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Dimitri Tsafendas: The Greek man who killed the architect of Apartheid

Dimitri Tsafendas was a Greek-Mozambican sailor and civil servant who went down in history for assassinating the Prime Minister of South Africa, Hendrik Verwoerd, the so-called “architect of Apartheid.”

To mark the occasion of his birth on this day in 1919, we take a look at the events leading up to the assassination.

Early Life:

Dimitri Tsafendas was born on January 14, 1919, in Lourenco Marques (modern-day Maputo), Mozambique, then a Portuguese colony. 

His father was a Cretan sailor who worked as a marine engineer, while his mother was the Mozambican, Amelia Williams.

Dimitris Tsafendas was a Greek-Mozambican sailor and civil servant.

At the age of three, Dimitri was sent to live with his grandmother and aunt in the Greek community of Alexandria, Egypt.

He later lived with adoptive parents and attended a Catholic school, where he was confronted with the racist comments of his classmates because of the dark color of his skin.

Later Years:

Tsafendas was treated the same way in South Africa, although the authorities classified him as a white person based on the racial discrimination prevailing in the country at the time. 

In the mid-1930s, he was an active member of the Communist Party of South Africa. At the same time, he boarded ships and travelled around the world. In fact, between 1947 and 1949, he lived in Greece. 

Tsafendas was very smart and managed to learn eight languages. He was then diagnosed with the first symptoms of schizophrenia and had to be admitted to various psychiatric clinics for treatment.

Assassination of the South African Prime Minister:

In 1966, Tsafendas returned to South Africa and after doing various occasional jobs, on August 1 he was hired as a messenger to the country’s parliament, based in Cape Town. 

A month later, he made headlines around the world when he assassinated the South African Prime Minister in parliament. 

At noon on September 6, 65-year-old Hendrik Verwoerd entered the parliament’s session hall and headed to the Prime Minister’s office. Tsafendas then rushed at him and stabbed him four times in the chest, leaving him breathless.

Tsafendas was immediately arrested by rushing deputies and handed over to the police. He told police that he had killed Verwoerd because he was “disgusted with his racist policies.”

As it was later revealed, Tsafendas was outraged by the authorities because a few days before the murder, they had rejected his request to be transferred to the “colored” category in order to talk to his girlfriend, who belonged to the same racial category. 

In the trial that followed, he was judged ‘not guilty’ by the court because of the schizophrenia from which he suffered, and he was sentenced to indefinite detention in a psychiatric hospital.

After the collapse of the racial discrimination regime in 1994, Tsafendaswas admitted to a psychiatric clinic in Johannesburg, where he died on October 7, 1999, at the age of 81. 

He was buried in the style of the Orthodox Church in an unknown location.

Source: San Simera.

SA’s Gr2021 announce art prize and culinary experience for bicentenary celebrations

South Australia’s Gr2021, which was launched by the Foundation for Hellenic Studies in October 2020, have announced a number of exciting events as part of celebrations to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the Greek War of Independence.

The events include:

A long lunch with a Greek twist:

The Foundation for Hellenic Studies has organised a series of lunches inspired by Cheong Liew’s culinary beginnings at ‘The Iliad’ in Adelaide in the 1970s.

The lunch events, which will be held at George’s on Waymouth from 12.30pm and are limited to only 30 tickets each, are planned for: February 21 (already fully booked), February 28 (limited tickets available) and March 7 (subject to demand).

READ MORE: South Australia launches ‘Gr2021’ to commemorate Greek War of Independence bicentennial.

George Kasimatis of George’s on Waymouth says he’s very excited to welcome Cheong into his kitchen.

The Foundation for Hellenic Studies has organised a series of lunches inspired by Cheong Liew’s culinary beginnings at ‘The Iliad’ in Adelaide in the 1970s.

“I’ve always admired Cheong for his warmth, talent, hospitality and mastery at bringing cultures and flavours together. Having worked with Cheong at ‘The Grange,’ it will be my honour to host him for the ‘Cheong Does Greek’ long lunches with a Greek twist,” Mr Kasimatis says.

Trustee for the Foundation for Hellenic Studies, Harry Patsouris, adds that this event is one of several to be held in 2021 to highlight the significance of the bicentenary.

“Food brings people together and we are honoured to have one of the founding fathers of contemporary Australian cuisine – whose passion for cooking was established in a Greek kitchen – present a modern twist to Greek cuisine,” Mr Patsouris says.

The all-inclusive lunches are $550 a head, with net proceeds going to support education and cultural initiatives of the Foundation for Hellenic Studies.

‘By George!’ Biennial Art Prize:

The ‘By George’ is an $11,000 biennial Art Prize also launched this year by the Foundation for Hellenic Studies to commemorate the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution.

This year’s prize theme is ‘Independence: What is it good for?’ as a means of encouraging discussion about independence and revolution, its effect on humanity and the sacrifices made for it through the years.

Australian artists aged 16 years old and over are invited to submit an artwork by October 1, 2021, with prize winners to be announced at the opening of the public exhibition of selected pieces on October 28, 2021.

All submissions will be exhibited online from October 21 and selected pieces will be exhibited until November 26 in the St George College Art Gallery at 104 Henley Beach Road, Mile End, South Australia.

For the ‘Judges Choice’ section, first prize will win $5,000, second prize – $3,000 and third prize – $1,000.

A Democratic (People’s) Choice Award will also be awarded and the winner will received $2,000. Public voting for the category will be conducted online from October 21 and the winner will be announced on the exhibition opening night.

Entry forms are available from here or they can be completed online here.

Greek university reform bill calls for more police on campus, better quality education

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Greek Education Minister, Niki Kerameus, and Citizens’ Protection Minister, Michalis Chrysochoidis, on Wednesday presented an ambitious bill that aims to improve the quality of tertiary education and eradicate rampant lawlessness in university campuses.

The bill introduces a minimum university entry requirement and maximum duration periods for degree programs.

“The bill introduces changes that aim to deal with chronic shortcomings,” Ms Kerameus said.

Greek Education Minister, Niki Kerameus (left), and Citizens’ Protection Minister, Michalis Chrysochoidis (right), aim to reform university education with their new bill.

The draft legislation also foresees the creation of a special team tasked with securing the country’s university campuses.

A total of 1,000 guards, who will not be armed, are to be hired for that purpose, the bill stipulates. They will have policing responsibilities and answer to the Hellenic Police (ELAS).

Mr Chrysochoidis said the new measures were necessary to protect students, staff and facilities “from the violent activity of certain groups,” a reference to self-styled anarchists, looters and squatters.

“We are putting forward a comprehensive plan for the protection and security of university institutions,” he said.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Greek and Australian candidates considered strong contenders for OECD post

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Mathias Cormann and Anna Diamantopoulou have emerged as strong contenders to lead the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) after a cull of candidates, according to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald.

The position of Secretary-General of the OECD has been highly sought after but according to sources from the organisation, who spoke with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, the “10 candidates vying for the job were recently placed into three groups based on soundings from the OECD’s 38 member countries.”

Mr Cormann, a Liberal Party powerbroker and Australia’s longest-serving finance minister, was listed in the first group with the strongest level of support.

This was closely followed by Greek candidate, Ms Diamantopoulou, in the next group with “good” support. Other candidates in this group include Canada, the United States, Denmark and Estonia.

Candidates from the Czech Republic and Poland had the lowest support and have withdrawn from the race.

Mathias Cormann:

Former finance minister Mathias Cormann. Source:News Corp Australia.

News that Mr Cormann is a front-runner for the position is surprising as many observers thought the Coalition’s record on climate change would make him an unpopular choice to lead the OECD.

Just last year in November, the former Finance Minister faced criticism in Australia for clocking up more than 20,000 kilometres on a taxpayer-funded Royal Australian Air Force plane to help push his campaign to become General-Secretary of the OECD.

READ MORE: RAAF jet flying Mathias Cormann around Europe as he campaigns for OECD job.

But it seems Mr Cormann’s vision for the OECD is still resonating and that the strategy of lobbying member countries in person paid off, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Mr Cormann, who is fluent in English, German, French and Flemish, is pitching himself as a connection between Europe’s traditional economies and the Asia-Pacific markets.

Anna Diamantopoulou:

Anna Diamantopoulou of Greece is running to be the OECD’s next Secretary-General. Photo: Robert Bosch Academy.

Ms Diamantopoulou’s strong contention for General-Secretary of the OECD is welcome news as she is one of only three women running for the role. This includes President Kersti Kaljulaid of Estonia and Cecilia Malmstrom of Sweden.

A civil engineer by training, Ms Diamantopoulou started her political career when she was only 25 after she was appointed Governor of the Region of Kastoria in northern Greece, the youngest person in Greece’s history to occupy this position.

She has also held the position of European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, as well as Greece’s Education Minister.

With this career background, it’s no surprise then that Ms Diamantopoulou’s top priorities for the OECD are digital transformation, climate change and labour market challenges.

“After the pandemic, OECD has to play a very important role and at global and international levels. It has to promote its services and standards to more parts of the globe,” the former EU Commissioner said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Were she to be elected, she continued during the interview, she would advocate more strongly on the OECD’s programs and guidelines, particularly for anti-bribery, investments, and state-owned companies.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald.

History made as Donald Trump is impeached for a second time

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The House of Representatives has voted 232 to 197 to impeach US President Donald Trump for inciting an insurrection against the US government. 

