Consulate General of Belgium in Cape Town

First Friday of August is internationally regarded as the International Beer Day.
Let's cheers to that!

Did you know: 1st of August is known as the International Fries Day! Enjoy!

Belgium actively supports the International Day against Human Trafficking, observed on July 30. As a signatory to the Blue Heart Campaign since 2019, Belgium reaffirms its commitment to combat human trafficking and provide victims with a better future. The Blue Heart symbolizes the desperation of trafficked individuals and serves as a reminder of the cruelty faced by those who buy and sell other human beings. Through awareness campaigns and collective efforts, Belgium aims to fight trafficking and ensure justice for victims. DDiplomatie.Belgium, UUNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and CrimeBBlue Heart Communities 💙

All the best! We are cheering them on!

Last Sunday we celebrated Belgian National Day and the farewell of our Consul General Mathias Bogaert and his family. We honored with the presence of Premier Alan Winde and Minister Deidre Baartman, Minister of Finance Western Cape Government, many members of the diplomatic corps as well as many Belgians and members of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce in South Africa. It was indeed an aus**cious occasion! Merci Mathias!

On 18 May Rainbow Nation - The documentary, a short documentary made by Belgians, Marieke Dermul and Ilse Schooneknaep, with support of Flanders Southern Africa and filmed in South Africa was screened on VRT Canvas. Now this documentary has been selected to participate at the RAW Film Festival in Cape Town. It was an honor to give you some guidance along the way and see this documentary come to live. Well done!

Goed nieuws! Onze docufilm ‘Rainbow Nation’ is geselecteerd voor het RAW filmfestival in Kaapstad ! ❤️ . Ook nog steeds te zien op VRT MAX. ❤️

Exciting event coming up: Cooking with Piet, 29 June .....Learn from a real Master Chef! Place is limited. Make sure to RSVP before 24 June.

As Belgium is preparing itself for the federal and European election this Sunday, 9th of June, all Belgian diplomatic posts held the elections yesterday between 1 and 7pm. The Belgian Consulate General in Cape Town welcomed hundreds of registered voters to the Residence in Newlands. Thank you to all who braved the dire weather to have their voice heard.

Today is UN World Bicycle Day!!! Belgium has a rich cycling culture. In celebration of our love for cycling and togetherness, several Belgians in Cape Town and fellow cycling enthusiasts, joined last Saturday on a BE Social mountain bike tour at Lourensford, Stellenbosch.
,

On Thursday, in the aftermath of the South African national and provincial elections, we were honored to visit the Western Cape Peace Room, one of the 5 centers of the Women’s Elections Mechanism for Peace (WEMP). We were truly impressed to see these women from various backgrounds work together in support of South-African democracy, capturing data and making reports for the promotion of accountability, future change, peace and inclusion.

Tomorrow are offices will be closed due the South African Elections. For emergencies please contact us on 073 772 45 59.

| 🇧🇪 Each week, we share the latest Belgian news.
1️⃣ Freshly graduated from ESA, the Belgian Raphaël Liégeois has just been chosen to participate in an upcoming space mission. 🔗https://focusonbelgium.be/en/international/belgian-raphael-liegeois-will-go-space-soon © Belga
2️⃣ Reigning world champion and 400m world record-holder, Belgium's Maxime Carabin retained his 400m crown (T52) at the World Para Athletics Championships 🔗 https://focusonbelgium.be/en/sport/para-athletics-400m-gold-medal-maxime-carabin © Paralympic Team Belgium
3️⃣ Astronomers from the University of Liège have made their mark with the discovery of an Earth-sized planet: Speculoos-3 b. 🔗 https://focusonbelgium.be/en/science/university-liege-discovers-new-earth-sized-planet-speculoos-3-b © Shutterstock
4️⃣ The Banquet, a painting by Belgian surrealist master René Magritte was sold for the equivalent of €16,7 million in New York, along with two other ones. 🔗 https://focusonbelgium.be/en/culture/three-magritte-paintings-sold-new-york © www.renemagritte.org
5️⃣ Researchers from Ghent University and diesel engine manufacturer Anglo Belgian Corporation have launched the first ever green methanol-fuelled tugboat in the port of Antwerp. 🔗 https://focusonbelgium.be/en/science/ghent-university-taking-lead-driving-shipping-industry-towards-greener-future © Pixabay

All registered voters should have received an information email concerning the elections on 5th of June last week. If not, please send us a mail [email protected]
Thank you!

Let's unite and join this BE Social mountainbike tour on Saturday 1 June at Lourensford. Further details in the flyer! See you there!

A grateful moment! Welcome to his Majesty, King of the Belgians to Namibia. We salute you.

UPDATE - Since last week, we have been on-site preparing the visit of His Majesty, the King of the Belgians to Namibia: Windhoek, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. The Belgian Advanced Team has representatives from the Royal Palace, the FPS Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Belgium in Pretoria and from the Consulate General of Belgium in Cape Town Attaché Lies Deneys and the Consul General Mathias Bogaert Bogaert. We discuss the programme and media, security and protocol related issues into detail before the visit. As the anticipation grows for tonight’s Royal arrival, have a look at some BEHIND THE SCENES footage and share in our enthusiasm.

🕊️ Celebrating International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 🌍

The Consulate General of Belgium in Cape Town invites you to celebrate the power of cooperation and shared values today!

🤝 What is Multilateralism?
It's about cooperation with all countries based on shared norms and values, fostering inclusion and solidarity.

🌐 UN: Multilateral Champion
From 51 members in 1945 to 193 today, the UN stands for peace, human rights, and international cooperation, as reflected in the UN Charter

🕊️ Background
Established in 1945 after WWII, the UN's mission remains peace and security through diplomacy and conflict prevention.

🎉 We're proud to support multilateralism and diplomacy for a peaceful world! Join us in recognizing this important day. 🌍✨

🍫 Did you know that in April Brussels will host the 2024 World Cocoa
Conference? Belgium is committed to making a
milestone in the ongoing efforts by the international community to
achieve sustainable cocoa, with fair prices throughout its value chain.
The WCC will be opened by HM the Queen in her capacity as an
advocate. Belgium will be represented by Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib and Minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez.

ℹ️ Read more: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/news/brusselsgetting-ready-host-2024-world-cocoa-conference
➡️ Registrations to attend the :
https://www.worldcocoaconference.org/registration

Consulate General of Belgium in Cape Town Presents: Wine Farm Adventure Trail by BESOCIAL at Almenkerk Wine Estate!

Join BESOCIAL this Saturday, April 20th, for a captivating journey through Almenkerk's vineyards. Experience the blend of adventure and fine wines.

🇧🇪 Happy Birthday to His Majesty, the King of Belgium! 🇧🇪

The Consulate General of Belgium in Cape Town extends their warmest birthday wishes to His Majesty.

Last year in March, we were honoured to welcome Their Majesties in Cape Town, further strengthening our rich Belgian bonds in the Cape region. Later this month, we will be doubly honoured by His Majesty’s Visit to Namibia. His Majesty and Belgium is visibly deeply committed to furthering our excellent relations with the whole region.

For now, we wish His Majesty a wonderful birthday!

🌙🕌 Eid Mubarak from the Consulate General of Belgium in Cape Town! 🌟✨

Wishing everyone a joyous and blessed Eid al-Fitr from the Consulate General to you and your loved ones! 🌙
May this special occasion be filled with love, peace, and happiness as we celebrate the end of Ramadan. 🕌✨ Sending warm wishes. Eid Mubarak!

🌍 Embracing Belgians Abroad 🌍

With 536,979 Belgians spanning the globe, our Belgian community thrives far and wide. Among them, approximately 1.45% have found their home in South Africa, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of our nation.

As the Consulate General of Belgium in Cape Town, we extend our warmest greetings to all Belgians living abroad. Your resilience, creativity, and spirit of adventure enrich our global identity, forging connections that transcend borders.

Wherever your journey may lead, know that you carry the essence of Belgium with you, fostering unity and camaraderie across continents.

Here's to the strength of our Belgian community, united in diversity across the world.