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| SOUTH AFRICA AND BOTSWANA DEEPEN BILATERAL RELATIONS |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on African countries to put the continent on a new trajectory of progress, prosperity and self-reliance. |
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The President said that Africa’s focus must be on strengthening health systems across the region and the continent, and on improving its capabilities in areas such as vaccine and medical supplies manufacturing.
The President said this as he delivered the opening remarks during the Plenary Session of the Fifth Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and Botswana in Pretoria on Friday, 22 April 2022.
The two presidents held talks aimed at strengthening and deepening the existing historical and bilateral relations between the two countries.
President Ramaphosa hosted his Botswana counterpart, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, and they both presided over the session of the BNC.
The two presidents used their opening remarks to reiterate the historical, geographical and cultural affinities that the two countries share.
“This BNC is an opportunity to further deepen our cooperation in many areas, including infrastructure development, energy production, mining, defence, health, transport, migration, and information and communications technologies,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President emphasised that it was critical to consolidate the work that had already been done within the existing areas of cooperation and explore further areas of collaboration and cooperation.
He said that the ties between the peoples of South Africa and Botswana were long-standing, and our solidarity was forged in the trenches of struggle.
The President lauded Botswana for playing a pivotal role in ending colonialism and apartheid in South Africa.
President Masisi used his opening remarks to call on the security and intelligence agencies of both countries to work together in fighting a surge in crime.
President Masisi said that this was in particular with regard to incidents of crime in relation to cash in transit heists, armed robberies and transnational organised crimes, including human trafficking, poaching, cyber-crime and contraband committed by nationals of the two countries.
“It is therefore imperative for our security and intelligence agencies to work more closely together, in the efforts towards addressing these societal ills.
“However, it is encouraging to note that the BNC has covered an array of defence and security matters, which will further augment efforts towards addressing many of these cross-border crimes,” he said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PRESIDENT MEETS MEMBERS OF GLOBAL STEERING COMMITTEE OF CAMPAIGN FOR NATURE |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa received a courtesy call on Friday, 22 April 2022, by members of the Global Steering Committee of the Campaign for Nature. |
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The delegation included His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone; His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and His Excellency Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, former Prime Minister of Uganda.
The members of the Global Steering Committee expressed condolences at the loss of life and property during recent severe weather events and flooding in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Campaign for Nature under the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People is an advocacy platform with the central aim of a “30x30” goal to protect 30% of the land and 30% of the sea by 2030.
The coalition also calls on leaders to help mobilise financial resources to ensure protected areas are properly managed, and to approach biodiversity conservation in a way that fully integrates and respects indigenous leadership and indigenous rights.
President Ramaphosa, the immediate past Coordinator of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, welcomed the Global Steering Committee members and reiterated South Africa’s commitment to the protection of the country’s rich biodiversity and that of the region, as well as mitigation of the impact of climate change.
The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) also referred to as the New Deal for People with Nature to be agreed to at the 15th Conference of Parties in Kunming, China, in September 2022, contains 4 goals and 21 targets in the current draft version.
South Africa supports and welcomes all targets in the Global Biodiversity Framework and recognises the need for ambitious targets, including for Target 3, which is commonly known as 30x30.
Our country understands that that the Post-2020 Global Diversity Framework is developed at a time when the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
The GBF must therefore be ambitious to ensure it contributes to significantly halting biodiversity loss and put biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030.
Accordingly, South Africa is committed to the effective protection, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity inside and outside protected areas and effective engagement of communities, building community capacity, addressing poverty and unemployment, inequality and incentivising conservation efforts. |
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| PRESIDENT EXTENDS CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT MWAI KIBAKI OF KENYA |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, extended condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya following the passing away of former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki. |
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Mr Kibaki served as Kenya’s Vice President from 1978 to 1988 and as President from 2002 to 2013.
President Ramaphosa said: “We send our deepest condolences to the family of former President Kibaki and to the people of Kenya in general. We mourn with them and share in their loss.”
President Ramaphosa recalled that former President Kibaki championed the cause of democracy and unity in Kenya and beyond. |
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| DEPUTY MINISTER MASHEGO-DLAMINI ATTENDS THE RAISINA DIALOGUE IN INDIA |
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| The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Candith Mashego-Dlamini, is in India on an Official Visit from 24 to 27 April 2022. Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini is representing South Africa at the Raisina Dialogue, taking place in New Delhi from 25 to 27 April 2022. |
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The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics and annually attracts high-level participants from all over the world. The theme for the 2022 edition of the conference is: “Terra Nova: Impassioned, Impatient and Imperilled”. In line with the theme and the dialogue conversations, Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini is engaging on the issue of communities as first responders to health, development and the planet.
The Deputy Minister also participated in the Young Fellows Programme, where she engaged on the subject of “Women in Policy and Politics”.
The Deputy Minister utilised the platform of the conference to highlight key issues at the heart of South Africa’s foreign policy, including advancing development and economic recovery and press for equitable access to healthcare in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the visit, Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini had the opportunity to engage with the Minister of State for External Affairs, Vellamvelly Muraleedharan, and focussed on issues of mutual interest such as further enhancing the solid bilateral relationship between South Africa and India, promoting trade and commercial engagement, growing foreign direct investment and partnering in areas beneficial to both countries, such as skills exchange.
South Africa and India enjoy a Strategic Partnership and bilateral relations are anchored in a deep and shared history of friendship and solidarity. Also, in the international arena, the two countries share a common vision on a range of global issues and closely cooperate in various multilateral fora, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS); India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA); G20 and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). |
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| SOUTH AFRICA EXPRESSES CONCERN AT DEVELOPMENTS IN JERUSALEM |
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| South Africa is appalled by the increased violence and heightened tensions in Jerusalem, particularly at the Al Aqsa Mosque, and the restrictions placed on religious sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. |
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“We strongly condemn the attacks against Palestinians, especially at a time of religious importance for all faiths in the region.
“We appeal to the Government of Israel to allow Palestinians their right to worship and gather for prayers in peace. We reaffirm that the holy sites in Jerusalem and the status quo around these sites must be respected.
“These blatant violations of human rights and international law, which have been taking place for more than 70 years should no longer be condoned and the international community, including the United Nations Security Council that is tasked with maintaining international peace and security, must act to ensure that states are held accountable for their actions.
“South Africa again, calls for consistency from the international community and institutions of global governance in upholding the international rule of law.
“South Africa is committed to being part of international efforts aimed at reviving a much-needed political process that will lead to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state existing side by side in peace with Israel, and within internationally recognised borders that include sovereign equality between states.
“In finding a solution, all people on both sides of the Green Line, in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories must be able to live under conditions free from racism, discrimination of any kind, and free from violence.” |
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| CHINA DONATES R1 MILLION TOWARDS KZN FLOOD RELIEF |
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| Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, received a donation of R1 million from the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to South Africa, Chen Xiaodong, on Wednesday, 20 April 2022. |
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The donation is aimed at bolstering the reach of government’s ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in the flood-stricken KwaZulu-Natal.
The donation followed the declaration of the National State of Disaster after various municipal areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape were ravaged by extreme weather conditions, including a fire disaster in Langa, Western Cape, that left scores of people displaced.
Minister Zulu said the donation would support emergency humanitarian and recovery efforts in the affected areas.
“On behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of South Africa, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for this generous donation. [It] will enable us to meet the immediate needs of hundreds of families affected by the recent floods, including people who are displaced from their homes, to get back on their feet,” Minister Zulu said at a ceremony held in Pretoria.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA TO HOST CHILD LABOUR CONFERENCE |
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| Government, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), will host the Fifth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour from 15 to 20 May 2022. |
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The conference is part of efforts to scale up action to end child labour.
This global event, which is scheduled to take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, will help to construct the path toward a world free from child labour.
The conference is expected to be attended by heads of state; 120 ministers; tripartite constituents of 187 member countries of the ILO; United Nations agencies; academic institutions; civil-society organisations; non-governmental organisations; media; and civil society.
The conference will build on the four previous global conferences, held in Buenos Aires (2017), Brasilia (2013), The Hague (2010) and Oslo (1997), which raised awareness of the issue, mobilised resources and established a strategic direction for the global movement against child labour.
“South Africa's hosting of the conference is consistent with SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] 8.7, which calls for the abolition of all forms of child labour by 2025 and the abolition of forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking by 2030,” the department said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF THE OCEANS ECONOMY |
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| As part of efforts to unlock the potential of the oceans economy and drive transformation in an aggressive way, government has prioritised the acceleration of interventions in the maritime sector. |
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Among these is the establishment of a national shipping carrier as a means of building strategic national shipping capacity and capability.
