CAPE TOWN – The French Ambassador to South Africa has pledged continued support for the Alliance Française de Mitchells Plain following a high-profile visit to the community cultural centre.
His Excellency Ambassador David Martinon visited the French Language and Cultural Centre accompanied by a distinguished delegation including Jean Spiri of the Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud, French Consul-General Ms Sophie Bel, and Corentin Ducroquet, Cultural and Audiovisual Officer.
Community engagement highlights visit
During his tour, Ambassador Martinon engaged with various tenant organisations, including FAMSA (family and relationship counselling), the Children’s Resource Centre, and the Blaqpearl Foundation, which empowers youth through training and events focused on identity, self-worth, and transformation.
The visit emphasised the Alliance’s role as a hub for community upliftment and cultural exchange in the heart of Mitchells Plain.
New board outlines ambitious plans
Following the tour, the Ambassador met with the newly appointed Board of the Alliance Française de Mitchells Plain. Board members outlined their expertise in finance, law, communications, administration, and institutional memory — skills aimed at strengthening the organisation’s trajectory towards French Excellence.
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The board shared future plans to expand community projects, deepen collaborations with schools and artists, and enhance youth engagement opportunities, whilst inviting the Embassy’s participation in these initiatives.
Board President Dr Alicia English highlighted the Alliance’s strategic vision, whilst Cultural Coordinator Janine Overmeyer presented upcoming events including French film screenings, Love Jam sessions showcasing local artists, and the annual Jour de la Francophonie in March. Plans to expand French language classes were also announced.
Embassy pledges ongoing support
Ambassador Martinon expressed satisfaction at the Centre’s renewed leadership and pledged the Embassy’s continued support for future development. Jean Spiri added that several organisations within the French network are eager to collaborate with the Alliance Française de Mitchells Plain, reinforcing its role as a bridge between South Africa and the Francophone world.The Alliance Française de Mitchells Plain boasts a proud 39-year history, having grown from its beginnings in the Town Centre in the mid-1980s to its current home in Wall Street, Portland. Today, it serves as a beacon of creativity, multilingualism, and international friendship.
For information on activities, cultural events, and French classes, contact Cultural Coordinator Janine Overmeyer on 084 678 2524.
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