CAPE TOWN, South Africa: CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay attended a peace event at the Ubuntu Wellness Centre in Cape town on 8 February. Dr Sangay along with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, President and founder of Inkatha Freedom Party, lit a peace torch symbolising peace in Africa, Tibet and the world. The event was organised by Ian MacFarlane from the Friends of Tibet based in South Africa.
Dignitaries present at the event were IFP parliamentary Caucus Chief Whip Narend Singh MP, Deputy Whip Liezl van der Merwe MP, Caucus Chairperson Inkosi Russel Cebekhulu MP, Party’s Deputy President Inkosi Elphas Buthelezi MP, and National Chairperson of the IFP Youth Brigade Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP, and Representative Ngodup Dorjee.
Prince Buthelezi, in his brief speech, said that Tibet should be supported in line with the protection of human rights as enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution.
He said the support given to the people of Tibet is support for the human race and that “this symbolises the issue of human rights which is not an issue of just one country but an issue of the whole world spanning the entire human species. Therefore the support that we give to Tibet is the support which in fact is a duty to all of us, as members of the human species.”
President Dr Sangay spoke briefly of his historic visit to South Africa and the values of freedom, justice and sacrifices that the country is known for. He also talked about the importance of water and about Tibet being the water tower for billions of inhabitants in Asia. He further expressed hope for peace and prosperity for South Africa, and spoke about his optimism that South Africa will overcome the current water crisis in Cape Town.
– Report filed by Sikyong’s Communication Office –