SIYA KOLISI, DESIREE ELLIS, TRACY CHAPMAN AMONG 32 BESTOWED NATIONAL ORDERS BY PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA

On Friday, 28 April 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa bestowed national orders on 32 citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards improving the lives of South Africans.

Among those honoured were Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Banyana coach Desiree Ellis and Jamaican musician Peter Tosh.

Kolisi's order was accepted by his wife, Rachel, as he was scheduled to go under the knife on Friday following a knee injury.

American music artist Tracy Chapman was also awarded.

In his address, President Ramaphosa said the individuals had one thing in common and that was striving to do the right thing.

He added: "They did what they did, said what they said, and acted the way they did not for prestige or fame, nor for recognition or reward, but because it was the right thing to do. In doing the right thing, their actions had a lasting and enduring impact and lived on long after them."

"Those who are receiving national orders embody the founding values of the South African Republic, namely the achievement of equality, the advancement of human rights and freedoms, and perhaps most importantly of all, human dignity."

The Order of Mendi for Bravery

Sister Mary Anne Thôle was awarded the Order of Mendi in silver for her selfless act to save others that led to her losing her life.

On 1 April 2007, at the age of 35, Thôle died while trying to rescue patients from a hospital fire.

The straw roof of Duduza Hospice caught fire from a suspected cigarette that had been discarded by one of the patients.

The silver order was also bestowed posthumously to Kgomotso Thomas for his heroic rescue of two Sol Plaatje University students from drowning in George, Western Cape, four years ago.

Thomas was an official at the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture at the time of his death. He and the students were in George as part of the National Library Funda Mzansi Championship.

Denver Kok was the third recipient of the Order of Mendi for Bravery in silver for his selfless and heroic actions in saving the lives of commuters who were in danger, and through this courageous deed, he paid the ultimate price to ensure the survival of other people.

Order of Luthuli

The Order of Luthuli recognises eminent scholars, liberation fighters and activists who risked their lives to intensify the voice of the oppressed during apartheid.

The order was bestowed on Molly Bellhouse Blackburn, Moki Jacob Bonisile Cekisani, Ethel de Keyser and Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim.

Order of Ikhamanga

Recognising South Africans who excelled in the arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport, President Ramaphosa bestowed the Order of Ikhamanga in gold on Ellis for leading Banyana Banyana to victory in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, and Kolisi received the gold order for his leadership and contribution to rugby and also being the first black person to captain the Springboks.

Mfundi Vundla received the silver order for his sterling work in the South African television and film industry.

Full list of recipients:

The Order of Mendi for Bravery

In silver:

Denver Kok (Posthumous).
Sister Mary Anne Thôle (Posthumous)
Kgomotso Thomas (Posthumous)

The Order of Ikhamanga

In gold:

Mono Arthur Sipho Badela
Desiree Ellis
Siyamthanda “Siya” Kolisi
Solomon Popoli Linda (Posthumous)
Bokwe James Mafuna

In silver:
Bongiwe Dhlomo-Mautloa
Keith Adrian Gottschalk
Mthuthuzeli Ben Nomoyi (Posthumous)
Mfundi Vundla

In bronze:
John Arthur Black
Warren Neil Eva
Dr Matodzi Irene Mawela

The Order of the Baobab

In gold:

Dr Jiyana Mbere
Prof. Ephraim Thibedi Mokgokong
Simon Deliweyo Ngcobo

In silver:
Dr Solomon Boyce Isaac Lefakane
Phuti Ragophala
Cornelius Ruald Strydom

The Order of Luthuli

In gold: 

Ethel de Keyser (Posthumous)
Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim (Posthumous)

In silver:

Molly Bellhouse Blackburn (Posthumous)
Moki Jacob Bonisile Cekisani

The Order of Mapungubwe

In bronze:

Aboubaker Ebrahim Dangor
Dr Vhahangwele Masindi

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo

In silver:

Tracy Chapman (United States of America)
Christabel Gurney (United Kingdom)
Thomas Oliver Newnham – Posthumous (New Zealand)
Peter Tosh (Winston Hubert McIntosh) – Posthumous (Jamaica)
Ruth Weiss (Germany).

– Source: www.news24.com

MINISTER PANDOR UNDERTAKES WORKING VISIT TO MAURITIUS

The two countries share a common vision for the economic integration of the region, underpinned by peace and stability, democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law.

Ministers Pandor and Ganoo will sign a General Cooperation Agreement, which provides for the establishment of a Joint Commission at senior officials’ level. The Joint Commission will serve as the mechanism through which the two countries work to increase levels of cooperation across various sectors. Currently, there is no structured bilateral mechanism between the two countries.

Minister Pandor will meet leaders and representatives of Mauritian businesses to further deepen South Africa-Mauritius trade and investment relations.

The Minister will also have an engagement event with Mauritian think tanks and academia on the current geopolitical environment and how South Africa-Mauritius relations fit therein.

Minister Pandor will meet leaders and representatives of Mauritian businesses to further deepen South Africa-Mauritius trade and investment relations. According to the South African Revenue Service, from January to December 2022, South Africa exported just over R10 billion worth of goods and merchandise to Mauritius compared to almost R5,2 billion in the same period in 2021.

The main products exported in 2022 were mineral products (R4,9 billion), followed by wood products (R832 million), prepared foodstuff (R737 million), machinery (R633 million) and iron and steel products (R626 million). South African exports to Mauritius increased by 285% over the 10-year period from R2,6 billion in 2012 to R10 billion, and by 185% from R5,4 billion over the five-year period from 2017.

The Minister will also pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

MINISTER PANDOR RECEIVES SOUTH AFRICANS EVACUATED FROM SUDAN

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, on Sunday, 30 April 2023, received South African citizens evacuated from Sudan.

Speaking at OR Tambo International Airport, the Minister expressed delight at the return of the citizens.

“We thought that it was important that the people of South Africa see that all the nationals of South Africa that had indicated that they wish to return home are back home. We just want South Africa to be assured because all of us have been waiting for you to come back. We’re absolutely happy that able to return home safely,” said the Minister.

This as South African citizens were stranded in Sudan after the unrest began two weeks ago. The South African Government worked closely with neighbouring countries as well as South African NGO, Gift of the Givers, to ensure the safe return of citizens.

A total 53 individuals arrived on a flight back to South Africa earlier.

On Saturday, 10 South Africans returned home.

She said a lot of organisation went into bringing home the country’s citizens.

“We had a joint committee that worked on evacuations,” she said of the committee made up of various government departments.

A total 51 South Africans returned home from Sudan on Sunday. In addition to the 51 citizens, a Lesotho national and a Zimbabwean national were on board the flight bringing the number of those evacuated from Sudan to 53.

“We are really happy that you’re back home,” said the Minister, who was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Thandi Modise.

However, the Minister said that she was concerned about the people of Sudan amid the ongoing conflict.

“We as government hope that we can play some role in bringing peace back to Sudan, because I don't think we should desert the people of Sudan. It is in South Africa's policy that we must try wherever we can on our continent to silence the guns.

“We are unhappy when we see people suffering and so we will try to make every effort to really engage with the current conflict party in Sudan to persuade them to lay down arms to persuade them to work for peace,” she said.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

HEROIC EASTERN CAPE COP AND K9 UNIT AWARDED FOR TÜRKIYE EARTHQUAKE RESCUES

Brigadier Vimla Moodley and her squad have been honoured by the President of Türkiye for their efforts, including an operation that saw them rescue an 80-year-old woman trapped under rubble after a building crashed.

Earlier this year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) commended the efforts of Moodley as well as numerous other heroes based around South Africa, calling the team “the epitome of pockets of excellence that exist in the organisation”.

As for their global moment of honour, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared the country’s appreciation at the Ceremony of Presidential Medal and Order of Distinguished Humanitarian Service Türkiye, held in Ankara recently.

Moodley was awarded the Medal of Supreme Sacrifice on behalf of the fearless team as well as the five superhero sniffer dogs who helped search for trapped and missing people.

The SAPS K9 Unit that led the Türkiye-Syria earthquake rescue saw Moodley leading Warrant Officer Keagan Naidoo, Warrant Officer Martin Bann, Warrant Officer Len Willemse, Warrant Officer Tinalia Gouws and Sergeant Jennifer Seleka.

