| |
|
| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
| PRESIDENT ZUMA SENDS CONDOLENCES TO AFGHANISTAN AND UAE |
| |
| “The South African Government condemns this act of aggression, as well as the suicide attacks in Kabul, which have witnessed an increase in violence, and extends its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in this moment of sadness and grief,” said President Zuma. |
| |
President Zuma has sent condolences to Afghanistan and the UAE following the death of five diplomats in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.
The Governor of southern Kandahar province, Humayoun Azizi, and Ambassador of the UAE to Kabul Juma, Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi, were wounded in a blast inside Kandahar’s guesthouse recently, which killed five and injured about 17 others.
The governor was hosting a dinner attended by several UAE diplomats, who were on a mission to carry out humanitarian, educational and development projects in Afghanistan in support of bringing peace, security and stability to the country and people of Afghanistan.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came just hours after deadly twin blasts near the Parliament headquarters in the capital, Kabul. |
|
| |
|
| |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA LEADS SA DELEGATION TO WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) 2017 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Organised under the theme “Responsive and Responsible Leadership”, this year’s WEF is taking place against the background of a challenging global environment and is expected to attract over 2 700 world leaders in the public and private sectors to discuss the global economy. |
| |
South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading, on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, a high-level government, business and labour delegation to the 2017 WEF Annual Meeting from 17 to 20 January 2017 in Davos, Switzerland.
The programme for the 2017 WEF annual event has been organised around five areas, which have been identified as in need of urgent responsive and responsible leadership, namely: preparing for the fourth industrial revolution; strengthening systems for global collaboration; revitalising the global economy; reforming market capitalism; and addressing identity through positive narratives.
The South African team, under the leadership of Deputy President Ramaphosa, is communicating to the global community the positive message that ‘’Working together, our future is in our hands’’. In this context, the South African team is utilising the opportunity presented by the WEF to highlight the work that the Government working together with business and labour is doing to:
- implement economic transformation and the reform agenda
- make progress towards achieving inclusive growth and employment
- restore investor confidence
- achieve supportive business confidence
- refine government spending efficiency.
Deputy President Ramaphosa’s government delegation includes the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan; Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe; Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies; Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane; and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala.
South Africa is poised to host the WEF Africa meeting in Durban in May this year. |
|
| |
|
| |
| SA NAVY FRIGATE TO COMMEMORATE SINKING OF “SS MENDI” |
| |
| The "SS Mendi", a troop ship carrying South African soldiers, sank in the English Channel near the Isle of Wight, following a collision with a cargo steamship on 21 February, 1917. A total of 646 people died, most of them black South African soldiers and members of the South African Native Labour Corps. |
|
| |
|
The SA Navy will deploy a frigate to Europe and the west coast of Africa to commemorate the sinking of the SS Mendi during the First World War, 100 years ago.
The SAS Amatola, a Valour Class Frigate, will travel to the United Kingdom to commemorate the occasion, Lieutenant Commander Portia Mogotlhe said in a statement recently.
The Amatola will participate in the British Operational Sea Training during the visit to England. It will then proceed to Germany for an exercise with the German Armed forces, Exercise Good Hope VII.
The vessel will also conduct borderline protection patrols in South African waters and an anti-piracy patrol on the west coast of Africa. It will visit Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Namibia.
It departed from Simon’s Town on 16 January and is set to arrive in Rota, Spain, on 2 February to refuel.
Between 19 and 24 February, various activities will be held to commemorate the sinking of the SS Mendi. Some of the relatives of the soldiers who died would go to sea with the SAS Amatola to lay a wreath where the SS Mendi sank.
Exercise Good Hope VII will take place between 27 February and 5 March. Once completed, the Amatola will make a historic visit to Rostock (previously part of East Germany), before sailing back to Rota to refuel on 19 and 21 March.
