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PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ADDRESSES NATIONAL HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATIONS |
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President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Saturday, 24 September 2022, delivered the keynote address during the National Heritage Day celebrations at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. |
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The President led the nation in celebrating South Africa’s indigenous music and its immense contribution to sports, arts, culture and heritage.
This year’s national celebrations were held under the theme “Celebrating the Legacy of Solomon Linda and South Africa’s Indigenous Music”.
The annual event embraces the vast cultural diversity and history that distinctively mark the country’s heritage.
This year’s theme pays tribute to the 60th anniversary of the passing of singer and songwriter Solomon Popoli Linda.
He is best known as the composer of the song, “Mbube”, which later became the popular music success “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, and gave its name to the Mbube style of isicathamiya a capella music.
In a statement on Thursday, 22 September 2022, The Presidency said that Heritage Month 2022 focussed on South Africa’s indigenous music with a spotlight on isicathamiya music and its immense contribution to sport, arts, culture and heritage, especially for emigrant communities in hostels, townships and peri-urban areas.
“It also presents an opportunity to commemorate the centenaries of our late resistance and liberation struggle icons and honour their contributions towards a free and democratic South Africa,” The Presidency said.
As part of this years’ Heritage Month programme, the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture unveiled five Legends and Living Human Treasures publications in honour of the late legendary poet, Don Mattera, the living legends and music icons, Abigail Kubeka, Letta Mbulu, and Caiphus Semenya, and iconic photojournalist Peter Magubane.
Throughout Heritage Month, government departments, entities and civil-society groups are hosting various activities across the country to celebrate South Africa’s heritage.
“South Africans are encouraged to take pride in celebrating and appreciating the country’s indigenous music and our heritage as a vehicle towards social cohesion and nation-building,'' The Presidency said.
Ahead of President Ramaphosa’s keynote address, a carnival procession featuring colourful and flamboyant dance moved from the Union Buildings to Burgers Park in Tshwane.
The carnival float was an expression of the nation’s diverse origins, traditions and rich tangible and intangible heritage.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA WISHES JEWISH COMMUNITY WELL FOR ROSH HASHANAH |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished the Jewish community well over Rosh Hashanah and the High Holy Days that culminate with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. |
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Having begun at sunset on Sunday, 25 September 2022, The Presidency said Jewish communities in South Africa and around the world were observing Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year, marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. |
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“At a time when our country faces many challenges, we draw strength from the deep spiritual reserves of the Jewish community and of all the South African people, as we strive to make our country a better place for all who live in it.
“May you and your loved ones be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for a good and sweet New Year,” the President said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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MINISTER PANDOR CALLS ON GLOBAL LEADERS TO DEAL WITH POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND UNEMPLOYMENT |
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While the COVID-19 pandemic and East European war have severe global consequences, Minister Naledi Pandor says the world should not neglect the needs of the marginalised.
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“Our greatest global challenges are poverty, inequality, joblessness and feeling excluded,” the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation said on Wednesday, 21 September 2022.
Minister Pandor was delivering South Africa’s statement to the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77).
“Acting on the Common Agenda Vision 2021 of the UN Secretary-General should become the major objective of this time because addressing poverty and underdevelopment will be the beginning of the real inflection point in human history,” she said.
The Minister reminded the leaders that the Charter of the UN, the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and its human rights protocols, which commit them to protecting everyone.
“We must acknowledge that we face these crises today because we have not always upheld these foundational principles consistently and fairly.”
Solidary
Meanwhile, Minister Pandor believes that global solidarity is required to meet other pressing challenges such as energy and food insecurity, climate change and the devastation caused by conflicts, including the existential threat of nuclear weapons.
“Instead of working collectively to address these challenges, we have grown further apart, as geopolitical tensions and mistrust permeate our relations,” she admitted.
“We should, however, move forward in solidarity, united in efforts to address our common global challenges to ensure sustainable peace and development.”
COVID-19
Minister Pandor said developing countries, especially in Africa, should not be left behind in treatments where global pandemics such as COVID-19 were concerned.
“It will be a tragic indictment on all of us as leaders if future pandemics found the poorest as unprepared as many were for COVID-19.”
She also called on strengthened global health architecture to better meet the challenges of new pandemics and other infectious diseases of concern.
