Reinforcing Indonesia – South Africa Relations – A Book Launch
Victor J. Sambuaga, Charge D’Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy addressing guests
26 July 2022
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Pretoria, South Africa, in collaboration with Awqaf SA, organized a book launch titled “Evaluating Shaykh Yusuf Al - Makassari and Imam 'Abdullah Tidore's Ideational Teachings: Reinforcing Indonesia – South Africa Relations”. The event was held in hybrid format in three different cities, namely Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, and was also witnessed by virtual viewers both from South Africa and Indonesia.
The book is the result of a collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria and writers from South Africa and Indonesia who examined the roles and implications given by two prominent Indonesian figures, Shaykh Yusuf Al Makassari and Imam Abdullah Tidore (Tuan Guru) on the dynamics in South African society, especially from the socio-cultural aspects and religious practices. Furthermore, the book elaborates on how the teachings of the two figures influenced Indonesia-South Africa relations in the modern era.
The organization of the book launch was an effort by the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria to socialize the information related to the book to relevant stakeholders. The event presented speakers from the contributors of book authors and officials from both countries, such as Ambassador Salman Al Farisi, former Indonesian Ambassador to South Africa (2018-2022), and Ambassador Ntombizodwa Msutukazi Lallie, Acting Deputy Director General for Asia and the Middle East, DIRCO.
In his remarks, Charge D’Affaires of the Embassy, Victor J. Sambuaga, emphasized the important role of non-state actors in establishing good relations between the two countries through people-to-people interactions, which has been proven by the impact that Sheikh Yusuf and Tuan Guru had on socio-cultural dynamics in South Africa. “The role of non-state actors must always be utilized by Indonesia and South Africa. The government, in this case, the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, will be the bridge that ensures the relationship between communities is well maintained”, said Sambuaga.
The launch was attended by around a hundred invitees who were present offline in the three cities and more than two hundred viewers who took part in the online activity from both South Africa and Indonesia. Various parties expressed their appreciation for the launch of this book and hoped that the book would benefit the readers.
Embassy of Indonesia