Russian Consulate in Cape Town

🇷🇺🤝🇿🇦Moscow and Tshwane strengthen inter-parliamentary dialogue within #BRICS framework On August 20, 2025, a video conference took place between the Chairman of the #Moscow City Duma, Alexey Shaposhnikov, and the Speaker of the Tshwane City Council (South Africa), Mncedi Ndzwanana. Russian Ambassador to South Africa Roman Ambarov also participated in the meeting. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exploring the integration of South African representatives into the BRICS Capitals Parliamentary Movement. 💬 Chairman Alexey Shaposhnikov emphasized that Russia and South Africa share similar perspectives on key global challenges. “Russia and South Africa share common views on major global challenges. The Moscow City Duma is advancing the BRICS Capitals Parliamentary Movement – an initiative aimed at fostering direct ties between legislators of friendly countries at the capital and megacity level, complementing traditional diplomacy with new channels of communication. We are inviting the Tshwane City Council to join this initiative: 11 legislative bodies from other BRICS capitals have already expressed their readiness to participate and sign a joint statement.” Alexey Shaposhnikov also extended an invitation to the Tshwane delegation to attend the BRICS International Municipal Forum, scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg in October 2025. As part of the forum, the Moscow City Duma plans to organize a special session on the role of parliamentary diplomacy in creating a favorable investment climate and responding to global economic challenges. 💬 Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana emphasized the value of participating in the BRICS forum and the Parliamentary Movement [retranslated]: “It is a great honour to be invited to this briefing on the upcoming BRICS International Municipal Forum in St. Petersburg and the Parliamentary Movement of BRICS Capitals, spearheaded by the Moscow City Duma. Participating in the forum would allow us to broaden our international cooperation and build mutually beneficial partnerships through the BRICS Capitals platform – for the benefit of our residents. Tshwane is ready to develop in this direction, with the aim of improving quality of life and enhancing municipal services, especially in the areas of housing and public utilities.” ❗️Ambassador Roman #Ambarovwelcomed the initiative and commended the efforts of all parties to engage in direct dialogue. He stressed that interregional cooperation has long been a priority for both the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in South Africa. Such ties, he said, create valuable opportunities for collaboration in trade, investment, and humanitarian fields. #RussiaSouthAfrica#RussiaAfrica

✍️ Comment by Russian Ambassador to South Africa Roman #Ambarovpublished by TV BRICS media outlet on August 6, 2025 Currently, more than 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣South Africans are studying in higher education programs in Russia. This includes those who enrolled through the quota provided by the Russian Government to South Africa, as well as those studying on a contractual basis. In addition to Moscow and St. Petersburg, local applicants choose universities in Saratov, Tambov, Astrakhan, and Kursk. Russian higher education is in demand in fields such as medicine, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. A degree earned in Russia is highly valued, even though in some fields graduates must have their qualifications recognized before they can work in South Africa (for example, medical professionals — due to South Africa’s unique geographic and climatic conditions). Some of the students who decide to pursue higher education in Russia receive co-funding from South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training. The support is based on certain criteria, one of which is the obligation to return home and work for a certain period after completing their studies. Indeed, many South Africans dream of studying in Russia. Allow me to share a heartwarming story of one such dream that came true 👇 Benedict, a resident of the “New Jerusalem” orphanage in Midrand, who lost both parents and spent 11 years in the orphanage, had a strong desire to study in Russia. She took part in online Russian language courses organized by Saint Petersburg State University specifically for interested South African residents. In 2024, she applied for admission to the Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia#RUDN and was accepted. As a full orphan, she could not afford airfare or living expenses in Moscow. However, the Russian community in South Africa, which has long supported the orphanage, stepped in to help. Benedict is now in Moscow. She has already completed the preparatory program at Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas and will soon begin her main studies at RUDN.

🇷🇺🇱🇸 Ambassador of Russia to South Africa Roman #Ambarov sent birthday greetings to His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho. ✍️ The message reads, in part: “The Russian Federation values the respectful relations between our two countries and we remain committed to continued engagement in areas of mutual interest. It would be a privilege for me to enhance this constructive dialogue. May this special occasion bring Your Majesty peace and good health and may the people of Lesotho enjoy well-being and stability.” #RussiaLesotho#RussiaAfrica

✍️Article by Ambassador of Russia to South Africa Roman Ambarov “Soviet Union & South Africa: Allies in World War II” (8 May 2025) 🔗READ IN FULL ➡️ Key points: ▪️ May 9, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945, the most important and dramatic part of World War II. ▪️ We are celebrating the decisive contribution of the Soviet Union to the victory over Hitler’s Germany and the liberation of Europe from Nazism. Nearly 90% of all Nazi combat loses occurred on the Eastern Front, and it was the Red Army that single-handedly captured Berlin in April–May 1945. ▪️ During the war, South Africa was our ally and an important member of the Anti-Hitler Coalition. Around 3,000 South African seamen served in the Royal navy, many of them – on board Allied vessels carrying valuable supplies to our northern ports of Russia. ▪️ South African public organizations, such as the Friends of the Soviet Union and the Medical Aid for Russia, raised around GBP 1 million in donations between 1942 and 1945. ▪️ Dmitri Shostakovich’s Seventh “Leningrad” Symphony, a work that became a musical manifesto of resistance to Nazism, was premiered on 9 July 1944 in Johannesburg and, two month later, in Cape Town. The proceeds from the ticket sales were donated to the Soviet Union’s war effort. ▪️ The ultimate defeat of Nazism in 1945 laid the foundations of the world as we know it. Africa’s decolonisation and the collapse of apartheid would not be possible without that victory. #Victory80#Ambarov

