Latest news with #LiubovAbravitova
Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Ambassadors in South Africa celebrate Women's Month
Bridge-builder: Botswana high commissioner Sanji M Monageng's path to diplomacy is rooted in justice. This Women's Month, six women ambassadors representing their countries in South Africa speak about their leadership. In a world still navigating inequality, it stands as a reminder of what diplomacy can look like. Strength: Ukraine's ambassador, Liubov Abravitova, knows the strength of women, especially during a war. Ukraine : For Liubov Abravitova, Ukraine's ambassador to South Africa, diplomacy represents building bridges across cultures and serving her country. As a diplomat representing a nation at war, she has witnessed extraordinary strength in Ukraine, where women hold families together. With more than 4 000 women on the front line. Her Women's Month message draws on this shared resilience: 'Your courage matters, your voice matters and your dreams are powerful. Never doubt your ability to shape history; every great change begins with a woman who dares to act. Remember: 'Wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo.' Abravitova emphasises creating spaces where women can lead through mentorship and inclusive policies. 'Leadership isn't a title,it's responsibility, and women are ready,' she says Pragmatic: Türkiye's ambassador, Nilvana Darama Yildirimgec, believes women are as capable as men. Türkiye: Diplomacy was a childhood dream for Türkiye's head of mission, ambassador Nilvana Darama Yildirimgec, connecting her love for her country with discovering the world. Her Women's Month approach centres on individual empowerment: every woman is unique and special, should love who they are and view failures as opportunities for improvement. On women's leadership, she emphasises that women are as qualified as men, and often more pragmatic and result-oriented. 'Women must trust their abilities and claim their rightful leadership roles through tact and intelligence, not by emulating male counterparts.' Reflecting on her achievements, she notes that reaching diplomacy's pinnacle speaks for itself, with true recognition coming from others acknowledging one's effectiveness in strengthening international relations. Progress: Bulgaria's ambassador, Maria Pavlova Tzotzorkova, calls for more women in leadership positions. Bulgaria: Ambassador Maria Pavlova Tzotzorkova entered diplomacy at the age of 30, choosing it over an academic career. That decision led her to represent Bulgaria on multilateral platforms, including a stint at the United Nations, where she dealt with global issues such as peace, human rights and sustainable development. The UN role exposed her to diverse cultures and cemented her interest in international cooperation. For Women's Month, she stresses celebrating women's roles in shaping society and calls for more women in leadership positions to drive change. She believes education is key to building women's confidence and resilience and sees government support as critical to eliminating stereotypes that hold women back. Now serving in South Africa, she says the country's progress on women's rights has made her work even more fulfilling. She has helped strengthen Bulgaria-South Africa ties through official visits and partnerships and values the deep connections she's built with citizens. Persist: Tunisia's ambassador, Karima Bardaoui, believes women can achieve what can seem impossible. Tunisia : For Karima Bardaoui, diplomacy is a chance to proudly represent Tunisia. She views her job as a platform to build meaningful global relationships and drive change. Her message for Women's Month draws from Mandela's words: 'It always seems impossible until it's done.' She urges women to persist through difficulties. She supports leadership systems that empower women through confidence-building, learning and reflection. Bardaoui's achievements span several regions. In the Czech Republic, she helped launch a parliamentary friendship group. In South Africa, where she's been posted since 2023, she has collaborated with national science and tech bodies, notably under the 'Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa' initiative. She is excited about Tunisia and South Africa co-hosting Women's Month celebrations, which are focusing on women in science. She sees it as a moment to spotlight the contributions of women scientists and deepen ties between the two nations. Botswana: High commissioner Sanji M Monageng's path to diplomacy is rooted in justice and bridge-building. A former judge of the International Criminal Court, her legal background gives her diplomatic work depth and purpose, especially in championing equality and human rights. Her Women's Month message is: 'Your voices matter. Your dreams are real.' She encourages women to believe in their power to lead and create change, even when the path is hard. She believes gender equality needs more than advocacy, it needs policy. Her approach includes pushing for fair recruitment, dismantling bias and ensuring those in power open doors for others. For her, systemic support and mentorship are non-negotiable for lasting change. Monageng has helped deepen ties across continents while promoting women's leadership and pushing for gender equity at all levels of society. Resilient: Palestine's ambassador, Hanan Jarrar, is proud of South Africa taking Israel to the ICJ. Palestine: For Hanan Jarrar, Palestine's head of mission, diplomacy is deeply personal. Growing up under occupation in Palestine shaped her understanding of justice and resilience. Her life — from navigating military checkpoints to witnessing violence — fuelled her commitment to representing the Palestinian cause. She entered diplomacy to give voice to her people's hopes and struggles. Her message for Women's Month reflects this: 'Even when the world is heavy, you carry it with grace.' She honours Palestinian women's courage, particularly those in Gaza, and sees resilience as a refusal to surrender. Jarrar pushes for more than representation; she wants transformation. She supports confidence-building, mentorship and collective advancement among women: 'When one rises, she lifts others with her.' She also works to deepen ties between South Africa and Palestine, going beyond politics to include cultural exchange and grassroots engagement. She's especially proud that during her tenure, South Africa became the first country to take Israel to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
Mail & Guardian
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