He is the first President in US history to be impeached twice. 

Most Republicans in the House opposed the Democrats’ resolution, but at least half a dozen had stated their intention before the vote to break ranks to support it.

Ten Republicans ended up voting in favour impeachment.

READ MORE: Greek leaders condemn Capitol Hill violence.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a speech before the vote, said: “He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the nation we all love.”

READ MORE: Trump supporters storm US Capitol, lawmakers evacuated.

Republican Senate Leader, Mitch McConnell, announced before the House vote that a Senate trial would not be held until after Democrat Joe Biden’s inauguration, meaning Trump will serve out the remainder of his term.

Donald Trump was last impeached in December 2019 on two articles — an abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — but was acquitted by the Senate voting along party lines.

Trump ‘unequivocally’ condemns violence, no mention of impeachment:

In a video released via Twitter on a government account belonging to the White House, Mr Trump addressed the nation but did not mention impeachment.

Instead, he focused his remarks on the violence at the Capitol and threats of future violence at Mr Biden’s inauguration next week.

“I want to be very clear, I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week,” he said.

“Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our movement.”

Source: ABC News.

Joint military exercises underway between Greece, US and Cyprus near Crete

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Special forces from Greece, Cyprus and the United States are holding a joint military exercise in the sea area off the naval base at Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete, state-run Athens-Macedonia news agency (ANA-MPA) reports.

According to the same report, the trilateral drill was planned by the Hellenic Defense General Staff (GEETHA) to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the forces.

READ MORE: Pompeo to Turkey: Immediately reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In 2020, the three countries forged much closer ties than every before, as Mediterranean tensions were at an all-time high due to continuous Turkish incursions into the territorial waters of both Greece and Cyprus.

U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, left, and Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, touch elbows during their meeting in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Monday, September 28, 2020. Photo: AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos, Pool.

A meeting between US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, in September last year, reaffirmed these stronger bilateral relations and a mutual desire to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

“The United States and Greece reiterated their dedication to enhancing their close cooperation as NATO allies, using all appropriate means at their disposal in order to safeguard stability and security in the wider region,” the two countries said in a joint statement after the meeting.

READ MORE: Pompeo pledges US support to ease Greece-Turkey dispute.

Greek Australian boxing star Terry Nickolas eyeing international career

Humble, focused and ambitious are the three words that best describe Greek Australian boxer Terry Nickolas. 

After a successful professional boxing debut last month in Canberra, the Adelaidian who has an impressive Commonwealth Games campaign under his belt, caught up with The Greek Herald and talked about his heritage, his relationship with world rated George Kambosos and his plans for the future.

A great professional debut 

“The fight in Canberra was a positive start to my professional career. I won the fight in the first 30 seconds. My team and I have been waiting all year for this and we finally had this chance,” says the 27-year-old boxer.

But this win didn’t come without hard work behind the scenes, in a challenging year that has impacted sports events and professional athletes globally.

“Due to the pandemic most of the shows were put on standby last year but we’ve been working hard in the gym and we are looking forward to going back in the rink and continue that journey,” Nickolas says as he focuses on the life lessons he carries with him to the next chapter of his career.

“When times get tough, we, boxers, are taught to never give up, to stay strong mentally and physically and to stay positive. If I had given up this year I wouldn’t be where I am now.

“My goal is to be the best boxer I can be.”

Drawing inspiration from his heritage

Boxing is undoubtedly a tough sport as it requires not only endurance and strength but also nerve and the ability to overcome fear.

What is Terry’s kryptonite and what runs in his mind before every fight?

“What my grandparents went through when they left Greece and the struggles they’ve been through in Australia to create a better life for us, is what motivates me. I always think about that. 

“Hopefully I will soon be able to go back to the roots and have a fight over there,” he says.

His relationship with George Kambosos

Last year, Nickolas relocated to Sydney after penning a long-term promotional deal with Kambosos’ business venture, Ferocious Promotions, including a managerial deal with George’s father, Jim Kambosos.

And he hasn’t looked back.

“I look up to George and admire him for putting Australia and Greek Australians on the map of the sport. He’s an incredible athlete. 

“To train with and be around him is a privilege. This year especially, I am very lucky to have been side by side with him,” Terry says as he’s now preparing to… make some noise in the Australian boxing scene before he sets off to achieve a bigger dream.

“When I give a few fights in Australia the goal is to follow in George’s footsteps and get into America, into the US boxing scene. 

“That’s the goal and I’m sure we’ll get there with the right team behind me. I hope one day to fight for a World title as well.”

We will be here to watch this fight. Best of luck Terry! 