“Enhancing our ship registration framework remains at the centre of our efforts not only to grow our shipping industry, but to transform the sector as such that it makes a meaningful contribution to broadening economic participation,” the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, said on Wednesday, 20 April 2022.
The Minister was addressing the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy Mid-Term Review Conference aimed at building faster momentum for economic growth, transformation and job creation in the maritime sector.
“Coastal shipping occupies centre stage as an intervention not only to aggressively enhance the oceans economy, but also to create jobs. This will be realised by creating a captive market for South Africans where regulation will determine what categories of goods should only be moved by sea.
“Similarly, South African vessels would be given preference to move cargo from one domestic port to the next, a move that could trigger growth of merchants and create new industries,” the Minister said.
South Africa’s policy recognises the economy as intrinsically linked with other regional economies and prioritises regional coastal shipping as an important enabler in unlocking the potential of the oceans to the region.
The Minister expressed government’s determination to drive the implementation of the national maritime policy with urgency and renewed commitment.
“We are poised to put a spring in our step and move with urgency in putting in place building blocks towards the introduction of coastal shipping that extends to the Southern African Development Community region.
“Regional integration is a critical instrument in positioning maritime as a catalyst for economic renewal and growth. Our oceans offer the region and the continent massive opportunities for economic stimulation. We are well on track towards the realisation of this goal,” the Minister said.
He emphasised the importance of developing capacity through skilling interventions, with a specific focus on maritime as an immediate priority that must be supported by both the public and private sectors.
“A number of institutions of higher learning offer courses on maritime studies and young people must be exposed to maritime at school level in order to take full advantage of career opportunities in the sector. We similarly encourage both government and private companies to send their students to the World Maritime University and the International Maritime Law Institute, these being International Maritime Organisation (IMO) institutions.
“These institutions not only assist governments to train their officials to be able to provide the necessary support on the implementation of the IMO instruments, but also provide powerful platforms for collaboration and giving impetus to a global vision,” Minister Mbalula said.
The Minister said government must focus on delivering tangible outcomes that the citizens could see, feel and experience.
“We will drive with absolute determination interventions that enhance competitiveness of our ports, while promoting seaborne trade, ship-building and cruise liner industries. These are initiatives that will give traction to our economic reconstruction and recovery interventions,” he said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| RESERVE BANK CELEBRATES 100 YEARS SINCE FIRST BANKNOTE |
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| The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on Tuesday, 19 April 2022, celebrated 100 years since issuing its first banknotes. |
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The banknotes were issued 10 months after the SARB was established on 30 June 1921, the bank said in a statement.
“Prior to that, South Africa had no monetary authority. However, the commercial banks were responsible for issuing banknotes into circulation.
“From 19 April 1922, the SARB was granted the sole authority to produce, issue and destroy South African currency, and is entrusted with ensuring the availability and integrity of the South African currency,” the SARB said.
It said it had invested significantly in the currency’s design and security features to protect the public from counterfeiting, noting that its banknotes were highly regarded globally.
The security features embedded in South Africa's currency represent the most innovative advancements in global design and technology.
“For South Africa, its currency is a symbol of national pride and reflects the country’s cultural heritage, economic industries and the big five animals,” said the bank.
In 1961, the rand replaced the South African pound.
“The rand takes its name from the Witwatersrand (white waters’ ridge), the ridge where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found in Johannesburg,” said the bank.
From time to time, the SARB issues banknotes and coins to commemorate key events or milestones in the country. In 2018, the SARB was the first central bank to issue commemorative banknotes in all five denominations. These commemorative banknotes and coins are placed into circulation for everyday use and maintain their face value.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| NORWAY INVESTS R120 MILLION IN SOUTH AFRICAN RAISINS AND NUTS |
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| RedSun, a South African dried fruit and nuts producer, just received R120 million from the state-owned Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund). |
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A South African dried fruit and nuts producer is looking to build two new processing facilities with R120 million from Norfund.
RedSun processes high-quality raisins produced from grapes grown along the banks of the Orange River in the Northern Cape. Founded in 2009, the company has grown to be one of the leading raisin exporters in Africa, with 95% of its product finding its way to Europe, America and Asia.
