Honorary Consul for South Africa Bassim Haidar shows UK Foreign Minister Lord Collins of Highbury the commemorative paper Frugal Bottle at the Westminster Abbey event
Frugalpac provided special commemorative paper wine bottles for an event at Westminster Abbey to mark the 30th anniversary of democratic elections in South Africa.
African entrepreneur Bassim Haidar, who was recently appointed as the new Honorary Consul for South Africa, commissioned Frugalpac to make commemorative bottles for a special luncheon in the grounds of the Abbey attended by the new South African Minister for International Relations Ronald Lamola MP.
More than 1500 attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, which was organised by the South African High Commissioner to the UK His Excellency Kingsley Mamabolo, Action for South Africa and Mr Haidar – who has been appointed as an Honorary Consul to strengthen trade links between the UK and South Africa.
The 50 commemorative paper bottles made for the Westminster Abbey event used the crest of the South African government and the national flag and were filled with wine from Journey’s End Vineyards and Interpunkt near Cape Town.
Amongst those attending the Thanksgiving Service and lunch included Minister Lamola, the UK’s first Black Cabinet Minister and former British High Commissioner to South Africa the Rt Hon Lord Boateng, HM Queen Nompumelelo Zulu, Honorary Consul for South Africa Avi Lasarow and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Minister Lord Collins of Highbury.
South Africa’s Minister for International Relations Ronald Lamola MP and South African High Commissioner to the UK His Excellency Kingsley Mamabolo
The South African High Commissioner and Mr Haidar visited Frugalpac’s HQ in Ipswich earlier this year to see the bottles being made and discover more about the company’s export plans.
Frugalpac CEO Malcolm Waugh, South African High Commissioner to the UK His Excellency Kingsley Mamabolo and Honorary Consul for South Africa Bassim Haidar visiting Frugalpac in Ipswich and to see the commemorative paper bottles made to mark the 30th anniversary of democratic elections
Two South African wineries already use the Frugal Bottle including Journey’s End Vineyards with Interpunkt and Stellenbosch Vineyards’ Arniston Bay wines. Aldi also uses South African wine in Frugal Bottles in its own-label wine Cambalala.
There are also several companies in South African keen to purchase a Frugal Bottle Assembly Machine so the bottles can be made in Africa.
Frugalpac, who earlier this won a King’s Award for Enterprise for innovation for its bottles and machines, has already sold three Frugal Bottle machines to the US, Canada and Australia.
Frugalpac CEO Malcom Waugh, who attended the Westminster Abbey Thanksgiving Service, said: “It was a great honour to be invited to play our part in commemorating such a remarkable moment in history.
“We’d like to thank His Excellency the High Commissioner and Mr Haidar for this opportunity to share this historic day with them.
“South Africa has been an early adopter to our paper bottles with Journey’s End Vineyards with Interpunkt wines near Cape Town and Stellenbosch Vineyards’ Arniston Bay wines using our Frugal Bottle. We also have several active leads with South African companies keen to acquire one of our machines.”
Honorary Consul for South Africa Bassim Haidar added: “In the 30th year of freedom and democracy we were proud to highlight the green links between South Africa and the UK and how we can work together to combat climate change and reduce carbon. We’d like to thank Frugalpac for their hard work in making these commemorative bottles and their ongoing mission to decarbonise the drinks industry.”