For the first time in history, a new South African Honorary Consul to The Gambia has been formally introduced to members of the diplomatic and business community in the country.

President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has officially appointed Modou SB Taal, Managing Director of Premium TV, as the South African Honorary Consul in The Gambia. His appointment decisively jelled after the government of The Gambia advanced its approval on his new assignment.

Ms Thembisile Majola-Embalo, the non-resident South African High Commissioner to The Gambia, on Friday evening hosted a cocktail reception at the 5-star Sheraton International Hotel and Spa in Brufut, where she formally introduced Mr Taal to his contemporaries in the diplomatic and business circles.

Unlike her forerunners, Ms Majola-Embalo visited more than a dozen times, after she had presented her letter of credence to President Yahya Jammeh in June 2006.

Friday’s reception was alongside impregnated with the symbolic observance of the South African National Women’s Day, geared towards remembering the 1956 march of 20,000 South African women to the UN building, protesting against the extension of the repressive and draconian laws on women by the defunct Apartheid regime.

Speaking at the reception, High Commissioner Majola-Embalo, who is based in Dakar, felicitated the new South African Consul on his new assignment, describing it as extension of his duties to Banjul. She then expounded on the genesis of the history of a honorary consul, apparently evolving from the Roman Empire.

She showered admonishment on Mr Taal, describing him as a man of timbre with an experience to promote trade between the two countries.

Switching on to the Women’s Day, High Commissioner Majola-Embalo said the Apartheid regime’s “hate and harsh” laws has disintegrated the family structure of South Africa. She said the 1956 protest marked a turning point in South African history, as the capacity of women to mobilise and bring about change became more pronounced. She then paid tribute to those women for their contributions to the attainment of a free South Africa. She then thanked The Gambia government and members of the diplomatic and business community for honouring the invitation.

Tijan Bah, representative from the Department of State for Foreign Affairs, welcomed Mr Taal to the diplomatic circle and then urged  him to promote cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, the new South African Honorary Consul, whose contact with this southern African state could be traced as far as 1991, said the attainment of economic emancipation of Africa is not just clouded, under the visionary leadership of President Thabo Mbeki and his Gambian counterpart President Jammeh.

Honorary Consul Taal described South Africa as a “rainbow country”, which emerged after the hate regime crumbled. He said South African has a tolerant society and continues to give hope to humanity.

Taal, who was upbeat about the continuity of African renaissance, offered his unwavering commitment to foster two-way direct investment between the two countries, as well as explore education and agricultural ties for the benefit of the two peoples.

Mr Modou SB Taal then expressed his appreciation to President Mbeki for the confidence reposed in him and thanked President Jammeh for making his assignment a reality. He also thanked the staff of the South African High Commission in Dakar for their support, as well as his family and relatives for their solidarity and love. He used the opportunity to pay respect to his late mother, whom he hailed for her guidance and advices.