Algerian treasures on display including intricate tea sets, at the Africa Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur. — Photos: LOW LAY PHON/ The Star
South Africa hopes to work with Malaysia to expand halal food business opportunities in both countries.
“We believe that there is an opportunity to penetrate the halal market via the export of halal products and working with African countries for halal certification,” said South African High Commissioner David Evan Malcomson at an Africa Day event in Kuala Lumpur.
“Out of a population of 1.3 billion, we have 500 million Muslims,” he said.
With Africa’s growing relations with South-East Asia, this year’s Africa Day 2024 celebration by the African Heads of Mission in Malaysia was held with the theme “Promoting Africa-Malaysia Trade and Investment Opportunities”.
Present were Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin, Tanzanian High Commissioner Dr Mahadhi Juma Maalim and Senegal Ambassador Abdoulaye Barro.
(From left) Guinea Embassy deputy head Oumar Conde, Malcomson, Abdoulaye and Mahadhi during a panel discussion on Africa Day.
One of the event’s aims was to break stereotypes about Africa and promote Africa in economic terms, Malcomson said.
“We are here to celebrate Africa, spread information on Africa and the opportunities available there.
“We stand to represent Africa as a place not of disease and despair but one of innovation, commerce and trade.”
Tea and coffee among products from Kenya.
Several booths representing the different countries were set up to give guests an idea of some of their products.
For instance, glass sculptures are a speciality of Eswatini.
Eswatini’s booth exhibiting items including glass sculptures and Swazi necklaces.
Handmade from recycled broken glass, they are blown into the shape of animals such as giraffes.
Also on display were colourful handmade Swazi beaded necklaces. “We cannot wear the attire without the necklace,” said Sibongile Dlamini, 46, who was manning the booth.
Delicate beaded jewellery from Ghana.
At the booth for Morocco, traditional wooden boxes with a unique scent to keep trinkets and jewellery were featured.
Also on display was the ubiquitous earthenware pot tajine, whose designs can be found widely throughout Morocco and are handmade.
Gold tajine and jewellery boxes part of highlights at the Moroccan booth.
Africa Day remembers the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity, formed on May 25, 1963, which later transformed into the African Union.
The occasion marks its achievements and opportunities, while also reflecting on challenges and solutions to relevant issues such as the attainment of peace, security and the development of the continent.
African Union Agenda 2063, a framework for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse, aims to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic developments.
