordination, was invited as the chief guest, and the event was well attended by diplomats and other guests.

A guest at the event said South Africa is a “rainbow country” due to its ethnic diversity, and the country’s diplomatic mission in Pakistan reflects that with a staff of African, Asian and European backgrounds.

A video was screened at the reception which showcased lively music, and landscapes and cities in South Africa. A diplomat said: “We hope to attract more tourists and business people from Pakistan and around the world.”

“The time of President Nelson Mandela is gone, although his iconic status lives on. Yet, today, the country has many problems to implement change and equality for all.

Corruption is a problem in politics as well as the private and public sectors,” noted a foreign student.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2017