News
Malagasy National Day Celebration
in Cape Town, South Africa
The 48th Anniversary of the independence
of Madagascar was celebrated in Cape Town, South
Africa, on June 26, 2008 at "Le Vendome" Hotel,
with the Deputy- Speaker of the South African National
Assemblee, Hon. Mahlangu NKABINDE, as special guest.
The event has been attended by many guests comprising Officials, members of the Consular corps, Business people and the Malagasy diaspora living in Cape Town.
Inr his opening speech the Consul General presented a brief history of the Great Island, through its independence in 1960 from the French colonial rule to its current democratic rule, under the leadeship of HE Mr Marc Ravalomanana, President of the Republic of Madagascar. He also spoke about the different challenges faced by the Malagasy people regarding the development of their country, and the government efforts and plan to overcome those development challenges. It was therefore an opportunity for the Consul General to emphasize the place that the government of Madagascar efford to Regional cooperation in terms of mutually beneficial economic and trade relations, hence encouraging foreign direct investments in the Great Island.
The celebration has indeed taken place just after the Consul General has returned from Swaziland where he had represented Madagascar at the SADC Integrated Committee of Ministers meeting held in Manzini. This has served as a testimony of the country's commitment for Regional Integration.
The Deputy Speaker of the South African National Assembly, as guest of honour, also where invented to say a few words. She thanked the Malagasy people for the invitation and stressed the importance of Regional Integration for the development of Africa in general and of the SADC countries in particular, confirming as well the good relations that exist between Madagascar and South Africa.
The celebration did not end before the guests where entertained by their Malagasy hosts exhibiting the Afindrafindrao dance.