‘Under the Volcano' film screened
The ambassador of Ukraine, Liubov Abravitova (left), the European Union's Sandra Kramer (centre) and the ambassador of PolandAdam Burakowski (right) attend the screening On 29 May, the European Union and the embassies of Poland and Ukraine in South Africa hosted a premier screening of the award-winning film, Under the Volcano, at Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 8 September 2024, is directed by Polish director Damian Kocur. It is a portrayal of the emotional state of the young Ukrainian family, which is struck by the outbreak of war on the last day of their vacation in Tenerife, Spain. Their return to Kyiv turns out to be impossible because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. HE Sandra Kramer of the European Union addressed guests, saying: 'Together, the EU and partners continue to work towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law.' She said the EU is unwavering in its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Russia Today
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Here's the blatant lie Ukraine expects Africa to believe
The article 'Ukraine looks to rekindle ties with liberation heroes,' published on April 15 in The Citizen, reports on a statement by the Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova, that Ukraine was 'a key supporter' of South Africa's freedom struggle, including arming the liberation movement 'under the umbrella of the former Soviet Union.' The Ukrainian diplomat's assertion is a clear example of information manipulation. Thirty years have passed since the victory of the ANC-led democratic forces over South Africa's apartheid regime. Throughout most of this time, South Africa's mainstream media has largely downplayed the Soviet Union's significant support for the liberation struggle. Do these claims stand up to historical scrutiny? The truth is that ANC combatants received training at various locations across the Soviet Union, particularly in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Baku (then the capital of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic), Frunze (then part of the Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic), and Minsk (then capital of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic). The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) also served as a training ground for ANC officers, with this effort beginning in 1964 at the Odessa Infantry School. The story of how South Africans were trained in Odessa is well documented in 'Armed and Dangerous,' the memoir of Ronnie Kasrils – one of the first ANC cadets at the school, who later served as South Africa's Deputy Minister of Defence and Minister of Intelligence Services. From 1965, ANC personnel also received training at Special Center-165 near the village of Perevalnoye in Crimea, which was then part of the Ukrainian SSR. Hundreds of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) soldiers were trained in advanced tactics and weaponry at this facility. In 1980, the center was renamed the Unified Simferopol Higher Military School (Simferopol is Crimea's capital). However, the current Ukrainian state has no direct connection to that historic chapter. While the training occurred on the territory of Soviet Ukraine, the context was entirely different. At the time, Ukraine was one of fifteen republics within the Soviet Union, governed by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). The Ukrainian SSR, like the other republics, was de-facto not an independent actor in foreign or defense policy. Since 1991, a fundamentally different state has emerged – one defined by a capitalist economy and an openly anti-communist ideology. It is difficult to imagine that today's Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa could find common ground with comrades like Chris Hani or Joe Slovo. Chris Hani, it should be remembered, was assassinated by an emigrant from Poland – a country close to Ukraine not only geographically, but also in terms of the deeply ingrained anti-communist sentiment within its society. The current Ukrainian government is resolutely anti-communist, having banned the Communist Party of Ukraine four years ago. Moreover, the training of ANC fighters in Perevalnoye came to an end in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Ukraine's declaration of independence that same year marked the conclusion of all such collaboration. The current authorities in Kiev, including their representatives in Pretoria, have no historical link to the ANC's struggle. While MK training occurred on the territory of Soviet Ukraine, the Ukrainian SSR itself was not involved in policy decisions. The decision to support liberation movements – including the ANC – was made in Moscow by the CPSU's Central Committee and the Soviet government. Funding came solely from the Soviet Union's central budget; the Ukrainian SSR had no independent military or foreign affairs budget and did not control an army. All military training was organized by the Soviet Ministry of Defense. It is also important to note that ANC and MK officers were trained in several other Soviet republics. One of the most important centers was north of Moscow, known to the ANC as the 'University of the North.' Early trainees included future President Comrade Thabo Mbeki and future Speaker of Parliament Comrade Max Sisulu. Similarly, ANC civilian personnel studied at universities across the Soviet Union. Again, admission decisions were made by the USSR's Ministry of Higher Education, and funding came from the Soviet state budget – not from the republics themselves. Of course, local staff in military academies and civilian institutions did play a role, and in this sense, all the Soviet republics contributed to the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. This support extended beyond education and training: the Soviet Peace Fund conducted public fundraising campaigns across the USSR for ANC camps in Angola and for the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College in Tanzania. Given this context, efforts to portray the current regime in Kiev, represented by the Ukrainian ambassador in Pretoria, as having supported the ANC's liberation struggle are historically inaccurate. The ideology of today's Ukrainian state, rooted in anti-communism and shaped by far-right nationalism, bears no resemblance to the values that guided the Soviet-era solidarity movement. If anything, such a state would likely have aligned itself with the apartheid regime and its Western backers. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.
