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An I.A.O parliamentary delegation in cooperation with Mr. Theodore Ssekikubo, member of the Parliament of Uganda, Chairman of the I.A.O Committee on Social Activity, held a meeting with Orthodox members of Parliaments of the African Continent in Johannesburg on April 11, 2007. A scheduled meeting with representatives of the Pan-African Parliament could not be realised.
The members of the I.A.O delegation were Mr. Nikolaos Nikolopoulos, Alternate Secretary General, Mr. Demetrios Georgakopoulos, Treasurer and Mr. Theodore Ssekikubo, Chairman of the Committee on Social Activity. The I.A.O delegation held a meeting with Mr. Peter Haritatos, Senator of Zimbabwe and Dr. Safwat Subhi Fanous Matta, member of the Parliament of Sudan, while two other members of Parliaments were not able to participate in this meeting.
The two representatives from Zimbabwe and Sudan expressed their enthusiasm on this I.A.O initiative and deemed necessary to be informed on the goals and I.A.O activities. They presented the role of Orthodoxy in their countries and the need for a close cooperation with the I.A.O, through which the relations among Orthodox parliamentarians worldwide will be strengthened. Finally, they expressed both their personal will as well as the aspiration of their Parliaments to participate in the I.A.O activities as regular members.
The meeting was followed by the opening of the Information Office of the I.A.O in Johannesburg, which was realized with the valuable contribution of the Very Reverend father Ioannis Tsaftaridis, Archimandrite of the Church of Alexandria and the I.A.O contact person with the members of Parliaments of the African Continent.
His Eminence Serafeim, Metropolitan of Johannesburg and Pretoria attended the opening ceremony, blessed the premises and greeted the participants on behalf of His Beatitude Theodoros, Patriarch of Alexandria.
Representatives of the Greek, Russian, Cupriot and Ukrainian Community, as well as from the diplomatic authorities of these countries participated in the opening ceremony.
During the opening ceremony the I.A.O Alternate Secretary General read the greeting message of the I.A.O Secretary General Mr. Stylianos-Angelos Papathemelis, which noted: “ … In this continent, the International Community is under trial and in complete failure. Every citizen wishing to face the truth and the fundamental principles of civilization is under trial as well…Of course the opening of the office in Johannesburg will not provide solutions to the problems but, yet, it is a start. We have to make a start. Now! This is our starting point! Let this be a good start!”.
Mr. Nikolopoulos in his report stressed the following: “With Orthodoxy as common “language” and interlink, being the faith which places human freedom before all values, the visit of the parliamentary delegation of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.) in Johannesburg, South Africa should certainly manifest an example for broadening the scope of relations between Europe and the African Continent, between our fellowmen and the natives…Of course, the primary goal of the I.A.O Office is the spiritual, and, hence, the cultural dialogue under the common “auspices” of the Orthodox Faith. Meanwhile, it is certain that through this approach – and the further mutual understanding of needs and opportunities – the “ground” will be cultivated for an extended cooperation…”.
The I.A.O Treasurer Mr. Demetrios Georgakopoulos expressed the following: “...I believe the political meaning of this meeting will broaden the scope of our influence not only in Europe but in the states of Africa as well…”.
The President of the I.A.O Committee on Social Activity Mr. Theodore Ssekikubo was deeply moved by this I.A.O initiative and stressed that that was a historic moment.
The President of “SYNDESMOS” (The World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth) Mr. Christopher D’ Aloisio sent a greeting message in which he points out: “…In times where the unity of Christians and more precisely of that local Christian Churches, as well as its original experience in the modern world are often jeopardized, we kindly extend our cordial wishes for success in the goals of the I.A.O…”.
The I.A.O Information Office is kindly sponsored by the President of the Greek Community, Mr. Ioannis Thomas and its premises are in the Greek Community of Germiston in Johannesburg.
The opening ceremony was followed by a cultural event, which included music and songs by the Choir of the Greek Spiritual Movement of South Africa and the group of popular Greek Music.
Following an invitation by the Orthodox communities in Johannesburg , the I.A.O. International Secretariat visited South Africa from November 30 to December 4, 2005. Members of the I.A.O. International Secretariat from Greece , Russia n Federation , Latvia , Australia and Ukraine as well as the member of the I.A.O. from the Parliament of Uganda participated in this visit. The valuable contribution of Archimandrite Ioannis Tsaftaridis, who undertook the organisation of the meetings as well as the contacts of the I.A.O. members in South Africa , was decisive to the realisation of this visit.
The members of the I.A.O. International Secretariat had the opportunity to meet with the Orthodox communities of South Africa from Greece , Russian Federation , Cyprus , Ukraine , Serbia , Bulgaria and Romania and recognize the tight relationship between the large Orthodox communities of South Africa . The Orthodox communities of South Africa positively contributed to the realisation of this visit with the exceptional hospitality they offered to the members of the International Secretariat. The members of delegation acknowledged as well that the major mission of the Orthodox Church in the depths of the Black Continent is focused in its charitable work. The I.A.O. members had the opportunity to present the activities of the organisation, to convey its goals and objectives, to present their views to the political and academic world of the city of Johannesburg on Africa's severe and long-lasting problems, representing a considerable part on a global scale, and express productive views thereon aiming at finding viable solutions.
The members of the delegation visited the School of Mrs. Jackie Maarohanye (Mama Jackie as called by everyone) "Ithuteng Trust" for the abused African Children in Soweto , who have experienced sexual abuse, most of them are orphan and are psychologically traumatized. The participants had the opportunity to learn of the problems these children are facing in this charitable institution. The School Ithuteng, which actually means "learning" in the language of Shoto, has been named "School - Dream of South Africa " by the President of South Africa Mr. Thabo Mbeki. During this visit, the Hellenic Parliament offered the symbolic amount of 10.000 Euros as a donation for the education of the children of the institution.
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