South African delegation welcomed to Aurora on Independence Day weekend

Mayor Richard Irvin recently welcomed delegates from South Africa to Aurora.

As America celebrated 248 years of freedom and democracy, South Africa is celebrating its 30th year free from apartheid.

Dr. Anthony Storm and Dr. LaTasha Storm, pastors of God's Love Fellowship in Capetown, South Africa, and missionary representatives of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, made the 8,500-mile journey to Aurora with their family to collaborate with Black churches in Aurora and extend their missionary work into the United States.

The Storm family were special guests of Mayor Irvin at Aurora's Fourth of July Parade. They were received at a community dinner this weekend with Mayor Irvin, Pastor John Thompson of Aurora's New Covenant Church, and nearly 100 other Black pastors and congregants.

“From Capetown to A-Town, we welcome you home,” said Mayor Irvin as he welcomed the Storms to the dinner.

Mayor Irvin presented both the Storms with the Mayor's Award of Excellence and their three sons with certificates of appreciation for representing South Africa during this milestone 30th years since the end of apartheid.

There was then a flag exchange, during which the mayor presented the Aurora flag to the South African delegation and, in exchange, received the official Parliamentary Flag of the Republic of South Africa from President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.

Through Aurora-based New Covenant Full Gospel Church, a deeper relationship with Capetown’s God's Love Fellowship Church is being developed, which will allow for more cultural, educational, and mission-based exchanges.

The city of Aurora recently launched its new Sister Cities Commission, which could make Capetown a future sister city to Aurora.