Moodley shared that the mission was nothing the team had ever experienced before. Of the ceremony, she said:

“It was emotional, but at the same time, you are proud.”

Meanwhile, Gift of the Givers also put on their capes to assist survivors, offering relief for people through medical supplies, equipment, consumables, food and temporary shelters.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SOUTH AFRICA NOMINATED ACROSS THE MAP FOR WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2023

Cape Town has been nominated across nine different categories, solidifying its hold as “the world within the world”. Coming in hot, other South African tourism firecrackers are also in the running, from Johannesburg as a leading Business Travel Destination to the Harties Cableway as a leading tourist attraction.

Capetonians, South Africans, expats and anyone who has fallen in love with the Mzansi can vote to make sure South Africa brings home the gold, with voting still open.

And the nominees are in!

Here is some of what we’re up for:

• Africa’s Leading Airline (South African Airways)
• Africa’s Leading Airport (Cape Town International, King Shaka International and OR Tambo)
• Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction (Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway, Robben Island, Table Mountain and the V&A)
• Africa’s Leading Cruise Port (Port of Cape Town, Port of Durban)
• Africa’s Leading Beach Destination (Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay)
• Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination (Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg)
• Africa’s Leading City Destination (Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg)
• Africa’s Leading Destination (South Africa)
• Africa’s Leading Festival & Event Destination (Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg)
• Africa’s Leading Meeting & Conference Destination (Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg)
• Africa’s Leading National Park (Kruger National Park)
• Safari (Shamwari Private Game Reserve).

Africa’s Leading Hotels saw various South African nominations for suites, airport hotels, business hotels, city hotels, luxury resorts and most romantic resorts.

Baobab Ridge, Cheetah Plains and Morukuru Beach Lodge snatched nominations for Africa’s Leading Green Hotel.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SOUTH AFRICAN SCIENTIST WINS PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL AWARD

The prize winners include:

• From South Africa, Prof. Mark New, University of Cape Town, Research article: “Nature-based solutions in mountain catchments reduce impact of anthropogenic climate change on drought streamflow”. Published in Communications Earth and Environment, 2022.
• From the United Kingdom, Prof. Carlos Peres, University of East Anglia, Research article: “Sustainable-use protected areas catalyse enhanced livelihoods in rural Amazonia”. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2021.
• From China, Prof. Baojing Gu, Zhejiang University, Research article: “Abating ammonia is more cost-effective than nitrogen oxides for mitigating particulate matter 2.5 air pollution”. Published in Science.org, 2021.
• From the Netherlands, Dr Paul Behrens, Leiden University, Research article: “Dietary change in high-income nations alone can lead to substantial double climate dividend”. Published in Nature Food, 2022.

The jury determined that Professor New (South Africa) and Professor Peres (United Kingdom) were awarded CHF 1 million (R20,470,360) each. A tie between Professor Gu (China) and Professor Behrens (The Netherlands) meant they were awarded CHF 500,000 (R10,282,290) each.

All the funds allocated to each of them are intended to be used to support their research.

The Academy of Science of South Africa is the National Representative Body for the Frontiers Planet Prize and nominated Prof. New for the Prize.

The competition was officially launched on 22 April 2022, Earth Day, by the Frontiers Research Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, whose mission is to accelerate scientific solutions to live healthy lives on a healthy planet.

The competition engaged 233 universities across six continents, 13 national academies of science and an independently-run jury of 100 sustainability experts chaired by Professor Johan Rockström.

On this year’s Earth Day, 22 April, the second edition of the competition was launched, aiming to increase the participation of scientists, research institutions and national academies across the globe, with the goal to continue mobilising the scientific community for solutions to keep us within the boundaries of our planet’s ecosystem.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SOUTH AFRICAN WINE NAMED “MOST ADMIRED WINE BRAND” IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

“We’re exceptionally proud to be included in this definitive list of the world’s most admired wine brands,” says KWV marketing executive for wine Liandra Kotzé. “To be recognised alongside the most respected wine brands globally is an honour and reflects our team’s resolute commitment to achieve excellence in all aspects of the business. It’s indicative of the respect the brand has earned in the hearts of consumers, not only locally but internationally.”

This is the 13th edition of the global survey. To be named in the Top 50 is a mark of true respect and acknowledgement from within the global wine trade.

Brands are ranked according to votes received from academy members, who include wine professionals, journalists, educators and Masters of Wine. Academy members are given three votes and presented with a list of previous winners and other well-known brands and asked to vote according to the quality of wines, be it through consistency or improvement, the accurate reflection of country of origin, responsiveness to needs and tastes of its target audience, level of marketing and wide demographic appeal.

“We’re humbled by this award which doesn’t merely recognise an individual brand in the KWV portfolio, but our collective efforts in all areas of the business to create a consistent, inspiring and recognised brand,” Loomes says.

“This recognition allows our team members to celebrate how the punchy three-letter KWV brand is perceived on the global stage. Since the grapes for KWV’s wines and spirits are sourced from various vineyard pockets across South Africa, this award also credits the astounding beauty and quality of our Winelands – and the world stage is taking note.”

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SA WINS BEST BEER IN AFRICA AT AFRICAN BEER CUP AWARDS

South Africa’s own Richmond Hill Brewing Co (RHBC) walked away with the “Best Beer in Africa” accolade at the African Beer Cup Awards.

This year’s African Beer Cup Awards ceremony took place in Cape Town on Saturday, 29 April 2023, with over 230 different beers entered from 20 countries.

The judging process of each beer was a complex one, with the beers judged by 52 highly experienced judges from 16 different countries.

The Gqeberha-based company’s RHBC Barrel Aged Sour was awarded the best beer in Africa prize, among other awards.

Darling Brew’s Just Naked, also from South Africa, walked away with gold in the Non-Alcoholic Beer Category, while South Africa’s Boet Beer Brewery Lager claimed gold in the International Lager Category.

Co-founders of the African Beer Cup, Lucy Corne and Shawn Duthie, said the African Beer Cup was born out of “a love for beer and a desire to nurture a stronger beer culture across the African continent”.

Beer Association of South Africa Chief Executive, Patricia Pillay, said: “The African Beer Cup Awards is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on the high quality and diverse range of beers that are being produced in Africa. The competition categories span across a wide range of beer styles, including traditional, experimental and speciality, providing ample opportunity for recognition for brewers of all types. It is fantastic to see the display of young talent and craft, which strengthens beer culture as a key driver of Africa’s economy.”

The Chairperson of the Craft Brewers Association of South Africa, Wendy Pienaar, congratulated Richmond Hill Brewing Co on their achievement.

“We are proud of their accomplishment and their contribution to the brewing industry in South Africa,” Pienaar said.

– Source: www.iol.co.za

NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR FORMS SECOND CHOIR AS INTERNATIONAL POPULARITY GROWS

With six international tours booked in 2023 and as much interest in local events, the Ndlovu Youth Choir has created a second choir to help entertain everyone.

The Ndlovu Youth Choir is on fire at the moment and has a very promising 2023 ahead but being in demand has meant the choir can now establish a second team to help reach even more fans.

The first few months of 2023 have been filled with excitement for the choir. They were invited back to America’s Got Talent to audition for the “All Stars” competition where they sang an original about hope. They were then honoured by Stevie Nicks who asked if she could audition to be a part of the proudly South African choir. One month after their audition, the choir joined Sir Elton John for a performance for his AIDS Foundation.

It has been a busy start and it’s only just the beginning. This has pushed the choir to create a second team that will help them reach more fans. The choir already has six international tours on the books, however, here at home, they are also in demand. One team will take on the international commitments while the other will raise the roof in South Africa. The best part is everyone will get a chance to travel overseas too.

“We are excited to share with you all that we now have two fully interchangeable choirs, and all choristers are regularly rotated. While one choir is travelling internationally, the other choir will be keeping the local flame shining. This year we have 6 international tours, and we will regularly be rotating the international and local singers. This is a dream come true for us, and yet another testament to the potential and talent of young South Africans! Halala!”

