The South African High Commission under the leadership of H.E. Madiepetsane Charlotte Lobe hosted the 2nd edition of the South Africa Focus Week (SAFWS) in Singapore from the 24th to 28th September 2024.

The week was action-packed for delegates visiting from South Africa and had a meaningful balance of business, trade, and important issues like gender equality, and other cultural elements. As part of the year-long celebration, this event served as both a trade mission and a cultural exchange programme to foster engagement between South Africa and Singapore with the theme, 鈥淐elebrating 30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth.鈥 It created a great bridge to forge meaningful collaborations between Singapore and South Africa.

The week featured an online Colloquium on Future of Work in collaboration with Sun Media. At the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public
Policy, a woman鈥檚 forum themed, 鈥淲omen in Leadership: Advancing Together鈥 was held. The business forum at One World International School Pte Ltd, brought together speakers from Singapore and South Africa on the theme, 鈥淏uilding Future Economy; Future Skills; and Future Manpower鈥

The week also included National Day Celebration at the Goodwood Park Hotel, Global Women of Influence Awards 2024, the Taste of South Africa at the Official Residence, and the Book Fair themed, 鈥淐hanging the Narrative.鈥

To coincide with the Heritage Month, the South African High Commission held the National Day Celebration (27 April) on 27
September 2024. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic community, Chambers of Commerce, officials from Singapore Government and its agencies, visiting South African delegation Brand South Africa, South Africans living in Singapore as well as local partners.

The Guest of Honour representing the Government of Singapore was Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, and Ministry of Health, who was accompanied by Members of Parliament, Mr Don Wee Boon Hong and Mr Saktiandi Supaat. Tribute was paid to South Africa鈥檚 democracy, its struggle heroes, including the acknowledgement of the extra-ordinary contribution by the late Nelson Mandela in the political history of South Africa.