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| FORMER PRESIDENT OBASANJO PAYS COURTESY CALL ON PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa received former President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for a courtesy call on Thursday, 26 September 2019. |
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After a successful launch of the book, “Democracy Works: Rewiring Politics to Africa's Advantage”, President Obasanjo, who is a co-author of the book, presented a copy to President Ramaphosa.
The book is authored by Greg Mills of the Brenthurst Foundation in South Africa; President Obasanjo; Jeffrey Herbst, a celebrated Africanist; and Tendai Biti, former Finance Minister of Zimbabwe.
President Ramaphosa thanked the former President for working hard and still having the energy to write and contribute to current debates about the development of Africa.
The two leaders also used the opportunity to reflect on recent events in South Africa. In the meeting, the leaders engaged on misconceptions created about the situation in South Africa that gave the impression that Nigerian nationals in particular had been victimised. No loss of life was reported among Nigerian nationals in South Africa during this period.
Former President Obasanjo expressed his sincere appreciation of President Ramaphosa’s recent appointment of a team of special envoys who had in the past few days visited a number of fellow African states to deliver a message from the President regarding the incidents of violence. |
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| SOUTH AFRICA STANDS READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE EFFORT |
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| In a statement to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General on the occasion of the Climate Summit in New York, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa remained committed to meeting its obligations under the Paris Agreement, under the UN Framework for Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). |
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“South Africa shares the sense of urgency expressed by you, Secretary-General, for addressing the climate emergency, and welcomes this great initiative to gather the world’s leaders in New York. This ahead of the UNFCCC meeting in Chile this year and looking forward to 2020, the year in which all of us are expected to enhance the ambition of our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and communicate long-term low-emissions development plans to put the world on a path to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
“Although they have historically contributed the least to global emissions, developing countries are and will continue to be most affected by climate change and its impacts.
“The world depends on us. We have seen the disastrous effects of climate change across the globe in the increased incidence and severity of extreme weather events such as flooding and droughts.
“In fact, the recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C has identified southern Africa as a climate change hot spot. Our region is likely to become drier and drastically warmer even under 1.5 or 2 °C of global warming.
“Moreover, recent events have clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather. In March 2019, more than 1 000 people died across four southern African countries in the devastation caused by tropical Cyclone Idai. This is the worst flood disaster in the recorded history of the region, and the second-worst in history in the Southern Hemisphere. Also still fresh in the minds of South Africans is the Cape Town drought of 2015 to 2017, which brought the city to the verge of an unprecedented water crisis.
“Climate change science is clear that the risk for flooding originating from intense landfalling tropical cyclones and for prolonged drought in southern Africa is increasing under continued global warming. Extensive research is ongoing in South Africa to quantify the likelihood of major climate change impacts occurring in the region over the next several decades, including multi-year droughts that compromise water security and heat waves impacting human health, livestock production and crop yield.
“The view of South Africa and Africa, as developing countries and as global citizens, is that the climate crisis cannot be solved outside of a development context. We see the crisis as an opportunity to strengthen global governance and that in addressing the crisis, we can meet the aspirations of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 identifies poverty, inequality and unemployment as our most serious national development challenges. Overcoming these triple challenges fundamentally informs our approach to addressing climate change.
“Building resilience must strengthen development. In shifting to a low-carbon, inclusive, climate change resilient development path and embracing the global energy transition, we must ensure that we leave no-one behind. At the same time, we must create new opportunities for all in our economy.
“South Africa considers itself a good global citizen and our National Climate Change Response Policy requires us to make a fair contribution to the global effort in the context of our national development priorities. This is what informs our NDC.
“South Africa places a high priority on the role of all countries to enable and support adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change, and build economic and social resilience to these impacts, particularly for those most vulnerable.
“The mitigation challenge posed to South Africa is considerable. About 80% of our emissions are from our energy sector.
“Like all countries of the world, we recognise the urgency with which we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and move towards a carbon-neutral future. The rapid fall in prices of renewable energy technologies, coupled with our immense renewable energy resources, has created a massive opportunity for us to make this shift.
“We are already doing so. South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme is considered one of the world’s leading renewable energy programmes.
“South Africa’s blueprint for energy security, the Integrated Resource Plan, will soon be finalised. It calls for an energy mix that includes a significantly increased component of energy from renewable sources, as well as from traditional sources that include coal, natural gas and nuclear energy.
“As many other countries around the world, including developed countries, are experiencing, we have to minimise the impact of such a transition on workers, communities and our economies as a whole.
“As part of ensuring a just transition, we will need to put measures in place that plan for workforce reskilling and job absorption, social protection and livelihood creation, incentivising new green sectors, diversifying coal-dependent regional economies, and developing labour and social plans as and when ageing coal-fired power plants are decommissioned.
“Taking all of these factors into consideration, it is clear that strong and durable social compacts will need to be forged between government, labour, business and civil society.
“Your Excellencies, South Africa has already done much to address the challenge of climate change. So far, we have introduced a Carbon Tax and have implemented voluntary carbon budgets systems for large emitters.
“We have also finalised a Green Transport Strategy and are implementing a national Green Economy Strategy and an Energy Efficiency in Industry Strategy.
“As of the end of March 2019, we have procured 6 422 megawatt of electricity from 112 renewable energy Independent Power Producer projects, including from wind, solar PV, concentrated solar power, landfill gas, hydro and biomass.
“We are also pursuing a large-scale energy and climate change research and development programme geared towards mitigation solutions such as the use of fuel cells, using South Africa’s abundant platinum resources.
“In addition to these and up to the end of 2020, we will be completing a number of key national processes:
- Our National Planning Commission will update our NDP (which was adopted in 2012 before the Paris Agreement), providing an integrated basis for our shift to a low-carbon economy and a climate-resilient society.
