MARCH 25th 2009 UPDATE: DISCLAIMER
While we greatly appreciate the many requests for participation and support in various protest Marches, Concerts and other events in the name of Peace and Freedom, South African Friends of Tibet (SAFT) is not currently planning or associated with any such events.
-Committe of SAFT
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UBUNTU-TIBET FREEDOM DAY EVENT
Other Media of the Event:
'Desmond Tutu's Speech and his lighting of the Tibetan Olympic Torch': (Google Video/22m)- The Sustainable Media Cooperative Ltd.
'Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Massai Pace Warrior and HH Dalai's representative speak to Ubuntu Tibet' - (Google Video/22m) - The Sustainable Media Cooperative Ltd.
'South African Friends of Tibet' - Atop Table Mountain for our morning meditation. All part of SAFT's 'Ubuntu Tibet Freedom day Celebrations'. Thank you to Table Mountain Ariel Cable Way [http://www.TableMountain.net] for sponsoring everyone's tickets up the mountain. You are truly a friend of Tibet!(2m)- by John Bowe - TransMedia
Build up events to Freedom Day:
'Beauty without creulty rally for Tibet in Cape Town & Universal brotherhood' - ('Google Video/26m) HUMAN PRODUCTIONS "Owned by everybody"
'Tibet Uprising day in Cape Town, Tibetan Flag Raised in Spirit of Ubuntu' - ('Google Video/21m) HUMAN PRODUCTIONS "Owned by everybody"
EVENT FEEDBACK:
Described by some visitors as the "the most incredibly diverse, meticulously run, fantastically thought through and organised, broadest appeal, freeist event EVER!!! " (-Jo), this free day was an outstanding success, with a dynamic, non-stop flowing blend of inspiration, education and celebration from church leaders, musicians, human rights sympathisers and a diverse mix of the 'Rainbow Nation' from the Mother City from 9am-9pm.
A huge thank you goes out to all artists, delegates, poets, and the Waterfront for their unprecedented support for Peace and Freedom in Africa and Tibet! And to AUM, Cable Car Company, Monkey Valley, Sustainable Media and Ubuntu Wellness for their generous sponsorship. Your commitment and sense of flow enabled the spectacular!
In less than two months, Ubuntu Events, a beautiful child dedicated to World Freedom in the spirit of freedom, has been born with the lighting of the Ubuntu and Tibetan twin torches of Peace by Archbishop Tutu, Sonam Tenzin-la, His Holiness Dalai Lama's African Ambassador, Maasai Warrior Miyere Miyandazi and Dr. Maseko, head of the African Traditional Healers Organisation.
Let us nurture this innocent flame until a fire of peace is manifest for all beings on earth.
To underline the unanimous ubuntu support this event generated for the cause of Tibet, the Prime Minister of the TGIE, (Tibetan Government-in-Exile) Samdhong Rinpcohe,sent us the following personal message which arrived on the day:
"We are deeply touched and heartened to know that South African Friends of Tibet and Christian Friends of Tibet have organized this event today in support of Tibet and the Tibetan cause. We sincerely thank them for their efforts in organizing this event.We would like to thank all who have come here to show your concern and solidarity for the Tibetan cause. We are particularly very grateful to Archbishop Desmond Tutu for being a champion of Human Rights and for being good a friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and of the Tibetan people, and for coming to support us at this difficult period in our history.
We have received overwhelming support from Christian brothers and sisters in the wake of the atrocities being committed inside Tibe. We remain grateful for the solidarity and support received from the Christian community." (Full Message here)
The situation inside Tibet has not improved but is getting worse. We are deeply concerned by ongoing repressive actions such as brutal beatings, torture, killings and deprivation of essential foods and drinking water in some monasteries. We fear such repressive action may continue for more months to come.
The PRC leadership not only refuses to find out the root cause of unrest in Tibet but further tests the Tibetan people's tolerance by enforcing "Patriotic re-education campaigns" in monasteries and gearing up anti-Dalai Lama campaigns. This hurts the sentiments of the Tibetan people most. The PRC is also systematically trying to create a rift between the Tibetans and the Chinese people. This is being done by a huge propaganda campaign to fan nationalism and hatred of the "Dalai clique" amongst the Chinese people. We, therefore, urgently appeal to the international community to take effective and immediate actions to prevent the PRC from indulging in such brutal acts against the Tibetan people and to stop their policy of systematic cultural genocide in Tibet.
