President Ramaphosa recalled that the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan presided over major political reforms and made significant contributions to the socio-economic upliftment and welfare of the people of the UAE, which remains a global example.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be remembered for his tireless efforts in enhancing bilateral relations between the democratic South Africa and the UAE and promoting the interests of the South African Government and people.

These relations were further strengthened by the state visits of former South African heads of state.

President Ramaphosa attended the South Africa National Day celebrations at the Expo 2020 in Dubai on 28 March 2022 and expressed South Africa’s honour to be part of this global event.

The continent’s largest COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing plant opened in South Africa last year, and mRNA hubs for tech transfer have been opened in South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, Kenya and Nigeria.

In February, the AU Summit endorsed a common agenda for manufacturing vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, therapeutics and health products on the continent.

However, the President said that this progress might be reversed because international agencies were not buying vaccines from Africa, even those destined for African countries.

“This must change. Multilateral agencies and philanthropists need to be procuring vaccines and boosters from African manufacturers to ensure the developing capabilities on the continent are retained,” he said.

President Ramaphosa further called on the international community to ensure that solidarity and equity underpinned the next phase in the world’s management of the pandemic.

“This means that vaccines produced in Africa must be procured for Africa’s people. This is vital for the continent’s health security now and into the future,” he said.

Low vaccination rates

To avoid a return to the catastrophic early days of the pandemic, President Ramaphosa said that there was a need to get many more people across the world vaccinated.

“We need to expand access to testing and treatment. The global health recovery will not be inclusive so long as millions of people in developing economies remain unvaccinated.

“Africa has one of the world’s lowest vaccination rates at 16%, and coverage in low-income countries is still under 13%,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that African leaders were committed to achieving 70% vaccine coverage through mass campaigns across the continent.

He further said they continued to advocate for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights waiver in the World Trade Organisation to improve global access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

“To get more life-saving vaccines to those in need, South Africa is donating five million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 10 million doses of the J&J vaccine to other African countries.

“South Africa has contributed US$10 million to the Global Fund and plans to contribute financial support to the ACT-Accelerator,” he said.

Speaking on the low COVID-19 testing rates, President Ramaphosa said that AU member states had committed to a target of 200 million SARS-COV-2 tests by the end of 2022.

This commitment will be coupled with the implementation of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s Enhanced Surveillance Strategy for community-based testing, wastewater testing and sentinel surveillance.

The President said countries needed to be better prepared for future health crises and generate the financing to do so.

The international community is working towards a swift social and economic recovery, but the threat of new waves and the emergence of new variants is ever-present.

“South Africa therefore supports the formation of the Financial Intermediary Fund as a mechanism to finance global health security,” he said.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

In the said Parliamentary Answer, Minister Pandor indicated that the EAP consisted of three facilities:

• Facility A of the package (a grant of R40 million for the purchase of seeds)
• Facility B (a solidarity grant of R100 million for the purchase of goods in the South African market), which has been implemented and completed
• Facility C, which was a credit facility amounting in total to R210 million for the procurement of South African goods, split into two tranches as per the signed agreement.

The first tranche (Tranche A) of R70 million under Facility C was available immediately on entry into force of the agreement; and the second tranche of R140 million became available after the repayment of the initial R70 million.

For the first tranche of R70 million, only R63 million was requested for disbursement and the loan was fully repaid. Access was then granted to the second tranche (Tranche B) of R140 million.

The Government of Cuba repaid the first tranche with interest in June 2019. The second tranche was then granted in 2021. The second tranche is payable bi-annually. The first instalment date was 31 December 2021 and the last instalment is due on 30 June 2026. 

The EPA expired on 17 July 2021, but in terms of Article 11 of the agreement, the agreement will remain in force until all obligations of the parties have been fulfilled. Therefore as far as the repayment of the money under Facility C is concerned, the agreement will remain in force until the money is repaid by Cuba.

Minister Pandor has clarified that there is no link between what is currently before the courts, namely the donation of humanitarian aid to the value of R50 million, and the agreement that was signed in 2012 to make available an EAP of R350 million to Cuba that consisted of grants and a loan facility to be repaid with interest by Cuba.

Funds under the EAP could also only be used to procure goods in the South African market, which is beneficial to the South African economy.

The first event was a public lecture on 17 May 2022 under the theme: “Africa in 2063: Removing Obstacles to Prosperity".

The second event, a seminar, will be hosted by the University of the Western Cape. The event is scheduled for 18 May 2022, under the theme: “Pan-Africanism in Current Times”.

At both events, invited guests include academic officials, students, think tanks, members of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation and civil society.

The 20th anniversary of the AU presents an opportunity for a reflection on, and review of Africa’s path to prosperity and security. It is a moment to gauge the continent’s successes and challenges.

South Africa alongside Switzerland are the 2022 co-chairs of the WPS. The theme for the 2022 Swiss-South Africa Co-Chairship of the WPS Focal Points Network is: “Partnering for Change – Translating the Women, Peace and Security Agenda into Action”. This theme embodies the idea of cooperation between states, regional and international organisations and civil society as a source of innovation and transformation of the WPS Agenda.

The two main objectives of this year’s meeting focus on two interrelated pillars of the WPS Agenda: participation and protection. The participation of women in all phases of peace processes and at all levels of decision-making is interlinked with the protection of women’s rights. One does not work without the other. Women are actors at the same time. The gradual erosion of their rights is impacting women’s opportunities and affecting the implementation of global WPS commitments. This meeting aims to encourage the development of transformative strategies that can be integrated into national action plans, policies and a regional WPS framework.

While in Geneva, Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings with her counterparts and various key stakeholders.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market by Badr Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa; and SAT Acting CEO, Themba Khumalo. Tourism Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, and Dubai Consul-General, David Magabe, were also at the signing.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, said the airline, which had more than 25 years invested in and grown operations to South Africa was working to restore its services to pre-pandemic levels.

This, he said, would “help generate more opportunities for travellers from around the world to experience South Africa’s unique natural experiences, world-renowned cuisine and local culture”.

He said: “Emirates is well-placed to support the recovery of South Africa’s tourism sector and help raise the profile of the destination again, offering convenient connections from over 130 destinations, and providing even more links for travellers who want to explore beyond our three South African gateways through our four airline partners”.

Minister Sisulu welcomed the signing of the MoU, citing the benefits it yielded for travel between South Africa and the Middle East.

She said: “We want to continue ensuring ease of access into South Africa for Middle Eastern travellers and this collaboration will assist us in elevating our trade efforts in terms of packaging the destination.

“We look forward to welcoming more travellers from the Middle East, to experience the various quality-assured products and experiences that cater for this market, including family-friendly accommodation establishments and activities, a diverse offering of cuisine as well as wildlife and safari”.

Khumalo said the Middle East was a critical market for South Africa, saying the partnership would be instrumental in ensuring ease of access to and from South Africa for travellers from the Middle East.

Aimed at supporting South Africa’s tourism recovery efforts, the partnership between Emirates and SAT is part of the airline’s longstanding commitment to grow the tourism market in the country.

Under the MoU, Emirates will explore opportunities to promote South Africa and encourage travellers to experience the abundance of attractions that the country has to offer across its network of over 130 destinations.

He said SAT would also work closely with the airline to support travel trade partners and tour operators across the Emirates’ network to develop and promote itineraries, introduce special packages and promotional giveaways, and encourage incentives, among other marketing initiatives.

Both parties will also explore opportunities to collaborate on joint advertising and marketing campaigns, as well as familiarisation programmes to South Africa for travel, trade and media representatives, among other initiatives. Emirates will also support the transport of SAT’s marketing collaterals to select destinations in its network.

Emirates has been serving South Africa for 27 years, proudly connecting close to 20 million travellers to and from South Africa and Dubai and beyond to its global network, firmly establishing the airline as a long-term partner of South African aviation, tourism and trade.

Today, the airline currently serves South Africa with 26 weekly flights, including double daily services to Johannesburg, daily services to Cape Town and five weekly flights to Durban.

Customers can also access popular regional destinations across South Africa via the airline’s codeshare agreements with South African Airways and Airlink  and interline agreements with FlySafair and Cemair.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

Some investments and economic boosts received include:

• The opening of the R800-million Corobrik state-of-the-art brick manufacturing plant in Driefontein, Gauteng. The company is expected to invest a further R200 million to expand its KwaZulu-Natal-based concrete facility.
• Mining giant Anglo American’s launch of a hydrogen powered truck, which is expected to give a significant boost to the country’s green hydrogen economic hopes.
• Irish food company, the Kerry Group, opened a R650-million plant in KwaZulu-Natal.
• The launch of the new locally manufactured Isuzu D-Max bakkie, which forms part of the company’s R1.2-billion investment commitment (made in 2019) to the country.

“Corobrik is one of several local businesses that have responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call on South African and international enterprises to invest in this country.

“Cabinet noted that the fledgling hydrogen economy has been given a boost with the launch of a hydrogen-powered truck by Anglo American. The hydrogen economy has been identified as a strategic priority for our country’s green economy and to drive economic growth and employment.

“The Kerry Group has had a presence in South Africa since 2011 and their further investment is a sign that South Africa remains an investment destination of choice,” he said.

Minister Gungubele said in particular, the launch of Isuzu’s new flagship bakkie was a boon for the country’s auto-manufacturing industry.

“The new generation D-MAX crowns Isuzu’s commitment to South Africa and is one of the successes achieved under the Automotive Production Development Programme (APDP). The APDP is a production incentive scheme for the motor industry aimed at promoting production volumes in the specified motor vehicle industry, promoting added value in the automotive component industry, thus creating employment across the automotive value chain.

“Approximately R2.8 billion will be generated in local content production value through the lifecycle of the APDP. The investment will secure more than 1 000 direct jobs at the plant and indirectly employ 24 000 people, contributing significantly to community upliftment in the region,” Minister Gungubele said.

International and regional relations

Minister Gungubele said Cabinet reflected on several engagements President Ramaphosa has had with leaders both on the continent and other parts of the world – including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Cabinet also welcomed President Ramaphosa’s recent interactions with President Joe Biden of the United States, President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia on different platforms.

“These engagements allowed the President to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between South Africa and partner states on key regional and international issues, including finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine,” he said.

 – Source: SAnews.gov.za

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 and the media are attending the conference.

The event also allows South Africa to bring to the fore the country’s Constitution as it protects the rights of children. The country will engage with different countries that are ahead of us in eliminating child labour and learn from them.

In his capacity as the Chairperson of SANAC, Deputy President David Mabuza delegated the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, to officiate at the signing ceremony in Pretoria.

In a statement, the National Department of Health said at country level, the grant was administered through a structure known as the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (GF-CCM), which is chaired by the SANAC CEO, Dr Thembisile Xulu, and co-chaired by SANAC Civil-Society Forum Deputy Chairperson, Solly Nduku.

The GF-CCM is a multi-stakeholder structure mandated by the Global Fund to oversee grant implementation and features representatives from government, civil society, development partners and the private sector.

“The Global Fund has approved an amount of US$546 766 625 for the period April 2022 – March 2025, which will continue to support the HIV programme and expand the tuberculosis programme in South Africa,” the department said.

Dr Phaahla was accompanied by several ministers and deputy ministers, who are all members of the SANAC Inter-Ministerial Committee.

Key ambassadors from countries that are both contributors and beneficiaries of the Global Fund were in attendance, with the ambassadors of France, the United States, European Union- and African Union forming part of the speakers on the programme.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

Professor Vilakazi obtained his PhD from Wits in 1998 in Nuclear Physics under the supervision of the late Professor J Sellschop. He was instrumental in establishing South Africa’s first experimental high-energy physics research group in 1999 at the University of Cape Town.

Today, he is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University, appointed so in January 2021. Before his appointment, he served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Postgraduate Studies, during which time Wits’ research outputs doubled.

On 10 May 2022, it was announced that Professor Vilakazi was appointed as a fellow at the Royal Society (UK) one of the world’s most prestigious scientific academies. He is one of several South Africans to have now earned this honour. He joins the likes of Robert Broom, Phillip Vallentine Tobias, Basil Schonland, Frank Nabarro and Nobel-Prize winner Aaron Klug, all of whom are also Wits alumni.

“It is an honour to welcome so many outstanding researchers from around the world into the Fellowship of the Royal Society,” – Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society

“Through their careers so far, these researchers have helped further our understanding of human disease, biodiversity loss and the origins of the universe. I am also pleased to see so many new fellows working in areas likely to have a transformative impact on our society over this century, from new materials and energy technologies to synthetic biology and artificial intelligence. I look forward to seeing what great things they will achieve in the years ahead.”

Professor Vilakazi says he feels honoured to be welcomed into the academic society and credits it as a recognition for the high calibre of science and scientist living and working in Africa.

“I am honoured to be welcomed as a Fellow of the Royal Society,”

“This is not just an honour for me, but also for Wits University, and all those who supported me. South Africa is home to a host of incredibly talented scientists, who punch above their weight in the global knowledge arena. While this Fellowship acknowledges some of my achievements, more importantly, it recognises the high calibre of science and scientists based in Africa.” 

The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship made up of the most eminent scientists, engineers and technologists from the UK and the Commonwealth. Fellows and foreign members are elected for life through a peer-review process based on excellence in science.

There are approximately 1 700 fellows and foreign members, including around 85 Nobel Laureates. Each year, up to 52 fellows and 10 foreign members are elected from a group of about 800 candidates who are proposed by the existing Fellowship.

– Sources: www.goodthingsguy.com

“We are celebrating a depth of achievements in a breadth of areas,” said David Oxtoby, President of the American Academy. “These individuals excel in ways that excite us and inspire us at a time when recognising excellence, commending expertise and working toward the common good is absolutely essential to realising a better future.”

“The academy was founded on the belief that the new republic should honour truly accomplished individuals and engage them in meaningful work,” said Nancy C Andrews, Chair of the Academy’s Board of Directors.

“The academy’s dual mission continues to this day. Membership is an honour, and also an opportunity to shape ideas and influence policy in areas as diverse as the arts, democracy, education, global affairs and science.”

Professor Marwala is the Vice-Chancellor, Principal and Professor of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Johannesburg. He was appointed in 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (magna cum laude) from Case Western Reserve University (United States) in 1995, a Master of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria in 1997 and a PhD specialising in AI and Engineering from the University of Cambridge in 2000.

The professor has published 14 books related to AI, one of which has been translated into Chinese. He has authored over 300 papers and been a guest at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. He is a true academic and has a passion for educational leadership. To add to his long list of inspiring achievements, Professor Marwala was appointed as Deputy Chair of the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

It is no surprise, then, to hear he has been elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences under the Educational and Academic Leadership section and joins the International Honorary Members. This year, the new members include 37 International honorary members from 16 countries.

The new members join a distinguished group of individuals elected to the academy before them, including Benjamin Franklin (elected 1781), Ralph Waldo Emerson (1864), Robert Frost (1931), Martin Luther King, Jr (1966), M Temple Grandin (2016), John Legend (2017) and Sanjay Gupta (2021) – to name a few.

Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

The sale began at 14 million Swiss francs (US$14.1 million) to quickly reach 18.6 Swiss francs. With the auction house commission, the successful bidder bought the stone for a total of US$21.863.033.

Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewellery at Christie’s, told Reuters before the auction: “I’ve been here 25 years. Christie’s has been here 256 years. And in all this time, this is the largest stone in this shade that we have for sale.”

Another remarkable diamond, the “Red Cross” – also from South Africa – was also sold during the auction. The Red Cross is a historically important fancy intense yellow, cushion-shaped 205.07-carat diamond, which went off for 14.2 Swiss francs (US$14.3 million), way above its estimated selling price of between US$7 to US$10 million.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of the Red Cross will go to the International Red Cross.

“The Red Cross Diamond … was mined in 1901, at the De Beers mine also in South Africa and sold in 1918 at Christie’s London at the Red Cross auction during the war,” Kadakia said, adding it “achieved £10 000 (US$12 500) when the entire auction achieved £50,000 ($62,500). It then came back for sale at Christie’s in Geneva, this time in 1973, where it achieved 1.8 million Swiss Francs (US$1.8 million). Today was the third time in 104 years it has come up for auction."

 – Source: www.sapeople.com

Rooibos is a unique and sought-after plant. It's only farmed in the Cederberg, and its leaves have been used to make flavourful tea for hundreds of years. It's a proudly South African plant and product, which has made its way into cups across the globe.

The tea's uniqueness was certified by the EU in 2021, when Rooibos was given protected designation of origin (PDO) status. As the first African food to be approved by the EU, its PDO status joins the ranks of Parmigiano-Reggiano, Kalamata olives, Roquefort and other consumables that come from a designated region.

This protection status is good for the Rooibos brand, with European consumers being drawn toward unique foods with PDO-aligned backstories. And it's not just helping Cederberg farmers sell more tea; it's also attracting international tourists to century-old estates.

Tea tourism isn't new, but it's been boosted by the recent surge in Rooibos' popularity. More travellers, both local and international, are interested in the Rooibos tea-making process, from how the plant is grown and harvested to its cultural and historical significance.

"We've hosted tourists from all over the world, but there's been an influx of German and Swiss tourists of late, and as locals have searched for secluded spots during the pandemic, Clanwilliam has become a favourite among South Africans too," said Sanet Stander, co-founder of the Rooibos Route, started in 2014.

"Gone are the days when guests would be happy with just sightseeing and a comfortable stay. The new crop of tourists love being part of adventurous, unexplored activities, and tea tourism ticks all these boxes."

The Rooibos Route includes tours showing how the tea is produced, from farm to cup, during the harvest season between December and March. It also offers heritage tours, detailing the history of Rooibos and the town of Clanwilliam. Tourists can also look forward to a Rooibos tasting and a Rooibos spa treatment.

"The registration of Rooibos as a PDO in the EU last year has created more awareness among the large tea-drinking nations in Europe of the origins of Rooibos and that it is unique to and only grows in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape," said Adele du Toit, spokesperson for the SA Rooibos Council.

"Most of these tea estates are 100+ years old, so staying there and learning about its history, tea culture and heritage is a unique experience in and of itself. When you go on a tea tour, a whole new world starts to unfold. It takes you inside a century-old community that has been farming and processing tea for generations."

And it's not just Rooibos' recently gained PDO status which is driving interest in the tea. The COVID-19 pandemic has made people more health conscious and has fuelled a resurgence in tea consumption, according to Du Toit.

"Globally, this trend has led to once dilapidated tea planters' bungalows and houses being restored and turned into boutique hotels and lodges. Here, tea-lovers can enjoy a tranquil stay, away from the city surrounded by nature, while learning more about their favourite brew."

– Source: Business Insider SA

Now, as winter starts to settle in, their efforts are rewarded with the knowledge that 4 500 people will receive a warm blanket this year.

The event took place at the Steyn City School, with part of the school field used to showcase each of the stunning, made-with-love blankets. The Mzanzi Youth Choir performed an original song written specifically for the event.