“South Africa is proud to be part of this solution through the establishment of the first mRNA global technology transfer hubs, which will contribute to the security of supply of life-saving medication for African countries and other developing countries.”
Trade
In addition, Minister Pandor said the multilateral trading system must be strengthened to create a conducive environment for fair trade that also provides opportunities for developing economies.
“If actionable steps such as these are not taken, developing countries will remain subject to an imbalanced global financial and trading system.”
Climate change
Minister Pandor urged leaders to collectively deal with global energy shortages by deploying innovative solutions that are cheaper, cleaner and more accessible.
She said urgent action was needed to protect the environment and the world for the current and future generations.
“While Africa is the least responsible for the climate crisis, it finds itself at the epicentre of its worst impacts.”
Minister Pandor said the world needed to emerge from COP27, in Egypt in November this year, with an agreement that contains enhanced and balanced actions on adaptation, mitigation and financing.
Peace
The Minister also took the time to call peace a global public good.
“There have been no winners of the wars of the past seven decades. Instead, they engendered strife, distrust among nations, divisions, a perpetual misallocation of resources to weapons and increased poverty and underdevelopment.”
She told the delegates that Israel must be held accountable for its destructive actions that had significantly impaired the possibility of a two-State solution.
“Similarly, we cannot ignore the decades-long struggle for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. We must treat all conflicts across the globe with equal indignation, no matter the colour or creed of the people affected.”
She voiced South Africa’s stance to end the embargo against Cuba, which she said continued to impede the right to development of her people.
“In the same vein, we call for an end to unilateral coercive measures against Zimbabwe, which have compounded the problems experienced by the people of Zimbabwe and have a detrimental effect on the broader southern African region.”
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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BRICS MINISTERS VOICE CONCERN ON GLOBAL CONFLICTS |
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| The BRICS ministers of foreign affairs and international relations have expressed concern on the increasing and ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world. |
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“They reiterated the need for full respect of international humanitarian law and the provision of humanitarian aid by the basic principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence established in UNGA Resolution 46/182,” the ministers’ statement read.
The press statement, released on Thursday, 22 September 2022, followed the meeting on the margins of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) in New York, led by South Africa in its capacity as the incoming BRICS Chair for 2023.
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The BRICS alliance consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – five major emerging economies with over three billion people that account for over 40% of the world's population and over a quarter of the global gross domestic product.
The ministers recalled their national positions concerning the situation in Ukraine, as expressed at the appropriate fora, namely the UN Security Council (UNSC) and UNGA.
“The ministers committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and stressed their commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation and supported all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises.”
Terrorism
The BRICS leaders also condemned all forms of terrorism and recognised the threat emanating from terrorism, extremism and radicalisation.
“They reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group,” the statement read.
The ministers emphasised that states had the primary responsibility in combatting terrorism, with the UN continuing to play a central and coordinating role in this area.
Vaccines
They also reiterated the need for equitable distribution of vaccines and speedy vaccination to fill the immunisation gap globally.
“It is imperative to ensure access to safe, quality, effective and affordable medical countermeasures, including vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics and essential medical products to people from all countries, especially from developing countries and the least developed.”
The leaders said they backed the leading role of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledged initiatives such as the ACT-Accelerator and its COVAX Facility.
They acknowledged the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and the decision to discuss, within six months, its extension to cover the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.
They also stressed the need to continue to strengthen the cooperation of the research on the efficacy and safety of vaccines in light of new variants of COVID-19.
“They called on all countries, international agencies and philanthropic organisations to procure vaccines and boosters from manufacturers in emerging markets and developing countries, including BRICS countries, to ensure that the manufacturing capabilities being developed are sustained.”
The ministers also underscored the importance of promoting technology transfer.
“Collaborative models of research and development should be pursued to build stronger and sustainable partnerships among countries to make the fruits of research and innovation accessible to the wider global population.”
Trade
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core.
“They reiterated the strong and necessary need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system, including the UN, the WTO, the International Monetary Fund, and other international organisations.”
They further reiterated their commitment to strengthen the multilateral trading system of the WTO, which is consensus and rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open, free and inclusive with special and differential treatment for developing countries.
“They urged all states to refrain from promulgating and applying any economic, financial or trade measures not by the rules of the WTO, international law and the UN Charter that impede the full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries.”
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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DEPUTY MINISTER TRAVELS TO WEST AFRICA TO HAND OVER VACCINES |
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| The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Candith Mashego-Dlamini, is travelling to Liberia and Sierra Leone to hand over vaccines from 26 to 30 September 2022. |
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| The Government of South Africa has, through the African Renaissance Fund, signed an agreement with the African Vaccination Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to contribute a total of 2 030 400 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to African countries. |
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AVAT was formed following the establishment of the African Union’s (AU) COVID-19 African Vaccination Acquisition Task Team in November 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa as the then Chairperson of the AU.
The contribution, which will be made to the people of Liberia by the South African Government, was produced at the giant pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Gqeberha, South Africa, operated by Aspen Pharma.
South Africa and Liberia enjoy strong bilateral relations. It is envisaged that South Africa’s contribution of 79 200 doses of the COVID-19 J&J vaccines will deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation with Liberia and enhance our friendship and relations with the people and Government of Liberia. |
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DEPUTY MINISTER BOTES CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL WORKING VISIT TO SOUTH AMERICA |
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| The Deputy Minister of international Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, has concluded his successful Working Visit to Venezuela and Chile. |
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| The Deputy Minister visited Caracas, Venezuela, from 14 to 18 September 2022, where he met the Deputy Minister for Europe, Ivan Gil; and the Deputy Minister for Africa, Yuri Alexandre Pimentel Mouran. The Deputy Minister also met the Minister of Agriculture and Culture as well as the Vice Minister for Mining and attended the launch of the Venezuela-South Africa Parliamentary Friend Group. |
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The two countries discussed preparations for the visit of President Nicolas Maduro on a mutually agreeable date.
Furthermore, there was agreement to strengthen trade and economic relations, cooperation in agriculture, higher education, energy, mining, sport, arts and culture and exchanges on multilateral issues of mutual concern.
The Deputy Minister visited Santiago, Chile, from 19 to 21 September 2022, and met the under-secretaries for foreign affairs and sport, Ximana Fuentes, and Antonia Illanes, respectively. The Deputy Minister also had a business networking forum with the Chile-South Africa Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and representatives of South African and Chilean companies. The two countries agreed to strengthen economic and commercial relations, development and technical cooperation, cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture, science and innovation, Antarctica research and exchanges on multilateral issues of mutual concern. |
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FOSTERING SA, US TRADE RELATIONS |
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| KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has held a high-level strategic engagement with South African Consul General in New York, Dr Motumisi Tawana. |
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| The meeting discussed the unlocking of economic opportunities and leveraging on existing trade ties South Africa has with United States (US). |
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Joined by Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Siboniso Duma, Premier Dube-Ncube held constructive discussions with the Consul General on interventions earmarked to accelerate economic growth and the development of KwaZulu-Natal through employment creation, sustainable development and empowerment initiatives to support entrepreneurs.
During the meeting, held at the office of the South African Consul General in New York on Friday, 23 September 2022, the Premier said the South African Embassy in the US had previously held a meeting with business people and investors to showcase the KwaZulu-Natal Investment Book, and reinforce the province’s position as an attractive business, investment and tourism destination.
“Our visit is a continuation of the provincial government’s approach of engaging with the international business community while leveraging on the good relations and partnerships that the South African Consulate General has with US-based businesses and investors.
“The key areas we are focussing on include trade, commerce, education (student exchange programmes), agriculture, health, information technology, energy generation, and arts and culture,” Premier Dube-Ncube said.
Dr Tawana reassured Premier Dube-Ncube that his office would facilitate linkages between KwaZulu-Natal and US-based investors and businesses, in line with their mandate to promote South Africa’s interests and trade relations and foster relations within the consulate’s area of jurisdiction.
The Premier and MEC also interacted with Ambassador Professor Anil Sooklal, Ambassador at Large for Asia and Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), to discuss the provincial government’s participation next year when South Africa hosts the BRICS 2023 Summit.
South Africa, as the incoming BRICS Chair for 2023, hosted the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Meeting, in New York, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) taking place at the UN from 20 to 27 September 2022.
Premier Dube-Ncube led the provincial government delegation joining leading states, regions and other sub-nationals at the annual Under2 Coalition General Assembly, held from 19 to 25 September 2022.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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AIR BELGIUM AND AIRLINK CONNECT TO 36 SOUTHERN AFRICAN DESTINATIONS |
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| Air Belgium has signed a new commercial agreement with South Africa’s independent and premier airline, Airlink, which conveniently connects customers travelling to or from Brussels, with 36 destinations across southern Africa. |
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This follows the recent inauguration of Air Belgium’s new service between Brussels, Johannesburg and Cape Town, using the fuel-efficient Airbus A330neo aircraft.
This first cooperation agreement between both companies offers Air Belgium customers the ability to purchase multi-sector journeys for flights operated by Air Belgium and Airlink, on a single ticket. It includes the added ability to have their luggage checked through their final destination when transiting through Johannesburg.
It simplifies travel to bucket-list southern African destinations for Air Belgium customers across the Airlink network, wanting a convenient long-haul service between the heart of the European Union’s capital and South Africa plus 11 neighbouring countries. |
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Commenting on the agreement, Niky Terzakis, CEO Air Belgium, says:
“South Africa is in high demand for Belgian and European travellers. We are delighted that our dynamic agreement with Airlink will allow us to offer our customers seamless connections to 12 popular South African leisure and business destinations such as the Kruger National Park, Durban and Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) as well as important business destinations like Kimberley, Bloemfontein and Richards Bay among others. We’re also excited to be able to offer our passengers the possibility to travel to bucket-list destinations within the SADC region as well as the DRC.”
Through this cooperative arrangement with Air Belgium, Airlink offers inbound business and leisure travellers onward connections, which span 36 destinations in 11 sub-Saharan countries.
“Similarly, we now offer convenient connections through Johannesburg and Cape Town, to Belgium, which, besides hosting the EU capital, is a leading gateway for visitors to Europe. It is also the heart of the international diamond trade and an important centre for industrial manufacturing, making it a crucial trading partner for many of markets and countries we serve,” explained Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster.
Customers can book on www.airbelgium.com or www.flyairlink.com or through reputable travel agencies.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR SET OFF FOR US TO HONOUR THE LATE DESMOND TUTU |
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The Ndlovu Youth Choir headed to Atlanta in the United States to perform as part of a tribute to the life of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. |
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The Ndlovu Youth Choir gave a special performance in Atlanta, Georgia, this week in honour of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The proudly South African choir was invited to give the performance by the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Atlanta Tribute Committee.
The event, “Tutu Legacy Lives in Us”, was hosted on 28 September 2022 to highlight the life’s work of the iconic man. They honoured his human rights activism and transformational message of restorative social justice and reconciliation.
The event was attended by the people that Tutu worked with most closely in the 1980s and 1990s to help fight apartheid in South Africa. He was a guest professor at Emory University at Candler School of Theology from 1991-1992 and 1998-2000; he was later honoured with an honourary degree from the university.
The Ndlovu Youth Choir added a beautiful South African touch to the tribute. The choir is famous for its stunning renditions and performances. They even went all the way to America’s Got Talent and did phenomenally well.
The choir put on an impromptu performance at the airport before boarding their flight to Atlanta.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com
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STARS REUNITE IN NEW YORK TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF “SARAFINA!” |
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| A special screening of the pioneering South African film “Sarafina!” took place recently to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its release in the United States (US). |
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The event was co-hosted by producer Anant Singh, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the South African Consulate General New York.
"I am honoured to be alive to celebrate the 30-year anniversary," said lead actor Whoopi Goldberg, who attended the event.
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The screening at the Museum of Modern Art in New York on 21 September 2022 – co-hosted by Singh, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the South African Consulate General New York – coincided with the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
The event was attended by His Serene Highness, Prince Albert of Monaco, members of the original Sarafina! cast, including lead actors Whoopi Goldberg and Leleti Khumalo, Ntombikhona Dlamini, Nandi Ndlovu, and Lindiwe Dlamini, Basetsana Kumalo, Chair of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the US, Neil Diamond and a host of UN delegates, diplomats and members of the International Olympic Committee.
Directed by Darrell Roodt, Sarafina! had its US premiere at New York's prestigious Radio City Musical Hall 30 years ago, on 14 September 1992.
Speaking at the screening, Singh said: "Sarafina! holds up really well 30 years after its release. The film celebrates the young women of our liberation, the mothers of the struggle who made significant sacrifices and our powerful legacy of activism."
He added: "When we started the process of making Sarafina!, little did we know that by the time the film had its premiere, Madiba would be released from prison. We are very privileged that he attended the world premiere in Johannesburg three decades ago."
Also speaking at the screening, Whoopi Goldberg said: "It's great to be here. I look at Leleti, I look at Anant, and I think, 'Wow, we did do this!' I'm getting old, and every couple of years, there's a celebration, and this is a 30-year celebration. I am honoured to be alive to celebrate it."
Leleti Khumalo said: "I lived the role of Sarafina on stage, and I am grateful to Anant for believing in me to play the role in the film. I am thrilled to be here in person to celebrate this milestone and to share this special moment with Whoopi."
– Source: www.news24.com |
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SOUTH AFRICAN COLLABS WITH JOHN LEGEND |
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| The world cannot stop watching John Legend and Mthandazo Gatya’s duet video. It has garnered millions of views and support from everyone that sees it. |
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One of the best Tik Tok trends is when celebrity singers create songs to duet, but an even better trend is when they celebrate and promote one of the collabs! And John Legend did just that … helping a South African go viral!
The global superstar and Voice coach created the Nervous duet video on 12 September, but he has only reshared one collab with his millions of followers. |
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“I want nothing but to be heard and I plan to do so through my music. I want to take our African languages and showcase them to the world. We as Africans have a lot of stories to tell that the world needs to hear. I want us to have pride in the languages that we hardly hear being sung anymore and I plan to do my part by adding a modern twist to it,” Gatya told Sowetan Live.
“I received a lot of backing from my fans as well as a few South African celebrities who were instrumental in John finally seeing the duet video that I shared on TikTok, Twitter and Instagram.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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CAROLYN STEYN NAMED PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR AT CEREMONY IN LONDON |
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| Carolyn Steyn has been named the Philanthropist of the Year at the African Achievers Awards in London for her work in uplifting South African lives. |
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Steyn is a force of good in South Africa. Her work has inspired thousands of South Africans and touched the lives of millions more.
Steyn is a prominent figure in the worlds of philanthropy, art, music and media in South Africa. With an early career as an actress and decades of experience in the world of radio, Carolyn Steyn has become a household name and voice, with a dedication to various cultural or charitable organisations.
Many readers will know her for her work with 67 Blankets and the “KnitWits” of South Africa. Through these philanthropic pursuits, Carolyn has been recognised by the African Achievers Awards.
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“What a privilege to have been in the company of such brilliant young minds at the 12th African Achiever Awards last night, honouring leaders making strides in changing the narrative of the African continent.
"A particular highlight for me was listening to and meeting the former President of Mauritius, Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim. Thank you African Achiever Awards for presenting me with the award for African Philanthropist of the Year.
"Knowing that the very first African Achiever Award was presented to Archbishop Desmond Tutu back in 2012 makes me feel truly humbled.” – Carolyn Steyn
This year marked the 12th annual African Achievers Awards, which were hosted in London. The awards celebrate African excellence by recognising and honouring notable individuals and organisations in Africa across multiple industries that contribute immensely to the growth and development of the continent.
The very first award was presented to Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 2012 to recognise his fight for human rights, justice and peace.
This adds to Steyn’s accolades for 2022, as earlier this year, she was honoured by the French Embassy with the award of Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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TWO SOUTH AFRICAN CHEFS NOMINATED AS BEST IN THE WORLD! |
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The Best Chef award ceremony took place recently and South Africans Peter Tempelhoff and James Gaag were nominated as two of the top 200 chefs in the world. |
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The Best Chef wants to be a bridge between the past, present and future by presenting the best of the world’s gastronomic scene.
“Our mission is to gather all food lovers from all over the world and create a community of all those for whom food is passion – a platform that is a point of reference for them. The Best Chef is a place to exchange knowledge and experiences, to discuss current topics, and to debate on universal topics from the world of fine dining.”
Moreover, by presenting the best of the best during the annual awards event (the Top100 chefs and winners of special awards), The Best Chef wants to celebrate people whose experience, passion and determination led them to achieve success. In this way, The Best Chef wants to inspire younger generations of chefs and show them what is important. The Best Chef has taken this desire to educate and inspire to the next level by creating two annual educational activities: Food Meets Science and Area Talks.
The award ceremony took place recently and Peter Tempelhoff and James Gaag were nominated as two of the top 200 chefs in the world.
