President Dr. Patrick Herminie held talks with members of the Seychellois diaspora in South Africa on the first day of his visit to Durban, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening ties with Seychellois living abroad. He was joined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Ambassador Barry Faure; the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, Ms. Jeniffer Vel; and the Acting High Commissioner of Seychelles to the Republic of South Africa, Mrs. Veronique Morel.
The President underscored that the diaspora’s importance to national development is reflected in the establishment of a dedicated Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora. Engaging directly with attendees, he learned of the wide-ranging careers and expertise within the diaspora, spanning business, education, health and tourism, several in fields facing demand at home. He committed the Government to pursuing concrete arrangements to harness the diaspora’s expertise in service of Seychelles’ development.
President Herminie shared his vision for the country to move forward in its development, stating that “the time of animosity is over”. He stressed that Seychelles needs all of its people and spoke of the steps being taken to restore peace and unity among the nation.
Africa Fact: The Malian city of Timbuktu had a 14th century population of 115,000 – 5 times larger than mediaeval London. Mansa Musa, built the Djinguerebere Mosque in the fourteenth century. There was the University Mosque in which 25,000 students studied and the Oratory of Sidi Yayia. There were over 150 Koran schools in which 20,000 children were instructed. London, by contrast, had a total 14th century population of 20,000 people.
Africa Fact: National Geographic recently described Timbuktu as the Paris of the mediaeval world, on account of its intellectual culture. According to Professor Henry Louis Gates, 25,000 university students studied there.