FREEDOM DAY RECEPTION HELD IN MOSCOW ON 27 APRIL 2023

South African Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Russian Federation, His Excellency Ambassador Mzuvukile Maqetuka, hosted the Embassy’s National Day Reception in Moscow on 27 April 2023.  


The Ambassador’s keynote address highlighted some of the important milestones South Africa has reached in the 29 years since 1994, citing examples of how far we have come as a nation.  In his address, the Ambassador captured the importance of South Africa’s place in the global community of nations as a responsible and dependable partner, highlighting current developments including South Africa’s priorities in BRICS, the priorities in the SADC region as well as the pursuit of the Africa We Want in attainment of the goals set out in Agenda 2063 and AfCFTA in particular.

The Russian Federation was represented by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Sergei Ryabkov and the host country’s remarks was delivered by the Head of the Africa Department in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vsevolod Tkachenko who congratulated South Africa on celebrating her 29th anniversary since the first democratic elections held on 27 April 1994.  He reiterated the Russian Federation’s commitment in fostering closer cooperation with African countries. 


The Mission’s Freedom Day event was held in partnership with the three South African Honorary Consuls in the Russian Federation, namely Dr Yuri Sivachenko in Vladivostok; Mr Vladimir Borisenko in St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region; and Mr Sergey Mazurkevich in Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Region.  In addition to the Honorary Consuls, the Mission utilized the opportunity at the National Day Reception to showcase some of the South African agricultural exports to the Russian Federation, namely South African wines and fruit.  The Mission partnered with KWV wines who has recently achieved a spot in the top 50, and one of four South African wine brands, in the “World’s Most Admired Wine Brand in Africa & Middle East”.  The Chairperson of the Agriculture Subcommittee of the Russia-South Africa Business Council and Aysel Fruit Company partnered with the Mission through a generous donation of South African citrus fruit, as can be seen in the photographs.