Beginning his chef training in Cape Town at the Institute of Culinary Arts, Tempelhoff embarked on his studies at the Culinary Institute of America and thereafter made his way through a series of Michelin-starred restaurants in London; where he was mentored by the likes of Marco Pierre White, Aaron Pattern and Giogio Locatelli, crafting restaurants to be the best in the city.
Appointed as executive chef at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate in Franschhoek on his return to South Africa, Tempelhoff quickly grew his local footprint to being voted Sunday Times Chef of the Year.
Considered a stalwart on the South African culinary map, Chef Patron and founder of the new urban restaurant FYN, Tempelhoff is a lover of complex dishes, favouring the use of coastal plants and fynbos. It is no surprise that Tempelhoff would name his new restaurant after the Afrikaans word fynbos, which also means ”fine” in English.
He says FYN is an urban restaurant for people who don’t have a lot of time, offering “a menu with as much flavour and texture in a shortened version as you would expect in a long tasting menu”. Served in the Japanese kaiseki tradition, guests can expect a completely different kind of fine dining experience.
Growing up in kitchens around food, Gaag's passion for cooking developed from a young age. His mother, Gaie Gaag, is a cooking, sugar craft and confectionary teacher at Silwood Kitchen, a culinary school in the heart of Cape Town’s Southern suburbs. Here, James was exposed to food and cooking professionally, and the South African culinary industry.
In 2010, Gaag's joined La Colombe as a third-year student and through hard work and determination, he rose through the ranks to sous chef.
In 2013, James left La Colombe and travelled to England, looking to gain international experience. He was offered a position in the kitchen of legendary chef Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxford. He spent a year in the renowned kitchen, learning as much as he could from the talented chefs at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, before returning back to South Africa in 2014.
Back in his home country, Gaag was appointed as the head chef of La Colombe. At the young age of 28, James Gaag, has already established a strong name for himself in the restaurant industry as a cooking, sugar craft and confectionary teacher at Silwood Kitchen, which is where he was exposed to food and cooking in a professional way since living in South Africa.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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BOKS BEAT ARGENTINA, BUT ALL BLACKS TAKE CHAMPIONSHIP |
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| South Africa won the battle but lost the war following their 38-21 victory over ill-disciplined Argentina at King’s Park in Durban – a result that handed the 2022 Rugby Championship title to the All Blacks. |
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New Zealand top the standings with 19 points from their six games, one more than South Africa, who could not manage the try-scoring bonus point they needed to go with a 39-point winning margin on the scoreboard to claim the trophy on Saturday, 24 September 2022.
Instead, Argentina ran them close in Durban but was once again let down by their discipline as they received four yellow cards and conceded two penalty tries. The Boks also scored through No 8 Jasper Wiese, loose-forward Siya Kolisi and replacement fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse.
The visitors looked dangerous every time they had ball in hand and scored three tries through scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou, back row Juan Martín Gonzalez and centre Matias Moroni, but spent much of the time on defence as they conceded 22 penalties in the game.
"It's tough, but we never take a win for granted and it is an honour to beat a great side like Argentina," South Africa captain Kolisi said after the match.
"The way we started, it was slow. But we were able to score some points. Our discipline also let us down a bit at times. |
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"When we create opportunities ... we were so many times in their half and we did not take the chances. We create so much, our game plan is working, we just don't convert those opportunities."
Wiese scored his first try in a green and gold jersey as the home side scrummed the ball over the line, before Kolisi crossed when he broke away from a maul and dived over.
Argentina scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou got a try back before the halftime whistle when he profited from some scrappy defence from the hosts.
For the second week in a row, Argentina started the second half much the brighter and they were rewarded with an excellent second score via loose-forward Gonzalez as he showed excellent pace to race down the left-wing and dot down.
But the Boks' power game and their Bomb Squad off the bench was sapping the energy of the visitors and they conceded two more scores from driving mauls that ended as penalty tries and two more yellow cards.
– Source: Reuters |
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BINDER TAKES SECOND IN JAPAN |
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| South Africa’s Brad Binder earned his first MotoGP podium of the season by finishing second at the Grand Prix of Japan in Motegi. |
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Starting third on the grid, Binder managed to finish the race 3.409 seconds behind Jack Miller of Australia.
Miller won the GP in a time of 42 minutes and 23.174 seconds.
Jorge Martin of Spain completed the podium some 4.136 seconds behind Binder.
Binder said his confidence grew during the course of the race.