RedSun's operations received a major boost back in 2015, with a growth investment by Stellenbosch-based private equity fund, and now majority owner, One Thousand & One Voices (1K1V), which increased production by more than 160%.
1K1V's portfolio companies, including producers of biltong and snacks, have exported more than R900 million worth of products from Africa to more than 35 countries.
RedSun sources its products from around 270 local farmers. Although best-known for its raisins and sultanas – with six varieties on offer – the company also sources, processes and sells pecans.
A new investment in RedSun, announced by 1K1V on Tuesday, 19 April 2022, will be used to double the company's processing capacity by constructing two state-of-the-art facilities, increasing production of both raisins and pecans.
Vredendal, considered the fastest-growing frontier for raisin production in South Africa, has been chosen as the site for one of these new facilities. Its unique climate will allow RedSun to diversify its range of raisins and being closer to Cape Town – than the current facility in Keimoes – and puts it closer to a key export point.
It's here where raisins, already delivered dry from local farmers, will be cleaned, sorted, packaged and dispatched by RedSun.
"Demand for South African raisins has risen after water shortages and rising labour costs in the USA impacted production levels, providing RedSun with a significant opportunity to gain global market share," said Hendrik Jordaan, president and CEO of 1K1V.
"Norfund's investment in a company committed to sharing high-quality products with the rest of the world is just one of the ways to increase economic activity and reduce poverty levels in southern Africa."
The R120-million investment from Norway's state-owned fund will also be used to expand RedSun's pecan operation, with the construction of a new processing facility alongside its original raisin hub in Keimoes.
In addition to increasing its intake volume and production capacity, Norfund's investment in these new facilities is expected to more than double RedSun's workforce, creating direct employment for almost 400 people in total.
– Source: www.businessinsider.co.za |
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| UWC PROF HONOURED ON GLOBAL LIST |
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| A University of Western Cape (UWC) Associate Professor has made history by being named on the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) list of Young Global Leaders (YGL). |
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Professor Mmaki Jantjies, 37, is one of the leading South African computer scientists specialising in technology for development.
She is one of only 120 young leaders who have made the cut from thousands of nominations from around the world.
She joins a YGL alumni of 1 400 global members who have since 2004 included Grammy Award and Nobel Prize recipients, United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors, heads of governments and Fortune 500 companies.
The 120 YGL members have made great strides in the digital field, which include how residents can make use of technology to better their lives such as education and health.
“I am incredibly humbled to be named a Young Global Leader for 2022,” the proud Professor explains.
“It is an amazing honour and I credit my parents for their influence as they were passionate about mathematics and science and there was never an option for me not to make a positive impact in the South African technology sector.”
Originally from Mahikeng, Prof. Jantjies now shuttles between Pretoria and Cape Town while she has completed her degree, PHD and Honours in computer sciences at the University of Pretoria, North West University and the University of Warwick in Coventry, England.
The Associate Professor at UWC was also part of the team that launched the university’s Postgraduate Diplomas in e-Skills Development programme and is currently employed as group executive head of innovation at Telkom.
Prof. Jantjies says as a YGL member she can now gain knowledge with other leaders in the digital world and bring those innovations back home to benefit South Africans.
– Source: dailyvoice@inl.co.za |
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| INTERNATIONAL HONOUR AWARDED TO RESEARCHER AT CAPE TOWN TOURISM |
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| Cape Town Tourism has congratulated its researcher Sinothando Adonisi for earning the coveted title of being one of Destinations International Foundation’s 30 Under 30 honourees. The honourees hail from organisations across the world and earn access to invaluable networking and mentorship opportunities as part of the programme. |
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Destinations International’s 30 under 30 programme invests in the industry leaders of tomorrow. The sought-after spots for honourees are hard-earned, with a rigorous qualifying process. Adonisi has over five years of professional tourism experience and currently focusses on research and data analysis in the tourism sector as part of his role at Cape Town Tourism.
Commenting on the accolade, Adonisi says, “This means so much, I can’t really put it into words. It’s amazing getting global recognition and being the second African – let alone South African – to make the ‘class’. It’s extra special as the first African to be honoured was my current line manager at Cape Town Tourism, Roxanne Lombard.
“I believe that tourism and, specifically, research and data analysis within the tourism industry, have the potential to change the social well-being of my country. I look forward to developing my skill set and building competitiveness in my work environment, while championing the development of tourism as a key economic development tool.”