- We will also be finalising our Just Transition Plan, including defining a vision compatible with the 1.5 degree Paris temperature goal.
- We are currently in the process of finalising our long-term low-emissions development strategy, which will be submitted to the UNFCCC in 2020.
- We will be finalising our Climate Change Bill, which will provide a legislative basis for comprehensive climate action, provide for the updating of our long-term national emissions trajectory, the allocation of sectoral emissions targets, and the regulation of large emitters.
- South Africa’s land sector is a net emissions sink, and we are currently developing programmes to enhance this, including through the restoration of subtropical thicket and grasslands, expanding forestry and reduced tillage.
- We will also publish the final National Adaptation Strategy to assist all provinces, towns and cities to face adaptation challenges ahead.
- Using own domestic resources, we have already implemented measures to help us cope with extreme weather. These include the Working for Water Programme, the Working for Fire Programme and the restoration of wetlands.
- In 2020, South Africa will be updating its adaptation NDC in 2020, to reflect national progress on implementing a comprehensive adaptation response, and updating international support requirements.
“Excellencies, having heeded the warnings of the IPCC, considered the current inadequacy of international mitigation efforts and the urgency of further emissions reductions by 2030, having heard the pleas of citizens and in response to the urging of the Secretary-General, we are announcing the concrete actions as South Africa.
“We will be enhancing our current mitigation NDC by the end of 2020. Additional mitigation ambition by 2030 will require a bold programme which targets our key emissions source, the electricity sector, and goes beyond current plans to invest further in renewable energy.
“To this end, a proposed Just Transition Transaction is being developed. The facility would consist of a blended finance vehicle and a just transition fund.
“The plan we will develop will focus on the next decade.
“It will include the process of decommissioning old coal-powered plants. South Africa’s national power utility, Eskom, is already implementing a decommissioning plan for plants over 50 years old.
“We will continue with this process in consultation with various social partners and importantly, at a pace that allows us to still meet our key development goals. It will also be taking place in the context of the problems currently besetting our electricity sector.
“It will furthermore include adding significant additional renewable energy capacity, the funding of large-scale regional programmes to offset adverse impacts on workforces through economic development, and the financial stabilisation of our electricity sector.
“South Africa’s reserves of platinum, manganese, chromium, nickel, vanadium, titanium, gold and fluorite are among the best in the world, with sizeable reserves of cobalt and copper. Our focus will also be on recirculation technologies for these minerals towards minimising the costs and environmental impacts of mining.
“Mr Secretary-General, we cannot overemphasise your call that this transition should not lead to winners and losers, and deepen global inequalities among and within states.
“To ensure equity in the energy transition, we call upon you to champion initiatives that ensure not only that investment in renewable energy technologies is fast-tracked in developing countries, but that a large share of the value chain is located in these countries to support national development objectives. Especially in Africa, which is endowed with mineral resources critical to the production of renewable energy technologies. In addition, consideration should be given to the consideration of a global regime for investment in relevant patent pools – technology buy-outs for the global common good.
“Meeting these commitments will be very challenging for South Africa. We need our partners in developed countries to step up and do their fair share by enhancing their NDCs in line with the 1.5 degree Paris temperature goal.
“They will also need to fulfil their obligations to provide the Means of Implementation for developing countries to enhance their climate actions through technology and skills transfer, financing and others.
“They have an immediate opportunity to do so by committing to double their contributions in the second round of replenishment of the Green Climate Fund that is currently underway.
“To conclude, let me emphasise that South Africa stands ready to contribute to the global climate change effort, and being a developing country, reiterates the importance of multilateralism and of global cooperation and support as we contribute our fair share.” |
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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA PROMOTES EQUALITY AMONG SA LANGUAGES |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa says all languages in South Africa must be treated equally. |
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“Every single language spoken in this country has equal value and equal worth,” President Ramaphosa said on Tuesday, 24 September 2019.
Speaking at the National Heritage Day celebration in Upington in the Northern Cape, the President said government was doing everything within its means to promote and preserve all languages, especially the languages of the people of the Northern Cape that are dying out such as N|uu, Nama, !Xun and Khwe.
“We are working to restore the collective pride of our people,” President Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa commended the efforts of the Northern Cape Provincial Government, which is sending five students to receive training as Nama educators at the University of Namibia.
“Around the country, there are efforts underway to promote indigenous languages and multilingualism through the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities and the Pan-South African Language Board.
“We are working with our institutions of higher learning to develop lexicography and terminology development units, and offer bursary schemes to students wanting to major in African languages. We are actively working to make sure African languages are offered in all of our schools,” the President said.
Government has over the last few years reduced the number of public schools that do not teach African languages from 2 500 schools to just over 460.
“Our Parliament has also been asked to elevate Sign Language to the status of an official language,” the President said.
The United Nations has declared 2019 the Year of Indigenous Languages. This year, Heritage Month is focussed on elevating all languages and to see to it that they are more widely spoken and read.
Heritage Day on 24 September annually recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of all South Africans. South Africans celebrate the day by remembering the heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa.
The theme for this year’s Heritage Month 2019 is: “25 Years of Democracy: Celebrating South Africa’s Literary Classics in the Year of Indigenous Languages”.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| GOVERNMENT DEALING WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION |
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| Government has prioritised border control and security to deter illegal immigration, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. |
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“We proceed from the principle, as does every other sovereign state, that all who live in South Africa must be legally permitted to do so. Police and immigration officials who take bribes in return for making cases go away, for releasing impounded goods or for issuing fraudulent documents must be dealt with firmly,” the President said.
He was speaking on Wednesday, 18 September 2019, at a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces.
The President called for a Joint Sitting to focus the attention of elected public representatives and the nation at large on the crisis of gender-based violence and femicide.