The ship will then visit the following ports for diplomatic visits:
- Tema, Ghana, from 30 March – 3 April
- Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 6 April – 8 April
- Luanda, Angola, from 11 April – 13 April
- Walvis Bay, Namibia, from 17 April – 19 April.
The SAS Amatola is scheduled to be back in Simon’s Town on 22 April. |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| SOUTH AFRICAN DIPLOMAT NOW HEAD OF UNAMID |
| |
| “Mamabolo brings to the position first-hand experience in dealing with the situation in Darfur, as well as expertise from a distinguished career in the diplomatic service,” the UN said. |
|
|
| |
South African Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo has been named acting joint special representative for Darfur and is also now head of the joint African Union (AU)/United Nations (UN) hybrid operation – UNAMID.
This announcement was made recently by new UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and AU Commission chair, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
Mamabolo succeeds Martin Uhmoibhi of Nigeria. Last year saw him serving UNAMID as Deputy Joint Special Representative for Pillar I, overseeing political, human rights and legal aspects of the Mission’s activities.
From 2013 to 2016, he served as Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN, during which he also acted as Chair of the Group of 77 developing countries and China. In 2009, he was appointed High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria. Previously, he facilitated peace processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi as his country’s Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region (2006 to 2009). He also served as Deputy Director-General for African Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2002 to 2006).
Mamabolo held other senior positions, such as Permanent Representative to the AU, accredited also to Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti (1999 to 2002). During that time, he led efforts to promote dialogue in post-war Sierra Leone in his capacity as Special Envoy of the AU to Sierra Leone and the Mano River Basin (2001 to 2002). He also served as High Commissioner to Zimbabwe (1995 to 1999).
He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Pretoria and a diploma in Journalism from Harare Polytechnic College, Zimbabwe.
– Source: www.defenceweb.co.za |
|
| |
|
| |
| SA MOURNS LOSS OF JAZZ LEGEND |
| |
| Ms Klaasen earned several awards and honours, including the National Order of the Baobab from the President of the Republic, which was bestowed on her for her excellent achievement in and contribution to music. |
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
President Jacob Zuma has expressed deep sadness and extended his heartfelt condolences on the passing of legendary jazz musician and recipient of the National Order of the Baobab, Thandi Klaasen, who passed away on 15 January 2017.
“The country has lost one of its internationally acclaimed and respected jazz icons in Ms Thandi Klaasen. Her passing is a tragic loss to the nation. Ms Klaasen contributed to the country not only as a musician but also a social and political activist who was always outspoken about social-economic issues in the country. We have lost one of the leading pioneers of South African jazz music and promoters of the country's cosmopolitan culture. She was a role model to many of our young and upcoming musicians and her legacy will live on for generations to come.
"We convey our deepest condolences to her family, relatives and all in the arts and culture industry. May her soul rest in peace,” President Zuma said. |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| CHAIR UMPIRE PATRICK SELEPE TO MAKE TENNIS HISTORY FOR SOUTH AFRICA AT DAVIS CUP |
| |
| The 39-year-old is one of three officials named by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Tennis South Africa (TSA) to do duty at the Davis Cup tie between South Africa and Estonia. The tie is to be played at the Irene Country Club outside Pretoria from 3 to 5 February. |
|
|
| |
Pretoria’s Patrick Selepe will make history next month when he becomes the first official with a disability to work as a chair umpire in South African Davis Cup competition.
Originally from Limpopo, Selepe – a former wheelchair tennis player – has a prosthetic leg after losing his limb to bone cancer in 1996.
After losing his leg, he was inspired by award-winning Paralympic high-jumper Fanie Lombaard, and took on high jump himself … breaking the SA record with a 1,52m jump.
When wheelchair tennis was launched in South Africa, Selepe applied dedication and determination to earn a beginner’s coaching certificate. He told City Press last year that he “did quite extensive research on sports for the disabled, but I fell in love with wheelchair tennis”.
