Poland in South Africa

The theme of this year's edition of the conference was "South Africa - on the edges of Polish identity". The conference was organized as a hybrid event. The introductory words were delivered by Liubov Abravitova, the Ambassador of Ukraine in South Africa, Jarosław Spyra, the Head of the Political and Economic Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria, Stefan Szewczuk, Chairman of the Polish Association of Siberian Deportees in South Africa, Tali Nates, Director of JH&GC and Dr. Cobus Redemeyer, lecturer at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley.

The Ukrainian Ambassador expressed her deep gratitude to Poland and the entire Polish society for their support for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as for Ukrainian refugees. The Head of the Political Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria expressed his respect for the Ukrainian people for the extraordinary heroism with which they defend their homeland, and also assured them of Poland's support until the last day of their fight.

Dr. Wanda Chunnett and Dr. Marta Nowakowska gave lectures on Polish refugees who were building their identity in a new country from scratch. Dr. Chunnett discussed the characteristics of Polish refugees - entrepreneurs who set up companies in South Africa. Presentation by Dr. Chunnett contributed to the debate on the value created by migrant entrepreneurs in developing economies. Dr. Marta Nowakowska talked about managing cultural heritage, and also outlined issues regarding the identity of Kresovians/Borderlanders of interwar Poland. At the end of the conference, the guests could ask questions and discuss issues raised during the conference.

During World War II, a group of 500 children and their guardians, Kresovians who survived deportations to Siberia, found a safe shelter in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. This group of Polish children from Oudtshoorn, refugees from war-torn Poland, formed the backbone of the Polish community in South Africa.

During the conference, the exhibition "Mom, I don't want war" - a Polish-Ukrainian archival project - was presented for the fifth time. The prepared boards present drawings by children - eyewitnesses of the events of 1939-1945 in Poland and the current war in Ukraine.

Photos: Grażyna Koornhof/Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria