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| PRESIDENT PREPARES TO ADVANCE SOUTH AFRICA'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa is preparing to undertake a number of bilateral and multilateral engagements in coming weeks in which he will advance partnerships for growth and development in South Africa and for global solidarity, security and inclusive prosperity. |
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South Africa’s programme of economic diplomacy is a key lever for the realisation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to rebuild the economy.
At multilateral level, South Africa seeks to advance its National Interest – the well-being and development of all citizens – as well as the development priorities of developing countries, including the Southern African Development Community region and the African continent, and to promote an equitable rules-based multilateral system.
October
In October, President Ramaphosa will host President Brahim Ghali of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic for deliberations in Pretoria.
President Ramaphosa will also welcome Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain to Pretoria for discussions on relations between the two countries.
Still in October, President Ramaphosa will undertake a Working Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in fulfilment of a planned visit the President postponed in April 2022 to focus on government’s intervention in the KwaZulu-Natal flood disaster.
Saudi Arabia is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner the Middle East and largest source of imports from the region. The exchange of political and business visits, as well as trade and investment exhibitions and seminars by both countries in the past years have had a positive effect on trade and investment trends.
November
In November, President Ramaphosa will participate in the global climate change conference, COP 27, to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Heads of state and government, government delegations, non-governmental organisations, private-sector delegates and other representatives will engage at the global conference on action on climate and sustainable development goals; adaptation and resilience; climate finance; education and youth; gender; innovation, and land use, as part of deliberations on mitigating climate change and securing sustainability for future generations.
President Ramaphosa will subsequently undertake a visit to the Republic of Kenya for his first engagement with recently elected President William Ruto to expand trade between the two countries and enhance people-to-people relations between two significant economies in their respective regions.
Still in November, President Ramaphosa will participate in the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, where leaders of the world’s major developed and emerging economies will hold discussions on global priorities advocated by Indonesia during its term as the G20 Presidency.
These priorities include the global health architecture, sustainable energy transition and digital transformation.
Together, the G20 members represent more than 80% of world gross domestic product, 75% of international trade and 60% of the world population.
Later in November, President Ramaphosa and First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe will honour an invitation by His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom (UK) to undertake a State Visit to the UK.
The State Visit follows visits at this level to the UK by presidents Mandela, Mbeki and Zuma since the advent of democracy and follows visits by King Charles III and the Queen Consort to South Africa.
South Africa and the UK are strategic partners with a broad and vibrant relationship, led by a commitment to liberal values, democracy and the rule of law.
The two countries share a wide array of mutual interests and continue to deepen collaboration to resolve global challenges.
December
In early December, President Ramaphosa will host President Nicolás Maduro of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for bilateral discussions in Pretoria.
Venezuela is a strategic partner of South Africa in Latin America, especially in the context of South-South cooperation as well as the potential for future economic partnership due to its abundant oil and gas reserves.
The Presidency will provide closer details of these engagements, including dates, closer to these events. |
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| SOUTH AFRICA ELECTED TO UNHRC |
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| The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has elected a dozen new countries to serve on the Human Rights Council (HRC), while Germany and Sudan secured second terms. |
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After the ballots were cast and counted, Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi named Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Morocco, Romania, South Africa and Vietnam to serve for three years, beginning 1 January, 2023.
South Korea and Venezuela failed to be re-elected to the top human rights body, which is based at the UN in Geneva.
The council, tasked with the responsibility to uphold and advance human rights globally, consists of 47 member states, elected via secret ballot by the majority of General Assembly members.
Their selection is based on equitable geographical distribution, and seats are distributed among regional groups of states from Africa (13); Asia-Pacific (13); Eastern European (six); Latin American and Caribbean (eight); and Western European and others (seven).
Full tally
Breaking down how each of the successful candidates fared in relation to their competitors, Mr Kőrösi announced that South Africa topped the voting for African nations, with 182 votes, followed by Algeria (178), Morocco (178) and Sudan (157).
Moving to Asia and the Pacific, Bangladesh secured 160 votes, followed by the Maldives (154), Vietnam (145), Kyrgyzstan (126), Korea, (123), Afghanistan (12), Bahrain (one) and Mongolia (one).
In Eastern Europe, Georgia secured 178 votes, Romania, 176, and Latin America and the Caribbean, saw Chile secure 144 votes, followed by Costa Rica (134) and Venezuela (88).
Finally, for the Western Europe grouping, Belgium received 169 votes, followed by Germany with 167 and San Marino (one).
Each council member serves for a three-year period, eligible for one consecutive re-election term only, with the yearly membership cycle beginning on 1 January.
Today’s members
The full membership of the current council is Argentina, Armenia, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Czech Republic, Eritrea, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Montenegro, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.
On 6 December 2021, Federico Villegas of Argentina was elected President for 2022.
At that time, he vowed to make sure that the HRC was a “stable platform to increase dialogue and deepen understanding about commonalities and differences about human rights”.
