WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Outgoing South African High Commissioner Thanduyise Henry Chiliza (right) and wife Rose are curious to see what gift Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner Dennis Francis has presented them with. Francis hosted a farewell reception for the Chilizas at Hill Road, Norbrook.Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
The life of a diplomat is a good life to live.
Sure, there's the constant lookout for opportunities to forge new relationships between your home country and the country you are stationed in. This often requires much travel and long hours. But it also gives the opportunity to meet, get acquainted with, and form friendships with some wonderful people. And the parties and soirees aren't bad either.
Alas, after about three or four years though, it's time to pack up and head off to another posting. Such is the dilemma that has fallen on South African High Commissioner Thanduyise Henry Chiliza. His tour of duty has ended in the Caribbean and he goes back to Africa to head his country's mission in Uganda.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Dennis Francis, who is also High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago, held a reception to honour Chiliza and his wife Rosalina on Monday. Word is the reception was planned for December of '05 but Chiliza, who represented South Africa across various Caribbean islands wanted to save his Jamaican farewell for last.
High Commissioner Francis thanked Chiliza for "sharing South Africa" with them and helping to develop a strong Diplomatic Corps. And this being a special function, Francis brought out the real 'hot shop roti' which guests thoroughly enjoyed.
Guests included German Ambassador Volker Schlegel and wife Gabriella; Drs. Laura and Dhiru Tanna, Noel and Jacqueline DaCosta, Nigerian High Commissioner Modupe Akintola, Canadian High Commissioner Claudio Valle, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Zhenyu and wife Wang Xiaoju, St. Kitts and Nevis' Cedric Harper and wife Barbara, Indian High Commissioner Kailash Agrawal, French Ambassador Francis Hurtut, Head of the EU Delegation Gerd Jarchow and wife Mara, Ambassador Raymond Wolfe, Ambassador Douglas Saunders and Angela Robertson, Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva, Colombian Ambassador Dr. Kent Francis and wife Cecilia, and Madai Hernandez.
