Consular General Darkey Africa.
The joy and thrills of the people of South Africa was brought to Lagos on the 6th of September as the South African Embassy in Nigeria celebrated South Africa’s National Women’s Day 2018 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. The Embassy hosted dignitaries, media partners, stakeholders and Consuls General including Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and several other countries to a night of centenary celebrations.
The National Women’s Day is an annual South African public holiday which commemorates the 1956 women’s march in Pretoria to petition against the country’s pass law and this year, South Africa remembers Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu; a political activist, a nurse and one of the important leaders of anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa. She amongst other women spear-headed the march of 1956 and this year, South Africa celebrates her centenary.
Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu who was often referred to as the “Mother of the Nation” lived with the people and lead them to rise against the abominable system of Apartheid and misogyny. From Cape Town, Soweto to Huhundi and Galeshewe, she was known for her warmth as a leader, whose love for freedom was unwavering.
Mr. Oluwaseyi Adegoke Adeyemo of Inside Watch Africa alongside Mrs. Poppy Ravhura compered the event, taking the guests down memory lane back to the march of 1956, explaining the meaning of the words they chanted as they walked to the Union Building
wathint’ abafazi,
wathint’ imbokodo, uza kufa!
[When] you strike the women, you strike a rock,
you will be crushed [you will die]!
— Rallying call for Women.
In a welcome address by Mr. Darkey Africa, Consul General of South Africa, talked about the legacy Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu left behind “We learn about leadership, through her suffering, we learn about the patience of a nurse to conquer pain. We learn about her burning desire to release her people from the pain of oppression. We learn about selflessness and service to humanity”.
To close his welcome address, Mr. Darkey made a call-to-action for us all to emulate the life and times of Albertina Sisulu by intensifying our efforts in the society against subjugation of women. “Mama Sisulu calls on us to forever strive for this ideal, to emancipate women so that Africa can prosper. We must now begin to nurture a 100 more Albertina Sisulus. None amongst us can be her, but we can emulate her example, know her story and attempt to help humanity”.
The event ended with a closing remark by Ms. N Koni, reminding everyone why August 9th is an celebrated day. “We mark this day to remind ourselves of the great contributions women have made to build our societies, while at the same time recognize the challenges that women still face in fully enjoying their fundamental human rights”.
This year is of special significance as it commemorates the birth of Albertina Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and the formation of the Bantu Women’s League – the Bantu Women’s League was the first women’s organization in South Africa which was founded in 1918.
South African Tourism alongside South African embassy thanks partners and friends on the continued support of the now annual celebration: a wonderful opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements.
South african tourism trade and media partners
Consular General Darkey Africa, Stakeholders and friends
The South african Consulate and partners
Staff of SAT and Staff of consulate
Consul General, Darkey Africa
On Friday, 25th of August, Federal Place Hotel was agog with lively activity, as the South African Embassy in Nigeria celebrated Women’s month. For South Africans, it’s the year of celebrating the life and legacy of O.R. Tambo and the Embassy invited media partners, and stakeholders to share in the celebrations.
The National Women’s Day is a South African public holiday celebrated annually on 9 August. However, the entire month of August is celebrated as women’s month. The month commemorates the 1956 march of 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to petition against the country’s pass laws that required South Africans defined as “black” under The Population Registration Act to carry a pass, that served to maintain population segregation. The first National Women’s Day was celebrated on 9 August 1994.
The Federal palace doors opened to welcome guests and delegates led by Consulate General Darkey Africa, NANTA president Mr. Bankole Bernard, Mr. Zom Chizura, Ms. Arese Ugwu, Ms Ayanda Mzulwini amongst others. Mr Oluwaseyi Adegoke Adeyemo of Inside Watch Africa compered the event, firstly paying homage to the women who have paved the way for parity and who continue to do so. Arese Ugwu, the author of Smart Money Africa, spoke at the event discussing the evolution of generational women over the years.
“Africa is the next frontier but in order for African women to be a significant part of that growth story we need to learn how to collaborate to compete” – Arese Ugwu
Mr Darkey Africa, South Africa’s Consul-General in Lagos participated actively in the struggle against Apartheid and is passionate about the struggle for equality at all levels.
Discussing the struggle for equality in the South African government, Consulate General, Darkey Africa explained that Women’s month had a deeper meaning for him. He mentioned that “the views of the generation of 1956 is about us being one society: a society constituted by both men and women and South Africa wants women to participate more in the government. At the moment, we are striving for 50/50 parity: women and men rights to be equal in terms of our policies, we already have women massed at the local and government level”.
Mr. Africa also stressed that Nigeria and South Africa must continue to unite and celebrate through, culture, traditions and the arts.