“We know that our people are concerned about illegal immigration, and about some foreign nationals being involved in crime. We understand the concerns of local businesses struggling to compete against counterfeit goods being sold at prices they cannot match.
“We share your frustration that some South African employers are employing foreigners over locals to undercut wages, turning worker against worker,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President said all who operated businesses in this country must be registered and meet the requirements of the law.
"We should consider, as many other countries have, the regulation of how foreign nationals can own and participate in certain types of businesses within the small and medium enterprise sector," the President said.
He said the recent public violence directed against both foreign nationals and South Africans exposed not only the levels of intolerance in society but also the extent of the frustrations of many about their social and economic conditions.
The President said there was no place for xenophobia and criminality, whether it was committed by foreigners or locals in the country.
“We are going to work with local and international humanitarian organisations as well as the various diaspora forums on an initiative to tackle xenophobia and intolerance. Such a campaign must be aimed at eradicating stereotypes, encouraging cross-cultural understanding and promoting social cohesion,” he said.
The President said South Africa was built on the labour of not just South Africans, but migrants from India, China and from the entire southern African region.
“We are a diverse multicultural society that draws on the rich experiences and capabilities of people from across the continent and across the world.
“In responding to these acts of violence and criminality, we must address both the intolerance and the frustration. As we tackle racism and xenophobia, so too must we reinvigorate our efforts to grow an economy that is inclusive and build a state that is capable and developmental,” he said.
The President said South Africans must embrace African integration and the benefits it would bring to the economy and the country’s neighbours.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area will fundamentally reshape the economies of our continent, and we need to be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that will be created,” President Ramaphosa said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| MINISTER PANDOR ATTENDS UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK |
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| The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, on Sunday, 22 September 2019, arrived in New York, where she is leading the South African delegation to the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74). |
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This marks Minister Pandor’s inaugural participation in UNGA as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. Minister Pandor will participate in the annual General Debate, which is the occasion for world leaders to gather at UN Headquarters to discuss global issues.
This year’s UNGA is taking place from 23 to 30 September 2019 under the theme: “Galvanising Multilateral Efforts for Poverty Eradication, Quality Education, Climate Action and Inclusion”. The theme was announced by the President of the General Assembly (PGA), Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria.
In her address to the UNGA, Minister Pandor is expected to outline South Africa’s domestic and foreign policy goals and priorities. These include South Africa's objectives as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2019 to 2020 and the country’s commitment to multilateralism in addressing current challenges facing the international community, including in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development, human rights and the reform of global governance.
Minister Pandor is attending several high-level meetings, side events and summits taking place on the margins of UNGA. The Minister and other members of the delegation are also taking part in bilateral meetings with counterparts.
South Africa will use the 74th Session of the UNGA to reaffirm its commitment to the pursuit of peace and security on the African continent, said Minister Pandor.
“The African Union (AU) has over several years adopted the concept of silencing the guns and really getting our continent to arrive at a point where we no longer have conflict that is so disruptive to the agenda of development,” said the Minister.
She said South Africa had appropriated the theme of silencing the guns to its Chairship of the AU in 2020.
“We are singularly committed to the pursuit of peace and security on the continent,” said the Minister.
Other members of the South African delegation include the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize; Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Barbara Creecy; Minister in The Presidency, Jackson Mthembu; and Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
Investment
Switching focus to the economy, Minister Pandor said South Africa remained an attractive destination for investors.
“We will call on [investors] to respond to the President’s invitation to his annual investment conference,” she said.
Minister Pandor said the country was doing all it can to build appropriate incentives for those who wish to invest.
South Africa has also done work in changing immigration laws to in order to allow more tourists access to South Africa.
“We believe tourism is a big growth area for the country,” she said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SA SUPPORTS MULTILATERALISM, BEMOANS GLOBAL POVERTY |
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| South Africa has reaffirmed its backing of the multilateral trading system while also expressing concern at global rising levels of poverty and inequality. |
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“The world today is characterised unfortunately by increasing levels of poverty and inequality in both the developed and developing world,” said International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor.
The Minister was addressing the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa) Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations on the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
South Africa has also thrown its weight behind the multilateral trading system.
“Our customary meeting on the margins of the UNGA provides a unique opportunity to collectively evaluate the state of multilateralism and to strengthen our coordination on issues of international peace and security, as well take stock of our collaboration on socio-economic development,” said the Minister on Thursday, 26 September 2019.
Given the current global, political, economic and security landscape, South Africa noted that there was no single organisation or country that could address these challenges alone.
“Our annual BRICS meeting here acknowledges this fact, and our partnership remains critical to advancing a global order based on international law, mutual cooperation and respect for multilateralism,” said the Minister at the meeting in New York.
On peace and security matters, South Africa also expressed support for the peaceful resolution of conflict through mediation, peace –making, peace-building and reconstruction efforts.
In addition, South Africa, said the Minister, was using its tenure on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to promote the maintenance of international peace and security by championing the principles of multilateralism, respect for the centrality of the UN Charter and preventative diplomacy.
It will also use it to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes and inclusive dialogue.
“We will also continue to encourage closer cooperation between the UNSC and other regional, sub-regional and continental organisations. Our second year (2020) at the UNSC coincides with our Chairship of the African Union (AU) and we hope to bring more effective synergy between these organisations.”
The majority of the issues on the Security Council’s agenda are related to peace and security on the African continent, and South Africa is committed to working with our partners towards the AU’s goal of “Silencing the Guns” on the continent by 2020.
Meanwhile, Minister Pandor said the root causes of threats to international peace and security needed to be addressed.
“We cannot deal decisively with threats to international peace and security without addressing the root causes of conflicts, strengthening political processes and respect for the rule of law, as well as the promotion of sustainable and inclusive development.”
