Ukrainians in the Republic of South Africa fight off discrediting attack

The Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA) has refuted misinformation about its activities and Ukrainian community representatives. Media outlets linked to the local Independent Online (IOL) have spread false information aimed at discrediting the organization and the Ukrainian community in South Africa.

“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,” the organization emphasized.

Ukraine, as a Soviet Socialist Republic, played a key role in supporting the anti-apartheid movement. “We strongly oppose any distortion of this history,” the UAZA stated.

For decades, Ukraine played a crucial role as a Vice-Chair of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid. In 1963, South African anti-apartheid activist Oliver Tambo thanked Ukraine for its support, believing these actions could end racial discrimination.

UAZA 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.

“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,” the community concluded.