The event ended with a toast and cutting of the cake by South African Embassy Corporate Service Manager, Ms. Ayanda Mzulwini, entertainment and lots of refreshment. As a support of the female empowerment, solidarity and strength, South Africa came to Lagos, Nigeria to share Women’s day and it was a day of joy and celebration as the South African Embassy alongside partners to honor the role of women in our society.
Tosin Ajibade, Jennifer Awoh, Emmanuel Ikubese and Eki Ogunbor
Arese Ugwu and Darkey Africa
Ayanda Mzulwini giving her speech
Mohammed Tanko, Jennifer Awoh, Ayo Makun, Hloni Pitso
Lagos: (June 17th, 2017) The most anticipated movie of the year, 10 days in Sun City is finally upon us. This time AY takes us on a journey to the beautiful Sun City in South Africa with fellow cast members – Richard Mofe Damijo, Adesua Etomi, Gbenro Ajibade, Mercy Johnson Okojie, Falz, 2face Idibia, Alibaba, Alex Ekubo, Yvonne Jegede, Annie Idibia, Uti Nwachukwu, Fathia Balogun and more.
The premiere took place this weekend on Saturday 17th June 2017 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. The movie is set to be released in Nigerian on Friday June 23rd 2017.
Aside the A-list Nigerian cast, the hilarious star-studded comedy, shot in Sun City: Northern West Province of South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria also features Miguel Nunez Jr. a Hollywood actor and an equally hilarious South African cast consisting, the sensational Amanda Du Pont, comedian Thenjiwe Moseley, Celeste Ntuli and lots more.
10 days in Sun City is directed by award-winning South African-based Nigerian Director Adze Ugah, written by award-winning writer-director Kehinde Ogunlola and produced by Ayo Makun, Darlington Abuda and Kirsty Galliard.
South African tourism, has an incredible passion for innovation, culture and community, and we’re happy to help bring alive this movie alongside The Sun International who hosted the cast and crew to a variety of treatments Sun City has to offer.
One of Africa’s premier vacation destinations, Sun City in South Africa is internationally recognized for its superb resort, offering of hotels, attractions and world-class events. From adventure sports and safari options to a world-famous golf course and a wide variety of rides and games, Sun City provided the perfect background for the cast to enjoy the experience of a lifetime. Perhaps one of the stand out scenes from the movie is the Elephant Sanctuary scene which features the stars having an interactive elephant experience. Some of the breath-taking scenes in the movie to look out for are: Hartebeespoort Dam, which is an hour away from Sun City. Locally known as Harties, Hartebeespoort Dam is as famous for its sunset cruises as it is for the Lesedi Cultural village, a world heritage site which showcases the fascinating cultures and tradition of the people of South Africa.
The scenes in Johannesburg, which is only two hours away from Sun City, showcases the famous Sandton City and the world renowned Nelson Mandela Square. Soweto also made for a vibrant and colourful background to the movie, sitting thirty minutes south-west of Johnnesburg, scenes were captured from Hector Peterson Memorial and Vilakazi Street where both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu lived.
South Africa continues to support increased economic cooperation between the Southern and Western African regions. This relationship is pivotal to maintaining an economically vibrant and resilient Africa that grows through partnerships between nations.
Mr Hloni Pitso regional manager for South African Tourism in West Africa, said of the partnership:
“South African tourism is delighted to partner with the AY on the production of ‘10 Days in Sun City’!
“We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr AY Makun on what promises to be yet another blockbuster production. AY is a passionate, determined, dedicated and hardworking individual. This time last year on one of South African Tourism’s influencer hosting trips AY saw opportunities as he travelled through out South Africa. He did not hesitate to seize the opportunity when he decided that this had to be a location for his next movie. A year later, we are here in Lagos for the movie premiere to watch the much anticipated movie ‘10 Days in Sun City’.
We saw this partnership as an opportunity not only to showcase South Africa as a holiday and business destination but also as a platform to encourage inter-Africa travel. It is important for Africans to explore their own land and discover its people. It is through travel and tourism that we can learn about each other’s historical and cultural heritages.
Tourism, entertainment, arts and culture are the key sectors that have the potential to unify this continent through people to people relations for the better advancement of Africa. We are seeing this more and more lately through music collaborations, comedy and now movies. I trust we will see more of such partnerships and collaborations. Africa united, only greater things can come.”
For more details on the variety of experiences visit southafrica.net.
Twitter: Travel2SA1 Instagram: travel2sa
Adesua Otomi
Didier Bayeye of Sun International Jennifer Awoh and Hloni Pitso (South African Toursim)
Hloni Pitso and Ayo Makun
SA Consul General Darkey Africa