Brazil is set to host the 11th BRICS Summit in Brasilia in November 2019.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SA CALLS FOR COLLABORATION WITH THE AFRICAN DIASPORA |
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| The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has called on the African Diaspora to collaborate with South Africa following recent attacks on foreign nationals. |
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Speaking at a meeting with the African Diaspora on Friday, 20 September 2019, Minister Pandor said she had been informed that the Diaspora – which works closely with communities – might have proposals that can help end tensions.
“I am told some of the organisations present here have worked on complex and challenging issues, and I hope to draw on your experience to develop effective responses. I wish us to collaborate to avoid more conflict and look forward to hearing your thoughts on what can be done,” she said.
She told the meeting, held at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (DIRCO) OR Tambo Building in Pretoria, that it was important to address the challenges of political and economic conditions.
“[These] condemn the majority of our fellow humans, particularly in poor countries, to the conditions similar to the ones on the slave ships that took our kith and kin away from the continent.”
Friday’s meeting came after South Africa announced the sending of special envoys to several African countries in a bid to address recent attacks on foreign nationals and some South Africans.
“I and all of DIRCO believe we cannot sit back and do nothing. We need your advice as to actions we should set in motion to prevent further tragedies,” said the Minister.
She said incidents of violence, intimidation and death witnessed recently required “us to avoid the pointing of fingers and reach out across all communities”.
The origin and sources of the antagonism and anger must be identified, she said, adding that she supports police action against the perpetrators of crime.
“Many suspects have been arrested, and we trust that our criminal justice system will have suspects tried speedily and incarcerated if found guilty. We need to go beyond that.”
She stressed that communities felt alienated and displaced while also living with a lack opportunity and jobs.
“While the attacks are aimed largely at African migrants, we have also noted that many South African citizens are also among the victims. The fact that the violence is associated with theft, destruction of property and murder points to motives other than the hatred of non-South Africans,” she said.
The Minister also spoke of the need to address migration challenges on the continent.
“We need to find solutions to the management of migration on our continent,” she said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| ROYAL VISIT A BOON FOR SA TOURISM |
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| Tourism Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has used the platform created by the royal visit as an opportunity to encourage international media to explore the diverse product offering of South Africa’s tourism landscape. |
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Speaking in Cape Town to more than 100 international journalists, who arrived in the country over the weekend to cover the royal visit, the Minister said the economic benefits of the visit were immense, as South Africa continued to market itself as a destination to potential travellers in the European, Australian and Asian markets, which are key to South Africa.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, and their son Archie, arrived in South Africa on Monday, 23 September 2019, for their 10-day visit to Africa.
“South Africa’s strength lies in the diversity of its people, eco-tourism and the rich cultural heritage. I am delighted that the couple is in the country at a time when we are celebrating tourism and heritage months respectively,” said Minister Kubayi-Ngubane.
The royal visit, the Minister said, not only demonstrated the strong economic and trade relations between South Africa and Britain, it also exposed South Africa to the outside world as a destination of choice.
This official tour of Africa will focus on community, grassroots leadership, women’s and girls’ rights, mental health, HIV/AIDS and the environment.
According to their Instgram page, the couple will be meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and joining "Waves for Change" on Monwabisi Beach.
After South Africa, Prince Harry will travel to Angola to join the Halo Trust again in an effort to rid the world of landmines. “The Duke is especially proud to continue the legacy left by his mother with her work in Angola,” they said on Instagram.
He will also travel to Malawi where he will check in on the British Army’s partnership with African Parks and will be working on the ground supporting local communities.
“The Duke is particularly proud to be able to deliver an exciting new initiative, a Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy three-country partnership, which he designed and consulted with governments in Namibia, Botswana and Angola to protect forest and wildlife corridors around the Okavango Delta,” they said on SussexRoyal.
Meanwhile, Meghan will be working with local organisations to promote women and girls’ health and education, entrepreneurship and leadership.
“With such a textured culture and history, Their Royal Highnesses are grateful for the opportunity to connect with those on the ground in southern Africa and to be inspired by the work being done and learn how they can be better supported,” they said.
In 2018, South Africa welcomed about 10.5 million international tourists, a 1.8% increase from 2017. The length of stay in the country was on average 11 nights, which resulted in 118 million bed nights.
The Minister said one of her key deliverables was to maximise South Africa’s tourism potential and improve the geographical spread by showcasing some of the hidden gems and amazing places outside of the typical tourist trail.
– Sources: SAnews.gov.za, www.sapeople.com |
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| NEW AGREEMENT TO ENSURE CONTINUED SA-UK TRADE |
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| Trade and Industry Minister, Ebrahim Patel, says a new economic partnership agreement will ensure that trade between South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK) continues under the same terms in the event of a no-deal Brexit. |
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The Minister said this when he delivered a statement on Brexit and the impact it would have on the South African economy at the National Assembly on Tuesday, 17 September 2019.
In the event that the UK leaves the European Union on 31 October 2019, the new agreement between the UK and six SACUM countries – Lesotho, eSwatini, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique – will govern trade between the UK and these countries.
“This is an important agreement to provide certainty and predictability for exporters.
“It will ensure that in the event of a no-deal Brexit, trade between the UK and South Africa will continue on the same terms.
“This means that South African businesses, which use South Africa as an export base to the UK, can begin to plan, knowing that their preferential access will be protected,” he said.
No-deal Brexit and what it would mean to South Africa
Minister Patel’s address to the National Assembly came amid fears that a no-deal Brexit would mean that South Africa would have to forfeit the benefits it enjoyed under the current trade agreement that protected several South African exports.
Following a referendum held in the UK in 2016, the UK notified the European Union (EU) of its intention to exit the trade bloc by 31 October this year. However, processes in the British Parliament may affect the date.
Should there be no agreement on the terms of the departure, it will be in the form of a no-deal exit.
Minister Patel told MPs that this would have a material impact on the six SACUM countries that traded with the UK under the terms of the existing Southern African Development Community-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
All trade will then fall under standard World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, meaning that the normal import tariffs would apply and many of South Africa’s products will lose duty-free status.
“For South Africa and indeed for the SACUM countries, reverting to trade on WTO terms would incur significant costs.
“In March this year, the UK published an interim tariff regime in the event of it leaving the EU customs union and in the absence of a replacement to the SADC-EU EPA. If this were to occur, South Africa would lose preferential access to the UK market on 114 products, affecting exports of around R7 billion.
“This affects, among others, vehicles, auto components, wine, textiles and clothing, sugar, fish and machinery. In some cases, this may lead to a loss of exports completely, which would be significant for a number of provinces,” he said.
He also said that in addition to this, UK exports to SACUM countries would be subject to higher tariffs, which may also increase the costs of these products in South Africa, and if they are input costs into South African-made products, it will hurt local industries.
There would also be potential loss of trade for SACUM neighbours: for Botswana the costs would be in beef exports; eSwatini in sugar exports; and Namibia in fish, fruit and beef exports.
The UK is one of South Africa’s most important trading relationships and in 2018, bilateral trade between South Africa and UK was worth R142 billion.
It is estimated that South Africa’s exports to the UK supports 56 500 direct jobs and a further 117 500 indirect jobs, bringing the total number of jobs supported by exports to the UK to nearly 175 000.
South Africa’s exports to the UK support jobs in platinum mines in North West and Limpopo; and citrus industries in Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
It also supports South Africa’s wine, grape, apple and berry industries. It supports the automotive industries in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. It supports the beneficiation of platinum, through the sale of about R1.4 billion worth of catalytic converters used in British-assembled cars. Across the country, trade with the UK supports industry and jobs.
Minister Patel said the new agreement, once approved by Cabinet, would be submitted to the National Assembly for ratification.
He said the new agreement would bring back certainty to local investors.
“It means that those investors who held back on capital commitments or managers who pressed the pause button on new orders, until they have certainty, can begin to invest and to produce again.
“And it means that the thousands of workers from across this country, whose jobs are supported by trade with UK, can feel confident that this government is working for them.”
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SA TO HOST INTERNATIONAL MARITIME EVENT |
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| South Africa will host the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) World Maritime Day Parallel Event in Durban next year. |
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Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, received the official flag for the IMO’s World Maritime Day Parallel Event at this year’s event, which took place in Cartagena, Colombia, from 15 – 17 September.
The flag was handed over to the Minister during a prestigious ceremony in Cartagena, by the current hosts, the Republic of Colombia, represented by the Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez.
Minister Mbalula named Durban as the host city for next year’s conference, which will be attended by hundreds of officials from the IMO member states, the United Nations (UN) specialised agencies, various intergovernmental organisations as well as non-governmental organisations.
“During this year’s event, Minister Mbalula joined his counterparts from Ghana, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and other countries to discuss a strategy to promote global partnership as well as regional cooperation on maritime issues.
“Other items on the agenda included women empowerment in the maritime community, the UN Sustainable Development Goals in relation to the governance of the oceans and the revolution of the maritime industry in the era of new technology,” the Ministry of Transport said.
The IMO is a UN specialised agency, whose chief objective is to set international standards for safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| DEFENCE HOSTS CLOSING SESSION OF FIFTH JOINT DEFENCE COMMITTEE BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND NIGERIA |
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| A high-level delegation from Nigeria, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Nuratu Batagarawa, was in South Africa for a two-day meeting of the Fifth Defence Committee (DEFCOM) between the Republic of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which officially started on 17 September, 2019. |
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The DEFCOM Agreement between South Africa and Nigeria was signed in 2013. Both countries enjoy longstanding defence relations with a defence cooperation agreement in place.
This year marks 20 years since the establishment of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and Nigeria. The Fifth DEFCOM is therefore expected to present its final report to the BNC scheduled for 2 to 3 October 2019 in Pretoria. Both President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari, are expected to attend the upcoming BNC. |
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| LOCAL COMPANIES URGED TO DEEPEN RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA |
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| South African companies have been urged to deepen their relations with their Russian counterparts, given the demand for South African food products in the European country. |
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“The Russian market is open for more South African food products. There is a big demand for South African products here. Like anywhere in the world, South African companies need to up their ante with regard to their marketing efforts,” said Mikhail Fateev, who is head of Food and Agriculture at the Russia-South Africa Business Council.
Fateev was speaking on the sidelines of the annual World Food Moscow International Exhibition, which started in the Russian capital on Tuesday, 24 September 2019.
The business council was established over a decade ago with the aim of working with the governments of the two countries to increase trade and investment between South Africa and Russia.
Its main purpose is to bring to the attention of the two governments, hurdles and blockages that could hinder the efforts of the private sector from the two countries to do business in either country.
It also serves as a platform to facilitate interaction between the business communities of South Africa and Russia.
South African companies are participating in the exhibition through the Department of Trade and Industry (dti). Over 30 local companies are partaking in the popular foods and drinks international exhibition through the dti’s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance scheme.
The scheme aims to develop export markets for locally manufactured products and services, as well as to recruit new foreign direct investment into South Africa.
Fateev encouraged South African companies to do more in order to penetrate the Russian market.
“It will never be sufficient for them to come only for the World Food Moscow and expect to successfully penetrate the market or return home with loads of deals. They need to work on the market over time. They need to establish relations with the right people here and their rate of success will increase,” said Fateev.
He adds that about 35% of the fruits imported into Russia are from South Africa and there is a huge opportunity to increase the volume.
“Just a few days ago, there was 100% shortage of grapes in Russia and the containers that brought the grapes here today were from South Africa. This shows that there are opportunities to supply the Russian market are unlimited but it is for the South African companies to grab them and exploit them to their advantage,” he said.
