President Ramaphosa was accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza; Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan; Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande; and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel.

Expo 2020 Dubai has for the past six months since its premiere introduced participating countries, corporations, non-governmental organisations and educational institutions to a region of 3.2 billion people with an estimate accumulated gross domestic product of US$6.5 trillion.

The hosts have retained the title Expo 2020 Dubai after the event, which was originally scheduled for 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expo 2020 is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. Expo 2020 Dubai commenced in October 2021, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the UAE.

South Africa is among 192 countries that have established national pavilions at this global showcase of human ingenuity and innovation, national cultures and solutions to challenges confronting humanity.

Held under the theme “Connecting Minds and Creating the Future via Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity”, South Africa’s participation in the Expo invites visitors to “Think Opportunity. Think South Africa”.

At the South African pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai, visitors have immersed themselves in South African innovation, culture and ingenuity.

Trade and investment opportunities, world-class technology, creative arts, tourism, sports and unique cultural diversity and tolerance have been proudly highlighted by SMMEs, youth and women-led organisations, established  businesses with an international footprint and emerging innovators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The South African pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai has hosted visitors physically and virtually, where 103 companies exhibited. 

On Monday, 28 March 2022, President Ramaphosa addressed the South African Dubai 2020 Expo National Day Celebration at the Al Wasl Plaza in Dubai.

The President toured the pavilions of South Africa, the UAE and the African Union.

Following the tours, President Ramaphosa held an interaction with the Multichoice SMME Accelerator Activation, which showcases leading-edge small enterprises from South Africa in health tech, fin tech, the green economy, edtech and creative industries.

The Accelerator Activation offers SMMEs the opportunity to unlock growth capital and market opportunities from investors across the UAE, and to leverage relationships from the Dubai Expo and trade stakeholders.

In the evening, the President addressed an Investment Opportunities in South Africa Dinner with the aim of bolstering South Africa’s five-year domestic and international investment drive with a target of R1,2 trillion. 

President Ramaphosa’s Working Visit strengthened bilateral and economic cooperation between South Africa and the UAE.

The UAE is South Africa’s main trading partner within the Gulf Cooperation Council and is still growing as a lucrative export market for South African products and services.

South Africa’s top 10 imports from the UAE were valued at R17.3 billion out of a total of R19.6 billion in 2020.

South Africa’s exports to the UAE totalled R24,9 billion in 2020, with the top 10 products accounting for R16,7 billion.

It also aims to connect them with global investors to unlock business opportunities that will enrich their lives, the communities they function in and the South African economy at large.
 
The President said that up-and-coming South African entrepreneurs, who were chosen to pitch to investors out of an initial 168 applicants countrywide, were the cream of the crop with diverse portfolios ranging from health-tech, to green-tech, mobility-tech, edu-tech, fintech and gaming.
 
“You are truly trailblazers and are flying our flag high here at Dubai Expo 2020. What is most energising about this programme is that you are showing the world that South Africa has a vibrant start-up culture, as well as advanced innovation ecosystems.
 
“Innovation in science and tech is key to our country’s industrialisation, especially in the post-COVID-19 recovery period,” the President said.

The President said that this opened up new pathways for skills development, employment and self-employment, and prepared more of the country’s citizens, especially young citizens, for the new world of work.

He said that the MultiChoice Group was a South African company with a solid reputation for innovation and disruption in the country, on the continent and across the world.

“The MultiChoice Accelerator complements government’s efforts to harness the power of the digital economy and the 4IR.

“I am told the pitches to international investors and venture capitalists have been a great success. A number of small businesses here today have in fact been supported with commitments that can provide the capital to fuel these businesses and translate the ideas into jobs and economic output.

“No doubt, the over 40 business leads that have been generated will result in tangible outcomes for your respective businesses,” the President said.

He said that this activation was one of Team SA’s legacy projects at Dubai Expo 2020, and stood as an example of the benefits of public-private sector collaboration and partnership.

Drawing on the expertise and experience in cross-border operations of firms like MultiChoice and Standard Bank and companies like Pepsico, which have committed to help grow small businesses, the President said that start-ups would gain the know-how of operating across borderless markets and on commercialisation across multiple e-commerce platforms.

He reiterated that government had always said that disruption and innovation were one of the drivers of economic growth, not least of all because of the immense opportunities this presented for entrepreneurship and self-employment.

“I want to appreciate the work of, and also encourage large firms to do more to strengthen our budding tech start-ups ecosystem, and to support its expansion.

“This programme is an inspiration. It is our wish and expectation that it is expanded, so we see more platforms, applications and start-ups mushrooming back home,” he said.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

Contributing towards President Cyril Ramaphosa’s vision of attracting R1.2 trillion over five years, the businesses on Thursday, 24 March 2022, at the fourth SA Investment Conference cumulatively pledged R332 billion in investments.

The investments ranged from mining, manufacturing and ICT, among others.

Wrapping up investment pledges on Thursday, first was Chinese company Hangda.

It announced that the company would be investing R300 million in a steel manufacturing plant in Thaba Nchu, in the Free State.

Next was Highveld Robusteel, a black industrialist, with an R800-million investment in a steel and magnesium manufacturing plant in Mpumalanga.

Nyanza Light Metals, another black industrialist, announced it was investing R5 billion in titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing in the Richard’s Bay Industrial Zone in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

SA Steel Mills unveiled a R300-million steel production plant in Gauteng.

Scaw Metals Group committed R2 billion toward its steel manufacturing plant in Gauteng.

Alfeco & Veer Aluminium, Veer Steel Mills invested R3.5 billion in a steel manufacturing plant also in Gauteng.

From the United Arab Emirates, Velocity Ventures vowed to plough R470 million in an aluminium and steel plant in Gauteng.

Other manufacturing

Rayal, a Chinese company, committed R280 million to a porcelain tile manufacturing plant in Gauteng.

LVSA group, a black industrialist group, unveiled a R204-million investment in a valve manufacturing initiative in KZN.

Defy, a Durban-based company of Turkish-based Arçelik, made a R317-million pledge towards its goods manufacturing plant in KZN.

Irish company Ardagh, in partnership with Consol, will invest R1.5 billion in a new glass container production facility in Gauteng.

Huhtamaki, from Finland, pledged R150 million for the expansion of its manufacturing plant in KZN.

Isanti Glass, another black industrialist, will plough R496 million in a glass manufacturing plant in Gauteng.

Sweden’s Tetra Pak committed R500 million towards the expansion of a manufacturing plant in KZN.

United States multinational Proctor & Gamble’s R450 million will see the company expand its diaper plant in Gauteng.

Business process, ICT and digital services

In this regard, United Kingdom-based Sigma Connected said it would inject R267 million in the global business services sector in the Western Cape.

Teraco Data Environments committed a further R1.1 billion towards the construction of a data centre in Gauteng and power generation for its facilities across the country.

Pakistani e-commerce service Airlift unveiled a R300-million investment in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

New e-hailing service Didi is investing R1.2 billion in the South African market.

With a R1.1 billion investment, TymeBank continues its investment growth.

Special economic zones (SEZs)

The three black industrialists based at the Dube Trade Port in Durban – LM Diapers & Lil Masters, Smartway SA and Synergy Blenders – will respectively invest R75 million, R139 million and R94 million.

Also making significant investments were African Quartz with R1.5 billion, Anchora Enterprises with R1.8 billion, and Cape Ocean Terminals with R2 billion. All three are based at the Saldana Bay SEZ.

Based at the Atlantis SEZ, marine and industrial refrigeration systems company, Everflo, will be investing R65 million in green energy and cooling microsystems.

Swartland Experience Quality will invest R106 million in a polystyrene manufacturing plant.

SMME investment

The Small Enterprise Finance Agency revealed a R2.3-billion funding budget for SMMEs. The National Empowerment Fund unveiled a R2.5-billion funding kitty. The Industrial Development Corporation said it had R20.1 billion in finance to fund companies, black industrialists and SMMEs.

Government said it had R6 billion in its coffers for incentive support programmes. The International Trade Administration Commission said it had set aside R427 million to unlock investment in manufacturing facilities and infrastructure.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

“It provides investment mechanisms to attract small, medium and micro enterprises into the economic growth drive. The strategy also taps into a number of multilateral, regional and bilateral agreements, which South Africa has signed.

