On 12 September, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of South Africa marked the 34th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence with a charity reception in Pretoria, with the Honourable Leon Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, attending as Guest of Honour.

H.E. Liubov Abravitova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to South Africa, addressed the distinguished audience with a heartfelt speech. She reflected on Ukraine’s long path to independence, the resilience of its people, and the solidarity between Ukraine and South Africa in their respective struggles for freedom. With deep gratitude, she also bid farewell at the conclusion of her eight-year mission in Pretoria, underlining the importance of cultural diplomacy, friendship, and lasting partnerships.

The reception featured several notable cultural projects:

• “Theotokos Icons on Ammunition Boxes” (by Oleksandr Klymenko, Sofiia Atlantova, Herman Klymenko) — a powerful symbol of transforming war into prayer. Artists Oleksandr Klymenko and Sofiia Atlantova personally presented their works.

• “Ubuntu for Ukraine: South Africa’s Solidarity” — an exhibition arranged by the Embassy, demonstrating the solidarity of the South African people with Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion, featuring both artworks and documentary episodes.

• The “#SPADOK” project by FILM.UA Group — a project highlighting Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

• A special screening of a documentary on Mazepa Bay in the Eastern Cape, where an information plaque dedicated to Hetman Ivan Mazepa was recently unveiled, honouring the historical ties between Ukraine and South Africa.

During the event, guests were invited to contribute to the “Allies of Steel” fundraiser, initiated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the UNITED24 platform.