South African Foreign Economic Representative in Russia, Moloko Leshaba, said the exhibition had proven to be a vital platform to expand the portfolio of South African exports of agro-processing sector.
“This trade fair continues to be an important gateway for introducing new products into the Russian market from South Africa. The continued presence of South Africa at the exhibition reinforce South Africa’s image as a reliable supplier of choice for Russian importers,” said Leshaba.
The trade fair will conclude on Friday.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| MAROPENG’S LONG MARCH TO FREEDOM |
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| In the Cradle of Humankind, a short drive from the city of Joburg, the "Long March to Freedom" Exhibition greets you unexpectedly as you approach Maropeng’s Visitor Centre. |
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Freedom fighters from the early 1700s all the way up to that pivotal moment in South Africa’s history, Freedom Day of 1994, are standing, or rather walking, in procession and symbolically fighting for the liberation of South Africa in a forward direction towards the dawn of our country’s democracy.
The Long March to Freedom Exhibition – 100 figures that will grow into a procession of more than 400 bronze statues over time – is known as the world’s largest representational collection of bronzes and the idea came when television personality Dali Tambo, visited the grave of his late father, anti-apartheid politician. Oliver Tambo, and told him, “There isn’t a statue of you in this country and I’m planning to do one”.
From the grave, his father spoke to him and said: “Don’t do it for me, do it for all of them”.
And so he did.
The statues, who once called Pretoria home, were moved to Maropeng in the beginning of 2019 and on Valentine’s Day, the newest bronze figure, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, was unveiled by Dali Tambo.
In Tambo’s address he honoured his parents – Oliver and Adelaide Tambo – and spoke of their relationship; a story of love and revolution and said: “They would pray and sing African hymns together at night for two hours. Their faith anchored their marriage; they were married to the movement and to each other, they were faithful to the movement and each other.”
He continued and honoured the women who stood side by side their husbands at the time of the struggle, “We don't give the women in the struggle enough recognition; what would Walter be without Albertina, what would Joe Slovo be without Ruth; what would Nelson be without Winnie?"
– Source: www.news24.co.za |
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| CAPE TOWN’S V&A WATERFRONT JUST OPENED A R180-MILLION EXTENSION |
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| After 10 months of renovations, the V&A Waterfront has opened its R180-million extension. |
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They’ve added a monstrous 4 000 m² of retail space to the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, including an entire lower third floor. It now has fancy new tiles, a glass ceiling and new elevators and escalators.
The V&A is one of the most visited destinations in South Africa, and sees almost 24 million visitors per annum. Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre was recently named as the greenest shopping centre in the country. Some of its environmental features include: the use of grey water and low potable water consumption.
The renovations include adding a third lower level and a parking entrance to its now 88,647 m² complex that houses over 450 retail outlets, 80 eateries, five undercover parking garages and four open parking areas.
New retailers are expected to move in soon, including the likes of Absolute Pets. Tenants will be expected to comply with the shopping centre’s Green Lease that tracks a tenant’s energy and water consumption, and also incentivises recycling.
A second phase, still under construction, is to extend Woolworths over three levels. The new lower level floor will feature their food section, which will be more than double the amount of floor space previously dedicated to it. Internal fittings are expected to be complete by November, just in time for the Christmas season.
The V&A spent R17 million building an on-site waste treatment facility, which started operating in January 2018. The complex cleans up some 2.2 tons of discarded coffee cups a month alone.
– Source: www.news24.co.za |
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| MORE THAN 113 000 FLOCK TO SOUTH AFRICA’S FREE NATIONAL PARKS WEEK |
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| What started 14 years ago as an annual weekly event to get South Africans to visit the country’s 19 main national parks for free for a day has just finished its latest season, with well over 113 000 – double the figure for 2018 – taking advantage of the offer. |
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SA National Parks Week, which ran from 8 to 15 September, saw 113 032 free day visitors to the parks managed by SANParks, excluding Namaqua and Boulders at Table Mountain National Park.
The highest increases were seen at Bontebok (292% higher than last year), Table Mountain National Park (71% higher), Addo Elephant Park (58%) and Marekele (55%).
Last year, 74 086 people visited, a drop on the previous year. When the programme began, less than 10 000 made use of it.
According to SANParks CEO, Fundisile Mketeni, the objective of the week – which was sponsored by FNB and Total – was “to give all South Africans a chance to enjoy and experience the beauty and majesty of our breathtaking national parks.”
“When people start to take pride in the national parks, then we believe that they will start to understand the importance of conservation … The survival of the South African national parks system and our natural and cultural heritage lies in the people of South Africa.”
Since its inception in 2006, National Parks Week has seen an influx of 551 393 day visitors in all participating parks. “These numbers are encouraging and tell us that more people are taking advantage of this free week at our national parks,” said Mketeni.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| MELVILLE IN JOBURG NAMED IN TOP 50 LIST OF COOLEST NEIGHBOURHOODS IN THE WORLD |
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| International magazine “Time Out" has announced that the suburb of Melville in Johannesburg, South Africa, is one of the Top 50 coolest neighbourhoods in the world. |
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The quaint bohemian Joburg suburb was named 48th in a list that had Arroios, Lisbon; Shimokitazawa, Tokyo; and Onikan, Lagos; in the top three.
Gauteng publicist Georg Knoke said: “Wonderful to see how Melville has reinvented itself, shrugging off previous signs of demise and grime! And this is largely due to a spirit of young enthusiastic entrepreneurs (like Ba-Pita and Spilt Milk) … who had the guts to open new exciting restaurants! Well done guys! You put Melville on the world map again! And to be the coolest neighbourhood in South Africa is another bonus! Sorry Cape Town!”
Spilt Milk posted the news, reported by the United Kingdom's The Daily Mail, and said: “Come join us for breakfast, lunch and dam fine coffee in one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world; Melville!”
