Ukrainian Association of South Africa

1000 Days of War. 1000 days of death and destruction. 1000 days of missiles, shattered homes, and stolen futures. But also, 1000 days of courage and defiance. 1000 days of resilience, unity, and unwavering support. 1000 days of Ukrainians standing together, refusing to surrender. Today, we honor those who have given everything—the heroes on the front lines, the innocent lives lost, and the countless families torn apart. We also celebrate the strength of a nation that has endured, fought back, and inspired the world with its determination to remain free. The road is long, but Ukraine continues to stand tall. United, we resist. United, we rebuild. United, we prevail. 🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine #1000DaysOfWar #BringKidsBackUA

Join Us for a Special Painting Session at A Taste of Belgium Festival We’re excited to invite you to an upcoming Helmets of Heart painting session at Belgium Festival, 9 Boshof Ave Newlands, Cape Town on Saturday, 16 November 2024, 10-5pm This is your chance to paint our 3D-printed helmets and show support for the brave heroes in Ukraine who continue to fight for freedom and democracy. 🇺🇦💪 This fun-filled Saturday afternoon will be packed with creative energy in a wonderful venue! ▪️ Attendance is free, but if you’d like to make a donation, we suggest R100, with all proceeds going to the Non-Profit organization Voices of Children (VoC) via Ukrainian Association of South Africa. To find out more about partnership, please go to https://lnkd.in/e3bHFySQ ▪️ Painting sessions will run from 10-2pm ▪️ Thank you to Rebuild Ukraine/Helmets of Heart for supporting and donating these 3-D Helmets to South Africa. The fragments from the hugely successful Ukrainian Festival at the Bloor West Village Toronto, Canada (September 2024) were used in this video. Come join us for a day of creativity, community, and support for Ukraine! #HelmetsOfHeart #BringOurKidsBackUA #SupportUkraine #PaintingForACause #OldMillInn #CreativeCommunity #StandWithUkraine #ArtForHope #UAZA

28 October 2024, Dr Bheki Langa, a former South African ambassador to Russia and China, and brother of the late Chief Justice Pius Langa, recalled how he and many other ANC members had studied in Ukraine. Dr Bheki and @Andrii Sybiha, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, participated in the opening of a plaque for the late Hennadiy Udovenko, a second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Independent Ukraine, who had served as the vice-chairperson of the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid from 1985 to 1992 at Pretoria’s Freedom Park. Ukraine, as a Soviet Socialist Republic, played a vital role in the anti-apartheid movement: •           In 1962, the first ANC students studied in Kyiv, with many staying for four years. •           Between 1963-1965, 328 uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) soldiers trained near Odesa. •           Ukraine, as vice-chair of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid, co-sponsored resolutions and supported economic sanctions against South Africa. •           In 1963, Oliver Tambo thanked Ukraine for its support, believing it could help end apartheid.

Thank you Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation for bringing Oleksandra Matviichuk to South Africa! We look forward to the Peace Lecture!

💙 💛 Today, Ukrainians around the world celebrate the Day of the Ukrainian Language and Writing. Did you know❓ Here’s what makes Ukrainian truly special: 👉 Ancient Origins: Going back to the 11th-12th century Kyivan Rus chronicles, Ukrainian is one of the oldest Slavic languages. 👉 Unique Script: Its 33-letter Cyrillic alphabet includes distinctive y Letters like "Ї" are unique to Ukrainian and aren’t found in other Slavic languages. In occupied territories, Ukrainians paint this powerful letter in public spaces as a sign of resistance. Yet, for nearly 300 years, the Ukrainian language has faced persecution: Ems Decree issued by the Russian Empire in 1876 under Tsar Alexander II imposed prohibitions on the use of Ukrainian language: 🚫 Publishing Ukrainian books, newspapers or even music sheets 🚫 Ukrainian-language education 🚫 Ukrainian theatre Soviet Restrictions: In the 1930s, policies further marginalised Ukrainian, promoting Russian language dominance. Today, we honour the strength of Ukrainian language and culture. Let’s keep this vibrant legacy alive! 💙 💛 Want to learn Ukrainian? Join us at the Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA)! Embrace a new language, explore rich traditions, and stand with us in preserving our shared identity. Sign up today and be part of a thriving Ukrainian community here in South Africa! https://lnkd.in/dsgMU4r5 Ukrainian World Congress - Свiтовий Конґрес Українців #UkrainianLanguageDay #UAZA #LearnUkrainian #UkrainianInSA #StandWithUkraine #UkrainianLanguageDay #UAZA #LearnUkrainian #UkrainianInSA #StandWithUkraine

In the photo is Ukraine’s Kateryna Sadurska who has set a new world record at the 8th CMAS World Championship in Kalamata, 2024, achieving an unprecedented 80-meter dive in the Constant Weight No Fins (CNF) category. The previous world record of 78 meters in depth also belongs to Kateryna. During the Championship, Kateryna also became the first Ukrainian woman to dive to a depth of 103 meters with a monofin. “Like all my previous victories, I dedicate these ones to Ukraine, our defenders and everyone who is fighting for our freedom,” Sadurska commented on her success.

