PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ON STATE VISIT TO KENYA

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA PARTICIPATES IN CLIMATE WORLD LEADERS SUMMIT IN EGYPT

The 2022 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP27, is being held from 6 to 18 November 2022 at the Sharm El-Sheikh International Conference Centre.

With COP27 taking place in Africa, it presents an opportunity to advance African priority issues, namely:

• recognition of Africa’s special needs and circumstances
• raising the ambitions on mitigation, adaptation and support to developing countries
• advance financing arrangements for loss and damage
• build on progress made in Glasgow on the importance of Just Transitions
• advance discussions on the special needs and circumstances of Africa.

Climate summits provide a platform to make announcements of new climate ambitions, political direction and momentum for the UNFCCC negotiations, as well as to address broader issues related to climate change mainly to guide climate change negotiators (beyond the mandate and scope of the UNFCCC negotiations).

The programme for the participation of heads of state and government (HOSG) included an official opening ceremony, high-level round tables, delivery of national statements and high-level side events organised by world leaders.

During the summit, the Government of Egypt convened six high-level round tables on Just Transition; Food Security; Innovative Finance and Climate Development; Investing in the Future of Energy; Climate Change and the Sustainability of Vulnerable Communities and Water Security.  These roundtables were attended by the HOSG, heads of observer organisations and specially invited guests.

President Ramaphosa on 7 November 2022 co-chaired the High-Level Roundtable on Just Transition, which allowed discussions on innovative approaches to addressing climate change in the context of Just Transition, inspired by the South African Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

President Ramaphosa, during the special sitting of the Presidential Climate Change Commission (PCC), unveiled government’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), outlining government’s comprehensive priority investment and financing interventions required to achieve decarbonisation commitments and ensuring an equitable and just transition.

On 8 November 2022, the President delivered a national statement during the high-level segment of the summit.

The summit further provides a platform for discussing how climate actions can be supportive of broader Just Transition imperatives, highlighting the need for the COP to agree on a Just Transition Financing Framework under the mitigation work programme as a potential model for supporting energy transition in middle-income countries.

The high-level segment for HOSG during the summit signified the importance for world leaders to implement and transform key climate-related decisions into concrete actions and credible plans, and continued raising ambition, building up from previous CPOs, including the Glasgow COP26 outcomes.

The segment also kept the high-level commitment on climate change issues, with an aim to fight back climate emergency and promote coordinated action to tackle climate change.

South Africa’s UNFCCC negotiating positions on climate change are fully aligned to the African common position, as adopted by the African Union’s Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment.

The President was supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; and the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy.

MINISTER PANDOR UNDERTAKES A WORKING VISIT TO BURUNDI

“The JCC will provide a platform for South African institutions to explore further cooperation with Burundi in existing and new areas”, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said ahead of the 4 November 2022 session.

Minister Pandor was joined by her Burundi counterpart, Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Minister, Ambassador Albert Shingiro.

According to the department, South Africa had identified several economic priorities. These include agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure development, oil and gas, energy, mining, waste management, packaging, and tourism.

South Africa’s relations with Burundi are sound and cordial and have improved since the establishment of official diplomatic ties on 23 June 1995.

South Africa played a key role in the African Union (AU)-led Burundi Peace Process that resulted in the signing of the Arusha Peace Accords in 2000.

However, bilateral trade with Burundi remains low. Data shows that major exports from South Africa to Burundi in 2021 amounted to R83 233 390 million. This included coal, petroleum and electricity, vehicles and accessories, beverages, spirits and vinegar, sugar and sugar confectionery, catalytic converters, computers and mechanical appliances and medical and photographic equipment.

In addition, exports from Burundi to South Africa in 2021 amounted to R7 730 580 million. They constituted coffee, tea, mate and spices, medical and photographic equipment, clothing, and accessories, knitted or crocheted, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits and footwear and gaiters.

The Minister led a delegation comprising senior official representatives from over 10 national departments, including the School of Government.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za 

SOUTH AFRICA WELCOMES THE AGREEMENT FOR PEACE IN ETHIOPIA

This agreement signals a commitment to ending the use of force to settle differences and disputes and confirms the correctness of South Africa’s principled position that political differences are best resolved through meaningful dialogue and diplomacy.

The agreement also underscores the importance that the leaders of both sides are putting on the lives of all affected people, including soldiers, their families, women and children.

The message is clear: there are no winners in wars, and wars do no not solve problems. Invariably, the underlying reasons for conflicts will persist unless they are resolved through dialogue. The use of force only serves to destroy lives, livelihoods and infrastructure and prolongs human suffering.

“Peacebuilding is more difficult than waging wars. The real heroes are those who work towards building peace and sustaining it. We therefore call on the leaders of both sides to continue to work towards maintaining this peace through implementing the agreement in full.

"South Africa is honoured to have been the host for these talks and will continue to work with all parties to ensure that peace is maintained in Ethiopia."

Speaking at the ceremony for the signing of the agreement, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, thanked the facilitators, President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. The Minister also thanked the African Union Commission and all resource personnel who helped steer the talks.

