Kyriakos Vardakos has been elected president of the Hellenic Federation of South Africa following its 2026 Annual Congress, which selected a new board of directors and executive committee.
In an announcement, the federation said its Electoral Committee had officially confirmed the results in accordance with the organization’s constitution. No objections were received following the electoral process, it added.
The announcement sets out the leadership team that will serve the federation and its work within the Greek community in South Africa.
New board of directors
Joining Vardakos on the board are Panayotis Baladakis as deputy president and Andreas Coulbanis as vice president. Marylou Kazantzas will serve as secretary, while Costa Kolatsis takes the position of treasurer.
The federation congratulated the newly elected leadership and emphasized unity and dedication to the future of Hellenism in South Africa.
Executive includes community and youth representatives
The executive members named in the announcement include Christakis Hadjitasou, president of the Cypriot Association of South Africa, known as CASA, and Pano Bourtsouklis, president of the National Association of Hellenic Youth and Student Organisations of South Africa, or NAHYSOSA.
Also named as executive members are Aikaterini Christofides, Nassos Martalas, Christina Gerasis, Anna Souvlidis, Stanley Chronias and Maria Gerondoudis.
Founded in 1981, NAHYSOSA brings together Hellenic youth and student organizations and promotes Greek heritage through cultural activities and community initiatives. Its work includes a bursary fund supporting students of Hellenic origin who face financial difficulties.
The new leadership joins a long tradition of organized Greek community life in South Africa. Greek migration to Cape Town dates to the 1860s, with community organizations subsequently established in cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. These institutions helped successive generations maintain connections with their heritage while building their lives in South Africa.
“Together, with unity and dedication, for the future of Hellenism in South Africa,” the federation said in its announcement.
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