SA HOSTS FIFTH SA INVESTMENT CONFERENCE

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the Fifth South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) on Thursday morning, 13 April 2023.

The SAIC is being attended by delegates from varying industries in South Africa and across the world at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

In its fifth year since inception, President Ramaphosa convened the SAIC with the objective of achieving R1.2 trillion in investments targets.

Investors heeding the call have over the last four conferences declared R1.14 trillion in investment commitments.

“Of the 152 investment announcements made previously, 45 projects have already been completed, while a further 57 projects are currently under construction. These investments have resulted in new factories, call centres, solar power plants, undersea fibre optic cables, expansion of production lines and the adoption of new technologies,” said The Presidency.

It said the new investments also significantly contributed to South Africa’s national goals of socio-economic development to create sustainable jobs, reduce poverty and drive back inequality.

These investments have also contributed to a substantial increase in local production and encouraged efforts to buy local.

President Ramaphosa addressed the opening of the SAIC on Thursday morning and also took part in the panel discussion on “South Africa: Resolving the Energy Crisis”.

Companies’ significant investments were pronounced in the opening session.

Delegates at the conference will participate in breakaway sessions ranging from discussions on Digital Opportunities in South Africa, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Tourism, Digital and Creative Economy, Capital Markets, The Just Energy Transition in South Africa, Mining and Manufacturing.

Ministers and leading industry experts will partake in the breakaway sessions.

In the afternoon, President Ramaphosa will officiate at the closing and announcement ceremony of the Fifth SAIC Ceremony.

The Fourth SAIC raised R367 billion in investment commitments, bringing the five-year investment target firmly into sight.

Later, the President will host a business and awards dinner in honour of investors and companies participating in the SAIC.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

SOUTH AFRICA CONDEMNS THE ISRAELI ATTACKS ON PALESTINIAN MUSLIM WORSHIPPERS AT THE AL-AQSA MOSQUE

South Africa condemns the Israeli attacks on Palestinian Muslim worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Government of the Republic of South Africa has noted with concern the Israeli occupation forces' assault on the Palestinian worshippers overnight at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. At least seven worshippers sustained injuries during the attacks and 400 Palestinians were arrested.

South Africa condemns these violent acts by the Israeli Government against the worshippers and calls for calm and the withdrawal of the forces from the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The use of stun grenades and tear gas on worshippers is unjust. These actions threaten the internationally agreed status quo in relation to Jerusalem and its sacred sites.

The Palestinian Muslim worshippers have a right to practise their religion in peace, without fear or intimidation of the Israeli police. Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs to all Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims, and they do not require permission or approval from the Israeli Government to enter or pray in the Mosque.

These actions undermine all peace efforts and may lead to an explosion in the region. The year 2022 has been described as the deadliest year for Palestinians since the United Nations started tracking fatalities in 2005. More than 200 Palestinians were killed during the Israeli attacks last year.

Israel, as the occupying power, has specific obligations in terms of the international human rights and humanitarian law to protect Palestinians. However, the Israeli Government continues to breach these obligations with no accountability.

The South African Government remains unequivocally committed to and values efforts aimed at reviving a political process, leading to ending the occupation so that the human rights of all are secured.

MIDDELPUNT NATURE RESERVE DECLARED A RAMSAR SITE

The declaration of South Africa’s 29th wetland of international importance comes less than a year since the declaration of the Berg Estuary in the Western Cape as South Africa’s 28th Ramsar Site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

“This is a further indication of how important it is to conserve and protect our country’s wetlands. Wetlands unique environmental features not only provide clean water through their natural filtration systems, but also provide habitats to a variety of species, including migratory birds,” Minister Creecy said on Wednesday, 5 April 2023.

MNR is situated along the headwaters of the Lakenvleispruit in the Olifants River basin, approximately 14 kilometres from the town of Dullstroom in Mpumalanga.

The site is situated in one of South Africa’s highest rainfall regions known as the Mpumalanga Drakensburg Strategic Water Source Area. This region consists primarily of a permanent freshwater valley bottom wetland, supported by lateral seeps and artesian springs.