“The strategy is aligned to the goals of the National Development Plan, Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan, Re-imagined Industrial Strategy and the recently adopted National Infrastructure Plan 2050,” Cabinet said.

The nine provinces and their eight respective metropolitan key economies are central in driving the strategy, which will be a living document that will constantly be adaptable to the changing economic environment.

Cabinet also approved the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) Policy and its implementation strategy.

“The policy seeks to harmonise the movement of people and goods between South Africa’s land ports of entry and its neighbouring countries. It gives effect to the One-Stop Border Framework that was adopted by Cabinet in 2018.

“The application of the policy will alleviate current congestions at our land ports of entry for cross-border travellers and traders. These interventions are also key in the country’s efforts in driving the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement,” Cabinet said.

"Once fully operationalised with relevant legislation and infrastructure upgrades, we envisage that the processing of goods, vehicles and people will be done in a seamless and faster manner."

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

He was addressing the South African Investment Conference, held in Johannesburg.

“It is a very interesting time in humanity. For the first time, there’s been this convergence of technology where one can leapfrog. That will allow a country like South Africa … truly to become the lynchpin for all of Africa for healthcare. But not just healthcare [also] communication, infrastructure, bio materials and to address climate change,” he said.

Dr Soon-Shiong announced that a R150-million cancer radiation machine that he says can revolutionise cancer treatment will be brought to the country.

“While we’re all focussing on COVID-19, it is very clear that cancer is the silent endemic of the entire continent. This machine, there’s only three of its kind in Los Angeles. I’ve seen patients where literally one beam has changed the course of pancreatic cancer.

“So I said why should this machine be limited only to the United States? So, I spoke to the CEO of the company and I got a commitment from him that the next machine that will be available in the inventory will be transported to South Africa. We will pay for that machine and that machine will arrive and I think that could be the cancer centre not only of South Africa, but for Africa,” he said.

Turning to the capacity that South Africa has, Dr Soon-Shiong said that the country had the human capital and talent to take the country forward.

“Business is about people. People don’t realise that some of the most innovative scientists, technologists, human capital exists in South Africa. They don’t realise that the CAT scan was invented here, that the [first] human heart transplant was done here.

“People underestimate the human capital that we have here and the idea of being able to grow that capital with today’s technology is a great opportunity,” he said.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

Many know her for her work with 67 Blankets and the “KnitWits” of South Africa.

It all started in 2014 when Zelda la Grange, long time Personal Assistant to former President Nelson Mandela, presented her friend Carolyn Steyn with the challenge of making 67 blankets by 18 July for Nelson Mandela Day.

Carolyn accepted the challenge and encouraged her nearest and dearest to help make the challenge happen. She encouraged them all to help her make the blankets to give to those less fortunate. It worked and before the big day, Carolyn revealed that together, they had knitted and collected over 6 000 blankets.

On Wednesday, 30 March 2022, the Ambassador of France to South Africa, Aurélien Lechevallier, bestowed upon Steyn the award of Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite (Knight of the French National Order of Merit) on behalf of President Emmanuel Macron at the French Residence in Pretoria.

The National Order of Merit, as awarded by the French President, recognises services and contributions rendered to France, and was created in 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle. Foreigners who have distinguished themselves by their merits in relation to France may be awarded a distinction in the National Order of Merit on the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and within the limits of specific quotas fixed by decree for a period of three years.

The award comes in recognition of Steyn’s outstanding contribution to the deepening of cultural ties between France and South Africa.

“This is a special award, to a very close friend of France. Within seconds of speaking to Carolyn Steyn about France, you can sense her undeniable love and passion for our country and its people. This is a very deep connection that we share,” said Ambassador Lechevallier.

“The President of the French Republic awards this honour to French citizens and foreign nationals for distinguished achievements such as acts of devotion, bravery, generosity, real merit or a measurable commitment to serving others”.

– Sources: French Embassy and www.goodthingsguy.com

After five years, investors would get a return of between 3.7% and 9.2% if the population increases. They would get no return if there is no change in the black rhino population, it added.

