Revival of Ancient Games in Greece

Nemes Games 2016

Meintjeskop Ditaba No 4/2000

Apparently, Ambassadors’ tasks include not only the normal. highly official things we earthlings expect of them, but they also have to run marathons, and even barefoot! In this year's Games Ambassador Jacobs took part as one of the judges and runners!      .

The discovery in the seventies of an ancient stadium in Nemea, in Southern Greece, by Professor Stephen Miller, an American archaeologist, led to the revival of the ancient games in Nemea. A Greek-South African, Konstantinos Peppas, was the driving force behind the revival of the Modern Nemead Games. Less than a month after the first modern Nemead in 1996, Peppas, who was the Mayor of Nemea at the time, tragically died in an accident.

The Greek Minister of Culture, Mr T Pangalos, was among the dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony of this year's modern Nemead ("Nemea 2000") which took place on 3 and 4 June. Hundreds of spectators and athletes from more than 40 countries participated in the event. Nine Ambassadors (representing Colombia, Denmark, lndia. Morocco, Romania, South Africa (Ambassador Dawie Jacobs), Slovakia, United Kingdom and the United States) participated in the 100-meter event dressed in ancient tunics and of course barefoot! 

The Ambassadors of Canada and South Africa also participated successfully in the 7,5-km marathon in the "Footsteps of Herakles".

Eight Ambassadors also officiated at the colourful closing ceremony: seven as judges dressed in a black himation, a laurel crown, and a switch with which to flog transgressors, while the eighth (the Chilean Ambassador) acted the role of the priestess.

During an unveiling ceremony of a plaque in honour of the late Konstantinos Peppas, the South African Ambassador to Greece, Mr Dawie Jacobs, said: "The life and work of Konstantinos Peppas personified the outstanding qualities of the longstanding and warm relations between South Africa and Greece. He was born in Ancient Nemea, later spent 17 of his best years in South Africa and returned to his native land to plough back in his life's experience to the benefit of his people. 

His story is the story of so many Greeks who have adopted South Africa as their second motherland.

Since the first Greek, Nicolas Vlassopoulos, settled in Cape Town more than 150 years ago, South Africa has become a very popular destination for Greek people. Today the Hellenic Community in South Africa members more than a hundred thousand and they are making a constructive contribution in all spheres of life.

The life and work of Konstantinos  Peppas fills a perfect chapter in the history of South African- Hellenic relations. It reflects the special chemistry between South Africans and Greeks and illustrates how individuals could positively and constructively contribute to the strengthening of ties between countries and nations

His contribution lives on - not only in the hearts and minds of those who knew him, but also through the symbolism of the revived Nemean Games in which he had played such a major role.

May the Plateia Konstantinos Peppas also serve as a symbol of the positive contributions of all Greek South Africans over the years to the improvement of relations between our countries and to friendship among nations in general.