“The Ramsar site is home to one of the rarest and most threatened water birds in Africa, the White-winged Flufftail. Ethiopia was thought to be the only country where the White-winged Flufftail breeds and recently the first breeding record was made at MNR, establishing that a breeding population exists outside of Ethiopia.

“At the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement meeting, held in Budapest, South Africa won an award for the conservation of the White-winged Flufftail in recognition of our conservation efforts for this endangered rare bird species,” said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

The site also contributes significantly to conserving the genetic and ecological diversity of the Steenkampsberg Mountain Grasslands and provides habitat for a number of other endangered and endemic species, including the Blue Crane, Secretary Bird, African Grass Owl and Denham's Bustard.

The site is one of just two in South Africa where the rare peat borrowing crab is found. Middelpunt Wetland contains a peat layer between 1.5 and 2.6 metres deep, accumulating at a rate of 0.36 millimetres per year.

This provides an important ecosystem service to the global community by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

NETFLIX CONTENT WHETS TOURISTS' APPETITE FOR SA ‒ REPORT

Africa Travel Week (ATW) is one of the biggest tourism trade shows in South Africa. It includes World Travel Market (WTM) Africa; the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM); Equal Africa (which brings together suppliers, buyers and brands marketing to the LGBTQ+ community); the Africa Tourism Investment Summit (ATIS); and the Responsible Tourism Africa Conference. 

Last year's ATW welcomed 6 200 visitors, hosted more than 7 000 meetings, 384 exhibiting companies, and 500 buyers. Pre-pandemic, the event sealed deals worth around US$451 000 million and led to the creation of more than 3 000 jobs.

This year, the sub-event WTM Africa, had more than 7 000 delegates from more than 100 countries and more than 9 000 pre-scheduled meetings. In its almost 10-year existence, foreign delegates at WTM Africa contributed nearly R200 million in direct spend to Cape Town's economy.

According to Carol Weaving, Managing Director of RX Africa, which organises ATW, it is pretty much back to its pre-pandemic size. Buyers from 49 countries were in attendance.

"Tourism is bouncing back with safaris and other leisure tourism being key drivers and mountaineering becoming more popular," says Weaving. "Increasingly popular trends include responsible and sustainable tourism. International tourists want to know they are 'travelling light'."

The report found that eco-conscious travellers now chose to travel almost luggage-free to reduce CO² emissions. Many purchase holiday clothing and essentials from local suppliers and donate these items to charities and communities in need before their return flight.

The trade show included sustainable aspects like the name badges of delegates being made of paper containing vegetable seeds that can be planted.

Adventure tourism is also gaining momentum, according to Weaving.

During the event, the industry body, the South African Tourism Services Association, released its Adventure Tourism Self-Regulation Roadmap and Code of Good Practice documents for public comment.

The draft documents were developed in consultation with industry stakeholders. It aims to provide a framework for adventure tourism operators to operate responsibly and sustainably while promoting growth and development in the adventure tourism industry.

"There has always been a significant interest in South Africa and Africa. The weaker rand is also working in the local industry's favour.

"SA is a beautiful country with everything a leisure tourist wants. Many tourists like to visit SA for a safari and then also travel to other southern African countries, like visiting Victoria Falls," says Weaving. "Visitors from other African countries usually like to come to SA for shopping."

Another trend identified by the report is the untapped potential of accessible travel, given that 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the world's population, live with disabilities.

Safaris and other travel experiences are becoming more accessible to people with disabilities, with a multi-sensory approach that capitalises on other senses like hearing, smelling and tasting, according to the report. Another market segments with potential to explore are faith-based tourism, digital nomads who can work from anywhere, and the LGBTQ+ market.

Small businesses

The Department of Tourism has once again supported, through funding, 30 small to medium enterprises to showcase at WTM Africa, the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, said at the opening of WTM Africa.

She said that, since the start of the department's market access programme, 410 SMMEs received support to participate at international trade platforms and 577 were supported to participate at South African travel trade shows.

Cape Town's Deputy Mayor, Eddie Andrews, agrees that the event provides a great platform for SMMEs in the travel industry looking to access international travel buyers. This city's tourism framework also assists SMMEs with marketing support and industry networking opportunities.

– Source: www.news24.com

DISTRICT SIX: SA HERITAGE AGENCY DECLARES EIGHT HERITAGE SITES

The South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) has declared eight District Six sites national heritage sites.

They are the Seven Steps of stone; the Holy Cross Roman Catholic church, parish centre and convent; the Moravian Church building; Zeenatul Islam Masjid; Al-Azhar Mosque; the Jewish cemetery; Harold Cressy High School; and Trafalgar High School.

The Seven Steps remains one of the main symbols that represent the community of District Six, Sahra said.

"The Seven Steps of stone, worn by thousands who used these over the years, to work, to home, to school, to play, to bok, to church, to mosque, to shop, to celebrate, and to mourn, were part of the great big soul of the district. Today, so many years after its destruction, the Seven Steps stands out as the premier symbol of District Six that still lives in the hearts of all who lived, loved, played and worked in the district," Sahra said.

The declaration is the first phase towards safeguarding heritage sites in District Six, Sahra said.

"District Six, the once vibrant multi-cultural residential heart of Cape Town, was ripped out by forcing more than 60 000 people from the economic centre and relocating a whole community to the Cape Flats, an area devoid of opportunity, located at the periphery of the city," Sahra added.

District Six possesses "the national heritage value of telling a national history of forced removals", Sahra added.

"District Six constitutes a previously neglected memory of the history of South Africa that is to be used as part of the reconstruction and healing of the nation; a memory closely guarded and kept alive by the former residents."

Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, said: "It is very important that we preserve the tangible and intangible heritage which makes our province so special. Protection of sites such as these mean that future generations can also appreciate and learn from these sites."

– Source: www.news24.com

SA’S LLOYISO LIGHTS UP TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK!

Sharing his moment, Lloyiso wrote:

“Mama I made it to New York Times Square!”

The singer, songwriter and producer became known for making people do a double-take with his voice a few years back after trading a brief appearance at university for the artist’s path. Trading song for meals (and anyone who would listen) eventually became a far cry from the past. Once he took to social media (especially TikTok) during the pandemic, it wasn’t long until his voice became honey to millions, unlocking emotions many had forgotten were there.

With the ability to bring different African languages to the world and a wave of emotions in the way of the greats that inspired him (like Sam Smith), Lloyiso’s Times Square spotlight has South Africans beaming with pride.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SOUTH AFRICAN CROWNED GLOBAL SINGING CHAMP – “MY KIND OF COUNTRY"

The picks of the litter were chosen by scouts Jimmy Allen, Mickey Guton and Orville Peck (all country legends in their own rights) who then invited the budding artists to Nashville Tennessee; the holy grail for country music.

Beyond the epic experience, the winner would also get a handsome prize from Apple Music.

South Africans, of course, were naturally overjoyed to learn that some contestants were locals, and even further thrilled to find that a local voice took us to the finals.

Spoiler alert: the end of this journey ended very happily for South Africans, and one Capetonian in particular.

Micaela Kleinsmith earned the crown after a series of breathtaking performances (some of which were originals). Of her massive win, the Cape Town-based songbird shared that she didn’t expect it at all.

In sharing her winning moment with Apple Music, she explained that she was caught off guard as she’d been trying to figure out who the winner was before any announcements. So, when she heard her own name her mental response was, “What do you mean? Are you sure?”.

Hailing from Cape Town, Micaela began songwriting at just 14-years-old. Using music as her peace from bullying, she used her superpower to make friends and eventually, a career.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SOUTH AFRICAN CHARITY SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL AWARD

These projects – along with three other Sport for Good programmes from around the world – will be celebrated alongside some of the greatest athletes of all time at next month’s Laureus World Sports Awards. Six other categories are voted for by the Laureus World Sports Academy, a group of 71 sporting legends who together form the ultimate sporting jury.

The other categories are the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, Laureus World Team of the Year, Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year, Laureus World Comeback of the Year and Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year.

