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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
As South Africa marked its Freedom Day on Monday, South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa praised Qatar for the way it is handling the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, and urged the South African expatriates to continue observing all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
South African Freedom Day is observed on April 27 to commemorate the first post-apartheid elections in 1994.
Ambassador Moosa said, “As South Africans living and working in Qatar, we are fortunate to be in a country that is handling the pandemic very well. The government of Qatar has put lots of measures in place to cushion the effects of the pandemic. Many of our countrymen back home may not be as fortunate. I, therefore, urge all South Africans in Qatar to play their part to assist our fellow South Africans back home no matter how small it may seem.”
The ambassador said that even though they were celebrating the day on a different way this year as many parts of the world are in a lockdown, he urged his compatriots to practise ‘UBUNTU’ (I am because we are), which promotes a spirit of humanity and compassion towards others.
“Let us practise our UBUNTU and play our part in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Let us practise social distancing as this is the only way to break the cycle and prevent the further spread of coronavirus. Remain indoors and go out only if you absolutely have to,” he said.
“I wish all South Africans in Qatar a Happy Freedom Day and let’s be proud of our history. As a young democracy, each of us must continue to be ambassadors of our beautiful country no matter where we find ourselves. We now have the time during the lockdown to reflect upon our lives and we must remember our fellow South Africans back home in this time of uncertainty as COVID-19 impacts on our country.”
He relished the memory of April 27, 1994 as black South Africans stood in long queues to vote for the first time after 300 years of Apartheid oppression.
Moosa said, “Many sacrifices were made, many lives were lost and many like Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada and others spent many years in prison. April 27, 1994 is the day that we liberated South Africa from colonial oppression and the great Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa, democratically elected by millions of South Africans.”
DOHA
As South Africa marked its Freedom Day on Monday, South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa praised Qatar for the way it is handling the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, and urged the South African expatriates to continue observing all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
South African Freedom Day is observed on April 27 to commemorate the first post-apartheid elections in 1994.
Ambassador Moosa said, “As South Africans living and working in Qatar, we are fortunate to be in a country that is handling the pandemic very well. The government of Qatar has put lots of measures in place to cushion the effects of the pandemic. Many of our countrymen back home may not be as fortunate. I, therefore, urge all South Africans in Qatar to play their part to assist our fellow South Africans back home no matter how small it may seem.”
The ambassador said that even though they were celebrating the day on a different way this year as many parts of the world are in a lockdown, he urged his compatriots to practise ‘UBUNTU’ (I am because we are), which promotes a spirit of humanity and compassion towards others.
“Let us practise our UBUNTU and play our part in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Let us practise social distancing as this is the only way to break the cycle and prevent the further spread of coronavirus. Remain indoors and go out only if you absolutely have to,” he said.
“I wish all South Africans in Qatar a Happy Freedom Day and let’s be proud of our history. As a young democracy, each of us must continue to be ambassadors of our beautiful country no matter where we find ourselves. We now have the time during the lockdown to reflect upon our lives and we must remember our fellow South Africans back home in this time of uncertainty as COVID-19 impacts on our country.”
He relished the memory of April 27, 1994 as black South Africans stood in long queues to vote for the first time after 300 years of Apartheid oppression.
Moosa said, “Many sacrifices were made, many lives were lost and many like Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada and others spent many years in prison. April 27, 1994 is the day that we liberated South Africa from colonial oppression and the great Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa, democratically elected by millions of South Africans.”
