The small Maltese community in Cape Town, South Africa, recently flew the Maltese flag with pride when they met for a luncheon. The organisers of the get-together wanted to show off their children's newly acquired Maltese citizenship document. Some of the youngsters were, for the first time, in possession of their Maltese passports.

The organisers planned this activity to thank three families in particular, for being instrumental in helping them see their dream come true. Flowers were presented to Lydia Calleja, whose husband emigrated to South Africa 60 years ago at the age of 24. The Callejas motivated them to contact Malta's honorary consul in Cape Town. Josette Meyer, born in Malta of Maltese parents, was the second lady to be thanked for the way she encouraged them during the waiting period that followed.

Grace Saliba, the consul's wife, was given a round of applause, for not only helping the applicants complete the forms and assisting them in acquiring the relevant documentation, but for personally collecting the certificates and passports during a recent visit to Malta.

Vivienne Kotze, née Busuttil, whose father emigrated to South Africa in the early 1950s, said she was grateful to the Maltese government for recognising that her children, are now officially Maltese citizens.