Poland in South Africa

The ceremony, which took place on November 11, traditionally at the Katyn Monument in Johannesburg, was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria in cooperation with the Polish Association in Johannesburg and the Polish Association of Siberian Deportees in Africa. During the ceremony, the Consul of the Republic of Poland, Michał Gierwatowski, presented an occasional speech, and the representatives of the local Polish communities and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland laid flowers.

Father Radosław Szymoniak celebrated the ceremony with a short prayer. All the participants of the event joined the “Anthem for Independent Poland” (Hymn dla Niepodległej) campaign and sang the national anthem together.

The 103rd anniversary of Poland regaining independence was also commemorated on November 13, 2021 in Walkerville in the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy and on November 14, 2021 in the Polish church of St. Joseph Worker in Norwood in Johannesburg.

Father Marian Kulig celebrated a Mass during the Saturday’s event in Walkerville,. The President of the Polish Association in Johannesburg, Magdalena Liberda, delivered a touching speech referring to the events that led to regaining independence by Poland, as well as the bravery, courage and determination of Polish citizens who fought for the freedom of our country. After the ceremonial part, participants of the event could visit the orphanage "Dawn of Hope" founded by Stefan Herok, who has been privately looking after a group of South African orphans for over 7 years.

On November 14, 2021, Father Radosław Szymoniak celebrated a solemn Mass in the intention of Poland. The Consul of the Republic of Poland, Michał Gierwatowski, thanked his countrymen for their daily efforts to preserve Polishness, develop culture and build Polish political thought. He emphasized that our ancestors, the heroes of the events from over a hundred years ago, despite harassment, arrests, deportations and repressions by the partitioning powers, were able to protect and develop national identity, and then pass it on to the next generations already living in reborn Poland.

The events were attended by representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria, including the Head of the Department, Jarosław Spyra, the Consul of the Republic of Poland, Michał Gierwatowski, and representatives of Polish organizations and the Polish diaspora in South Africa.