The Peace Run team felt very privilaged to have the opportunity to meet with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa.
Michon from the team looking after the torch just after we had arrived.
We met briefly with Pumzile Zuma. Here she is looking at a cake baked and iced by some of the Peace Runners for her brother Vusi who just turned 21!
Talking to Phumzile about our adventures on the Peace Run.
Stacey in good spirits just before the meeting with President Zuma.
President Zuma arrived and graciously shook hands with each of us and welcomed us to his presidential mansion.
We showed President Zuma some photos of our recent runs in
Cape Town, Lesotho, Johannesburg and Pretoria. He particularly liked the photos of the smiling children.
Such as this one.
Here the team presents President Zuma a flag signed by school children in South Africa with the words "We the children of South Africa pledge to work for peace and harmony in our beautiful country". He was very touched and inspired by their genuine aspiration for peace.
President Zuma shares a moment with Phumzile.
President Zuma makes a wish for peace and offers and inspiring message for peace to the Peace Runners and the world as follows:
"I would like to thank the Peace Runners for coming to my residence. I really have a very strong feeling about the work that you do. Working for peace in the world is one of the most important things that we all should be doing because we want to live in a peaceful world... You must know that some of us who can not be running with you are running with you in spirit...
Slowly but surely we could influence the world because it is a noble cause that we undertake.
And I really think back to my brother and friend Sri Chinmoy who was so committed to peace. So I really appreciate that you came. Thank you very much. "
The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run team with President Zuma from left:
Penny Nam (RSA), Phumzile Zuma (RSA), Michon de Villiers (RSA), Steve Polykarpou (Greece), Abhijatri Robinson (Zimbabwe/RSA), Aion Royden (Canada), Stacey Marsh (NZ), Clifford Kian (RSA), Mark Royden (Canada), Haryaksha Knauer (USA) (the photographers were Balarka Robinson (Zimbabwe/RSA) and Dhiraja McBryde (NZ))
What a great photo of the President and Phumzile.
Running out of the Presidential mansion
The Presidential guards love peace too!
