Ambassador Ahmed Ali Sharif, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to South Africa, hosted a reception on 13 September 2025, which was attended by members of the Egyptian community in South Africa and Botswana, as well as South African officials, ambassadors, and members of the Diplomatic Corps in Pretoria.
The gathering marked the advent of spring in the Southern Hemisphere, the Coptic New Year (based on the ancient Egyptian calendar), and the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (al-Mawlid al-Nabawi).
Ambassador Sharif emphasised the Embassy’s commitment to maintaining regular communication with the Egyptian community, providing efficient consular services, and introducing them to government initiatives aimed at Egyptians abroad, including the “Your Home in Egypt” and “Your Farm in Egypt” programmes, as well as initiatives designed to facilitate financial transfers for Egyptians living overseas.
He also highlighted the statement by the South African Presidency regarding the country’s G20 chairmanship for 2025, and the official meeting on food security hosted by Cairo in September 2025 — the first G20 meeting to be hosted by a non-member state.
Ambassador Sharif further referred to the forthcoming inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November 2025, describing it as a landmark civilisational and cultural event that will deepen people-to-people ties and advance cultural and tourism cooperation across Africa and internationally.
In closing, Ambassador Sharif extended his sincere gratitude for everyone’s presence and participation, expressing his hope for continued collaboration and strengthened ties between Egypt, South Africa, and their peoples.
by Marion Kate
