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South Africa Day 2019 celebrations in Bangkok

This year the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of South Africa, commemorate 25 years of cordial bilateral relations.

Bangkok, Thailand – A stunning South Africa National Day celebration took place in the Thai capital at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok on 30 April 2019.

H.E. Mr. Geoffrey Quinton Mitchell Doidge, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Thailand, gave a Freedom Day speech to a packed audience. With the kind permission of the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Bangkok the amiable Ambassador’s speech is reproduced here in its entirety. 

The speech was preceded by a moment of silence in respect to all those who lost their live in Sri Lanka in last week’s attack. 

The Ambassador recounted that he and Carol called Sri Lanka home for five happy years and felt for all those affected.  

H.E. Mr. Geoffrey Quinton Mitchell Doidge

 

Excellencies,

His Excellency Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Virasak Futaku

Representatives from the Royal Thai Government and Army

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gents and all the South Africans who have joined us this evening!

Before we commence with our formal proceedings, please join me in observing a moment of silence in memory of the many who have succumbed to the bombings in Sri Lanka.

I had the honour of serving in Sri Lanka as South Africa’s Ambassador for five and half years. South Africans stand in solidarity with all Sri Lankans during these trying times.
 
Freedom Day is the official, National Day of South Africa. On this day we celebrate one of the most significant political reformations in modern history.

Two great leaders of the time, President Nelson Mandela and President FW de Klerk provided outstanding leadership which brought about the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime and laid the foundation for a new democratic South Africa.

Both leaders were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in December 1993 for their constructive policy of peace and reconciliation and for their commitment to the forces of good and to advance the country towards equality and democracy. 

On the 27th of April 1994, all South Africans will recall the images of the long snaking queues when millions of South Africans turned out to vote for the very first time in their lives. President Mandela himself was seventy five and Archbishop Emeritus Tutu was 62 years old, when they voted for the very first time.
 
On May 08th South Africans will once again return to the polls, for the sixth multiparty, democratic elections. It is fitting to wish all of the 48 participating parties well in the upcoming elections.
 
The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, impressed that a central priority for government is to encourage significant investment in our economy, to stimulate economic growth and job creation. South Africa has entered a new era of hope and confidence.
 
This year the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of South Africa, commemorate twenty five years of cordial bilateral relations and both countries share a common desire to further strengthen and expand relations in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, tourism and people-to-people cooperation.
 
The introduction and establishment of several bilateral mechanisms and improved interaction are showing early signs of improved trade, increased investment potential and closer collaboration on several key issues supported by several high level visits taking place between the two countries.

The Kingdom of Thailand is South Africa’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and we are Thailand’s most significant trade partner in Africa. South Africa is open to investment and is currently engaged with Thailand on investment opportunities in a range of sectors.
 
South Africa, congratulates Thailand on its recent elections and conveys its best wishes for the completion of the roadmap to democracy.
 
I wish to thank all government departments and institutions; in particular, we would like to mention the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all supporting government departments for their ongoing collaboration and support.
 
We thank our many sponsors, Paramount Group, Koi Restaurant, UMH Company Myanmar, Beijing Axis, Integrated Convoy Protection, Honorary Consul Saweeng Crueaviwatanakul and Amazon Colours. 

My appreciation also goes to the Assumption University Chorus and School of Music, as well as Fivera.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
We will now have the Royal Thai Anthem.

I now request you to join me in proposing a toast to His Majesty King Rama X, for a successful coronation, for a long life, good health, prosperity and the gift of wisdom.

Please remain standing,
We will now have the South African National Anthem. 

I now request you to join me in proposing a toast to His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, and wish him a long life, good health, prosperity to the President of the Republic of South Africa.
 

Andrew J Wood
News Editor | + Articles

Andrew J Wood was born in Yorkshire England, he is a former hotelier, Skalleague and travel writer. Andrew has 48 years of hospitality and travel experience. Educated at Batley Grammar School and a hotel graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh. Andrew started his career in London, working with various hotels. His first posting overseas was with Hilton International, in Paris, and he later arrived in Asia in 1991 on Bangkok with his appointment as Director of Marketing at the Shangri-La Hotel and has remained in Thailand ever since. Andrew has also worked with the Royal Garden Resort Group now Anantara (Vice President) and the Landmark Group of Hotels (Vice President of Sales and Marketing). Latterly he has been the General Manager at the Royal Cliff Group of Hotels in Pattaya and the Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok & Resorts.

A past board member and Director of Skål International (SI), a former National President with SI Thailand and a two time past President of the Bangkok Club. Andrew is the former President of Skål Asia. In 2019, Andrew was awarded SKÅL’s highest award the distinction of Membre D’Honneur.

He is a regular guest lecturer at various Universities in Asia.

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