Goodbye Syria

Reneva Fourie will leave Syria and be remembered.

She will be remembered for her noble stands, her unfailing sense of justice but most of all for her love for Syrians and Syria.

Having spent four years in Syria she devoted her time getting acquainted with beliefs, habits and culture. She delved deep into Syrian history, economy and lifestyle and she reflected her thoughts in essays, articles and in discussions.

Though Reneva will be in South Africa from now on her relation with Syria will continue to flourish .Good luck Reneva and awaiting more articles from you to be posted in Syriatimes.

Following is Reneva’s farewell letter to Syria(hoping more of a goodbye than a farewell) posted on Syriatimes – Al Wahda Establishment for Press and Publication

The time has come for us to bid farewell to Syria. This is a near-impossible thing to do.

I am in denial, clinging to a false dream of a borderless society, where ‘nationality’ is a title assigned to us for the sake of practicality. This is because I feel Syrian regardless of my place of birth. Packing feels like the usual exercise undertaken when travelling abroad, in the belief that I will return to my home in Damascus.

This sense of belonging can only be attributed to the characteristics of the people of Syria. Barry and I were enveloped with such warmth and kindness. Every effort was made to ensure that we felt welcome and accepted. This environment of acceptance was created by the government of Syria as well as by its people.

The exuberant Syrian hospitality enfolded us from the onset of our arrival on 31 October 2019. Our reception at the border by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set the tone for the beauty ahead. And the allure was echoed by the local staff of the South African Embassy in Syria.

Beauty is undoubtedly something that Syria has in abundance. I remember being mesmerised by the exquisiteness of Damascus as we entered the city in the early evening. I had not expected to see so much greenery, well-structured roads, beautiful buildings, and an effective public administration system. Four years later, I remain captivated by the charm of Syrian architecture, the depth of history, and the richness of culture.

Then, there is the cuisine – and the volumes thereof. The prestigious Dama Rose Hotel was our home for the first few days of our arrival. We ordered a starter and a mixed grill main course on our first night. Accustomed to tiny starters of one dish each, we were pleasantly overwhelmed to be served an assortment of dishes that filled the table, along with freshly baked round bread. Because the main course was equally substantial, we did not order dessert. But, in Syria, when it comes to food, the host dictates. Fruits and cakes were added to the table despite our protests. I leave Syria ten kilograms heavier than when I arrived.

Syria also added another dimension to my writing. And for that, I have Syriatimes to thank. In the past, my writing primarily comprised policies for governments on issues of governance, development and security. The injustice imposed by Western imperialism on the people of Syria, whether through unilateral coercive measures, sponsored terrorism, or the regular, unprovoked, flagrant missile attacks by the apartheid Israeli regime, evoked an indescribable anger. Writing was my outlet, and Syriatimes graciously provided me with a platform.

Syriatimes also promoted our work as the Diplomatic Club of Syria (DCOS). In my two terms as the President of the DCOS from 2020-2022, Syriatimes was always present. Likewise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs exceeded the call of duty, expeditiously processing our sometimes last-minute requests. The First Lady was always willing to receive us, and Mrs Moallemand Mrs Mekdad were reliable pillars of strength. Additionally, various other ministries became our close allies, including Social Development, Culture, and Education. The DCOS exposed me to how dynamic, hardworking and selfless the women of Syria are. They espoused a value system of impeccable integrity that I feel proud to emulate

There have been many who have made our stay in Syria a wonderful one. We formed a social club called ‘the Havana Club ‘with fellow diplomats. Some ‘arty’ friends gave us discounted access to exquisite paintings, traditional music and opera, and world-renowned sculptures (the perks of diplomatic life). Trade unions, political parties in the governing coalition, and media outlets, including Syriatimes, allowed me to share the views of the South African Communist Party and the International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties. These exchanges strengthened party-to-party relations between our countries.

Then there are the Syrian weddings – absolutely wow. I have never witnessed anything so spectacular. Syrians know how to put on a show. And Syrian women set extremely high standards for grooming and style. I’m most grateful to my hairdresser/makeup artist for ensuring I am not a total misfit.

No doubt, I leave Syria a much better person. In the past four years, I have witnessed unprecedented resilience, exceptional courage, phenomenal independence and steadfast determination. I have learnt to appreciate the moment and live life fully. In addition, I have completed a doctoral degree in governance and the management of intrastate conflict, a copy-editing course, and two commissioned biographies.

Thank you, Reem, and thank you, Syria, for everything. I bid farewell with a heavy heart and a hope for lasting friendships.

Reneva