South African Embassy Night in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 12:45 PM, Mar 13, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Ambassador Welile Nhlapo of South Africa and Hugh Grindstaff

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE fabulous Washington events last night at the South African Embassy. Host Ambassador Welile Nhlapo received members of the National Press Club at the embassy located in a stately mansion on Embassy Row on Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest Washington, just down the street from the Vice President's residence and just across the street from where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton live. The festive evening featured a lavish spread of wonderful and tasty food and drink.

MYRON BELKIND, chair of the International Correspondents' Committee at the National Press Club initiated the event, and the Embassy's Nadira Bayat, Counselor for Public Diplomacy, made the arrangements.

THE EVENT WAS especially timely as it came in advance of the South African general elections on April 22. Following the welcome reception, Ambassador Nhlapo gave a presentation about recent political and economic developments in South Africa, including its own economic stimulus package. He also mentioned that this spring's election is the most exciting one since 1994.

AMBASSADOR NHLAPO'S contribution to the movement against apartheid can be traced back to his days as a student activist in the Black Conscious Movement. Together with the late Steve Biko and Tebogo Mafole in 1972, he co-authored "Black Review," which reviewed the activities of black organizations in South Africa.

Nadira Bayat, Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the South African Embassy, and National Press Club President Donna Leinwand

Tanya Bennett and Gene Kuleta

Ambassador Welile Nhlapo speaks about the upcoming South African general elections on April 22.

Ambassador Welile Nhlapo of South Africa receives the traditional NPC mug from NPC President Donna Leinwand and Myron Belkind, Chair of the International Correspondents' Committee.

Michael Coveney and Amanda Williams

Constance Chiogor Ikokwu, Washington Bureau Chief for the Lagos newspaper This Day, and Jean Nzie

Charles Shuey and Frederica Dunn

Hugh Grindstaff and Joan Keston

The South African Embassy on Massachusetts Ave., N.W., in Washington, D.C.

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