Norway launches centenary in SA
Nombini Matomela and Fidelia van der Linde
14 February 2005
Norwegian Queen Sonja launched the South African leg of Norway's centennial anniversary in Cape Town last week.
The Norwegian centennial anniversary is a year-long programme of cultural and sporting events to commemorate the peaceful dissolution of Norway's union with Sweden in 1905.
South Africa is one of the countries chosen to take part in the programme. Others are Sweden, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US.
"The strong ties between Norway and South Africa actually date back long before 1905", Queen Sonja said. "But most importantly, in modern times it was the struggle against apartheid that united the peoples of South Africa and Norway."
The centennial programme will focus on Norway as a partner in peace and development, a nation rich in resources, modern, culturally diversified and knowledge-based.
Her Majesty said South Africans had set an example to the rest of the world in their
remarkable transition to a vibrant democracy.
"There is one important similarity between the events in Norway in 1905 and in South Africa in 1994: both conflicts were resolved peacefully", she said.
The Queen arrived in Cape Town last Thursday for her second visit to the country. She visited Cape Point on Thursday afternoon before jetting off to Antarctica on Thursday night for the official opening of Norway's first year-round research station at Troll.
Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Mantombazana Botha and Norwegian ambassador to South Africa Ove Thorsheim were among dignitaries who attended the launch.
Botha said Norway had helped SA to work through difficult negotiations to bring about a peaceful transition.
Ambassodor Thorsheim said that although Norway and South Africa were far apart geographically, they had much in common.
"South Africa is important to us, and it is important to the world", he said, adding that while the country had exceeded
expectations and made a lot of progress, a lot remained to be done.
"Norway is willing to cooperate to combat social challenges such as poverty, peace, stability and economic development", Thorsheim said.
Source: BuaNews
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