– Source: https://news.un.org |
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| MINISTER PANDOR CO-CHAIRS THE INAUGURAL KOREA-SOUTH AFRICA JOINT COOPERATION COMMISSION (JCC) AND PAYS A WORKING VISIT TO JAPAN |
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| The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, visited the Republic of Korea and the State of Japan from 10 to 13 October 2022, where she co-chaired the inaugural Korea-South Africa JCC and the Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum, respectively. |
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Minister Pandor and her counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Park JIN, co-chaired the JCC in Seoul, with a focus on ensuring that the multi-faceted bilateral relationship is placed on a strong footing at the political, economic, social and technical levels.
Minister Pandor also used her visit to the Republic of Korea to have a meeting with the captains of big businesses, including the representatives of various business chambers. The meeting took place on Tuesday, 11 October 2022, ahead of the JCC.
Formal diplomatic relations between South Africa and Korea were established in December 1992, two years after the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. This year marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa-Korea diplomatic relations. |
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South Africa features as Korea’s largest trading partner in Africa, while Korea is South Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner in Asia. Total trade between the two countries has been growing steadily and amounted to R47,8 billion in 2021. South Africa’s exports to Korea have demonstrated an upward trajectory over the years, from R16 billion in 2011 to R31 billion in 2021.
In Tokyo, Japan, Minister Pandor and the Foreign Minister, Hayashi Yoshimasa, sought to advance political, economic, social and technical cooperation between South Africa and Japan. The two ministers exchanged views on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
Japan, the third-largest economy in the world (in terms of nominal gross domestic product) after the United States and China, is one of the major and continuous investors (over R90 billion) in the South African economy. Japan has a current presence in South Africa of 286 companies, sustaining approximately 200 000 local job opportunities. |
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New investments in the South African economy by Japanese companies include those made by Toyota (R4,28 billion), Nissan (R3,2 billion) and Isuzu (R1.2 billion).
Minster Pandor’s visit to Korea and Japan was aimed at elevating South Africa’s bilateral relations with the two east Asian countries, focussing on enhancing economic cooperation and political dialogue. |
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| DEPUTY MINISTER BOTES CO-CHAIRS THE SOUTH AFRICA-CZECH REPUBLIC POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS |
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| The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, travelled to Prague in the Czech Republic, to co-chair the South Africa-Czech Republic Political Consultations with his counterpart, Martin Tlapa, on Tuesday, 11 October 2022. |
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The visit was aimed at consolidating and further enhancing diplomatic and political cooperation between South Africa and the Czech Republic. It also deepened understanding of regional, multilateral and global issues of mutual concern.
This round of consultations followed the previous round that was held virtually just over a year ago, in July 2021. |
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Political consultations between South Africa and the Czech Republic are held annually at the level of deputy ministers in terms of the Declaration of Intent on Political Dialogue, which entered into force in July 2000.
Trade and economic relations between the two countries are managed through a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation, which is led by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
While in Prague, Deputy Minister Botes also promoted economic diplomacy in line with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation's priority focus and encouraged cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, higher education and science and technology.
In addition, the Deputy Minister met with existing and prospective Czech investors. |
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| SOUTH AFRICA EXTENDS ITS DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND |
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| The Government of the Republic of South Africa has extended its deepest condolences to the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand following the death of many Thai citizens and children during a mass shooting at a children’s day-care centre in the Northern Thai Province of Nong Bua Lamphu, on 6 October 2022. |
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“We have noted the confirmation from the Royal Thai Police of at least 34 deaths, including 22 children during the shooting and a further 12 injuries.
“The Government and people of South Africa mourn with the Government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand and share in their loss.” |
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| RHODES UNIVERSITY HONOURS JOURNALIST AND FREEDOM FIGHTER THENJIWE MTINTSO |
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| Rhodes University will bestow an honorary degree, a Doctor of Laws, on former journalist, anti-apartheid activist and High Commissioner to Namibia, Thenjiwe Mtintso, at its October postgraduate graduation ceremony this week. |
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Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, said the honour was in recognition and celebration of High Commissioner Mtintso’s long and sustained contribution as a dedicated freedom fighter and a committed gender activist.
Mabizela said the nation owed Mtintso an unpayable debt of gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices she made throughout her life in the struggle for freedom.
“She gave a voice to the many who had been rendered voiceless by the iniquitous and oppressive system of apartheid.
"I am delighted that the Rhodes University community has seen it fit to honour her sustained and significant contributions by the award of an honorary doctorate and warmly congratulate her on this richly deserved recognition and notable achievement,” said Mabizela.
Mtintso was born to African National Congress (ANC) member and trade unionist father Gana Makabeni and domestic worker mother Hanna Mtintso on 7 November 1950 in Soweto.
Due to financial constraints, she was forced to leave school and work full-time in various factories to finance her part-time studies at secondary school.
She matriculated at Damelin College and went on to study a Bachelor of Social Science degree at the University of Fort Hare, where she became a member of the South African Student Organisation and joined the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM).
Her activism in student politics led to her being detained several times by the security police in the 1970s and her eventual expulsion from the university.
She moved to King William's Town and worked as a political organiser with BCM leaders Steve Biko and Mamphela Ramphele.
She was subjected to banning, detentions, solitary confinement and severe torture by the security police.
Mtintso went into exile in 1978 after Biko was murdered in police custody.
She joined the ANC and its military wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), in exile and underwent military training, rising through the ranks to become an MK commander.
She was sent for further training in Cuba at the Fé del Valle School and then worked in Lesotho with the Regional Political-Military Council, which coordinated the ANC’s political and military activities in that country.
Mtintso later served as head of the Regional Political-Military Council in Botswana (1986-1989) and as the ANC’s first chief representative to Uganda (1989-1991).
Mtintso remained in exile until 1992, when she returned to South Africa and enrolled for her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology at Wits University.
She was appointed to the Transitional Executive Committee and became an active participant in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) negotiations.
After the first democratic elections in April 1994, she became an ANC Member of Parliament. Mtintso turned down an offer of a ministry and chose not to contest her seat again.
She was elected to the ANC National Executive Committee in 1994, 1997 and 2002.
In March 1997, Mtintso was appointed the first Chair of South Africa’s Commission on Gender Equality and Chairperson of the board of Gender Links.
She resigned a year later after being elected as the first woman ANC Deputy Secretary-General in December.
Mtintso also served as a member of the central committee of the South African Communist Party.
Meanwhile, she also enrolled for a Master’s of Arts degree at Wits University in 1998.
In 2004, she resigned from being the ANC Deputy Secretary-General, partly because of continuing health problems as a result of her torture.
She served as South Africa’s Ambassador to Cuba (2003-2008), Italy (2009-2012), Romania (2014-2016) and Spain (2019-2022). In addition, Mtintso was South Africa’s High Commissioner to Malawi from 2016 to 2019.
In 2022, she was appointed South Africa’s High Commissioner to Namibia.
Mtintso has been active in various gender and women’s structures throughout her life. She has engaged in gender training, especially for women in politics in Africa.
She has written articles published in various local and international publications on women, patriarchy, gender relations and defence.
She has presented papers and participated in various national and international workshops, seminars and conferences on women, gender, democracy and defence.
Mtintso will be honoured on Friday at the 1820 Settler’s Monument in Makhanda.
Mtintso is a former reporter for the Daily Dispatch, a liberal newspaper that was edited in the1970s by anti-apartheid campaigner Donald Woods in East London.
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| GOVERNMENT TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE WITH SCIENCE-BASED APPROACH |
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| Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy, says government is committed to mitigating climate change and building communities’ resilience towards its effects. |
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She was speaking at the 11th Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation Conference on Wednesday, 5 October 2022.
“South Africa is fully committed to contributing our best efforts to mitigating climate change and supporting the adaptation capabilities of communities and regions to build climate resilience. In this regard, we submitted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution in September 2021, which includes a significantly more ambitious mitigation target,” she said.
The country faced the devastating reality and effects of global warming and climate change during the deadly floods in KwaZulu-Natal this year, which took the lives of at least 450 people.
Following the disaster, scientists at the World Weather Attribution said: “The probability of an event such as the rainfall that resulted in this disaster has approximately doubled due to human-induced climate change”.
Minister Creecy warned that unless addressed, the threat that climate change poses is expected to only grow.
“Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution threaten the environment on which we depend and weaken our economic and social systems [and] concern for the environmental crisis is no longer confined to multilateral institutions or the non-governmental sector.
“This year, the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) identified climate action failure, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as the top three of the top 10 global risks by severity over the next 10 years,” she said.
Government, the Minister said, was actively seeking science-led solutions and interventions.
“In the context of these interlinked global risks, the role of scientific research in promoting evidence-based decision-making becomes more important than ever before. Equally important, is the role of scientific research in finding innovative solutions to the existential challenges facing mankind.
“To ensure a science-based response to the climate crisis, which is centrally important to our just transition, we are funding a wide range of research, development and innovation programmes and interventions,” she said.
These interventions include:
- the Global Change Research Plan and its associated programmes and interventions
- the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas
- multiple programmes on moving towards a circular economy
- the development of the draft White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biodiversity as well as South Africa’s first Game Meat Strategy
“The [draft white paper and Game Meat Strategy] provide a clear understanding of our intentions and aspirations as we promote the sustainable use of our natural heritage to enable and facilitate transformative socio-economic development, but also to ensure that we conserve biodiversity for current and future generations.
“In other words, the actions we take today must not only secure ecological sustainability into the future but must also promote justifiable economic and social development to reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment, especially for our rural communities,” she said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| MINISTER KUBAYI HOSTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UN-HABITAT MAIMUNAH MOHD SHARIF |
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| The Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, is hosting the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, for an Official Visit to South Africa from 12 to 18 October 2022. |
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The visit includes the launch of the Global Action Plan Framework on Informal Settlements and Slums. This is aimed at accelerating Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda while searching for solutions in response to the challenges of informal settlements and slums.
They will also hold bilateral discussions on strategic partnerships and country programmes and sign a Memorandum of Understanding between South Africa and UN-Habitat, among others.
From 13 to 16 October 2022, together with the South African delegation, they travelled to KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng to assess the work that is being done to upgrade informal settlements through the provision of basic services and transfer of people to permanent housing structures.
The formal and informal settlements visited include Pemilton in Durban, Bosasa and Conradie Park in the City of Cape Town, and the Rugby Club and Fleurhof housing development in Roodepoort, Johannesburg. |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN COMPANIES READY TO SHOWCASE PRODUCTS IN FRANCE |
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| South African companies are preparing themselves to make a good impression at the Sial Paris International Food Products Exhibition, which will take place in France from 15 to 19 October 2022. |
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Twenty-six companies producing processed foods, non-alcoholic beverages, preserved foods, spices, soups, deep-frozen products, health and organic products, sweets, sea food and gourmet food products will participate in the exhibition.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has set up a South African National Pavilion at which the companies will be showcasing their products and services.
Sial Paris is a popular trade show, which is regarded as the world’s leading exhibition network with unrivalled geographic coverage of Europe and the rest of the world.
To this end, South African business people are excited about the prospects of participating in the fair and are looking forward to putting their best feet forward to showcase the best of the food products that South Africa has to offer the international community.
The Managing Director of House of Natural Butter, Debra Ncube, whose company is based in Cape Town, says her groundwork before departing for France is already bearing fruits as she has managed to set up meetings with at least three distributors to market her products, which comprise peanut, macadamia and almond butter.
“Our main objective for travelling to France is to strike deals during or after the exhibition that will enable us to penetrate the European market.
“We are confident that our high-value agro-processing products will attract the attention of the distributors, particularly the macadamia butter. South Africa is trending as the hub of highly valued macadamia products and we are hoping to ride on the crest of that wave,” Ncube said.
The owner of the Stellenbosch-based Spicy Bulldog food company, David Stephens, says all his preparations are going according to plan and he is looking forward to his company’s first international exhibition.
“My products, which consist of wholegrain mustard, chutney and chilli sauce, have been shipped to France already.
“My mission is to find importers in Paris so that I can export my products to Europe. I am optimistic that I will succeed. I am already making arrangements with the local production facilities that I can make use of to increase my production in order to service the new orders,” Stephens said.
Sial Paris will be the first international exhibition experience for Thabisile Danisa, who is the Managing Director of Incasa Foods, a Durban-based condiments- and sauces-producing company. Part of her preparations for Sial has been upgrading her production factory to comply with the required standards for an exporter.
“We have been working hard installing new equipment to get our production facility to be in line with the requirements of an international exporter so that we can obtain the required health and safety certificate.
“The trip to France could not have come at a more opportune time as we are implementing our strategy of growing our business. We are hoping we will be able to secure clients during or after the exhibition so that we can start exporting our products to Europe,” Danisa said.
For Wendy Mpendulo, the Chief Executive Officer of Miante Manufacturing, which is a Pretoria-based company producing healthy, on the go, tasty filling snacks, Sial Paris will provide her with an opportunity to increase her company’s export market.
“We are currently exporting our products to Eswatini, although at a very limited scale. We are travelling to France with the hope of finding a distributor, agent or big companies such as retail or hotel chains that can be interested in importing our products to France and other countries in Europe and beyond.
“We are optimistic that we will succeed as we are already doing some social media marketing as part of creating awareness about our company and products targeting the buyers that will be attending the exhibition,” she said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SPEAKER MAPISA-NQAKULA LEADS HIGH-LEVEL PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO 145TH IPU ASSEMBLY IN RWANDA |
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| The South African Parliament’s high-level delegation to the 145th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), led by National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, arrived on 10 October 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda – the selected host country for this session. |
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The five-day session, taking place from 11 to 15 October, brings together delegates from 178 member parliaments, and sees global parliaments engaging on the overall theme of the Assembly: "Gender Equality and Gender-sensitive Parliaments as Drivers of Change for a More Resilient and Peaceful World". The IPU will facilitate exchanges on good practices to make parliaments more gender-sensitive as well as encourage parliaments to pledge transformative action. According to the latest IPU rankings of 186 countries, South Africa is placed 12th in the world among parliaments with the highest number of women representation.
The 145th Assembly is meeting amid a series of global challenges on which world parliamentarians are increasingly expected to make a difference to build a safer and a better world. The IPU has made interventions in trying to resolve global challenges that include the war in Ukraine, women's representation and gender-based violence, mainstreaming of young people through, among others, improved representation and climate changes whose impact is felt most by poorer and underdeveloped nations, rising terrorism and threats of war, exponentially growing international migration and related problems.
The IPU Task Force for the peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine, whose formation was resolved at the March 2022 144th Assembly in Indonesia, will report to the entire membership (Assembly) on the outcome of its mission and the steps ahead.
The task force is led by its President, Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, IPU Vice-President and member of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates. Other task force members include Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula of South Africa, speakers of Parliament from Namibia, and Uruguay, as well as prominent MPs from Indonesia, Israel and Kazakhstan.
The Task Force was established to undertake direct engagements with the parliaments of Ukraine and Russia to help achieve a complete ceasefire and to contribute to confidence-building measures that may achieve a long-term cessation of hostilities and the organisation of humanitarian assistance.
A series of constitutional structures of the IPU established to deal with the issues facing the world today, such as fora, standing committees, task forces as well as the Association of Secretaries Generals of Parliament will be meeting during the week.
The five-day intensive programme of the 145th Assembly of the IPU will be taking stock of progress made in the work of its constitutional structures and making determinations of how best to make the desired impact for a better developed and safer world.
The IPU is a global body of world parliaments established to facilitate parliamentary diplomacy and empower parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world. |
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| SOUTH AFRICA PARTICIPATES IN G20 PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKERS’ SUMMIT |
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| National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, recently led a parliamentary delegation to the eighth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20 Speakers’ Summit) in Indonesia. |
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The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, in close cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), were the hosts of the summit.
Parliament, in a statement, said some of the topics for discussion were the role of the P20 in the context of inter-parliamentary cooperation to strengthen multilateralism in the 21st century; accelerating sustainable development and the green economy; food and energy security; and how parliaments could help reach emission-reduction targets and facilitate global cooperation on climate change in times of multiple crises.
Speakers of parliaments of G20 members and guest countries, observer parliamentary and intergovernmental organisations attended the P20 Speakers’ Summit.
The P20 Speakers’ Summit had three objectives.
The first was to develop and contribute a parliamentary perspective on some of the critical issues on the G20’s agenda. Second, was to promote better interaction and cooperation between governments and parliaments in implementing various G20 outcomes. Third, was to strengthen the interaction between the speakers of Parliament of G20 countries and partner countries on the one hand, and the United Nations and other relevant international organisations on the other.
Furthermore, the P20 Speakers’ Summit aimed to extend its parliamentary contribution toward strengthening recovery and resilience globally and advancing countries’ progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| GERMANY DOUBLES FUNDING TO HELP SA BATTLE CLIMATE CHANGE |
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| Germany on Friday, 7 October 2022, announced a fresh round of development funding for South Africa of €355 million (about R6.2 billion) in a combination of grants and subsidised loans over the next two years, most of which is dedicated to the fight against climate change. |
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The new funding doubles what German will contribute to South Africa’s energy transition.
The German Government has a long history of development cooperation with South Africa, dating back 30 years. The latest cycle of funding will focus on five areas, including building a peaceful and inclusive society, climate and energy, economic development, training and employment and health.
But the lion's share – about €301 million ‒ will be dedicated to funding for energy and climate change. The money is a combination of grants (€31 million) and preferential loans of up to €270 million.
This amount comes on top of the funding that Germany has already committed as its contribution to South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JetP). The JetP – a landmark transaction announced at COP26 a year ago – will see five international partners raise US$8.5 billion towards South Africa’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
A spokesperson for the German Embassy in Pretoria, Christopher Schmidt, said that Germany's JetP contribution would be €300m in the form of sovereign loans. This was already in the process of being delivered, he said.
The composition and blend of financing for the JetP has not been announced but is expected to include only a small portion of grant funding, supported by loans. The other countries that are part of the JetP's International Partner Group are France, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| CAPE TOWN VOTED AS ONE OF THE BEST CITIES IN THE WORLD |
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| Readers have to rate their favourite countries based on various criteria, including food, accommodation, scenery and value for money… and Cape Town scored 88.27 for 2022, putting the Mother City at number 9! |
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The annual Readers’ Travel Awards celebrate the best of the best in travel, as voted for by people who love travel … the readers of Condé Nast Traveller. A score is then given, representing overall average levels of satisfaction. Cape Town scored 88.27 for 2022, putting the Mother City at number 9.
This is what the publication had to say.
“On pristine beaches, penguins waddle about their business while leaping dolphins frame spectacular sunsets – and thrill-seekers head out on boats to come face-to-face with fearsome sharks. Away from the ocean, guests check into world-renowned hotels such as The Silo, the recognisable property where rooms feature contemporary African art and 360-degree views of the city. Table Mountain views are enjoyed over supper, especially during trips to Delaire Graff Estate for wine-swirling and impeccable tasting menus.”
This is not the first time that Cape Town has been voted as “one of the best cities” in the world. In 2019, The Telegraph voted Cape Town as The Best City in the world … a title that the city had held onto for seven years! In 2021, the city was voted as Best in Africa and earlier this year, the Mother City was named voted 11th -best city in the world (and second-best in Africa).
See the full Condé Nast Traveller list below:
10. Mumbai, India. Score 88.27
9. Cape Town, South Africa. Score 88.27
8. Québec City, Canada. Score 88.29
7. Mérida, Mexico. Score 88.30
6. Tokyo, Japan. Score 88.32
5. San Sebastián, Spain. Score 89.15
4. Bangkok, Thailand. Score 89.36
3. Victoria, Canada. Score 89.46
2. Singapore. Score 89.49
1. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Score 92.94.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SPIRITS AND KITES FLY HIGH AT 28TH CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL |
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| Kite enthusiasts enjoyed a brilliantly windy day on 9 October 2022 at the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival, where both good spirits and colourful kites flew sky-high, raising awareness of World Mental Health Day (Monday, 10 October) and funds for mental health support. |
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The annual Cape Town Kite Festival is Africa’s oldest kite festival and has been hosted by non-profit Cape Mental Health since 1994 to raise funds and awareness of mental health issues.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| THE FAMOUS LONDON UNDERGROUND BOARD HONOURS SOUTH AFRICA’S JEREMY LOOPS |
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| The white board in the London Underground is famous for sharing inspirational messages to help lift the spirits of commuters. Recently, it adopted a message of support for South African musician Jeremy Loops. |
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Loops is an award-winning musician from Cape Town who has made a massive name for himself both locally and abroad. From cult live-act status in his hometown to a chart-topping album domestically and a flourishing global touring career, his rise has been characterised by breaking through glass ceilings.
Loops was recently featured on a billboard in Times Square and now the London Underground. Loops took to his Facebook page to gush about the honour of being featured on the board.
“You know you’ve made it when even the London Underground gets in on the festivities.
“I’m not crying. You’re crying”
The team got creative and used his song titles to write the special message. “Take a look below. Have you had the opportunity to see him live yet?”
Heard You Got Love is the long-awaited third album from the South African singer-songwriter. Full of head-bopping anthems perfect for sunny days ahead. The record came to life in Loops’ home studio between daily dips in the ocean and features collaborations with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and his brand new single Better Together, written with Ed Sheeran. Having collaborated with world-renowned artists such as Simone Felice (The Lumineers), Jake Gosling (Shawn Mendes), Tobias Kuhn (Milky Chance) and Carey Willets (Dermot Kennedy), Loops brought on a fleet of high-end producers for the album, including Ed Holloway (Lewis Capaldi), Eg White (Adele) and Cam Blackwood (George Ezra).
– Source: www.goosthingsguy.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN OPERA SINGER PRETTY YENDE AWARDED CEREMONIAL BADGE OF HONOUR IN FRANCE |
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| South African Opera singer Pretty Yende has earned yet another recognition from the international world for her contribution to the arts. She has been awarded an Order of Arts and Letters Award by France’s Culture Minister, Rima Abdul Malak. |
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Born in 1985 in a remote town in South Africa, Pretty Yende was first introduced to operatic music at the age of 16 when hearing the Flower Duet from Delibes’s opera Lakmé in a British Airways commercial. At that moment, she decided to become an opera singer.
Years later, Yende is one of opera’s fastest-rising divas, a star of Milan’s La Scala, New York’s Met and as a top billing at London’s Covent Garden.
Yende rose to the top of the opera world with unparalleled speed, with competition successes and engagements at the world’s foremost opera houses.
Yende made her professional operatic debut at the Latvian National Theatre in Riga as Micaela in Carmen and has since been seen at nearly all of the major theatres of the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Alla Scala, Covent Garden, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and many others.
In 2019, Italy honoured her with the Order of “Knight of the Italian Star”. Pretty was the youngest South African to receive this honour.
This week, Pretty was bestowed with another great honour, this time in Paris, France. She was awarded the Order of Arts and Letters by France’s Culture Minister, Rima Abdul Malak. The award is given to those whose creativity has helped develop the arts and literature in France and throughout the world.
“This has just happened, I’m in awe and utter gratitude for such a prestigious Honor from the Minister of Culture in France, Rima Abdul Malak, Merci.
“I feel extremely honoured and humbled by such a prestigious Decoration”.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| 11-YEAR-OLD SOUTH AFRICAN CHOSEN TO WALK NEW YORK FASHION WEEK |
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| Being a performer at the age of 11 is no easy feat but for local rising star Gizelle, aka Miss G, on stage is where she feels most at home. |
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The Mossel Bay-based and Centurion-born starlet has just returned from a trip to the United States, where she participated in the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA), the largest talent convention in the world. It is here that she was scouted and invited to walk the runway for renowned designer Amelia Tuu at New York Fashion Week on 11 September.
She says, “IMTA was a very exciting experience for me and the fashion show was one of my favourite moments.”
Gizelle’s journey in the arts began when she was only five years old. Ever since then, she has been in front of the camera stealing the spotlight. A triple threat, Gizelle is proficient in singing, modelling and acting. She also dabbles in dance.
“Since I was a little girl, I always liked music, singing and dancing,” she says. “My family encouraged me to take part in various events to gain experience. Modeling is my favourite though. I have always enjoyed creating my own outfits, and from an early age, I made it my business to keep up with current trends. I love fashion and I think everyone should get to express themselves through fashion.”
Gizelle’s professional career kicked off when she was scouted by Elsubie Verlinden at the International Arts Talent Showcase (IATS) in 2021. She was immediately signed to 33 and Me Talent Agency and secured two international features for PEPCO (an internationally renowned brand), landing roles in both their television commercial and international stills.
On the music front, Gizelle went on to book an international collaboration with American singer-songwriter and producer Nate Butler. Nate has worked with multi-platinum artists such as Luther Vandross, Backstreet Boys, Victoria Beckham and more. He was also part of the casting team for the final season of the X-Factor, as well as America’s Got Talent seasons nine and 10.
The single, which will feature as her debut single, was recorded at Cosher Studios in Cape Town, together with producer Gino Lee.
She says, “I enjoyed recording with Nate Butler so much. We had so much fun in studio and I got to know him on a whole new level. This experience also opened up a new chapter in my life and career. I am so thrilled with how the song turned out and I cannot wait to share it with the world.”
Gizelle is one of the youngest artists to have travelled with the IATS South Africa group to attend IMTA. She has also, on numerous occasions, been recognised for her character and kindness on set.
– Source: www.goosthingsguy.com |
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| SIYA KOLISI SPREADS GOSPEL WITH EYE-CATCHING SEGMENT ON US' LEGENDARY “60 MINUTES” |
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| If the Springboks receive a sharp boost in support from the United States, they should thank Siya Kolisi. |
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The national skipper's burgeoning reputation as one of the most recognisable world athletes to emerge from South Africa was entrenched recently after he was featured in a full segment on 60 Minutes, one of America's most respected and longstanding national news programmes.
While some chunk of the insert chronicles his significant playing exploits – Kolisi's excellent showing in the third Test against Wales in Cape Town this year features prominently – it's his inspirational life story and his huge contribution to the Bok brand, transcending mere sporting excellence and becoming a beacon of hope for the nation that, rightly, dominates the narrative.
As host Jon Wertheim notes in his introduction: "Captaincy is more important still when your rugby team represents an entire country. So, when Siya Kolisi was named captain of the national team, the first black player to hold the honour, it may as well have marked a political appointment.
"Kolisi responded with a singular approach, reconsidering a macho sport and recognising how valuable rugby can be [by] helping bind a country still riven by crime, corruption and inequality."
Kolisi regales how he felt when Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby's Director of Rugby, confirmed his appointment in mid-2018.
"Honestly, I didn't know what it meant," Kolisi told the show.
"I didn't realise how big it was until it was announced. I saw myself in every single newspaper, the headlines. Turn on the TV, everybody's talking about it … I was just happy that I was promoted captain. And then, I spoke to people. They're like, 'But you don't understand, like, representation matters.'"
That's also the reason why Francois Pienaar, South Africa's captain in the momentous 1995 World Cup win, believes 2019's success was more significant.
"When your country performs, or an individual performs, you are that person, or you are that team. You wear the colours; you're so invested in the emotions. And I never realised how big it would be. Never," he said.
"In South Africa and the townships across the land, everybody, again, was proud. They were world champions, and that is what sport does. Nothing else can do that."
Following that triumph, Kolisi said he and wife Rachel made a concerted effort to let it count for more, notably establishing their foundation.
"We all want these big moments. It can be just a big moment. That's it ... or you can use it for so much more."
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICA'S SHELDON VAN DER LINDE CLINCHES MAIDEN DTM CHAMPIONSHIP IN GERMANY |
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| South Africa's Sheldon van der Linde won the 2022 DTM Championship on 9 October 2022. It is the driver's first championship in the series after securing it with a third-place finish at the season-ending race at the Hockenheimring. |
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Van der Linde's title rivals couldn't do enough to topple him, with Rene Rast coming home in second and Lucas Auer, the 2022 runner-up, seventh. Auer ended the season 11 points behind the champion.
The South African qualified in fifth but managed to climb two places during the race. It was enough for him to hold on and win the title. Van der Linde's brother, Kelvin, finished in fifth.
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICA’S BRADLEY COX WINS FINAL STAGE IN RALLYE DU MAROC RALLY 2 CLASS |
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| South African professional Motocross and Enduro racer Bradley Cox won the final stage (Stage 5) in the legendary Rallye du Maroc Rally 2 class on 6 October 2022. |
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Posting from Agadir in Morocco, Bradley said he was “over the moon” to have grabbed the final stage win.
Moving up from 15th to come 10th overall for the entire rally, Bradley said there was a “lot of learning” taken from this particular Rallye du Maroc. He also thanked everyone for their support, as well as his sponsors who “help get me to the start line”.