South Africa believes that this agreement paves the way for the silencing of the guns not only in Ethiopia, but in the immediate region and throughout the continent.

DEPUTY MINISTER BOTES HOSTS FOURTH MEETING OF SOUTH AFRICA-BELGIUM JOINT COMMISSION (JC)

The JC is the principal instrument for managing relations between South Africa and Belgium and it has several technical working groups dealing with issues such as higher education, science, and innovation; climate change; as well as trade and investment.

In addition to considering the reports from the working groups, the commission also discussed international and multilateral developments and their impact. Both countries will become members of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 1 January 2023 and ways to cooperate within this forum were discussed.

Belgium is one of South Africa’s most important economic partners. It is an important trading partner, a source of investment and a source of tourism. There is good cooperation in several areas, particularly in the fields of science and innovation, and Belgium is a partner in vaccine manufacturing.

Total trade reached R79 billion over the 12 months to the end of June 2022 with South Africa enjoying a healthy trade surplus. South Africa’s main export to Belgium is organic chemicals, while pharmaceutical products are the main import. Belgium is traditionally also a major source of tourists to South Africa.

In pre-pandemic years, South Africa received about 55 000 Belgian tourists a year. This number declined in 2020 and 2021 but is recovering this year, especially after Air Belgium introduced direct flights between Brussels, Johannesburg and Cape Town in September 2022.

LA POSTE TO ISSUE MANDELA STAMPS

Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo unveiled the visual of the Nelson Mandela stamp during the inauguration of the 75th Fall Philatelic Fair on 3 November 2022.

UNVEILING OF THE FIRST NELSON MANDELA STATUE IN BULGARIA

The event was organised by the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Bulgaria and the partners Lion's Head and Polygraphia Office Centre.

The statue was officially unveiled by Thabo Thage, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa to Bulgaria; Nikolay Milkov, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia; and Christo Iliev, CEO of Lion's Head.

This historic event marked the important 30th anniversary of successful diplomatic relations between South Africa and Bulgaria, which have contributed to the development of both countries.

The Embassy initiated this project with the aim of preserving the legacy of former President Mandela and celebrating his life dedicated to a cause, which made him a celebrated global statesman in the struggle for peace and equality. Bulgaria presented President Mandela with the Georgi Dimitrov Order in 1986, which was the highest order under the previous dispensation in the country, at a time when he was in prison. In 2008, he was recognised again, with the Stara Planina Order, which is the highest order under the present democratic dispensation in Bulgaria. Mandela was awarded more than 250 prizes, including the Nobel Peace Prize (1993).

The sculptor of the statue is South African Zelda Stroud, and its unveiling in Sofia has received official permission by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Mandela was President of the Republic of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 and was the first Head of State elected in a democratic South Africa. As President, Mandela focussed, among others, on the reconciliation of the people of South Africa and the building of a nation united in its diversity. He epitomised the struggle against poverty and inequality. More than 120 streets, boulevards, roads and bridges worldwide bear the name of Nelson Mandela and monuments of him have been mounted in, among others, Santiago, Milan and London. In Sofia, this historic monument follows the naming of a street also in honour of Mandela.

MINISTER PHAAHLA ATTENDS SADC HEALTH SUMMIT

The meeting, according to the statement, takes place during annual SADC Malaria Week, which is held under the banner of the Elimination Eight Initiative (E8), a coalition of eight countries working across national borders to eliminate malaria in southern Africa by 2030.

The SADC Malaria Week is commemorated every year in November and is dedicated to creating awareness about malaria and mobilising the communities to participate in malaria control programmes.

“This also serves as a platform and opportunity to intensify public education about the burden of other public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, TB, obesity and COVID-19 in the region.”

According to the department, Minister Phaahla will in his capacity as current Chairperson of the SADC Malaria Elimination, appraise the meeting on the progress of the E8, including the successful roll-out of the new US$14-million global fund grant for the period of 2021 to 2024.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

SARS CONCLUDES PARTICIPATION IN ATAF, BRICS MEETINGS

In line with its strategic objectives of working with stakeholders and building public confidence and trust, SARS said it had been progressively working to rebuild its international partnerships with key organisations. These include the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Global Forum on Tax Transparency, African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), World Customs Organisation, Southern African Development Community, Southern African Customs Unit, United Nations and the International Monetary Fund, as well as bilaterally with other tax and customs administrations.

SARS said it actively participated and contributed constructively in these fora.

The first meeting was the hybrid Seventh Annual General Assembly of the ATAF in Lagos, Nigeria, last week. This was followed by the virtual meetings of BRICS, hosted by the State Taxation Administration of China as the current BRICS Chair. This comprised BRICS tax experts and heads of tax authorities on 2 and 3 November 2022.

ATAF

During the Seventh Bi-annual ATAF General Assembly, Togo and South Africa were re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair of ATAF, respectively.

Under the theme, “Rethinking Revenue Strategies: The Human Face of Taxation”, the hybrid event saw more than 500 attendees, representing 33 tax administrations and 15 partner organisations.

“The meeting discussed various tax-related issues, including the importance of domestic resource mobilisation to development financing, technology and human capital, the Two-Pillar Solution aimed at addressing the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy, reforms to enhance fiscal resource mobilisation, the maximisation of natural resource rents as well as curbing illicit financial flows,” said SARS.

Another highlight of the meeting was the launch of the Handbook on the Future of Resources Taxation.

Ten ideas are put forward in this handbook on how the current system of mining taxation could be improved and resource-rich countries could maximise returns from mineral wealth.

BRICS

The highlight of the Heads of Tax Authorities meeting was the endorsement to launch the first issue of the BRICS Tax Best Practices compilation, a collection of insightful administration case studies from BRICS tax authorities.

South Africa will assume the Chairship of BRICS at the beginning of 2023 and will subsequently host the BRICS Tax meetings in 2023.

“International cooperation is crucial in enabling SARS to deliver on is mandate. Working with and through stakeholders to improve the tax system is implicit in our strategic direction.

"We endeavour to have effective and beneficial partnerships with all stakeholders, both local and international, in the tax ecosystem that deliver maximum benefits for the taxpayers and traders, government and the public. We leverage each other’s strengths to resolve tax administration challenges and improve voluntary tax compliance,” said Commissioner Edward Kieswetter.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

POST OFFICE CELEBRATES ROAD TO DEMOCRACY WITH NEW STAMP

Each stamp costs R5.40 and the stamp as well as the first-day envelopes can be pre-ordered from the Post Office stand at the exhibition in Cape Town.

Collectors who are not in Cape Town can send an email to SAstamps@postoffice.co.za to order.

“A total of 225 000 Road to Democracy stamps have been printed and once sold out, will not be reprinted. This is a small number compared to the million postal items that the SA Post Office delivers daily.

“Some of the world’s most remarkable stamps are on display at IPEX 2022 and around 60 countries will be represented at the exhibition. Guided tours of the exhibition area for expert advice on stamps will be available,” the Post Office said.

Sapo has two exhibits in the Court of Honour and the public is invited to view these showcases of the important role that stamps played in promoting and upholding the legacy of South Africa.

“The first exhibition of the Post Office is by the Post Office Museum, titled South Africa’s history as reflected by its philately collection. Consisting of 128 A4 pages and eight frames, the exhibition showcases South Africa through a selection of stamps and related material as well as information that the South African Post Office issued from the first stamp to date.

“The second exhibition is titled Commemorating Democracy in South Africa. Consisting of 64 pages or four frames, it commemorates South Africa’s road to democracy through a selection of philatelic material and information that the South African Post Office issued from 1994 to date,” Sapo said.

The stamps that the Post Office issued to celebrate milestones on the road to democracy are sold out and are now collector’s items.

They include stamps featuring heroes of the freedom struggle, the Constitution, and special stamps commemorating the life and times of Nelson Mandela, who was the first President of a democratic South Africa.

The IPEX which got underway on Tuesday, will run until 12 November 2022.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS ADDS CAPACITY AND NEW DESTINATIONS

In accordance with legislated and prescribed procedures, SAA meets with the IASC on a quarterly basis to review and justify its route network plan and traffic rights to destinations it is not yet flying to.

In the coming weeks, the airline will be announcing the addition of more routes to its growing network. SAA will be introducing flights to Blantyre and Lilongwe in Malawi, Windhoek in Namibia, and Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe, before the start of the festive season.

Together with increased frequencies to Accra in Ghana, Cape Town, Durban, Harare in Zimbabwe, Lusaka in Zambia, Mauritius and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, these changes represent the second phase of SAA’s post-COVID restart operations, which commenced 13 months ago.

The airline is on course to re-enter some of its traditional regional markets and enter new routes which remain underserved. Plans are also underway to launch SAA’s first post re-start intercontinental route during the first quarter of the new year.

– Source: www.aviation24.be

SA LECTURER WINS PRIZE FOR REPRESENTING DIVERSITY OF COMMONWEALTH CHEMISTRY

Dr Latolla works in the Department of Chemistry, at the Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University. He worked with Buyiswa Hlangothi to author the poster. The medicinal plants researched were investigated for their anti-diabetic properties. Diabetes is a significant health issue in South Africa, making the research vital.

With access to medical care limited and traditional medicines playing a vital role in care, the study into these medicinal plants to see if they can help will assist many. According to some of the findings in the study, “the study contributes new knowledge as it validates the use of these plants by locals to manage diabetes”.

The Commonwealth Chemistry Poster competition is an annual event that was started three years ago. The Federation of Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Societies hosts the competition and invited scientists from all the Commonwealth countries to design educational posters that fall within six themes. These include Biodiversity and Natural Products, Energy and Materials, Food and Agriculture, Green Chemistry and Catalysis, Health and Well-being, and Water and Environmental Chemistry.

The federation works to champion equal opportunity, drive innovation, and promote excellence in the chemical sciences for the benefit of the Commonwealth nations and their people.

The competition took place in September 2022 and saw 180 entries from 31 countries.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SA ATHLETE MINÉ DE KLERK A FINALIST FOR 2022 WORLD ATHLETICS AWARDS