Poland in South Africa

The guest of honour was Marlon Geswint, who represented the South African State Treasury (acting director general in the Department of International and Regional Economy) and the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, who was visiting South Africa. Ambassador Adam Burakowski delivered a speech in which he pointed to the strong ties and very good cooperation between Poland and South Africa. The Ambassador also recalled two important events in the history of Polish-South African relations: the 80th anniversary of the "Warsaw Flights", a military mission of the South African Air Force and Allied pilots who participated in heroic flights to support the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, and the 81st anniversary of the government of the Union of South Africa accepting a group of 500 Polish children and their guardians, survivors of deportation to Siberia, and providing them with safe shelter in Oudtshoorn. In the occasional speeches delivered by the guests of honour, Marlon Geswint placed great emphasis on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for actions that would lead to peace, and also spoke about economic cooperation between Poland and South Africa. Marlon Geswint highlited Poland's activities within the UN and efforts to maintain peace in the world. Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized the strong ties between Poland and Estonia, and also spoke about cooperation between Africa and the EU.

The well-known and popular South African band "Trio Gloriosa" played the Polish and South African anthems, and also played the C major polonaise by Fryderyk Chopin. After the official part of the ceremony, the numerous guests (approx. 250 participants) had the opportunity to view the exhibition "Geodiversity. On the Trail of Geology".

Photos: Grażyna Koornhof/Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria