Poland in South Africa

The visit to the Embassy was an opportunity to deepen knowledge about Poland, as well as to learn about the organizational structure and activities of the diplomatic mission. For students from poorer, previously disadvantaged and discriminated schools in Gauteng province, it was the first visit to a diplomatic mission and the opportunity to gain new experiences. The students prepared a very interesting presentation about Poland, including Polish culture, history, tradition, geography, nature and economy. During the meeting, the Polish educational and scholarship offer was discussed. There were also talks about the possibility of studying in Poland.

The visit of high school students to the Embassy of the Republic of Poland was carried out as part of the cultural and educational project TASCI. This is the first visit to diplomatic missions in Pretoria from a series of others planned by the organization.

The activity of TASCI is focused on empowering children, youth and teachers and thus improving the quality of life. TASCI successfully organizes a professional development program for teachers to deepen their methodological and pedagogical knowledge. Thanks to partnerships with a number of institutions, including diplomatic missions, TASCI organizes workshops and internships for both teachers and students. It also aims at social integration and efficient interaction of institutions with the environment, placing great emphasis on cultivating the traditions and culture of the African people. TASCI aims to improve learning conditions in very poor and poorly equipped rural regions and "townships", inhabited mainly by black or coloured people forcibly displaced during apartheid times.

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria has been cooperating with TASCI for several years. Thanks to the assistance provided by the Polish diplomatic mission, Sinikiwe High School, located near East London in the "township" of Mdantsane, one of the poorest regions of South Africa, has been renovated.

Photos: TASCI