✍️ Address by Ambassador Roman Ambarov on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and South Africa (28 February 2025) Dear friends, 🇷🇺🤝🇿🇦 Today Russia and South Africa mark the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations. They were established in trying times of fundamental changes in both Russia and South Africa, yet over the years developed into strategic partnership between our countries. We efficiently cooperate on the bilateral track and in international fora. As part of #BRICS and #G20, we bolster the role of the Global South in international affairs, help build up a more just, multipolar world. ☝️ Russian-South African friendship dates back to the times when Africa was fighting against colonialism and apartheid. Our country rendered assistance to the liberation movements, first and foremost – to the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party. In line with these glorious pages, Russia and South Africa today find themselves at the forefront of the struggle against neo-colonialism and for the sovereign equality of all states. We are honoured with the fact that South Africans cherish the memory of our shared history, too. As the Russian Embassy in South Africa, we attach great importance to humanitarian and people-to-people contacts providing a strong foundation for our political and economic cooperation, strengthening mutual trust and understanding. Dear friends, The first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa Nelson Mandela was a great friend of Russia, and he is remembered and honoured across our country. To conclude, let me quote Madiba, the words he had said at the Russian Academy of Sciences in April 1999 during his first visit to Russia as the state leader: “May our bonds with Russia long continue to help freedom and knowledge strengthen one another.” #RussiaSouthAfrica#RussiaSArelations#RuissiaAfrica#Ambarov#EmbassyofRussia

🇷🇺🇿🇦Ambassador of Russia to South Africa Roman Ambarov attended the celebration of the 113th anniversary of the formation of the African National Congress in Cape Town. «To quote Oliver Tambo, the formation of the ANC was a continuation in Southern Africa, under new historic conditions, of the anti-colonial and national liberation struggles which had begun with the advent of colonialism. The Soviet Union, throughout its entire history, consistently stood for the elimination of colonialism and supported liberation movements in Africa and across the globe,” the Ambassador said on the sidelines of the event. “However, the work on decolonization spearheaded by the USSR in the XX century was not finished. And today Russia and South Africa are among the most vigorous supporters of anti-neocolonial policies,” Roman Ambarov pointed out. 🤝The ANC participates in the work of the international forum “For the Freedom of Nations!” seeking to wipe out modern practices of neocolonialism. In Dec 2024, Pretoria voted for the UNGA resolution on the eradication of colonialism in all its forms and manifestations. “We hope our collaboration will help mobilize all responsible members of the international community to uphold justice in world affairs,” the Ambassador added. #RussiaSouthAfrica#RussiaSArelations#StopColonialism#StopColonialismNow#Ambarov#ANC113Anniversary#ANC113@MYANC

🇷🇺🤝🇿🇦 Ambassador-designate of Russia to South Africa Roman Ambarov took part in the event to commemorate the Day of Reconciliation in Vredendal, Western Cape. The celebration was arranged by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa with Minister Gayton McKenzie acting as the program moderator. 🎙 President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address pointing out that this Day of Reconciliation’s theme is “Healing historical wounds and forging new futures.” It is an occasion where South Africans remember and celebrate their journey as a country towards nation-building, healing, social justice and forgiveness, he emphasized. We are all bound together by the spirit of Ubuntu. The word “Ubuntu” has its roots in the IsiZulu phrase “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” – “A person is a person through other people,” “I am because we are” - Cyril Ramaphosa noted. “This day is of great historical significance. It is a reminder that the country went through centuries of divisions and conflicts. But instead of hatred and revenge, South Africans chose reconciliation and nation-building, as Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected President of South Africa once said. On this day, #Russia sincerely wishes the friendly South African people peace, harmony and unity!” Ambassador-designate Roman Ambarov said on the sidelines of the event. #ReconciliationDay2024#UniteAgainstAllIntolerances#Ambarov#EmbassyofRussia#SouthAfrica#CyrilRamaphosa#GaytonMcKenzie

On 1 Nov 2024, Ambassador-designate of Russia to South Africa H.E.Mr.Roman Ambarov presented copies of his Letter of Credence to Mr. Clayson Monyela, Acting Chief of State Protocol of the Republic of South Africa. 🇷🇺🇿🇦During the meeting the sides emphasised the unprecedented level of Russian-South African cooperation and stressed the enormous personal contribution of the heads of states to the development of bilateral relations. 🤝The parties confirmed focus on coordinating work within multilateral formats, including BRICS and G20, as well as other international and regional issues of mutual interest. #RussiaSouthAfrica#RussiaSArelations#Ambarov