Johannesburg, South Africa—More than 120 dignitaries attended a gala dinner held to honor 26 new UPF Ambassadors for Peace.
The event took place under the theme “The Role of Government and Ambassadors for Peace in Creating Peace in the Communities.”
Religious leaders, members of local government, legal and other academic professions, and Ambassadors for Peace were among those who came together to acknowledge the community service rendered by the new Ambassadors for Peace.
The event was sponsored by the S.B. Radebe Foundation, which is led by Dr. S.B. Radebe, the president of UPF of South Africa. It was held on December 2, 2016, in the African Centre for Excellence, which is located in the Marshalltown suburb of Johannesburg.
In addition, the Motsepe Foundation supported interfaith dialogue in 2016.
Another purpose of the event was to receive a number of religious leaders with interest in working with UPF to create peace in the communities.
Professor J.S. Maseko, the secretary general of UPF-South Africa, showed a short video about the chapter’s goals and plans since the inauguration of its officers in December 2015 in Johannesburg’s Standard Bank Arena. As the guests enjoyed their meal, Professor Maseko welcomed everyone, especially the twelve bishops for their willingness to work with UPF in their churches and in the community to create peace.
Rev. Robert Williamson, a special envoy to UPF-South Africa, was the keynote speaker. He briefly introduced the mission and vision of UPF International through a video titled “Introduction to the Universal Peace Federation.” He described members of the audience as friends working together with UPF to create peace and encouraged the current and the new Ambassadors for Peace to participate in UPF activities and become agents of peace through community engagement.
UPF President Dr. Radebe expressed his thanks to Rev. Williamson for his keynote address and further encouraged new Ambassadors for Peace, where possible, to work together in resolving societal problems.
Rev. Williamson and Dr. Radebe presented Ambassador for Peace certificates to the following individuals:
- Archbishop Mshengu Muzi Tshabalala
- Mamoruti Florence Tshabalala
- Pastor Mdluli
- Rev. Thula Batyi
- Mr. Jabulani Desmond Mbelu, deputy director of correctional service
- Nokukhanay Mbely
- Mrs. Olive Mazibuko
- Rev. Delani Mazibuko
- Rev. Phillipine Moleboheng Modupe
- Mrs. Debbie Raphuti, member of Parliament
- Archbishop K.K. Tshoma
- Archbishop C.J. Mashioloane
- Archbishop M.A. Seopa
- Archbishop S.A. Mashinini
- Archbishop F.M. Thwala
- Archbishop K. Thambe
- Rev. K.M. Aphane
- Pastor Sammy Abiodun Adekoya
- Pastor Nadime Genevieve Adekoya
- Dr. Moshe Swartz
- Advocate Lindelwa Mbanjwa
- Mr. Jacque Grobbelaar
Each new Ambassador for Peace was given a copy of As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen, the autobiography of UPF Founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon.
The last part of the event was an individual photo taken by a professional photographer with each new Ambassador for Peace holding his or her certificate.
The text on the Ambassador for Peace certificate, which is signed by UPF Co-Founders Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, reads:
“The Universal Peace Federation acknowledges as Ambassadors for Peace those individuals whose lives exemplify the ideal of living for the sake of others, and who dedicate themselves to practices which promote universal moral values, strong family life, interreligious cooperation, international harmony, renewal of the United Nations, a responsible public media, and the establishment of a culture of peace. Transcending racial, national and religious barriers, the Ambassadors for Peace contribute to the fulfillment of peace. Transcending racial, national and religious barriers, the Ambassadors for Peace contribute to the fulfillment of the hope of all ages, a unified world of peace wherein the spiritual and material dimensions of life are harmonized.”