“I was able to do laps behind them and figure out where I really needed to improve and use my strong points to my advantage”, said Binder.
“As the race when on, I felt like I got better and better. I need to say a massive thank you to my team for giving me the confidence and to walk away with a podium; today was fantastic.”
Binder's podium moved him up to sixth in the overall standings.
– Source: www.ofm.co.za |
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MOKOENA SCORES STUNNING FREE-KICK AS BAFANA EDGE BOTSWANA TO HAND BROOS TWO WINS IN A ROW |
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| A Tebogo Mokoena free-kick in the first half earned Bafana Bafana a 1-0 win against neighbours Botswana at FNB Stadium on Tuesday, 27 September 2022 |
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In a much-changed starting XI that won Sierra Leone 4-0 on Saturday, 24 September, head coach Hugo Broos entrusted two new faces to don the Bafana colours against the Zebras.
Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Siyanda Msani were handed their debuts as Veli Mothwa started in goal ahead of captain Ronwen Williams.
Ashley Du Preez, Pule Mmodi and Khanyisa Mayo led the attack, while Goodman Mosele and Mokoena played behind in midfield. |
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Meanwhile, Bafana regulars Khuliso Mudau, Siyanda Xulu and Rushine de Reuck completed the back four with new face Msani.
It was expected to be a tough match as combinations, especially in attack where would seem to offer problems, and that was the case throughout the game.
But Mokoena, who netted his fourth goal in senior national colours, ensured Broos earned his second win on the trot as Bafana boss, with the national team set to assemble in November again for a camp before the FIFA World Cup.
– Source: www.news24.com
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SA'S ELANA MEYER AND ETHIOPIA'S TULU REUNITE FOR 30-YEAR BARCELONA CELEBRATION |
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| Thirty years ago, on a hot, humid August night in Barcelona, Elana Meyer and Derartu Tulu combined to create one of the most iconic moments in Olympic Games history. Now, the two are getting together to celebrate that piece of history for the first time since that embrace and lap of honour reverberated around the world. |
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“Thirty years, hey. Can you believe it? It feels like yesterday,” says Meyer, the South African who won the silver medal, with Ethiopia’s Tulu becoming the first African woman to win an Olympic athletics gold. In South Africa’s return to the Olympic fold for the first time since 1960, and competing under a neutral flag, Meyer had seized the advantage with 10 laps remaining in the 1 000m, with only Tulu going with her. Then, at the bell for the final lap, the Ethiopian kicked for home and pulled out a winning advantage.
“I’ve watched the race over and over through the years,” says Meyer, now 55. “I had gone in with the mindset to win gold, that was the objective. The thinking was that [world champion and favourite] Liz McColgan would set a faster pace, but she didn’t go hard enough. My initial plan was to push hard after 5 000m, but when I’d been in front over the last 10 laps I probably could have had one or two laps where I should have gone faster, to break the invisible cord between myself and Derartu [the only athlete able to hang on to Meyer].
Meyer and Tulu got the opportunity to revisit the scene of one of the most iconic tussles in Games history. Both were part of a 30-year reunion on 26 and 27 September, with both athletes travelling to Barcelona with their families to be headliners of a schedule that included a media conference, a visit to the Olympic Museum, a visit to the Montjuic Olympic Stadium and a seminar followed by a Q&A session at the Instituto Nacional de Educación Física, the sports studies university, with sports students and professors.
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The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic and Paralympic Committee has contributed to helping make this reunion with two giants of African athletics history possible.
“I’m delighted to be able to go back to the stadium where everything happened,” says Meyer. “I’ve been back before but this time there will be people there – and Derartu, of course. I’ll also be taking my two children along, Christopher [15] and Ene [12]. It’s all very special and I’m definitely going to be raising a glass of champagne, given that I can share the reunion with them.”
Immediately after the 10 000m final those 30 years ago, Tulu and Meyer embraced, joined hands and then went on a lap of honour. It was a momentous occasion given South Africa’s fractured past and return to the Olympic family followed decades of apartheid-enforced isolation.
Says Tulu: “I had never met Elana before, but she acted as if we were acquainted and we were former friends. That was a very big surprise for me. Amazingly we had the best-ever hug. We never forgot we two were from Africa.”
And, 30 years later the world hasn’t forgotten the night of 7 August 1992 when two gifted athletes produced a race and moment for the ages.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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