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On 21 March 2021 in Pretoria (the City of Tshwane), the Heads of Missions to South Africa of the Republic of Azerbaijan, (ChargΓ© dβaffaires Mr. Yamin Jafarov),
the Republic of Iraq (H.E. Ambassador Arshad Omar Esmaeel, ethnic Turkoman),
the Republic of Kazakhstan (H.E. Ambassador Kanat Tumysh) and
the Republic of Turkey (H.E. Ambassador Elif ΓomoΔlu Γlgen)
jointly organized the International Nowruz Day celebrations.
This was the first time the Turkic Ambassadors organized the Nowruz event in South Africa and celebrated this holiday together.
The event was attended on behalf of the South African Government by the Guest of Honour H.E. Ambassador Nonceba Nancy Losi-Tutu, Chief of State Protocol and Acting Director General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), as well as Heads of Missions accredited to South Africa, Diplomatic Staff, citizens of the different Embassies living in South Africa, as well as South African citizens.
In his opening speech Ambassador Kanat Tumysh of Kazakhstan to South Africa said:
βNowruz is a Festivity of the first day of Spring, celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution. Nowruz festival symbolizes the dawn of Spring. It is the time when Mother Nature rejoices with new creations and marks our cosmic as well as human resurrection. Nowruz is also the rebirth of the human spirit and portrays the triumph of the forces of light over darkness, and showers goodness everywhere. The spirit of Nowruz should inspire us all. This festivity lays the foundations of human wellbeing and preserving the precious resources of our Planet. It is also committing us to promote human dignity, justice, equality, inclusive dialogue, and a people-centred development, guided by a deep conviction in partnerships and collaboration. In todayβs realities we understand the ancient tradition of Nowruz in this very direction. Yet, the day of the spring equinox, celebrated in the country of Great Steppe from ancient times, symbolizes goodness, wealth, happiness, love, and a great friendship. Given the difficult times that humanity has gone through last year and is still going through with the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration of Nowruz this year is also a time for us to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit. We look to it with a spirit of optimism and hope that the coming year brings with it health, happiness and prosperity for all of usβ.
H.E. Ambassador Elif ΓomoΔlu Γlgen of Turkey, H.E. Ambassador Arshad Omar Esmaeel of Iraq, as well as ChargΓ© dβaffaires Mr. Yamin Jafarov of Azerbaijan also emphasized that Nowruz is a centuries-old Turkic tradition, the culture which has been woven in throughout history.
The Turkic Ambassadors also jointly congratulated people and Government of the Republic of South Africa on the South African Human Rights Day.
During the event performances were presented and the guests tasted Kazakh, Turkish, Azerbaijani and Iraqi national cuisine.
The Guest of Honour, H.E. Ambassador Nonceba Nancy Losi-Tutu, Chief of State Protocol and Acting Director General of the DIRCO, extended her Governmentβs warmest greetings on the occasion of the International Day of Nowruz, saying that she was glad to join the important celebrations which holds a special significance from a social, cultural and religious point of view.
Events such as Nowruz celebration are important as they showcase part of the different cultures, reflecting their diversity and richness, as well as promoting the efforts of cultural diplomacy.