The Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam who received the highest distinction of Grand Commander of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K.) from the President of the Republic, for his remarkable contribution to the country both at the local and international levels expressed the wish for electoral reform and want to go quickly about it.

“I intend to call upon all political parties, small or big, to sit together to find a formula this year”, he said, adding: “Our electoral code serves us well but it is high time to call us Mauritian but at the same time no single segment of the population should feel it is being marginalised”.

He further said: “I want also to change the mentality and the way we organise electoral campaigns here”.

At a banquet offered by the government of Mauritius to chief guest Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa spoke of Mauritius as a living example of democracy and economic prosperity.

“Mauritius is a stable African nation that continues to uphold and respect democratic order and the rule of law and the history of Mauritius was also that of Africa”, Mbeki said.

He added: “Trade relations between the two countries had taken a new boost since the elimination of apartheid in 1994 and we want the strengthening of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) as an instrument of partnership to for more trade in the area.”

Top local artists participated in the show along with international ones, from different countries with which Mauritius have friendly relations, are namely: Pop Music & Dance Group (China), Belly Dance Group (Egypt), The After Beat (Beatles Band, France), Neeraj Shridhar & Bombay Vikings (India), Atif Aslam (Pakistan) and Bobby Kray (UK).


Keywords:  mauritius society