Adonisi studied Tourism Management at Walter Sisulu University, then did a B Tech, which is when he says he fell in love with numbers and data. While studying, he presented a paper to compete to win a trip to China, to play an advisory role in the country’s tourism development. He was one of three chosen candidates and attributes his win to being very competitive. A trait that has stood him in good stead his whole life.
He then joined SSL Innovations Pty, focussing on market research and business strategy development across myriad industries. He was snatched up by Cape Town Tourism in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. He says that in his current role, he connects insights with action. His advice to other young people wanting to work in tourism is to find their niche.
“You need to find something to fall in love with and specialise in this. Stay true to yourself, and work hard to excel.”
Aside from honouring emerging leaders, the 30 Under 30 programme does important work in amplifying the visibility of destination marketing organisations around the world. By being part of the class of 2022, Adonisi shines a spotlight on the efforts of Cape Town Tourism and the wonders of Cape Town, in a global arena.
Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy, is exceptionally proud of Adonisi’s accomplishment, “We wish to congratulate Sinothando on this stellar achievement. As a destination marketing organisation, we echo the mission of the Destinations International Foundation’s 30 Under 30 programme to invest in and prepare tomorrow’s leaders from diverse backgrounds to bring about real change in the tourism industry.”
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN DOCUMENTARY WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD |
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| ABALOBI’s “Coding for Crayfish” documentary has received the Innovation Award at the 19th annual International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF) in San Francisco. The festival accepts films of all genres that focus on any of the varied aspects of the ocean from around the world – with “Coding for Crayfish” one of just 11 films awarded this year and the only winner from the African continent. |
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Produced by the ABALOBI team and Amehlo Productions’ Karen Logan, Coding for Crayfish tells the story of traditional West Coast fisherman David Shoshola, whose family has lived in Lambert’s Bay for generations, fishing primarily for the once abundant crayfish, or rock lobster.
In spite of legal limits, unchecked industrial fishing in the 1970s, followed by poaching by gangs from the 2000s, has significantly affected both lobster populations and fisher livelihoods, leaving the fishery on the brink of disaster today. David talks of ABALOBI’s disruptive entrance into the industry and how the traceability technology, co-developed with the fishers, has started to transform his career and, ultimately, the entire community’s livelihoods.
“The award is amazing recognition for us as an organisation, but even more so for the small-scale fisherwomen and men with whom we work,” says Raemaekers, MD of ABALOBI. “They are grateful that their story is being heard and being recognised. There is a desperate need for effective, alternative interventions contrary to disengaging from the rock lobster fishery and the communities that depend on it. To achieve any form of sustainability, we need to rethink how we get there and have a greater focus on the fishers who rely on marine resources. We have to engage, and reimagine fair, transparent market opportunities.”
Executive Director for the festival, Ana Blanco, says that the 11 films awarded prizes this year are deserving of recognition because of the way they stand out in a field of exceptional quality and diversity. “All of our films and filmmakers are standouts and advance our mission of saving our oceans through the beauty and education of the visual medium,” she says.
Coding for Crayfish is available to watch online, for free, at codingforcrayfish.com.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| PROTEAS DUO LEE, VAN NIEKERK SCOOP PRESTIGIOUS WISDEN CRICKET ACCOLADES |
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| South Africa's Lizelle Lee has scooped the Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World accolade. Lee's compatriot, Dane van Niekerk, is one of the almanack's five Cricketers of the Year. |
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Lee was honoured with the accolade after a dominant 2021 in which she averaged 90.28 with the bat in ODI cricket, including a spectacular series against India in which she scored 288 runs in four innings.
On the men's side, Joe Root was named Leading Cricketer in the World, just a week after he stepped down as England's Test captain.
Elsewhere, South Africa's Dane van Niekerk was named as one of the almanack's five Cricketers of the Year.
She joined New Zealand's Devon Conway, England's Ollie Robinson, and Indian duo Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma in earning the prestigious award, which dates back to 1889.
Van Niekerk was a leading player England's The Hundred competition, earning the award of Most Valuable Player after captaining her side, the Oval Invincibles, to victory in the women's competition.
Van Niekerk was also the tournament's leading run-scorer with 259 runs at 43 and took eight wickets with the ball at an average of 20.
– Source: www.news24.com |
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