By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: Against a backdrop of ongoing civil instability that has claimed countless lives, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara turns to South Africa’s Robben Island to draw strength for the road to reconciliation and recovery in his country. President Ouattara was welcomed by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa and RIM Council Chairperson, Prof Saths Cooper.
Ivory Coast President, Alassane Ouattara concluded his South African trip with a visit to Robben Island Museum (RIM), seeking to draw inspiration from South Africa’s rainbow nation and the country’s long walk to freedom.
He was welcomed by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa and newly elected RIM Council Chairperson, Professor Saths Cooper.
“This visit by the Ivory Coast President, was deeply emotional, both for our international dignitaries, and for us as South Africans. President Ouattara’s reflection of the pain and destruction caused by the civil war in his country, brought back so many painful memories about South Africa’s struggle for peace and liberation. It is also fitting that this visit took place during Mandela Month, and the immense power of forgiveness and nation building displayed by our beloved Tata Madiba, is where President Ouattara drew his strength from, to go back home and lead his people on the path to reconciliation and forgiveness,” said Abigail Thulare, RIM CEO.
While RIM celebrated this year’s Africa Day, under the theme Rollbacks, Resilience, and Reinvention, its ties to Africa extend beyond this commemoration.
“Robben Island stands as a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and we are both proud and humbled to share the learnings of Africa’s struggle icons with the rest of Africa, in pursuit of a stronger, unified and prosperous African Continent,” said Thulare.
Ouattara’s state visit, which took place after the South African president’s visit to Abidjan in December last year is part of strengthening relations between Abidjan and Pretoria.