Photo: International Diplomatic Spouses Association South Africa
April 2023
As we continue to celebrate women who are making a difference in our communities, in our online April 2023 digital Monthly News Edition, we present the International Diplomatic Spouses Association to our readers.
The International Diplomatic Spouses Association (IDSA) is a non-profit organization that provides a platform to support diplomatic spouses and partners in South Africa. IDSA provides opportunities for members to network and collaborate, encourages international friendships, and opens doors to the enjoyment of cultural, social, and educational events in South Africa.
On 28 February 2023, the International Diplomatic Spouses Association in South Africa hosted a Coffee Morning Meeting at the residence of the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates.
We express our sincere gratitude to the host, Mrs Kalthoom Al Hameli, the spouse of the UAE Ambassador, HE Mr Mahash Saeed Al Hameli for graciously hosting the Diplomatic spouses and for the delicious cuisine and warm hospitality.
Photo: The host, Mrs Kalthoom Al Hameli, the spouse of the UAE Ambassador, HE Mr Mahash Saeed Al Hameli
Mrs. Abdel Razek, the spouse of the Ambassador of Egypt in South Africa, also expressed similar gratitude in her remarks as the president of the
International Diplomatic Spouses Association (IDSA).
Photo: Mrs. Abdel Razek, the spouse of the Ambassador of Egypt in South Africa, President of the International Diplomatic Spouses Association (IDSA)
When you think of Women in Diplomacy, also think of “the diplomatic spouse.” One might imagine that their role is about hosting functions and accompanying spouses to official events. But this is not the case; these spouses are making a difference while serving in South Africa as diplomatic spouses. The International Diplomatic Spouses Association is responsible for supporting the diplomatic missions, fostering diplomatic
relations, and adapting their families to a new way of life while trying to forge their own growth paths.
Photo: IDSA Members
The main objectives of the association are:
• To promote cultural and social interchange between members of the diplomatic corps and South Africans
• Extend assistance and support the various charitable organisations in
South Africa; and
• Cultivate harmonious relationships and cooperative spirit among its members.
In welcoming the guests, IDSA’s President noted that every year, the association seeks to raise funds to help vulnerable women and children in South Africa.
The association’s prime concern is to help underprivileged groups, especially women and children. “IDSA continues to alleviate the plight of women and children through various charities, in addition to direct donations of food, toiletries, school stationery, toys, and hours of volunteer work,” she intimated.
The IDSA was established over twenty years ago and has been supporting the South African communities strongly in various social and humanitarian
causes, particularly in education, girls, and women.
This year, IDSA
is also considering supporting the Gift of the Givers Foundation as it
wants to intensify its support to underprivileged schools with books, book shelves, reading skills, and through the provision of much-needed sanitary towels.
International Diplomatic Spouses Morning Coffee event was a success, and more than 45 spouses of heads of missions attended as well as, Poppy M’Poko, the spouse of the former Ambassador of the DRC to South Africa and the
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps HE Bene M’Poko.
New members included, among
others, the spouse of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, the spouse of the High Commissioner of Pakistan. IDSA welcomed them all very warmly into its fold, and they took the opportunity to join the
organisation officially.
We acknowledge IDSA’s for the important charity efforts it carries out in South Africa, and we thank the esteemed Spouses of the Heads of
Missions for their spirit of “ubuntu” inherent in their charity work an. for their generous donations.