Dear Friends,

We are deeply saddened by the Government's decision not to grant His Holiness the Dalai Lama a visa to attend the South Africa Peace Conference in Johannesburg this week, but on the other hand it is wonderful how many people, locally and internationally have rallied together to voice their feelings about this totally inappropriate decision; it has created an amazing awareness of His Holiness and Tibet and we are sure many of you have been active by participating in your own way. Well, the good news is, that the Peace Conference has been postponed - unity & focus are very powerful!!!

We haven't been sending out regular updates to everyone on our email list simply because the situation changed by the hour but the support from everyone has been tremendous.

TSSA were able to air their views;

Radio 702 recorded our comments
A Paris radio station asked for comments
Radio France interviewed us
Live telephone interviews on ETV news
Many letters sent (and some published)
Calls were received from the New York Times & Reuters for updates

We would like members and friends to continue supporting local and international initiatives by continuing to write to the media, especially in line with the announcement by the SA Government on 24 March 2009, where they stated that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will not be allowed entry into South Africa until after the 2010 World Cup event.

The SA Government's decision not to grant His Holiness a visa has been bad enough; such damaging effects will only be felt at a later stage, especially when the Business Day makes announcements like; 'SA's credibility could be at stake by giving in to China' ; page 11 on 24 March 2009.

Therefore, we urge you to continue writing to Government / local MP's / Religious leaders and the like, to demand that the Government modifies its stance and to issue an open invitation for His Holiness to visit South African whenever he wants and at his earliest convenience. The government should in fact apologise to His Holiness and the other Nobel Peace Laureates (& others) who in turn have become 'victims' of the Government's decision !

What else can you do?

Join our Peace March on the 19th April to show solidarity for the Tibetans. Email your attendance to Elizabeth: cormkt@mweb.co.za.

Also sign up on the following website: http://www.avaaz.org/en/visa_for_the_dalai_lama