Ottoman Consul General reburied in Johannesburg

Ayşegül Kandaş, Ambassador of Turkey(l) with Bey’s granddaughter, Mignon Gatcke and her spouse

16 February 2022

This year marks the 106th commemoration of the passing away of the last Ottoman Consul General, Mehmet Remzi Bey in Johannesburg. The reburial of his mortal remains took place during a solemn ceremony at Braamfontein Cemetery on 18 January and his restored original tombstone was unveiled on 14 February 2022.

Ms Ayşegül Kandaş, Ambassador of Turkey to South Africa talked about the life and achievements of the Ottoman diplomat.

She indicated that especially from the 19th century onwards, Ottoman scholars like Ebubekir Effendi and diplomats like Mehmet Remzi Bey played a crucial role in educating society, shaping Muslim identity and furthering relations. She also emphasized how honoring his memory contributed to enhancing the cultural, social and historical ties between Turkey and South Africa.

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) Pretoria Coordinator Mr Abdulkadir Abukan stressed TİKA's dedication to restoring Ottoman cultural legacy all around the world, including in South Africa. He explained that after the reburial of Mehmet Remzi Bey's remains to its original graveyard, this new tomb was made out of marble and the original tombstone from 1916 was restored, the Arabic writing was renovated using lead as in the original version.

Mehmet Remzi Bey was born on 30 December 1869 in İstanbul to a family of Ottoman aristocrats. Upon completion of HIS professional training, he joined the Ottoman Foreign Service at the age of 23. Mehmet Remzi Bey was the last Ottoman Consul General to South Africa, having been appointed on 21 April 1914, before the outbreak of World War I. He was interned during the war by the British authorities and died in 1916.

Bey’s granddaughter, Mignon Gatcke together with her spouse, was present at the reburial. She said that Bey's remains are being laid to rest in a place where it is safe and well taken care off.

Members of the Turkish community, Embassy officials, representatives of the Muslim community and NGOs, Directors of Yunus Emre Cultural Center and Turkish Maarif Foundation, representatives of related South African instutitions, DIRCO as well as the diplomatic community and press attended the ceremony.  -TDS