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| MINISTER SISULU ATTENDS MINISTERIAL MEETING FOR BNC BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND DRC |
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| The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation on 14 October 2018 travelled to Kinshasa for the Ministerial Meeting in preparation for the 11th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). |
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The BNC between South Africa and the DRC was established in 2004 essentially to promote political, economic and social cooperation between the two countries. The 10th Session of the BNC was held in South Africa in 2017.
Since the establishment of the BNC, the two countries have strengthened their bilateral cooperation in various fields such as diplomatic cooperation, public service and administration, defence and police.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Joseph Kabila of the DRC will at a future stage ratify the agreements reached between the two countries at the 11th Session of the BNC.
President Ramaphosa was due to travel to Kinshasa on Monday, 15 October 2018, but was advised by doctors to recover from an upper respiratory tract infection before undertaking prolonged travel. The President is receiving medical attention and making a good recovery.
The South African Government has been in communication with the Government of the DRC regarding this change in President Ramaphosa’s schedule and has expressed its appreciation for the DRC’s hosting of the official and ministerial deliberations that have taken place in Kinshasa in preparation for the participation of the two heads of government in the BNC.
The two presidents will at a future occasion ratify the outcomes of the BNC. |
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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE STALWART ERIC “STALIN” MTSHALI |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing away of the liberation struggle stalwart, veteran trade unionist and former Member of Parliament, Eric “Stalin” Mtshali. |
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The Durban-born Mr Mtshali passed away on Friday, 12 October 2018, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital after a long illness. He was 87 years old.
“I offer my sincerest condolences to the family, friends and comrades of uBaba Eric “Stalin” Mtshali with whom we share the loss of an extraordinary activist and leader whose illustrious life story and patriotic contribution we shall never forget,” said President Ramaphosa.
In 2015, Mr Ntshali received the National Order of Mendi for Bravery in Silver for “his excellent contribution to the fight against apartheid. In spite of great risks, he was never deterred in his quest for true freedom and social justice”.
Mr Mtshali spent 30 years in exile after joining the African National Congress (ANC), and in 1961, was part of the Congress Alliance’s group which founded uMkhonto we Sizwe.
He was a member of the Freedom Charter Signing Committee and was based in Tanzania during his decades in exile – a period during which he received political and military training in Egypt and the then Soviet Union.
Following his return to South Africa in 1991, Mr Mtshali served as the Deputy Commissioner of Criminal Intelligence in KwaZulu-Natal between 1995 and 2000.
He became an ANC councillor in the Ethekwini Municipality in 2000 and served as a Member of Parliament from 2004, distinguishing himself as a member of the portfolio committees on labour, higher education and training and human settlements. |
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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ON THE PASSING OF FORMER MINISTER ROELOF “PIK” BOTHA |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences at the passing away of former Minister of Mineral and Energy Affairs, Mr Roelof “Pik” Botha. |
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Mr Botha, 86, passed away in Pretoria after an illness.
President Ramaphosa’s thoughts are with the family, friends and former colleagues of Mr Botha who served as Minister of Mineral and Energy Affairs for two years under the leadership of President Nelson Mandela.
Prior to 1994, Mr Botha served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for a period of 17 years – which still stands as a world record in the diplomatic community.
President Ramaphosa said Mr Botha would be remembered for his support for South Africa’s transition to democracy and for his service in the first democratic administration. |
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| DEPUTY PRESIDENT MABUZA AFFIRMS SA'S SUPPORT FOR SOUTH SUDAN PEACE TALKS |
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| South African Deputy President, David Mabuza, has called on stakeholders involved in the South Sudan peace process to be steadfast in their efforts of implementing the peace agreement, which will benefit the people of the east-central African country. |
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The Deputy President, who is also a Special Envoy to South Sudan, made the comment on Monday, 15 October 2018, after holding talks with President Salva Kiir Mayardit during a Working Visit.
At the meeting, Deputy President Mabuza committed all role players to work together in achieving lasting peace, stability and development in the Republic of South Sudan.
The country, which gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, has for several years been trapped in an unending civil war that has seen thousands killed and maimed, with millions more fleeing and displaced.
“The Deputy President has expressed his confidence in the peace process and assured President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the people of South Sudan of South Africa’s continued and unwavering support,” The Presidency said in a statement.
The Deputy President also held talks with the leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, the leadership of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance, the leadership of Former Detainees, the convenors of the National Dialogue and members of the Diplomatic Corps in the South Sudan capital, Juba.
South Africa, Deputy President Mabuza said, would continue to provide support and “share her own experience learned from South Africa’s transition to democracy”.
“He expressed his confidence that the Revitalised Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan will sustain the prevailing positive mood in the country,” The Presidency said.