Time Out’s 2019 survey included asking over 27 000 city-dwellers around the world about the best, most overrated and most undervalued neighbourhoods in their home town. Then Time Out editors and contributing writers asked them to pinpoint the one neighbourhood in their city with the biggest buzz about it right now.
Time Out said that Melville had become “one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in the city. Its situation between two of South Africa’s leading universities, Wits and UJ, makes it home to academics, artists, expats and students living in communal digs, resulting in the most eclectic high street in Johannesburg: 7th Street. Take a stroll and you’ll discover an ever-changing cross-section of all-day places to eat, coffee shops, bistros, hookah lounges, themed restaurants and dive bars, all nestled between antique furniture shops, niche galleries and thrift stores.”
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| FIVE SOUTH AFRICAN WINES RECEIVED NEARLY PERFECT SCORES IN AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION |
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| Following a wine-tasting session by the International Wine and Spirits Competition in Cape Town last month, five South African wines scored 97 out of a possible 100. |
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The top scorers include the De Grendel Shiraz 2017, which is available for R190 per bottle directly from the cellar.
Another wine, carrying the brand of the Spar supermarket chain, scored 95 points in tasting.
The 41-year-old IWSC awarded a raft of medals to South African wines following the tasting sessions in Cape Town. The range of winners demonstrate the consistent quality of South African wine-making, the IWSC said in a statement.
Winning producers included Kanonkop, Beyerskloof, Stellenrust and Spier Wine Farm.
The latter received two gold medals for the Spier Seaward Sauvignon Blanc 2019 and Spier Creative Block 3 2016.
The Spar South African Reserve Chenin Blanc 2017 scored 95 points.
"Quality is also high in South African sparkling wines, with three bottle fermented sparklers achieving gold medals: Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2014, Pongrácz MCC Blanc de Blancs NV and Newstead MCC Brut 2015. The three wines were all produced in different vintages, showcasing the richness that comes from ageing sparkling wines," the organisation said.
Sixteen wines scored 96 points, including cabernet sauvignons from Bartinney, Kanonkop and Ormonde, and chardonnays from De Grendel and La Vierge, chenin blancs from Kleine Zalze and MAN. The list also includes the 2018 vintage Rustenburg Straw Wine.
– Source: www.businessinsider.co.za |
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| NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR RECEIVES R1–MILLION CHEQUE |
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| The Ndlovu Youth Choir has inspired the world with their story and their talent, and now the Limpopo Government has given them a R1-million cheque to thank them. |
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Limpopo’s MEC for Arts and Culture, Thandi Moraka, handed over the R1 million to the Ndlovu Youth Choir on Monday, 23 September 2019.
“The R500 000 must go towards the celebration and the welcoming ceremony of the choir back to the province. And the other R500 000 must go to the choir members to show appreciation for representing Limpopo with pride,” Moraka said.
The talented youth choir had just returned home from the finals of America’s Got Talent when the cheque was handed over and even though the show had propelled them to global status, the Ndlovu Youth Choir first caught the attention of South Africa when they performed an isiZulu cover of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You during an interview on Jacaranda’s breakfast show.
Since then, they have been doing some incredible things.
Most recently, they travelled to America to go audition for America’s Got Talent 2019 and breezed through all the rounds while filling South Africa and the world with pride! Their first audition went viral and had many South Africans in tears with their beautiful performance. It had everyone bubbling with pride.
The choir forms part of a more significant project which started in 1994. The Ndlovu Care Group was founded in 1994 by a Dutch doctor named Dr Hugo Templeman, in the rural village of Moutse, Limpopo. The care group provides innovative healthcare, childcare, education and community development. The Ndlovu Youth Choir was created in 2009 and has since profoundly affected the lives of the young members. The choir demonstrates the potential of any human being when given a chance to achieve excellence, no matter their background, education or place of birth. The youth choir has grown from humble beginnings to the incredible ensemble it is today.
The choir has taken these young South Africans from the rural streets of Moutse to an international stage to show off their amazing talent, and we cannot wait to see what else they have in store for the world!
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| “THE RIVER” NOMINATED FOR AN INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARD |
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| 1Magic's “The River” has received its first International Emmy nomination. |
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The show, produced by Tshedza Pictures, has been nominated in the Best Telenovela Category and will go up against other telenovelas from Argentina, Colombia and Portugal.
The River, which boasts an all-star cast, follows the lives of the Dlaminis and the Mokoenas; two families from different backgrounds who are brought together and divided by the discovery of a diamond in Cullinan, just a stone's throw away from Pretoria.
In March, the telenovela bagged 11 awards at the Saftas, including Best Telenovela, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor and Best Actress in a Telenovela.
Nkateko Mabaso, CEO of M-Net, said in a statement: "1Magic would like to thank everyone involved in the success of the show."
The 47th International Emmy Awards ceremony will be held on 25 November at the Hilton Hotel in New York.
The River airs weekdays on 1Magic (DStv 103) at 20:00. It is also streaming on Showmax. |
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| MANYONGA TO LEAD STRONG 31-MEMBER TEAM TO ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPS |
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| A 31-member South African team has been named to compete at the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, from 27 September to 6 October. |
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They will be led by world champion Luvo Manyonga, who will defend his global title in the men's long jump. This time, the team will be without defending champions Caster Semenya (women's 800-m) and Wayde van Niekerk (men's 400-m), who is yet to make a full comeback from a knee injury.
Manyonga will be joined at the athletics showpiece by African long jump champion Ruswahl Samaai, Olympic javelin throw medallist, Sunette Viljoen, World Championships 100-m finalist, Akani Simbine, and former World Championships 200-m medallist, Anaso Jobodwana.
The squad also features one of South Africa's most exciting young prospects, World Junior Champion Zeney van der Walt, who will compete in the women's 400-m hurdles event.
