ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), organised an event on July 21, 2026, to commemorate South Africa’s National Day and Nelson Mandela International Day.
The proceedings began with the national anthems of Pakistan and South Africa. The event was attended by Ambassador Moin Ul Haque, Director General ISSI; Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors, ISSI; Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR; Muhammad Farooq, High Commissioner of Pakistan to South Africa; and Dr Amina Khan, Director CAMEA.
Rudolph Pierre Jordaan, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Pakistan, was the chief guest, while Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Foreign Secretary (Africa), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, was the guest of honour.
In his remarks, Ambassador Moin Ul Haque underscored the significance of commemorating South Africa’s National Day and celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day. He said Pakistan and South Africa enjoyed warm and longstanding relations rooted in shared values of justice, freedom, equality and mutual respect.
Recalling Pakistan’s steadfast support for South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, he highlighted growing cooperation between the two countries in bilateral and multilateral forums. Paying tribute to Nelson Mandela, he described him as a global symbol of reconciliation, resilience and moral courage whose enduring legacy continued to inspire humanity and strengthen the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and South Africa.
Acting High Commissioner R. Pierre Jordaan thanked ISSI for commemorating Nelson Mandela International Day alongside South Africa’s National Day. He said the occasion celebrated South Africa’s democratic journey and Mandela’s enduring legacy.
He highlighted Mandela’s lifelong struggle for justice, equality, reconciliation and human dignity, describing him as a global symbol of peace whose leadership continued to inspire people across the world. Recalling Mandela’s message of forgiveness over bitterness after 27 years of imprisonment, he said true leadership lay in reconciliation, compassion and service to humanity.
Reflecting on current global challenges, he called for greater respect for international law, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of conflicts. He said Mandela’s vision remained a powerful reminder that lasting peace could only be achieved through dialogue, justice and shared responsibility. Quoting Mandela’s words from Long Walk to Freedom, he urged everyone to work towards a more just, peaceful and inclusive world, reminding the audience that “it is still in our hands to do good.”
Dr Amina Khan highlighted the importance of South Africa’s National Day and Nelson Mandela International Day as occasions to celebrate the values of freedom, justice, equality and reconciliation. She paid tribute to Mandela’s enduring legacy and recalled Pakistan’s longstanding support for the anti-apartheid struggle, including Mandela’s historic visit to Pakistan and ISSI in 1992. She also reaffirmed CAMEA’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Africa relations under the ‘Engage Africa’ policy.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said Pakistan, while commemorating South Africa’s National Day and celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day, took pride in South Africa’s commitment to human rights and universal freedoms. He noted that Nelson Mandela admired Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and drew parallels between the two leaders’ unwavering commitment to securing freedom for their people.
He also recalled Pakistan’s financial and diplomatic support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and described Mandela as a timeless symbol of freedom.
High Commissioner Muhammad Farooq paid tribute to Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy, saying the story of modern South Africa was inseparable from his struggle for justice, equality and human dignity. He said Mandela’s true greatness lay not only in overcoming oppression but also in his wisdom, humility and commitment to reconciliation.
Recalling Pakistan’s steadfast support for the anti-apartheid struggle, he underscored the strong ties between Pakistan and South Africa. He noted that Mandela held a special place in the hearts of the Pakistani people, having been honoured with Pakistan’s highest civilian awards for his extraordinary contributions to humanity, freedom and justice.
Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan reflected on Mandela’s enduring legacy and drew parallels with the visionary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Recalling Pakistan’s support for the anti-apartheid struggle, he highlighted the shared values of justice, freedom and South-South cooperation that underpinned Pakistan-South Africa relations.
He also emphasised the need for greater high-level political engagement to unlock the untapped potential in bilateral ties, particularly in trade, investment, tourism and education.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood highlighted Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy of peace, justice and reconciliation. He reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and South Africa and expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation would continue to grow for the mutual benefit of both countries.