Today, we celebrate the Day of Defenders and pay tribute to the courage and heroism of those who protect Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, uphold military traditions, and embody the valor of the Ukrainian people. We honour those who have taken up arms to defend the freedom and peace of Ukraine and the world — whether in the skies, at sea, or on the ground. The Ukrainian spirit will never falter in accepting the battle and achieving victory. We express our deepest gratitude to our defenders for giving us the chance to live and work in a free country every day. We will forever remember those who have fallen in the fight for our independence. Glory to the Heroes! 🇺🇦

Doja Cat, at the #GlobalCitizenFestival, raised a plea for children in war zones while wearing a dress adorned with the South African flag, created by Ukrainian designer Ivan Frolov [https://lnkd.in/d676i-T5]. "Right now, millions of men, women, and children in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the Congo, and all across the world are suffering. In times like this, it is important to remember that we have the power to bring change, love, light, and hope to those who need it most," Doja told the crowd gathered on the Great Lawn in New York's Central Park. What an incredible connection between Ukraine and South Africa! We are deeply grateful to everyone who continues to speak out on behalf of the over 19,546 unlawfully and forcibly deported Ukrainian children who remain under Russian control. Since 2022, Russia has passed new legislation allowing changes to the citizenship, names, and birthdates of these children without parental consent. Ukrainian children have been sent to 57 regions across Russia, with some already adopted by Russian families. Despite the support of the UN, the International Red Cross, and others, only 388 children have been returned in nearly three years. Culture and art are some of the best ways to show solidarity, and what an incredible connection between Ukraine and South Africa during the final days of Heritage Month! the almost 20 000 of Ukrainian abducted children in Ukraine and what they are going through. I like to believe that the Ukrainian designer who made Doja Cat’s dress featuring the South African flag was sending heartfelt wishes for Heritage Month to all South Africans. https://lnkd.in/d676i-T5

Happy Heritage Day, South Africa! Today, we celebrate the rich and diverse cultures and traditions that make South Africa so unique. At UAZA, we honor this day by reflecting on the shared values of unity, freedom, and justice that connect us all, regardless of where we come from. As we build bridges between South Africa and Ukraine, we continue to learn from the strength and resilience of the South African people. Let’s take this day to remember and celebrate the beauty of our heritage and the legacy of those who have fought and keeps on fighting for a brighter future. Wishing everyone a joyful and meaningful Heritage Day! 🇿🇦

We have noticed that last week, IOL-related media published three articles (10, 14 & 16 September)  that seem to misrepresent the Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA) and Ukrainians, which seems to be aiming at creating a negative stereotype. UAZA has not been contacted for the right of response which we believe is the violation of the Press Code of Ethics.  We are issuing this statement to clarify the facts that were manipulated in the article:  Ukraine, as a Soviet Socialist Republic, played a key role in supporting the anti-apartheid movement, and we strongly oppose any distortion of this history. 💙 In 1962, the first ANC students began their studies for higher education in Kyiv, with many staying in Ukraine for four more years. 💛 Many uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) cadres trained in the Soviet Union were sent to Ukraine. Already in 1963-1965, 328 recruits received training near Odesa. 🌐 For decades Ukraine played a crucial role as a Vice-Chair of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid.  💙 In 1963 Oliver Tambo thanked Ukraine for its support, believing these actions could end apartheid.* 💛 Ukrainian Association of South Africa (NPO # 189 – 705) is South African civil society organisation registered in 2017 that unites South Africans and Ukrainians living in South Africa to build a dialogue between the two countries. UAZA has over 200 members of various ethnicities in Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Johannesburg, Limpopo, Pretoria and other major cities. ⚠ Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, when Ukraine was a non-aligned independent state, and escalated to a full-scale war in February 2022. Since then, russia has launched over 9,600 missiles and nearly 14,000 drones, damaging or destroying 6,203 civilian buildings, including over 2,000 schools, 742 hospitals, and 500 churches. ⚠ As of September 2024, over 19,546 Ukrainian children remained under russian control after they have been unlawfully and forcibly deported from Ukraine. Post-2022, Russia approved new legislation allowing changes to the citizenship, names, and birthdates of Ukrainian children without parental consent. Ukrainian children have been sent to 57 regions of Russia, with some already adopted into Russian families. Even with the support from the UN, the International Red Cross, and others, only 388 children have been returned in nearly three years. UAZA’s activities are grounded in respect for South Africa's struggle for justice, equality, and freedom—values championed by Nelson Mandela were shared by the Ukrainian political prisoners during the Soviet times and are shared by Ukrainian political prisoners of Russia now, and those fighting for their freedom and rule-based order today. More here: https://lnkd.in/d2zuMQQM