He is passionate about the sport and is not only excited witnessing it slowly becoming a mainstream event, but believes it should be getting even more attention. His achievements are helping that happen …
The referee and ITF representative at the tie will be experienced umpire, Dr Ashraf Hamouda of Qatar. The two chair umpires are Selepe and Tebogo Maleka from Soweto, Johannesburg. Chief of Umpires will be Mpho Makhoba of Atteridgeville, Pretoria.
The father of three has previously done duty as a line umpire at the Wimbledon qualifying event last year.
His motto is: “If you feel you want to do something, go ahead and do it properly”.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
|
| |
|
| |
| SOUTH AFRICAN CADDIE BAGS BIG BONUS AFTER GRAEME STORM’S SA OPEN WIN |
| |
| “I am so proudly South African today. This just shows you that we are as good as caddies anywhere in the world and I hope the youngsters watching saw what Graeme and I did today. You can achieve anything if you work hard and you keep trying.” |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Thama Jeffrey Nkonyane collected the biggest cheque of his 32-year-long career after helping England’s Graeme Storm to victory in the South African Open at a packed and thrilled Glendower on 15 January.
The Englishman went toe to toe with Rory McIlroy, but came out on top at the third playoff hole.
“This will definitely be the biggest pay-day of my life and of course the money is going to be great, but this is the proudest day of my career,” said the 51-year-old from Soweto.
“It was very special to win the SA Open in front of my home crowd with Graeme, because we’ve known each for many years.
“I caddied for him in his amateur days, when he came out to South Africa as a youngster to compete in the SA Stroke Play and SA Match Play. Then I picked up his bag again at the SA Open in 2004. We always reconnect when he comes to South Africa and he calls on me if he doesn’t bring his own bagman. This time, his caddy went on honeymoon, so he called and I came.”
Over the last three decades, Nkonyana has carried many bags and some of his favourites included Hugh Baiocchi, the late Wayne Westner and Woody Austin.
After so many years playing mother, father, psychologist and caddy brought a lot of experience and he knew his job was to keep Storm’s head in the game.
“Graeme had never played with Rory before, so we knew it was going to be a stressful day at the office, but I have to say, the South African golf fans had a lot to do with his win,” Nkonyane said.
“At almost every hole, for every shot, they cheered just as hard for Graeme as they did for Rory and that really gave us a lot of confidence. Graeme didn’t have time to feel the nerves.
“My job was to keep him looking ahead and keep him in the game. I kept telling him not to get angry or upset and hurt himself. We worked well together and he had the confidence to tackle Rory.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
|
| |
|
| |
| SOUTH AFRICA WRAPS UP SERIES WHITE WASH AGAINST SRI LANKA WITH TWO DAYS TO SPARE |
|
| |
|
| |
| Cricket South Africa said it all when they tweeted: “Brilliant effort manne! Congratulations on the series white wash”. |
| |
The Proteas’ pace bowling quartet claimed 16 wickets between them on day three to bowl South Africa to an innings and 118 runs victory over Sri Lanka in the final Test match at Wanderers Stadium on 14 January, and complete a 3-0 series clean sweep with more than two days to spare.
The wickets where shared between all four with the recalled Wayne Parnell taking six wickets in the match while new cap Duanne Olivier took five wickets on debut.
Kagiso Rabada finished the series with 19 wickets and Vernon Philander with 17 while the top order batsmen did a repeat of the previous series in Australia with five different batsmen scoring centuries. One of them, Dean Elgar, finished leading runs scorer in the series (308 runs at 61.60) to be named Player of the Series.
JP Duminy was named Man of the Match for his innings of 155, which contributed to the 292-run partnership with Hashim Amla to set up the platform from which the bowlers were able to strike for victory.
A feature of the final day’s play was the catching of the home side with Duminy and Faf du Plessis both pulling off brilliant efforts.
– Sources: cricket.co.za and www.sapeople.com |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