Not only did 67 Blankets for Mandela Day donate the 4 500 blankets, but both Gift of the Givers and Doctors Without Borders were recipients of R67 000 each.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

She released her first album, titled Abanye Bayombona in 2000. The album has sold over one million copies.

Fraser went on to produce several award-winning albums throughout her career.

Recently, she was honoured with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Sacred Music by the Christian Leadership Academy.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

Co-directed by Zolati and Chris Green (Chasing the Sun) and produced by Both Worlds Pictures (Puppet Nation ZA, Recipes for Love and Murder), the film was also selected for the Portland Film Festival 2021, the Africa World Documentary Film Festival 2022 and the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (Amdocs) 2022.

Established in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja’Net DuBois (Good Times), and Ayuko Babu (Executive Director), PAFF is world-renowned for showcasing an extensive array of black creative film works from across the globe, highlighting those that reinforce positive images and help to dismantle harmful beliefs and stereotypes.

Africa and I is the enchanting story of Othmane’s life when he left everything behind him and spent four years walking, cycling and skateboarding his way through Africa, from Morocco to Cape Town. On his journey, he saw that the continent he was warned about before he left home, the dark continent that the media shows us all, full of crime, disease and despair, was not the real story after all. Othmane found a continent that was vivid, varied and alive, full of beauty and surprises.

Othmane says, “After seven years of hard work, my African dream became a reality. A truly glorious moment for me and my entire team. This accomplishment will be a lifelong motivation enabling me to fulfil my future achievements. This is my very first award in the film industry, for which I, personally, am so grateful. Being here today, and after all that I have been through, is quite emotional for me. Reminiscing on how I started from scratch, as a 20-year-old boy from El Jadida, Morocco, with a mere $80 in his pocket, hoping to have his dream come true, seven years later, Sitting here today, with an award under my belt, is a motivation to keep me to continue and never, ever give up”.

South Africans can watch Africa and I on Showmax.

– Sources: www.goodthingsguy.com

For camping, Superdry analysed Instagram data to reveal the number of countries under the hashtag #camping to indicate popularity in the area.

Australia scored 193 000 hashtags, comfortably beating second-placed Thailand with 63 840 hashtags. South Africa narrowly missed out on a top-five finish with 22 895 to France’s 23 296, which is in fifth place.

– Source: www.getaway.co.za

First place went to La Paz, Bolivia, with 137 345 observations recorded and 5 320 species identified.

Residents of the Mother City recorded 66 144 observations and identified 4 388 species.

 – Source: www.getaway.co.za

The top 10 wedding destinations around the world are:

1. Mexico City
2. Cape Town
3. Cancun
4. Playa Del Carmen
5. Sydney
6. Barcelona
7. Lisbon
8. Rio de Janeiro
9. Buenos Aires
10. Madrid.

– Source: www.news24.com

Beukes lives in Cape Town and has been a successful writer for many years, working as a journalist, comic writer, screenwriter and author. She has penned several critically acclaimed novels and is hailed by the likes of Stephen King, Gillian Flynn and George RR Martin. Beukes has won several awards for her works, including her work as a documentarian and director of Glitterboys & Ganglands, a documentary which won Best LGBTI Film at the Atlanta Black Film Festival.

Her novel, The Shining Girls, was bought for TV adaption by Leonardo Di Caprio’s production company, Appian Way Production. It has been filmed and it was released by Apple TV+ at the end of April 2022.

The Shining Girls is a thriller based on a Chicago Sun-Times research assistant who investigates a murder that is linked to an attack she experienced as a child. Kirby Mazrach (Elisabeth Moss) experiences a shift in her reality as she starts to deal with the horrors of her past and present. Her investigation takes her to some dark places!

As with any book adaption, there are a few deviations from the original story line but Beukes worked as a consultant on the series during production and is very happy with the changes made.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com