Turkish institute brings Turkey, South Africa closer

By Gokhan Kavak

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - A Turkish cultural institute has become a bridge between Turkey and South Africa through its cultural activities in Johannesburg, according to the head of the center in the city.

Gokhan Kahraman, the head of the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) in South Africa, told Anadolu Agency that the center introduces Turkish culture in the country through cultural and artistic activities, including Turkish arts of marbling as well as calligraphy.

A total of 161 South Africans also participated in Turkish language courses at the institution, Kahraman said.

“Our institution promotes our culture via courses, exhibitions, panels, and concerts. We have 15 cultural centers, most of them in North and East Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, we operate only in South Africa’s Johannesburg, besides Sudan and Ethiopia,” Kahraman added.

Kahraman said the successful participants of the language course were also sent to Turkey for summer schools: “We sent a total of 12 students to Turkey last semester and this semester.”

“In this way, they both improve their Turkish by practicing and learn Turkish culture as well as meet with students coming from other countries,” he added.

- Abu Bakr Effendi Library

Kahraman said that Johannesburg also hosts first Turkish library in sub-Saharan Africa.

“The Abu Bakr Effendi Library is among the largest libraries in sub-Saharan Africa,” Kahraman said.

The library is named after Abu Bakr Effendi, the first Turkish teacher in South Africa.

Effendi was sent to South Africa in 1863 by Ottoman Sultan and Caliph Abdulaziz to assist and teach the Muslim community of the Cape region. He launched the first educational activities in the Cape and Turkey’s historical ties to South Africa date back to that time.

Kahraman also said the institution was also increasing cooperation with leading universities in South Africa to open a Turcology department.

“In addition, we carry out joint projects with local NGOs in the field of culture and arts as well as education,” he added.

According to Kahraman, Turkey has become an attraction center in South Africa.

“Turkish scholarships, works of institutions such as YEE, TIKA [Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency] and Maarif Foundation have provided a significant contribution to the promotion of Turkey,” he added.

Kahraman said that the YEE was planning to open new cultural centers in Cape Town and Pretoria in South Africa.

Since its establishment in 2009, the Yunus Emre Institute has taught Turkish to more than 99,000 people in 45 countries.

Named after the influential poet Yunus Emre, the institute now has nearly 50 cultural centers around the world offering artistic, social and scientific programs.