The Sunday Mail
Tanyaradzwa Rusike
JAMAICANS must continue strengthening relations with Africa as the Caribbean nation shares a common history with most countries on the continent, Jamaica’s High Commissioner to South Africa, who is also the chief diplomat to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Angella Comfort has said.
She made the remarks during celebrations to mark Jamaica’s 59th independence anniversary.
The Caribbean nation, which celebrates its independence on August 6, held a belated virtual reggae showcase to commemorate the Independence Day on Friday.
Zimbabwe-based Jamaican artist Trevor Hall (popularly known as Ras Jabulani), was among the performers at the online event, hosted by the Jamaican Diaspora Association for Eastern and Southern.
In her remarks, Ambassador Comfort said her country was committed to strengthening relations with Africa.
“The Jamaican Commission and our Honorary Consuls continue to work assiduously to assist nationals, to provide consular services, as well as to strengthen relations and cooperation with our jurisdiction countries in Africa, especially given the historical links that we share and the similar cultural diversity and visions for the advancement of our people and our brothers and sisters in Africa.
“With the establishment of diplomatic relations with the countries over several years for mutual benefit, Jamaica remains committed to its efforts to increase bilateral and technical and economic cooperation, including in the fields of science and technology, education and air services to promote increased trade and investment relations and people to people connections,” she said.
Ambassador Comfort said talented and productive Jamaicans were happy living, working and studying in the SADC region and had called it home for several years.
“Jamaica remains proud of its support across Southern Africa during its long and painful struggle for freedom, dignity and the right to self-determination,” she said.
Ambassador Comfort commended Africans who participated at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which ended last weekend.
“We salute all of them as they trained long and hard to reach the Games, to perform at their best in the qualifying and final events, while always proudly showcasing the iconic and world renowned “Brand Jamaica. Additionally, we celebrate the talented competitors and the many victories at the Olympics of your adopted countries across the region, especially South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Sudan and Eswatini.
“The athletes have all done exceptionally well and made their countries proud,” she said.
