Poland in South Africa

Among the invited guests were the Minister of Social Development - Her Excellency Lindiwe Zulu, representatives of South African government institutions, including the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), heads and members of the local diplomatic corps, South African media, representatives of think-tanks, non-governmental and social organizations, academia, business and clergy, as well as the Polish diaspora. Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane, was also among the invited guests. Lalela is heading to Poland in July to represent South Africa at the Miss Supranational event.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence in honour of the victims of the war waged by Russia against Ukraine, as well as the performance of the Polish and South African national anthems. Ambassador Andrzej Kanthak delivered an occasional speech in which he pointed to the strong ties and similarities between Poland and the Republic of South Africa. The ambassador spoke about the past, identity and independence of both countries, as well as the round anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. He also referred to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the dramatic situation prevailing in a war-torn neighbour country, the humanitarian crisis, millions of refugees and the aid provided to Ukraine by Poland.

The guest of honour, Minister of Social Development - Her Excellency Lindiwe Zulu, spoke on behalf of the South African authorities. In her speech, the Minister emphasized the dynamically developing political and economic partnership between Poland and the Republic of South Africa. The Minister also pointed to the importance of educating children and youth, making them aware of their potential and awakening their awareness, which will have an impact on our common future. The guest of honour also congratulated on the adoption of the 3 May Constitution and emphasized the importance of this event.

After the official part of the ceremony, numerous guests had the opportunity to see the exhibition "Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom” prepared by the Institute of National Remembrance. The exhibition commemorates the fate of hundreds of thousands of Poles who fought for the independence of Poland. The exhibition also presents the fate of many Polish refugees who were hospitably received on the African continent. The gathered guests also welcomed the performance of the South African children from the Mary Immaculate Nursery School in Johannesburg, run in an exemplary manner by Polish nuns from the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lyndhurst and the South African band Anything Goes Duo.

 

Below we present the speech of Mr. Ambassador Andrzej Kanthak:

Welcome to Poland’s Constitution Day!

A very special welcome to our guest of honour representing the Government of the Republic of South Africa, Minister of Social Development Her Excellency Lindiwe Zulu

 

Welcome to the diplomatic community. The Apostolic Nuncio HE Abp Peter Wells. Ambassadors. High commissioners.  

 

Welcome all our friends! From DIRCO. Friends from business, culture, science and media

Polish compatriots! And a very special welcome to another  VIP group: the children of Mary Immaculate Nursery School in Lyndhurst.                 

* * * * *

Once upon a time, it seems long long ago before COVID, there were exotic human rituals. National Day receptions! So it’s great to be back again. Having a real-life National Day.

When you have a real-life National Day you can invite wonderful people you’ve never met, but always admired. So what a treat it is that we’re joined here today by Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane. Lalela is heading to Poland in July to represent South Africa at the Miss Supranational event. We wish her well.

* * * * * 

Now let’s go back in time. To Tuesday, 3 May, 1791. The Royal Castle in Warsaw. A momentous day. Europe’s first full constitution based on Enlightenment values is adopted. A bold new idea,  a bold moral idea is proclaimed in Article V:

All authority in human society takes its origin in the will of the people

It takes many decades of wars and imperial rivalry before that simple idea becomes Europe’s guiding principle. It takes Europe even longer to apply its own principle around the world - in lands that Europe has taken as its own. Including this country, South Africa

Those 1791 celebrations don’t last long. Austria, Russia and Prussia join forces against this democratic menace. Within just 200 weeks, Poland vanishes from the map of Europe for over one hundred years. 

In 1918 the First World War ends.  Poland is back on the map. An independent sovereign nation. Constitution Day is proclaimed the first official holiday of the new Poland.

Twenty years later in September 1939, Hitler and Stalin join forces to attack Poland. Our Constitution Day holiday is banned again. Nazis and Communists don’t want Poles to remember 3 May 1791.

This holiday stays banned throughout communist rule until 1990. Communism collapses, and Poland wins back its democracy. Its freedom. Our Constitution Day holiday is restored.

So here we are today, celebrating Poland’s National Day. And Poland’s principled warm friendship with South Africa. Two countries proud of their distinct identity. Proud of their role in their respective regions. Proudly independent. Both with LOTS to do to make up  for lost time. Both tackling profound legacy issues that we did not create ourselves.

* * * * * 

In December last year we’d planned to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations between Poland and South Africa. OMICRON stopped that. So we’re hoping to greet President Cyril Ramaphosa in Warsaw this year, if events permit. What are those events?

I can’t let today pass without addressing the dramatic – even dangerous – context facing my country.

Russia’s invasion has been a disaster for Ukraine and a disaster for Europe. More than  5,7 MILLION Ukrainian refugees have fled their own country. The number of refugees is more than DOUBLE the population of Namibia. Poland has taken in over three million people. Poles have opened their homes and their hearts.

This aggression is a startling breach of international law. Destruction of towns and cities. War crimes and crimes against humanity. Mass violations of basic human rights, as the United Nations General Assembly has recognised unambiguously

The scale and intensity of this disaster go far beyond our normal categories of diplomatic analysis. Nothing like this has happened in our lifetimes. None of us know where it will end. The human and economic costs will grow and grow and spread and spread. World food supplies will get destabilised. Is there any country represented here today that will not be feeling economic or other pain?                                                                        

Sometimes words aren’t enough. But here today I’m proud to represent Poland. What Poland is doing to help Ukraine. The example we’re setting: Leadership; Determination; Generosity. Ukraine and its heroic people deserve nothing less.

Our colleague Liubov Abravitova, Ambassador of Ukraine to South Africa, is with us today. Let’s just pause for a moment to respect the struggle of the people of Ukraine whom she represents. Their struggle for self-determination and decolonisation. Their struggle to set their own democratic course as we Poles did for that first time all the way back in 1791.

All authority in human society takes its origin in the will of the people. Not in military might

* * * * *

As Europe suffers on this beautiful day, in beautiful South Africa, I end with Nelson Mandela

I would not and could not give myself up to despair.

That way lays defeat and death. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun

Poland today is doing all it can. So that Ukraine too can keep its face pointing to the sun.

 

 

Photos: Łukasz Nowak/Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria