Pretoria - South African Ambassador to Washington DC, Welile Nhlapo, will on Tuesday represent South Africa at the inauguration ceremony of United States President-elect Barrack Obama.
This in line with the official communiqu, from the American authorities which has advised governments across the world that no invitations will be issued to foreign delegations to attend the inauguration ceremony.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, South Africa like all other countries will be represented at the inauguration ceremony at an ambassadorial level.
Mr Nhlapo, who heads up the Washington DC embassy, will represent President Kgalema Motlanthe, the government and people of South Africa at the ceremony.
The South African government reiterated President Motlanthe's congratulatory message to President-elect Barrack Obama following his historic victory.
"Your election to this high office of the American people carries with it hope for millions of your country men and women as much as it is for millions of people of particularly of the African descent both in the continent of Africa as well as those in the Diaspora.
"In this regard, they too, express the hope that your election to the Presidency of the United States of America will indeed contribute significantly to efforts in the continent of Africa to help bring about change they can believe in to create a better life for all," said President Motlanthe.
The South African President said the continent of Africa was proud of Mr Obama's achievement and could only but look forward to a fruitful working relationship with him at a bilateral and multilateral level.
Mr Motlanthe said South Africa and Africa hoped that poverty and under-development in Africa, which remains a challenge for humanity, will continue to receive greater attention from the new administration.
"South Africa looks forward to working with you in the consolidation of the strategic bilateral political, economic, trade and social relations between our two governments and peoples.
"We wish you a fruitful and healthy life during your tenure as President of United States of America," Mr Motlanthe said.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday an unprecedented coalition of organisations in South Africa, including the American Chamber of Commerce, the American Society, and Republicans and Democrats Abroad, will join together for "The African Celebration of the Inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as America's 44th President" at the Montecasino Ballroom.
These celebrations will commence at 5pm and will feature a welcoming address by Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs, followed by a live broadcast, direct from Washington, DC, of the official ceremonies.
In this telecast, once President Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden have taken their oaths of office, President Obama will give his Inaugural Address as America's new president.
Singer Aretha Franklin and poet Elizabeth Alexander will join in completing the Washington ceremonies.
The action then returns to Johannesburg where participants in the local celebration will enjoy dinner and entertainment by local favourite, the incomparable 'Bala Brothers'. Some of this country's most popular DJs will also help celebrate this historic day.
Tickets for the entire star-studded event are available for the public at R1000/person and can be reserved by contacting the Inaugural Committee (Attention: Errol Hanreck): Tel (011) 566-6394, Fax (011) 566-6657 or e-mail info@usinauguration.co.za
