PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA CONGRATULATES LUIZ INÁCIO LULA DA SILVA FOLLOWING HIS SUCCESSFUL ELECTION

President Ramaphosa said South Africa and Brazil cooperated at various levels, including BRICS and numerous country-to-country, inter-regional and global mechanisms.

President Ramaphosa extended his congratulatory message to the people of Brazil for the successful manner in which they conducted the election.

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA SENDS MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE TO INDIA AND SOMALIA

President Ramaphosa said the thoughts of the people of South Africa were with the Indian and Somali families that had lost their loved ones. President Ramaphosa wished all the injured speedy recoveries.

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA SENDS MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCES TO SOUTH KOREA FOLLOWING SEOUL TRAGEDY

President Ramaphosa said the people of South Africa joined the people of South Korea in mourning the lives lost in the tragic incident. President Ramaphosa wished all those injured speedy recoveries.

President Ramaphosa recalled the excellent bilateral political, economic, trade and people-to-people relations that exist between South Africa and South Korea.

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ATTENDS LESOTHO PM INAUGURATION

“Our congratulations go to all Basotho for the successful exercise of their democratic right on 7 October 2022. I wish to commend the people of Lesotho for their shared determination to restore peace and stability and to forge a just and prosperous future for the Kingdom,” he said.

The President reflected on the deep ties between South Africa and Lesotho spanning back to the apartheid era where some South Africans fled to the land-locked country.

“For many, [Lesotho] became a place of refuge and safety. After gaining its independence in 1966, the Basotho Kingdom became an essential sanctuary for many South African freedom fighters driven into exile by the apartheid regime.

“We acknowledge with gratitude the solidarity and the hospitality of the Basotho and recognise the sacrifices that were made in the pursuit of our freedom. This warm and welcoming nature of the Basotho continues to this day.

“The strong bonds between our two nations are founded on family ties, shared language, history and culture. Our pasts are inseparable. Our futures are intertwined,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said Lesotho itself had to deal with a “difficult path towards the restoration of peace, security and stability” over the past eight years.

“In December 2014, SADC entrusted me with the task of Facilitator in the Kingdom of Lesotho to assist with the promotion of peace and stability and constitutional reform. After I was elected President of South Africa, this task was taken forward by a Facilitation Team … to promote open and transparent dialogue and to allow the Basotho to express their own views about the Lesotho they want.

“We recall how His Majesty King Letsie III, the former Prime Minister, SADC and the Basotho celebrated the successful culmination of the National Dialogue, which led to the establishment of the National Reforms Authority,” he said.

The President commended the National Reforms Authority for piloting legislative reforms despite facing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The work of the National Reforms Authority is best captured in the Draft Eleventh Constitutional Amendment Act – the Omnibus Bill – which was presented to the 10th Parliament before its dissolution in July 2022. The reforms contained in the Draft Omnibus Bill lay a solid foundation for the future of the Basotho.

“We therefore welcome the commitment of the incoming Government to give priority to the finalisation of this important work. We believe that the issue of justice and reconciliation is within the grasp of the Basotho,” he said.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

DEPUTY MINISTER BOTES IN TÜRKIYE FOR BILATERAL POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS

Minister Naledi Pandor extended an official invitation to Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to pay an official visit to South Africa on a mutually agreed date.

Türkiye and South Africa are strategic partners and have elevated the structured engagement between the two countries to a Bi-National Commission (BNC). An agreement to elevate the relations to a BNC at the level of Deputy President (South Africa) and Prime Minister (Türkiye), respectively, was signed in Türkiye on 7 June 2012 and ratified by the Türkiysh Parliament in July 2015 and the South African Parliament in February 2020.

Türkiye remains a key investment partner for South Africa and has already invested in several projects with direct capital investment estimated at about R156.80 million over the past decade. During the Investment Conference hosted in March 2022 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Defy, owned by the Türkiysh-based company Arçelik, declared a R317-million pledge towards its goods manufacturing plant in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. In September 2022, Türkiye was the single largest country contributor at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo, with 25 companies this year, doubling the space it had in 2018.

While in Türkiye, the Deputy Minister will also meet with the Chamber of Commerce in Istanbul and will hold roundtable engagements for the enhancement of economic relations between the two countries.

AFRICAN GROWTH REQUIRES GOOD GOVERNANCE – MINISTER LAMOLA

He said with a population of about 1.4 billion and a median age of some 19 years old, the continent had untapped potential.

“We cannot continue to govern in the same way we have been governing in the past. Corruption and misgovernance should never define us. Instead, Africa should be defined by digitisation, innovation, world-class infrastructure and modernisation of the African continent.

“As our continent has always been a reservoir of innovation and dynamic leadership, we need a generation across the continent that will give rise to the ideas of the likes of Professor Ali Mazrui, Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, Jeanne Martin Cissé, Thomas Sankara, Nelson Mandela and Samora Machel,” he said.

Minister Lamola emphasised that as an institution supporting the African Union, the PAP had a critical mandate to contribute to the “strengthening of the culture of democracy, good governance and the rule of law on the continent”.

“This includes through the implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which provides a framework for election monitoring on our continent. Some of our countries have held elections this year, still more are expected to hold them in 2023.

“We need to interrogate the responsibility of the PAP as an institution in supporting the AU. The High-Level Parliamentary Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance that [PAP is] scheduled to have during this session as well as the roundtable on advancing democratic governance will contribute towards that effort,” he said.

Turning to unifying the continent through integration, the Minister highlighted that a key area of work was the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“The [AfCFTA] is also one of the tools at our disposal to contribute to greater integration but it would require the finalisation of harmonisation of standards across the continent and the streamlining of our supply chains, among others.

“Much depends on the progress that we make at the national level to adopt the relevant legislation that will allow the commencement of preferential trade for instance, on trade in goods,” Minister Lamola said.

He said another key area was the engagement of Africans not only on the continent but also abroad.

“Another area that we can exploit to realise the aspirations of the African peoples is to work with the African Diaspora, who can help build the much-needed skills for future careers in our continent as well as contribute to the transfer of technology, which we sorely need."

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

DOCUMENTARY ABOUT LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO FOUNDER JOSEPH SHABALALA WINS AT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

"Shabalala's achievements place him in the pantheon of African musical superstars. This film takes viewers on his spiritual and emotional journey."

Per the statement, the documentary tells the story of how Shabalala (1940 – 2020) and the group rose to fame after contributing to Paul Simon's Graceland album. It covers Shabalala's life, from his early years to the height of his global success and his death.

"Along with the footage from the Graceland recording sessions, the film introduces us to many of the luminaries who worked with Shabalala, including Dolly Parton and Stevie Wonder," the statement continued. "The film also documents the complex history of isicathamiya music – the musical idiom whose boundaries he helped to expand in terms of the political and musical forces that helped to form it."

– Source: www.news24.com

CHARLIZE THERON AND DIOR LAUNCH CAPSULE CREATED BY SA DESIGNER THEBE MAGUGU

Per Rain Magazine, the capsule comprises six key pieces, including a white cotton T-shirt, entirely produced in South Africa, that displays the design of two female profiles holding hands. The same design appears on a silk twill scarf featuring captivating graphics constellated with the Dior signature.

The Dior Book Tote is embellished with the same design in a large format. A matching hat adorned with two drawstrings completes this hyper-modern, hybrid silhouette. It is elevated by a feather-light tulle skirt, with pleats underlining symmetrical effects.

"I am proud to introduce my new capsule in collaboration with Dior; one that benefits CTAOP – a foundation created by my fellow South African Charlize Theron – which invests in the health, education and safety of young people living in southern Africa," Magugu said of the capsule.

– Source: www.news24.com

25 YEARS OF “THE LION KING” AND CELEBRATING LEBO M AS FIRST BLACK COMPOSER ON BROADWAY

The eyes of your inner child burn bright as the sun rises over the Savannah to the sounds of “Naaaaaants ingonyama, bakithi Baba”, the goosebump-inducing first lyrics of The Lion King’s opening number, Circle of Life.

The iconic voice behind the track belongs to Grammy award-winning South African producer, composer and vocalist Lebohang Morake, better known as Lebo M.

The Lion King’s theatrical production began a quarter of a century ago and is still delighting audiences across the globe today. Now, the musical phenomenon is gearing up for something special in celebration of its 25th Jubilee.

Since Lebo M’s initial collaboration with German composer Hans Zimmer on the original soundtrack in 1994, the South African has helped the classic Disney story echo its timeless roar from screen to stage as the first black composer in history, whose compositions have come to life on Broadway for 25 years.

When the musical first opened its curtains in New York, Lebo made a point to bolster the production with African talent, employing the original remaining Sarafina! cast members as its first hires. Since then, Lebo M and Disney Theatricals have continued to collectively bring in the largest number of South African and African talent to perform on the most prestigious stages around the world simultaneously.

At 25 years, this marks South Africa as having the longest-working talent on Broadway in its history.

In 2007, Lebo M brought The Lion King theatrical production home, running the show as its first and only black producer during its 10th worldwide production, breaking records in a high-end African theatre that has hosted the likes of Phantom of the Opera and Cats. Currently, Lebo M is preparing for a special return to Broadway on 13 November, where he will be welcomed as a guest of honour for the 25th anniversary of The Lion King.

As part of the celebrations, Lebo M will grace audiences, colleagues and fans with an exceptional 30-minute performance. The African sun will rise once again over the Savannah with lyrics roaring to life from the voice that started it all.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

MEZZO-SOPRANO SIPHOKAZI MOLTENO MAKES HER DEBUT AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA

Molteno, from Cape Town, is an award-winning opera singer. She graduated with degrees in Music from Nelson Mandela University and the University of Cape Town.

As a young artist with Cape Town Opera, she sang Dorabella in Così fan tutte. She went on to win the Fleur Du Cap’s Best Performance in an Opera (Female) Award in both 2020 and 2022 for the role.

Molteno also received the 2020 Rising Star Encouragement Award in the Glyndebourne Opera Cup and received both the Ana María Martínez Encouragement Award and the Audience Choice Award at Houston Grand Opera’s Eleanor McCollum Competition in 2017.

“I’m still in disbelief and words cannot express how grateful I am, I waited for this moment since I was a little girl and little did I know that this dream will come true so early in my career.” – Siphokazi Molteno

Opera critic Rick Perdian, for the New York Classical Review, gave high praise for her debut performance, saying,

“There were two house debuts of note. As Violetta’s confident Flora, mezzo-soprano Siphokazi Molteno, a member of the Met’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, displayed a striking voice. Flora often comes off as frivolous and flighty, yet Molteno’s take on her was just the opposite.”

Her season at the Metropolitan Opera will include her role as Flora in La Traviata and Sister Mathilde in Dialogues des Carmélites.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

16-YEAR-OLD SOUTH AFRICAN WINS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN ACTING

“I started by picking my monologues with my coach and then she helped me prepare them for the next four months. It was a lot of memorising lines and repeating monologues over and over again, but I’m so grateful for the experience and happy to put the work in,” Dhliwayo explains.

“What was really important for me was to go on stage and make sure I do the best I can. This isn’t always easy when there are so many talented people around you. I am happy I was able to focus on doing my best and not trying to outdo the others around me – I think this is what I’m most proud of at the championships.”

Dhliwayo is trained by Upstage Concepts Performing Arts Studio and this is the second time one of their students has won the World Championships.

“It is so exciting to know that our South African youth are at such an international level and getting these opportunities,” Jill Avis, Head Coach at Upstage Concepts, told Good Things Guy.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SOUTH AFRICAN WINS EMEA BARISTA CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2022 IN ITALY

Each of the final three competitors were tasked with completing challenging coffee tasks to earn the winning title. They started by doing a coffee tasting and presentation, taking the judges through their favourite coffee, its tasting notes, origin, and what it means to them.

During the second task, they had to do steamed milk art, making a beautiful image on the top of a crafted coffee. The final task was to make an original drink using coffee. Mmotla chose a coconut biscuit cold brew, based on one of his favourite childhood memories.

The prize is an incredible one. Phuti will be travelling to Rwanda for the Starbucks Origin Experience. There he will get the chance to visit the coffee farms, meet producers, learn about sustainability, and discover how the beans are processed.

 – Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SOUTH AFRICA FINISHES TOP IN PORTUGAL WITH 26 GOLDS AT BIATHLE-TRIATHLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) World Pentathlon said: “The battle for medal supremacy was an all-African affair as South Africa and Egypt shone across almost all age grades. In the end it was South Africa who came out on top …”

Egypt finished with 22 golds and Great Britain with 16. There were 31 countries with 647 athletes ranging in age from under nine to over 60 gathered at Machico, on the island of Madeira.

The sequence of Biathle is run-swim-run, while athletes in Triathle compete in a swim-run-shoot format. The sport made its debut on the international stage at the UIPM Biathle-Triathle World Championships 2013 in Cyprus.

– Source: www.sapeople.com

SOUTH AFRICAN PARA SURFERS HOPE TO MAKE WAVES AT WORLD CHAMPS

This will be the first time a group of para surfers will represent South Africa at the championships. Para surfing is an adapted form of surfing that allows people with physical disabilities to ride ocean waves on a surfboard.

Raemondo Lessing, Noluthando Makalima, Michele Macfarlane, Caleb Swanepoel, Similo Dlamini, David Williams, Doug Hendrikz, Martin Ferreira, Tracy McKay, Alulutho Tshoba, Oliver Sinclair, Asande Sibisi, Sabelo Ngema and Jean Paul Veaudry are hard at work perfecting their craft for the surf championships.

The surfers will be accompanied and supported on the ground and in the water by five coaches and a physiotherapist from South Africa.

Speaking to News24, Fiona Sander, Programme Manager of the Roxy Davis Foundation, said the athletes were extremely excited, with some having waited over a year for the opportunity but because of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, were unable to practise and compete.

The foundation is a non-profit organisation that offers surf therapy and adaptive (para) surfing lessons and fundraises to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in surfing.

The coaches signed up voluntarily to help with planning, fundraising and training in the lead-up to the competition and then take on the role of safety chaperones in and out of the water while they are in California.

"The international competitive level is high. South Africa is relatively new to the sport so [it] has much to gain and learn. Having said that South Africa brought home four medals in 2020. The surfers have been out training hard and goals have been set on various medals coming home," said Sander.

The surfers are from different backgrounds across the country and are of a range of ages: the youngest is 15, the oldest 54. They train regularly with the support of non-profit organisations such as Made for More in Durban and the Roxy Davis Foundation in Cape Town.

The International Surfing Association will host the World Para Surfing Championships in a bid to have para surfing included in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

– Source: www.news24.com