Lastly, we once again thank all of you for your steadfast support to the Tibetan cause and may we hope to expect your continued support in future also. Thank you!"
Message From Ven. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
(To be read on the occasion of the lighting of the Tibetan Freedom Torch by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, on April 27th, 2008, in Cape Town.)
Other notable successes from this event include:
* Hugely succesful first Ubuntu Tibet event ever. Free for all on Freedom Day!
* Personal thanks to SAFT and Archbishop Tutu from TGIE Prime Minister
* Commitment by Mayor Helen Zille to ensure this impressive event is "annual and sustainable."Corporate
* Many leading Churches, NGO's and Faith Groups pledging and signing support for Tibet,
* Including St. Georges Cathedral being inspired into directly carrying on this excellent work of Ubuntu Support for Tibet
* 17 million South Africans represented already through powerful statements and pledges
* 1800 students signing the Ubuntu Pledge at College for Tibet at the 8th May Human Rights Day 2008
* New Books and key VIP projects underway via the Ubuntu Network, including:
- Biography of Maasai Warrior Miyere
- Tibetan-African Herbal Medicine Project in preparation by Dr. Maseko, head of THO (Traditional Healers Organisation)
* Professional Event DVD to be released by June
* International Coverage and syndication through international news networks Reuters, official Tibet Web-sites and blogs
* National Coverage on multiple platforms including:
Print: Argus, Cape Times, Die Burger
Radio: SAFM, Lotus, Cape Talk, 702, Voice of the Cape
Television: E-TV, SABC 1, Spirit Sunday: Community
Internet: check Ubuntu Tibet or Tibetan Olympics or Tutu Tibet cn www.google.co.za
For all these media links please visit here
Please join us by signing your contact details to be contacted for forthcoming events for Peace in Tibet through Peace in our interconnected World.
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Join the South African Friends of Tibet in Cape Town on Freedom Day (Sunday 27th April 2008) for an exciting programme of events in support of the people of Tibet.
We will begin with a meditation on the mountain, followed by a CEREMONY at St George’s Cathedral at 11.30am followed by a PEACE WALK TO GREENPOINT. Finally at the WATERFRONT AMPHITHEATRE you will be able to experience a free PEACE CONCERT in support of Tibet where Top SA musicians including Embo Khonexxion, Ubuntu Crew, AmaAmbush, a Tibet Photo Exhibition, a short meditation, inspirational talks, VJ and MORE all happenning from 2 - 8 pm.
Join us at 3pm as Archbishop Desmond Tutu ilghts the Tibetan Olympics Peace Torch.
Entrance is free and all are welcome.
On South African Freedom Day, we are holding the Ubuntu Peace Festival to remember those in the world who are still denied basic freedoms.
In Tibet the basic human rights of freedom of expression and self-determination are denied. The Chinese Government does not allow freedom of religious practice. Tibetan culture, language and traditions are fading away as they are assimilated by the increasing number of Chinese being migrated into Tibet.
It is time for us in South Africa to visibly and audibly support this struggle, in the same spirit of concern in which so many voiced their objection to the injustices in our country during the Apartheid era.
“Ubuntu Nagabantu Ngumuntu” [I am because you are, you are because we are], recognises that we are all one people and we must stand united as such.
For more information contact saftibet@worldonline.co.za
* Click here for Press Release
* Click here for Programme Schedule (subject to change)
THE EVENT
1: Ceremony on TABLE MOUNTAIN
– 30 free tickets up the mountain (contact us to get yours)
8h00 Table Mountain Preparation and cable car arrangements
9h00 Tibetan-inspired Sound Journey
9h30 Meditation starts
10h00 Meditation ends
Past Events and warm up events for Ubuntu Tibet Freedom Festival:
Please fill in your email address and we will send you details of news and events for the Tibetan cause
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