Black rhinos are two-horned species of the endangered rhino family and are found only in Africa. Between the 1970s and 1990s, their population fell by 96% to below 2 500 due to poaching to meet demand for their horns in China and the Middle East, according to Save The Rhino International, a London-based non-profit organisation.

Later, large-scale conservation efforts were taken up, which led to their increase to between 5 000 and 5 500, according to Save The Rhino’s website.

South Africa accounts for approximately half of the total black rhino population on the continent, World Wildlife Fund, a global non-governmental organisation says.

“The pay-for-success financial structure protects an endangered species and strengthens South Africa’s conservation efforts by leveraging the World Bank’s infrastructure and track record in capital markets,” World Bank Group President David Malpass said in the statement.

– Source: www.sapeople.com

Curated in partnership with the Apartheid Museum, this state-of-the-art exhibition celebrates the life and legacy of Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu. It is housed at the historic Old Granary building, the home of the foundation and the Tutu IP Trust and will be a welcome addition to Cape Town’s popular cultural heritage precinct.

The exhibition forms part of the foundation’s Knowledge Legacy Programme and supports its mission of ensuring that the uncompromised bravery and values of its founders are celebrated, communicated and curated for posterity.

Despite the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate’s profound impact on South Africa and the world, there has been no single permanent exhibit solely dedicated to Archbishop Tutu. The exhibition begins to acknowledge his massive contribution and serves as a basis for addressing the distinct deficit in school and university curricula of material about the multi-faceted life and legacy of this global icon.

More importantly, the exhibition aims to be more than just an ode to the past or a monument to the Arch. It will be a place where people, young and old, are challenged and inspired to take up the baton of courageous and ethical leadership and emulate the unwavering values that the Archbishop demonstrated throughout his life.

“We need to have the courage to speak out against injustice, just as the Arch did. In South Africa, we are seeing deeply troubling trends, such as the resurgence of xenophobia, attacks on whistle-blowers, as well as a relentless assault on our democracy due to rampant corruption. We are also living in unprecedented times where a pandemic has exposed the deep inequalities that continue to plague our global landscape,” said Foundation Chairperson, Niclas Kjellström-Matseke.

“Our young democracy has not had the chance to fully heal. Healing is not an act of turning a blind eye to the issues, but acknowledging and confronting them in a constructive and peaceful manner. Healing requires introspection, it requires us to learn from the past so that we do not end up making the same mistakes. Learning is part of healing and that is part of what this exhibition hopes to do,” he added.

Just three months after his sad passing, the exhibition will remind us of Tutu’s courage to speak out against injustice, his bold activism and his attempt to bring healing and reconciliation to a divided society. It brings together well-researched text, powerful photographs, film footage, as well as documents and other artefacts related to significant moments in his life.

– Source: www.tutu.org.za

South African writer-director Travis Taute’s debut feature Indemnity tells the story of Theo Abrahams (Jarrid Geduld), an ex-fireman suffering from severe PTSD who, unable to return to work, turns to alcohol.

Becoming increasingly frustrated and volatile, Theo’s world is rocked when his journalist wife Angela (Nicole Fortuin) is murdered – and he is the prime suspect. He soon finds himself on the run from the police for a murder he is positive he didn’t commit. But was he framed? Or did one of his violent nightmares cause him to do something he didn’t mean to do?

Indemnity is an intense and impressive film which moves from one thrilling action set to the next as Theo literally fights for his life. Geduld gives a terrific performance, making Theo believably flawed and human.

“I wanted to make an action film, and I was very fortunate that my producers bought into that vision and ambition,” explains Taute. “However, I wanted to combine that with a film that had a heart that was driven by a character. A story about a man who has this trauma and then weaves in the action sequences to his emotional journey.”

Indemnity was produced by Gambit Films, in association with M-Net Films, Marche Media, National Film and Video Foundation and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

It is locally distributed by Filmfinity Pty (Ltd.) and will be released in South African cinemas on 13 May 2022.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

While there was no movement in the bowling rankings, the Proteas have three players in the Top 10.

Quick bowler Shabnim Ismael is ranked the third best bowler in the world, with Marizanne Kapp in sixth and Ayabonga Kaka in seventh.

Wolvaardt needs just 23 runs to claim the record of most runs scored at a single edition of the prestigious tournament.

– Source: www.news24.com