READ MORE: IBF officially orders lightweight champion to face George Kambosos Jr

On this day, we remember Greek poet Kostis Palamas

Greek poet Kostis Palamas was one of the most important intellectual figures of modern Hellenism, becoming a central figure in the ‘literary generation of 1880’.

Kostis Palamas was born in Patras on January 13, 1859, and came from an old Missolonghi family. At the age of seven he was orphaned by his father and mother and went to live in Missolonghi with his uncle Dimitrios Palamas.

While he initially enrolled in Law School, it didn’t take him long to realise that his passion laid with poetry, devoting himself to the art of speech.

In 1886 he published his first collection of poems entitled Songs of My Homeland. In this collection, Palamas speaks through words of youth, giving audiences the thoughts of sensitivity. Palamas, together with Drosinis and other poets, used the vernacular method of poetry writing, contrast to the romantic puritanical poets published at the time.

On December 27, 1887 he married Maria Valvi, a descendant of a political family of Messolonghi, with whom he had three children; Leandros, Nafsika and Alkis.

In 1904, Palamas published the poetic collection Asalefti Zoi, which at the time was a proper illustration of the poets newfound maturity, expressing pure emotion that was tightly tied to the contemplation and the sharpness of the verse. Following this collection, he released ‘The Poor of the Lagoon’, ‘State and Loneliness’, ‘The Altar’ and the two epic compositions of ‘The Twelve Gypsies’ (1907) and ‘The King’s Flute’ (1910).

These poetic works elevated him to the top of Greece’s poetry writers, signalling his accomplishments as one of the era’s greatest writers.

In 1926 he joined the Academy of Athens as a member, becoming president in 1930. Four years later he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, with his fame stretching past the borders of Greece.

Kostis Palamas died on February 27, 1943, and is recognised to this day as being a source of pure universal idealism.

Sourced By: San Simera

‘Join us in person or by Zoom’: Greek Community of Melbourne to hold AGM on January 28

The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GCM) recently announced that they will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 28 January 2021 at 6.30pm.

The meeting will be held at the Mezzanine Level of The Greek Centre, 168 Lonsdale Street Melbourne. The physical space will be accessible to a limited number of members in compliance with current Covid 19 restrictions and will also be accessible via a ‘virtual’ Zoom link.

GCM President Bill Papastergiadis OAM said that while the events of 2020 led to great challenges faced by the Greek Australian population of Melbourne, “it was still a year of some achievement that should be noted.”

“As such in the face of the debilitating pandemic, the GCM still managed to achieve much and for this I commend our staff, volunteers and ordinary members for their tenacity, imagination and persistence.”

In amongst other activity, the GCM:

  • Managed to continue their education programs and achieved an outstanding VCE result with more than 56% of their Modern Greek VCE students securing a score over 34+ and more than 40% of their classical Greek Students securing a score of 42+
  • In association with a broad coalition of community groups secured Modern Greek in the face of its removal from the La Trobe University’s curriculum
  • Continued to hold and stream to a wide audience the Language and Culture Seminars
  • Ran a successful Covid-19 referral service

“Despite the chaos it is comforting to see that our bankers, accountants and auditors are all more than content with our management practices and the Community’s asset register remains strong,” Bill Papastergiadis added.

Pre-booking: https://bit.ly/3bDgdrl
Zoom booking: https://bit.ly/3qett9V


George Georgiadis welcomes government decision to make SA the ‘spirits capital of Australia’

SA Spirit Producers Association president George Georgiadis has welcomed a new cash injection of up to $50,000 from South Australia’s state government, leaving opportunity for the state to grow into the “spirits capital of Australia”.

Speaking to The Advertiser, Georgiadis said there were about 1000 people employed across the state’s 50 distilleries, including many that had grown from “extremely small” to medium-sized enterprises in just a few years.

“We’re expecting that really rapid growth to continue, both in terms of the number of distilleries in the state and also in terms of the volume that each of those individual businesses is doing,” Mr Georgiadis said.

“Having the support of the Government to … get the right people involved to quantify and analyse the hurdles and opportunities for a young industry is really valuable.”

Never Never Distilling Company co-founders Sean Baxter and George Georgiadis. Picture: Tricia Watkinson/The Advertiser

Despite the state governments best efforts to promote Australia’s distilleries to a global audience, regulation and federal excises, Mr Georgiadis said, are among distilleries’ biggest hurdles.

In 2019-20, Australia’s spirit manufacturing industry generated $2.1bn in revenue and $306m in exports. SA accounts for about 12 per cent of spirits manufacturing businesses.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Primary Industries Minister David Basham said the government has been working closely with South Australian spirit producers, with the “logical next step” being to formulate what challenges and opportunities lie ahead.

Basham said South Australia’s progression into the “spirits capital of Australia” would boost investment across the regions.