South African expats celebrated the country’s 24th Freedom Day, marking the anniversary of the country’s first-ever all-race, democratic elections.
The festive event in Bangkok celebrating the end of decades of sanctioned racial oppression under the apartheid system was hosted by H.E. Geoff Doidge, the South African ambassador to Thailand, and his wife Carol.
High-ranking guests from the international diplomatic corps, members of government and Thai-South African Chamber of Commerce and businesspeople from all over the world attended.
Coming from Pattaya were Mayor Anan Charoenchasri, Deputy Mayor Apichart Virapal, Allan Riddell, a chamber advisor, Graham MacDonald former chairman of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Elfi Seitz, editor of the Pattaya Blatt.
Doidge paid homage to the long and cordial friendship that has developed between South Africa and Thailand and referred to the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela and the wide-ranging opportunities for trade and investment that continues to flourish in South Africa. He also paid tribute to the men and women who work tirelessly in the public and private domain who have made this possible.
The ambassador also thanked chamber members and the numerous sponsors and airlines who continue to support the embassy’s global trade efforts.
The choir of the Assumption University Bangkok sang both the Thai and South African anthems, the latter in all of the country’s five languages.
The ambassador was especially happy to see 95-year-old Archie Dunlop from Pattaya and personally helped him back into his wheelchair after Archie congratulated Doidge on his birthday that day.
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