Deputy President Mabuza, The Presidency said, had departed for the Republic of Sudan, where he would continue to execute his duties as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy on South Sudan.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| DEPUTY PRESIDENT MABUZA ATTENDS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA |
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| Deputy President David Mabuza attended the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in Malabo on 12 October 2018. Deputy President Mabuza attended the Jubilee Celebrations at the invitation of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. |
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South Africa and Equatorial Guinea enjoy fraternal bilateral relations. The visit by Deputy President Mabuza further strengthened the existing bilateral relations between the two countries and enhanced economic cooperation, trade and investment.
The two countries are playing an important role at multilateral level where they will both serve in the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members during 2019. |
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| DEPUTY MINISTER LANDERS UNDERTAKES WORKING VISIT TO THE SAHARAWI REFUGEE CAMPS IN TINDOUF, SOUTH WEST ALGERIA |
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| Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers undertook a Working Visit to the Saharawi Refugee Camps in Tindouf, South West Algeria, from 12 to 15 October 2018. |
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The purpose of the visit was to deepen diplomatic relations between the Government of South Africa and the Government of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). The Working Visit also allowed South Africa to reaffirm its solidarity and support for the just struggle of the Saharawi people for self-determination and independence.
The Working Visit took place following the historic Working Visit to South Africa by the President of the SADR, Brahim Ghali, on 5 June 2018, during which the two heads of state reviewed matters of mutual bilateral, continental and international interest. The South African Government has recently approved the provision of humanitarian assistance to the SADR Government through the African Renaissance Fund, totalling R10 million. This against the backdrop of the exceptional material hardships confronting the Saharawi refugees due to the reduced international aid.
The visit also took place as the United Nations (UN) Security Council is considering the extension of the UN Mission in Western Sahara mandate, which expires in October 2018.
During the visit, Deputy Minister Landers also delivered the Nelson Mandela Centenary Lecture in Tindouf. |
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| SOUTH AFRICA EXPRESSES CONCERN REGARDING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SAUDI JOURNALIST JAMAL KHASHOGGI |
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| The South African Government joins the international community in expressing its concern regarding reports about the disappearance of Saudi Arabian journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, while in Istanbul, Turkey. |
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Government welcomes the ongoing diplomatic interaction between the Republic of Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the investigation which seeks to get to the bottom of this matter.
We trust that this investigation will provide clarity and answers regarding the disappearance of Mr Khashoggi.
The South African Government will remain seized with this matter through diplomatic channels. |
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| AFRICAN MINISTERS MEET FOR FIFTH SKA AFRICAN MINISTERIAL FORUM |
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| South Africa and its eight African partner countries involved in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and African Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (AVN) projects are meeting in Cape Town from 14 to 17 October for the Fifth SKA/AVN African Ministerial Forum Meeting. |
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The annual meeting of SKA African partner countries brings together science and technology ministers and senior officials from South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Zambia, Ghana, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Mauritius.
The main aim of the SKA/AVN African Ministerial Forum is to provide political and strategic leadership on matters pertaining to the SKA and AVN projects and other relevant radio astronomy initiatives.
This year's meeting takes place under the theme: "Five Years of Partnership through the Annual SKA/AVN African Ministerial Forum Meeting – A Time to Celebrate, Reflect and Ponder the Future".
Last year's meeting took place in Accra, Ghana, and coincided with the launch of the Kutunse Radio Telescope at the Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory by the President of Ghana.
Ghana was the first SKA/AVN African partner country to complete the conversion of a redundant communications antenna into a functioning radio telescope. Since its launch, the 32‑metre antenna has successfully demonstrated that it can operate as a single dish radio telescope and as part of a global very long baseline interferometry network.
The Ghanaian Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation collaborated with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory to make the Kutunse Radio Telescope a reality.
The discussion at this year's SKA/AVN African Ministerial Forum focuses on advances in respect of the SKA, AVN and other radio astronomy programmes as the combined effort to grow astronomy on the continent gains momentum. |
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| GROUNDBREAKING LIVER SURGERY RECEIVES APPLAUSE |
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| A historic and successful liver transplant from a HIV-positive mother to her HIV-negative child has received resounding applause. |
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Giving feedback on the outcomes of the Cabinet Meeting, held on Wednesday, 10 October 2018, Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane congratulated the team of researchers from Wits University, who performed the historic surgery.
The team of doctors who performed the surgery included Prof. Jean Botha, Dr Francesca Conradie, Dr Harriet Etheredge, Dr June Fabian and Prof. Caroline Tiemessen.
As a precaution, the baby was still on HIV treatment and doctors were not sure when, or if, the child would stop taking antiretrovirals.
