Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATIONS HELD AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY ON MONDAY, 27 APRIL 1998 AND AT THE MERCEDES-BENZ MUSEUM, STUTTGART ON TUESDAY, 28 APRIL 1998
A spirit of excited celebration reigned at the South African Embassy in Bonn on the evening of 27 April and again in Stuttgart at the Mercedes-Benz premises as the fourth Freedom Day of South Africa was celebrated. Ambassador L Mabuza received about 1 200 guests in Bonn, including members of the German Federal Government, the business community, diplomatic corps, and citizens and friends of South Africa.
Private sector sponsorships by South African companies enabled the guests in Bonn to enjoy some of the flavours of South African foods and wines, specially brought in for the occasion.
The celebration in Stuttgart, on the evening of 28 April, hosted by the Honourary Consul-General of South Africa, Mr Jurgen Schrempp, was also the opening of the Women's Voice Art Exhibition, taking place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum under the patronage of Ambassador Mabuza. A cross section of the Baden-Wurtemburg political, business and cultural community was represented among the over 300 guests.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka provided an exciting musical atmosphere at both celebrations, getting the knees and shoulders of even the most staid of the guests loosened up in response to the vigorously exciting sounds and rhythms of her songs.
In her speeches at both functions, Ambassador Mabuza drew attention to the fact that South Africa's relations with Germany over the past year have been further strengthened with the recent successful visit of the Federal President, Dr Roman Herzog, to South Africa; the first meeting of the bi-national commission, established between Germany and South Africa, and visits by numerous delegations.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY IN BONN, GERMANY PRETORIA 29 APRIL 1998