Representative Ngdoup Dorjee, Office of Tibet, South Africa addressing the 82nd Birthday celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 11 July 2017.
Centurion, Pretoria, 8 July 2017: The Office of Tibet for Africa based in Pretoria, South Africa celebrated the 82nd Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by hosting a reception on 8th of July which was graced by Hon. Helen N Makhuba, a member of Mayoral Committee for transport, City of Johannesburg as the chief guest representing Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, MP and President of Inkatha Freedom Party along with more than eighty guests including some members of the diplomatic corps, members of Tibet support groups, Buddhist centres, civil societies and friends and well-wishers of His Holiness and friends of Tibet.
The event began with singing of Tibetan and South African National Anthems; a minute of silence for all those who laid their lives for freedom, justice and democracy; the recitation of abridged long life prayer for His Holiness; welcome remarks by Representative Ngodup Dorjee and the keynote speech by Helen N Makhuba in which she read the message of support by Prince M Buthelezi.
Representative Ngodup thanked all the guests for their expression of support and solidarity for Tibet which is undergoing immense difficulties in every aspect of its existence, grave basic human right situation, lack of linguistic and religious freedom. Despite inhuman collective punishment, self-immolations for freedom have continued in Tibet reaching 149 since 2009.
The event was graced and entertained by two of the famous South African musicians- Ms Wendy and her group; and Pops Mohamed.
Pops is a South African multi-instrumentalist, jazz musician and producer. Known by fans as the Minister of Music, he plays a wide variety of instruments: He produced Finding One’s Self, the late Moses Taiwa Molelekwa‘s award-winning album.
-Report filed by The Office of Tibet, South Africa-
Hon. Helen N Makhuba, member of Mayoral Committee for transport, City of Johannesburg addressing the gathering, 8 July 2017.
Performance by South African musicians- Ms Wendy and her group; and Pops Mohamed at the reception, 8 July 2017.
Friends and well wishers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the celebration of His Holiness’ 82nd birthday, 8 July 2017.