The Ndlovu Choir was established in January 2009 to afford talented, underprivileged teenagers and young adults (14-24 years) the opportunity to perform locally and abroad proficiently. The choir consists of 30 choristers from the beautiful Moutse Valley in rural Limpopo, South Africa.

The Ndlovu choir is part of the Ndlovu Care Group’s globally acclaimed childcare community programme. The choir aims to ensure that a child from a disadvantaged community enjoys the same level of tuition, care and opportunities as a child from a more affluent society.

This second team is giving even more young people the chance to thrive within their community. They will be able to tour South Africa and provide the joy and entertainment Ndlovu Youth Choir has become synonymous with.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

TYGERBERG CHILDREN’S CHOIR CROWNED CHAMPIONS AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

235 DAYS LATER: SOUTH AFRICAN MAKES HISTORY, WINS ROUND-THE-WORLD RACE

For this incredible act of seamanship, Neuschäfer was awarded the 2022 Cruising Club of America’s Rod Stephens Seamanship Trophy.

The Golden Globe Race sees solo skippers tackling the greatest challenge by sailing around the world, alone and without GPS.

The race is incredibly challenging because it is a circumnavigation race based on the original 1968 circumnavigation. This means that competitors are only allowed to use boats and equipment from 1968 and the years prior. That means no modern GPS technology onboard. Each ship is, however, equipped with modern technology, which can only be used in case of emergency, and a rescue is needed

Gqeberha-born Neuschäfer is the first woman from South Africa to compete in the race and the second-ever woman to enter the race. She has been sailing since her youth but took it up as a career in 2006. Over the last two decades, she has been a force within the sailing community.

Her sailing has taken her all over the world, but she has specialised in expeditions to South Georgia, The Antarctic Peninsula, Patagonia and the Falklands. She has even taken several film crews to these areas to film various series for National Geographic and the BBC.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

BINDER CELEBRATES EPIC WEEKEND, WINNING SPRINT AND EARNING PODIUM SPOT

For Binder, the podium place was hard-earned the day before when he once again raced his way to the win in the sprint. This gave him the opportunity to start Sunday at fourth on the track.

Binder and Miller both got past Espargaró easily and traded the lead before Bagnaia forced his way past Miller, who then put a hard move on Spaniard Martin as tempers started to rise on the track.

Bagnaia’s one-place drop penalty for the Miller move gave the Australian the edge again behind Binder, while Frenchman Johann Zarco began to move through the field only to crash out on lap 16.

With 2023 title leader Bezzecchi also crashing out soon after, Bagnaia finally got past Binder with three laps to go and held on by just 0.221s for victory with Miller and Martin close behind.

“So happy to have got a solid podium today. I kept seeing a little gap and the last lap I managed my quickest lap of the race but, hats off to him (Bagnaia), he got me in the end.” – Brad Binder

Binder took to social media to thank his team for the incredible weekend and shared that he was looking forward to the next race.

‒ Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

COMRADES MARATHON UPS PRIZE MONEY STAKES BIG TIME, WINNERS TO GET R500 000 FROM R260 000

On top of that, should the winner be a South African and from the KwaZulu-Natal province, sums of R200 000 and R60 000 will be added to the winning kitty.

The second and third-place finishers will also have something to smile about in the event of not winning, with their prizes being increased to R250 000 and R180 000 respectively.

In all, the total prize money increased to R4.31 million from last year’s R2.27 million.

Last year's down-run, the first staging of the race since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic that also took place in an unusual time of August, was won by Tete Dijana (5:30:38) and Russia's Alexandra Morozova (6:17:48)

– Source: www.news24.com

SA WOMEN WIN SECOND CHALLENGER SERIES, QUALIFYING FOR WORLD RUGBY SEVENS SERIES 2024

“There are no words to describe how we feel right now. We’re just so happy. The girls really showed some character and they fought in the last game. We’re very excited that we’ll be playing in the World Rugby Sevens Series. That’s where we want to play, against the world’s best.” – Mathrin Simmers, SA Captain

With the back-to-back tournament wins, South Africa has qualified for the World Rugby Sevens Series 2024 as the 12th and final core team.” – World Rugby

The Challenger Series was introduced in 2020 to boost rugby sevens’ development across the globe and provide a pathway for promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com