A Morning of Movement, Culture, and Connection Indonesian Style
By Anisha Pemjee – TDS
5 July 2025
Guests of the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria were warmly welcomed by host Dyah Krisnawan. Each guest was greeted with “Dee’s morning booster” – a concoction of pineapple, beetroot, orange, apple, ginger and turmeric – to ward off the winter morning chill and energise everyone for the Indonesian fun that lay ahead.
Dyah, or Dee as she is fondly known, hosted the International Diplomatic Spouses Association’s (IDSA) monthly Coffee Morning. IDSA’s winter blanket drive was a great success, as reported by IDSA Chair Karem Ruiz de Livieres of Paraguay. More than 100 blankets were collected and will be donated to a deserving charity organisation. Karem also finalised details for the group’s Mandela Day activities.
Throughout the morning, IDSA members and guests immersed themselves in Indonesia’s rich diversity of food, art and culture.
(Video: TDS)
Mangastuti, a dance that blends traditional and modern forms from the Java region, was beautifully performed by dancer Mbak Riska. She combined energetic movements with graceful fluidity. Her colourful outfit and make-up added to the beauty of the performance.
Guests enthusiastically participated in the traditional Indonesian game Bakiak. The MC explained that Bakiak is not just for fun, but also requires teamwork, patience, and coordination. This quickly became evident once the game began. Two teams of four competed, trying to find their rhythm – or not – while being loudly cheered on as they raced to the finish line. After two rounds, the winning ladies received beautiful Batik gifts from Dee.
Batik is a traditional Indonesian textile art known for its intricate patterns and vibrant colours, created through a unique wax-resist dyeing technique. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Batik represents Indonesia’s rich heritage. In South Africa, Nelson Mandela popularised Batik through his iconic “Madiba shirts.”
Throughout the morning, delicious Indonesian food and drinks were served. The distinct Indonesian spices were evident in the dishes, which included Nasi Goreng, Fried Noodles, Fried Chicken, and Martabak. A variety of delectable sweets was also on offer.
The enjoyable event ended with a Zumba session led by Mr Nana. Guests left with a parting gift of Indonesian products to sample at home.