South African Freedom Day Dinner

 

 

April 27 is the day after I arrived from my 2-week Scandinavian trip. I feel bloated, swollen and fat. I want to sleep off all the jetlag and calories, but it is also the Freedom Day of South Africa.

On April 27, 1994, the South African nation held its first democratic election in which everyone aged 18 and above from any race group were allowed to vote. Prior to this date, majority of the non-whites had only limited voting rights.

It’s been 17 years since then. Way to go, South Africa!

Now let’s celebrate with some South African food. 

 

Grand Plaza Ballroom at Sofitel Manila

 

South African wines to pair with our meal

 

Bobotie Vol au Vent (spiced minced meat with raisins in puff pastry)

 

Fish Potjie Pies

 

Chicken Tagine

 

Beef Khebab

 

Vegetable Cutlet

 

Lamb Carving

 

Dessert Station: Mocha Cake layered with Cinnamon Crème and Mocha Buttercream,
Maiva Pudding, Koeksister, fruits. There’s vanilla and chocolate ice cream, too.

 

Appetizers. Or what’s left of it. Sorry, I am busy paparazzing…

 

The U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry K. Thomas, Jr.
(Hehehe…)

 

And the entertainment for the night: a dance number by the South African Ambassador herself, Madam Agnes Nyamande-Pitso (that’s her on the right)

 

And then people start joining in on the fun

 

And then next thing you know, everybody is dancing on stage.
Well, everybody except me. I’m boring like that.

 

Even ambassadors from other countries are asked to come up to show their moves

 

Women ambassadors this time

 

I have 3 glasses of Amarula, my new favorite drink.
It’s like Baileys, but much better.

 

I take home some of these Proteas, the national flower of South Africa.
Thank you, Derek!

 

With South African Ambassador Agnes Nyamande-Pitso and
Jeremy Sy of Asia to Africa Safaris (be adventurous and call him for Safari tours!)

 

Cheers to Freedom!

 

South African Embassy in Manila: 29th Floor, Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Tel: +632-889-9383

Asia to Africa Safaris: Email Jeremy at jeremy.sy@atoasafaris.com

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila: CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Manila.
Tel: +632-551-5555