A festive mood

The Monday after Easter Sunday is celebrated in South Africa as a public holiday, Family Day, an occasion to encourage a sense of solidarity, community and citizenship. Also celebratedthis month is Freedom Day, today, April 27.

"This is the 16th Freedom Day South Africans will have celebrated," says Yacoob Abba Omar, South African Ambassador to the UAE. "At a personal level my family and I take time to reflect on the sacrifices so many had to make for the South African people to enjoy their freedom."

The importance of the day for South Africans in the UAE is being acknowledged with a month of celebrations, says the ambassador. "The month of April is going to be full of fun activities and we encourage all members of the UAE public to join the South Africans in their celebrations," he says. "The Family Day celebrations will be organised with Dubai's SA Business Council. This will follow on the hugely successful Family Day that was held last year, when up to 5,000 attended."

The highlight was due to be South African Family Day on April 23, featuring a potjiekos competition, games and some top-class rugby.

The ambassador says, "We will also be having a South African Food Promotion week at the Millennium Hotel from April 25 to 29. The hotel is very kindly bringing over one of the South African chefs from one of their propertiesin Cape Town, and everyone is encouragedto have a meal there during the week."

Other events include an African Investment Seminar on April 28, held by the embassy in partnership with other African Missions. "The aim is to highlight the numerous opportunities that exist for UAE establishments to invest in infrastructure and agriculture projects in Africa," says the ambassador.

More fun is promised in Abu Dhabi, adds Ambassador Omar. "The South African Business Council in Abu Dhabi will host the South African Family Day on April 30 to celebrate Freedom Day. This will be a fun event with music and great food being the main feature. We are also finalising arrangements for a music group to perform during the course of the week in the UAE. The group will manifest the ‘rainbowness' of South Africa very well. Similarly, we hope to bring over South African artists who will be displaying and selling their wares."