Nominees include Lionel Messi and Rafael Nadal in the Sportsman of the Year Category; Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Iga Świątek for Sportswoman of the Year; and Tiger Woods and Klay Thompson in the Comeback of the Year Category.

Boxgirls – also shortlisted for the award in 2021 – sets out to both build athletic skills and develop confidence and leadership in the young women who connect with the project, many of whom face extreme inequality and violence within the disenfranchised communities in which they live.

The programme reaches out to schools to offer girls the chance of boxing training, peer coaching and the development of key life skills.

Durban-based Made for More focusses on inclusion for people with disabilities, who can be isolated and ignored due to stigma and ignorance. The programme unlocks a passion for sport and uses it as a transformational tool, equipping and empowering young people.

Activities delivered by Made for More include a training camp based around Paralympic sports, an adapted surfing programme, as well as clinical and psychosocial support.

Founding Director of Made for More, Julia Van Zyl, said: “We had goosebumps reading that we had been shortlisted for this prestigious award and are very grateful for the opportunity to create more awareness around inclusion through this incredible platform.”

South African rugby legend and Laureus Academy Member Bryan Habana is a long-term advocate for the work of Laureus Sport for Good. Bryan said: “Congratulations to both Boxgirls and Made for More on being shortlisted for the 2023 Sport for Good Award; inspirational to see two African programmes on this year’s shortlist. Laureus Sport for Good is supporting more than 275 programmes worldwide who each use sport to help young people overcome violence, discrimination and inequality. Both Boxgirls and Made for More are wonderful examples of using sport to do good. In 2000, our Patron Nelson Mandela said: ‘Sport has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does’ and both programme’s efforts in using sport in their communities is proof that those words still ring true today.”

Laureus Sport for Good now funds, supports and implements more than 275 sports-based community programmes in over 50 countries and territories that use sport to combat violence, discrimination and disadvantage faced by young people. Together with our partners, Laureus Sport for Good has reached and helped change the lives of more than six and a half million children and young people since 2000.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH AFRICA NATIONAL TEAM LAUNCHES IT’S “ROAD TO BERLIN"

They will be hoping to replicate the incredible successes of our 2019 South Africa National Team that returned victorious from the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in the United Arab Emirates with 35 gold, 15 silver and 12 bronze medals!

“The athletes of Special Olympics South Africa are the biggest medal winners in this country and yet they always receive the least support. It is time that we change that narrative not just in terms of the funding but also in terms of the recognition they receive after successfully representing our country. Their achievements are not less because of their disability, they are, in fact, far, far greater! Special Olympics South Africa will once again be relying on corporates and the public at large to “Adopt an Athlete” – Dr Mathews Phosa, Chairperson of Special Olympics South Africa

“The costs for each athlete to attend the World Games comes to about R40 000 per athlete”, said Ms Ancilla Smith, the CEO of Special Olympics South Africa; “the majority of our athletes come from impoverished circumstances and we make sure that we are able to provide everything that they need to be able to represent our country with pride. We provide everything from toiletries and underwear to their official playing kit and equipment”

The “Adopt an Athlete” Campaign has been successful in raising the necessary funds for the past three World Games and the organisation is hoping that this year is no different.

Smith continued: “The athletes of Special Olympics South Africa continue to prove that when given the opportunity they can, and will, succeed. They cannot, however, do it without support. In previous years, our National Team has relied on the public, corporate and the National Lotteries Commission to make their dreams of representing our country a reality. This year again, we will be calling upon all sectors of our society to help us get these athletes up onto the winners podiums in Berlin where they belong”.

For individuals or companies who are unable to cover the full costs of an athlete’s participation but who would still like to contribute, Special Olympics has created a BackaBuddy campaign. They have managed to raise over R290 000 towards the goal of R4 million.

The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 will be broadcasting to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide, showcasing athletic performance and highlighting stereotype-defying stories – changing minds and opening hearts through transformational inclusion.

The Special Olympics World Games act as a catalyst for inclusion; building a lasting legacy of improved health, education, and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities worldwide.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com