After racing through the dunes of the western Sahara, Bradley entered Stage 5 on a high, revealing he was “all smiles” after super-fast stage 4 where he came second despite a 1-minute speeding penalty.
The final stage was sandy with ocean-side scenery, finishing along the Atlantic. The rally – on two and four wheels – included 354 competitors from 41 nations with 156 riders and 96 drivers.
Earlier this year, Bradley finished second in his very first Dakar Rally, following in the footsteps of his famous father Alfie Cox, who joined him on the podium for photos. Alfie was an official KTM rider himself from 1998 to 2005, finishing three times on the podium and winning eight stages.
Brad, who hails from Cato Ridge in KwaZulu-Natal, went to Maritzburg College before leaving home at 15 to live in Belgium and pursue a career in the European Moto-X championship. But after some injuries, and the challenge of getting sponsors, he returned home at 18 for what was meant to be a year … but he ended up staying after almost winning a local enduro he had entered just for fun. The rest if now history.
Brad has at least nine national titles to his name.
South Africa rally racer Ross Branch also shone in Morocco, finishing seventh in the stage and eighth overall. He said: “Today was so much fun. The leading group was going so super fast and we all had a turn at opening. The route was loads of fun. I’m happy with how the week turned out for me. Looking forward to Andalusia in a couple of days and being back with the rally family. Thank you @heromotosports and the entire team for all the hard work. A big thank you to my mechanic Roli for the long hours making sure my bike was perfect."
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| CAMPS BAY HIGH LEARNER FINISHES 2ND AT ICF CANOE OCEAN RACING WORLD CHAMPS |
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| Holly Smith has made South Africa proud, earning a silver medal for the Junior (U19) Women’s event at the 2022 ICF Canoe (Kayak/Surf Ski) Ocean Racing World Championships held at Viana Do Castelo, Portugal. |
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At just 16-years-old, Holly is the youngest member of the South African Team and was given the honour of being the flag bearer for the South African Team at the Canoe Marathon World Championships, which took place recently in Portugal.
She competed in both events. During the Canoe Marathon World Championships, she finished in ninth place in the K2 and 14th place in the K1 events. Her second place at the Ocean Racing World Championships was a win worthy of big celebrations.
Her school, Camps Bay High School, is proud of her achievement and wants the rest of South Africa to join them in congratulating her.
“Holly is more at home in the ocean racing events, having grown up with the ocean on her doorstep and as an active member of the Llandudno Surf Lifesaving Club, so she really was able to show of her skills in the Ocean Racing World Championships.” – Busi Ngcwama, Camps Bay High School’s Head of Sport
Holly finished in second place in the Junior (U19) Women’s Event in a time of 01.35.09.73 having just managed to beat the Australian, Jasmine Rayward who finished in a time of 01:35:10:50. Holly’s teammate from South Africa, Durban-based, Saskia Hockly, took top honours in a time of 1.32.00.95.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICA’S UNDER-ICE SWIMMING RECORD HOLDER SETS HER SIGHT ON NEW DISTANCE |
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| Amber Fillary, South Africa’s under-ice swimming Guinness World Record Holder is heading for colder climates as she sets her sights on a new world record. |
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Amber currently holds the world record for the longest swim under ice on a single breath – 90m – which she completed in March 2022, in a time of 2min35sec. And, as if swimming under 30cm of ice in freezing water was not enough, she completed the swim wearing only a bikini and goggles! For her next record attempt, Amber hopes to swim a minimum of 100m!
“The problem with setting records is that you always want to push yourself harder and further to see if you have what it takes to do more,” says Amber. “After my coach mentioned tackling the 100m to me when I completed the 90m swim in 2020 in Norway, it has been something I have been working towards and hope to attain in March 2023!”
As part of her training to prepare for this attempt, Amber will be returning to the United Kingdom in November, to swim in the Tooting Bec Lido, a 91,44m outdoor pool. The pool is one of Britain’s oldest open-air pools, and the very pool that Amber first experienced the thrill of ice swimming.
“In my early twenties, I was employed as a lifeguard for the South London Swimming Club at Tooting Bec Lido Pool, a pool that was kept open even during the winter months,” explains Fillary. “I would regularly join the club members in breaking the ice and swimming in the freezing water. This is where my cold-water addiction started, as I experienced the amazing high you get from being in the icy water!”
In December 2022, the pool is due to be closed for refurbishment. Since it first opened in 1906, no one has ever swum a full length of pool on a single breath, another record Amber hopes to achieve as she uses the swim as part of her 100m training.
“It is such an honour to be able to go back to where it all started and use the swim as part of my training for the new attempt,” says Fillary. “By then, the weather will be considerably colder in the UK and I am hoping the water temperature will be below 10 degrees, making it a great opportunity for me to practise!”
As someone who has been outspoken about her mental health and addiction issues, Fillary will also be using the opportunity to do a motivational talk to the public about her ice journey as well as her mental health struggles, hoping to inspire others.
You can watch her previous record below:
https://youtu.be/5zVxbIfKLBI
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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