By Pervaiz Mughal
ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), held an event on Monday to commemorate South Africa’s National Day and Nelson Mandela International Day.
The ceremony began with the national anthems of Pakistan and South Africa. Among the speakers were ISSI Director General Ambassador Moin Ul Haque, ISSI Board of Governors Chairman Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, PAIDAR President Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to South Africa Muhammad Farooq, and CAMEA Director Dr Amina Khan. The chief guest was Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Pakistan Rudolph Pierre Jordaan, while Additional Foreign Secretary (Africa) Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan attended as the guest of honour.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Moin Ul Haque underscored the importance of commemorating South Africa’s National Day and celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day. He said Pakistan and South Africa enjoyed warm and longstanding relations rooted in the shared values of justice, freedom, equality and mutual respect. Recalling Pakistan’s steadfast support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, he highlighted the growing cooperation between the two countries in bilateral and multilateral forums. He described Nelson Mandela as a global symbol of reconciliation, resilience and moral courage whose legacy continued to inspire people around the world and strengthen ties between Pakistan and South Africa.
Acting High Commissioner Rudolph Pierre Jordaan thanked ISSI for commemorating Nelson Mandela International Day alongside South Africa’s National Day. He said the occasion celebrated South Africa’s democratic journey and Mandela’s enduring legacy. He highlighted Mandela’s lifelong struggle for justice, equality, reconciliation and human dignity, describing him as a global symbol of peace whose leadership continued to inspire generations. Recalling Mandela’s message of forgiveness after 27 years of imprisonment, he said true leadership was rooted in reconciliation, compassion and service to humanity. Referring to contemporary global challenges, he called for greater respect for international law, multilateralism and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Quoting Long Walk to Freedom, he urged the audience to work towards a more just, peaceful and inclusive world, saying, “It is still in our hands to do good.”
Dr Amina Khan highlighted the significance of South Africa’s National Day and Nelson Mandela International Day as occasions to celebrate the values of freedom, justice, equality and reconciliation. She paid tribute to Mandela’s enduring legacy and recalled Pakistan’s longstanding support for the anti-apartheid movement, including Mandela’s historic visit to Pakistan and ISSI in 1992. She also reaffirmed CAMEA’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Africa relations under the Engage Africa policy.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said Pakistan took pride in South Africa’s commitment to human rights and universal freedoms. He noted that Nelson Mandela admired Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and drew parallels between the two leaders’ determination to secure freedom for their people. He also recalled Pakistan’s financial and diplomatic support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and described Mandela as a timeless symbol of freedom.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Muhammad Farooq, paid tribute to Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy, saying the story of modern South Africa was inseparable from his struggle for justice, equality and human dignity. He said Mandela’s greatness lay not only in overcoming oppression but also in his humility, wisdom and commitment to reconciliation. Recalling Pakistan’s unwavering support for the anti-apartheid movement, he said Mandela held a special place in the hearts of the Pakistani people and had been honoured with Pakistan’s highest civilian awards for his contributions to humanity, freedom and justice.
Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan reflected on Nelson Mandela’s legacy and drew parallels with the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Recalling Pakistan’s support for the anti-apartheid struggle, he highlighted the shared values of justice, freedom and South-South cooperation that underpin relations between Pakistan and South Africa. He also stressed the need for greater high-level political engagement to unlock the untapped potential for cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and education.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood paid tribute to Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy of peace, justice and reconciliation. He reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and South Africa and expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation would continue to expand for the mutual benefit of both countries.
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