Meanwhile, Cabinet also noted that South Africa’s radio telescope, the MeerKAT, would be joining Breakthrough Listen, an international initiative seeking signs of intelligent life in the universe.
“It demonstrates our internationally recognised expertise and infrastructure,” said Minister Mokonyane.
South Africa’s 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope, inaugurated in July this year, is the most sensitive telescope of its kind in the world.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| MEDUPI UNIT 2 SYNCHRONISED TO THE GRID |
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| Unit 2 of Eskom’s Medupi Power Station has been synchronised to the electricity grid, eight months ahead of schedule. |
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“Eskom is pleased to announce that Unit 2 at Medupi Power Station produced first power on Sunday, 7 October. The unit was loaded to 400MW, making it the fifth of the six Medupi units to be synchronised to the national grid,” said Eskom.
The synchronisation of the unit, which is when the generator in the unit is, for the first time, electrically connected to the national power grid so that it is aligned with all other generators on the grid, was reached ahead of the June 2019 schedule.
The plant, which is located in Lephalale, Limpopo, is a greenfields coal-fired power plant comprising six units rated in total at 4 764MW installed capacity.
“The achievement of Unit 2's first synchronisation marks a key milestone towards full commercial operation of the unit. Lessons learnt on previous units were implemented on Unit 2, leading to the swiftness in delivering first power.
“This is an amazing achievement, taking us closer to completing the entire Medupi project, as we will be left with one unit,” said Eskom’s Group Executive for Group Capital, Abram Masango.
Medupi Acting Project Director, Zandi Shange, said the next step would be the testing and optimisation of the unit, resulting in the unit being able to generate full power of 794MW of electricity feeding into the national grid for the country’s consumption.
“As we approach the last stretch of the project, we will apply the same vigour as we work towards the unit’s commercial operation, as well as synchronising the remaining unit,” she said.
Construction activities at the plant commenced in May 2007 and once completed, it will be the fourth largest coal-fired power plant, and the largest dry-cooled power station in the world.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| CAPE TOWN BOASTS HIGHEST NUMBER OF BLUE FLAG BEACHES IN SA |
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| Ten beaches in the Mother City have been awarded the Blue Flag for the December 2018 to January 2019 season. |
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Cape Town’s beaches once again boast the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in the country.
The National Blue Flag Programme is coordinated by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa.
The Blue Flag is an international accreditation awarded to beaches that display excellence across four categories: environmental education, water quality, environmental management and safety.
Ten beaches in the Mother City have been awarded the Blue Flag for the December 2018 to January 2019 season. These include Mnandi Beach, Strandfontein Beach, Muizenberg Beach, Fish Hoek and Llandudno.
– Source: ewn.co.za |
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| GOOSEN SET TO BE INDUCTED INTO WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME |
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| Two-time major champion Retief Goosen will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year. |
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Goosen joins Billy Payne, Jan Stephenson, Dennis Walters and the late Peggy Kirk Bell, who will all officially join the ranks as the Class of 2019.
The five new members will be enshrined at the World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Monday, 10 June 2019, at Pebble Beach in the week of the men's US Open.
The ceremony will take place at the Sunset Centre in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California.
Goosen, 49, was picked in the "Male Competitor Category" with the criteria for selection being to have won 15 or more professional titles, won two or more majors and to be at least 50 years old during the year of a given induction ceremony.
Known affectionately as "The Goose", Goosen sat within the Official World Golf Ranking's top 10 for more than 250 weeks from 2001 through 2007.
His 33 worldwide wins include two US Open Championships in 2001 – the same year he was named European Tour Player of the Year – and 2004.
Goosen led the European Tour Order of Merit in 2001 and 2002. He also played in six consecutive Presidents Cups from 2000 to 2011 as part of the International Team.
Goosen will join Ernie Els, Gary Player and Bobby Locke as the only South Africans in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
– Source: sport24.co.za |
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| SA'S DAVIDS RACES TO 100-M YOUTH OLYMPICS GOLD |
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| South African Luke Davids has the world at his feet after winning the 100-m gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. |
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The 17-year-old charged home in a wind-assisted 10.15 seconds to join Akani Simbine as a major 100-m champion for 2018 after Simbine led home a Team SA 1-2 at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.
According to Team SA website, Davids crossed the finish line in 10.56 seconds in the first stage and in the second stage he lowered his time to 10.15 for a combined 20.71, the only athlete to have a combined tally under 21 seconds.
"The feeling of being the fastest young man in the world and being No1 is amazing," Davids told Team SA.
"I've been dreaming of this moment for months now. The spectators were incredible. The support they give you on the track, in the warm-up and at all times is sensational. People from Argentina seem as if they were from South Africa because of their kindness and, for that reason, I felt at home." |
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