Simbine, meanwhile, will spearhead a strong men's 4x100-m relay team, while the squad also includes a 4x400-m team, who will rely on depth in the absence of Van Niekerk.
South Africa finished third overall on the medals table at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London. |
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| AFRICAN TEEN CAITLIN ROOSKRANTZ WINS SA’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL GYMNASTICS GOLD MEDAL |
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| Johannesburg’s Caitlin Rooskrantz made history recently when she became the first South African to win a gold medal at an international gymnastics competition. |
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Competing at the Szombathely Challenge Cup in Hungary, the 17-year-old scooped up a gold medal in the Uneven Bars, ahead of Phoebe Jakubczyk from Great Britain and Roxana Popa from Spain.
The Szombathely Challenge Cup forms part of a series of competitions organised by the International Gymnastics Federation.
These competitions also serve as an opportunity for gymnasts to earn points so that they can qualify for the 2020 Olympics.
This month, Caitlin will be flying to Germany to compete at one of these Olympic qualifying competitions, the 44th Turnier der Meister FIG Individual Apparatus World Cup.
In addition to her history-making victory, Caitlin also won the gold medal in the Senior Uneven Bars at both the 2018 and 2019 South African Championships as well as at the 2018 African Championships.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| BLITZBOKS CLAIM OKTOBERFEST7'S WITH LAST-GASP WIN OVER FIJI |
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| Siviwe Soyizwapi’s coverted try enabled South Africa to beat Fiji 12-10 in the final of the Oktoberfest7s in Munich, claiming their first title in the Olympic Stadium on Sunday. |
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Soyizwapi scored a try in the dying seconds of the match and Dewald Human duly converted to catapult their side onto the top of the podium and a well-deserved win.
Scores were tied 5-all at the break, with each side scoring a try, but when Fiji scored with three minutes left, it was left to Soyizwapi and Human to create some magic and add to the team's silverware.
For SA Sevens coach Neil Powell, it was a pleasing outing, as they achieved many of their objectives on the trip.
"We came here to work on our structure and game plan and although we won the final, it's still early days in our season and we're not yet where we want to be. Nevertheless, it was a great effort from the boys out there today," Powell said.
"It's never easy against Fiji. If you give them possession and you allow them to play, they will punish you. It's always tight against them, and there is usually only two to five points in it – today was no different and I think it was an amazing final."
Earlier in the day, the South Africans had to survive two late tries from Germany in the semi-finals of the tournament, winning 17-12.
They were leading 12-0 and later 17-7 before the home side scored a late try and only desperate defence from the South Africans prevented the Germans from getting a try that would have tied the scores and giving them a possible conversion to win.
Powell was pleased with the effort on the day.
"I can't fault the guys for the amazing character they've shown out there today. We'll never go into any tournament not hoping to be successful and while we we're not as sharp as we should be, we're still very happy with the win,” he explained.
– Source: www.sport24.co.za |
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| BRAD BINDER WINS MOTO2 RACE IN MADRID |
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| South Africa's Brad Binder has won his second Moto2 race of the season with victory in Madrid, Spain. |
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That makes it two wins and three podiums in the last seven races for Binder.
Binder, who lead from the start, held on to take victory from Jorge Navarro by less than a second.
It is his second win in a row at Aragon after he won the KTM last year as well.
This is Binder's final season in Moto2 as he moves up to the premier MotoGP class in 2020.
– Source: www.sport24.co.za |
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| T20 SERIES SHARED AS DE KOCK SMASHES PROTEAS TO VICTORY |
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| An unbeaten half-century by skipper Quinton de Kock and paceman Beuran Hendricks' strong performance with the ball helped South Africa thrash India by nine wickets to draw their Twenty20 series 1-1 on Sunday, 22 September 2019. |
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Hendricks returned figures of 2-14 to restrict India to 134 for nine after skipper Virat Kohli's surprising decision to bat first in the third and final match at Bangalore's M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
De Kock then anchored the chase with his 79 – his second successive half-century, off 52 balls on a pitch where teams usually opt to bat second.
The left-handed De Kock, who was recently named captain in the shortest format and made 52 in a losing cause on Wednesday after the opening match was washed out, smashed six fours and five sixes.
The two teams now head into a three-match Test series starting October 2 in Visakhapatnam.
– Source: www.sport24.co.za |
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| STATEMENT BY DR NALEDI PANDOR, MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, DURING THE SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFING ON PEACE AND SECURITY IN AFRICA: PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2019 |
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"Minister Lavrov,
"We thank you for convening this meeting. We appreciate the useful briefings from Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Ambassador Maria Luiza Viotti, the Chef de Cabinet to the UN Secretary General.
“Mr President,
“We are pleased that the Russian Federation has included on the agenda of the Security Council this important briefing on partnerships to strengthen regional efforts to achieve peace and security in Africa. This is a timely and pertinent debate as the majority of the Security Council’s work is dominated by conflict situations on the African continent. This debate thus affords us a unique opportunity to reflect on efforts to resolve conflicts in Africa, including by African countries themselves, as well as through partnerships with continental and external role-players.
“Mr President,
"At the outset, we must acknowledge the positive strides made by the countries of the continent in realising the African Union’s aspirations to silence the guns by 2020, and in pursuing African solutions to problems in Africa. This has led to the resolution of long-standing conflicts that have plagued the continent.
“Since the transition from the Organisation of African Unity to the African Union in 2000, the continent has developed a strong and effective framework for addressing security challenges and threats to Africa. These frameworks have cascaded to sub-regional levels creating a synergy between the AU and the regional mechanisms for conflict prevention, management and resolution. Through the success of these initiatives, the continent has made significant strides in reducing violent and armed conflicts guided by the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity between the AU and the sub-regional organisations. These efforts reflect the strong resolve of African leaders to ensure continental ownership and solutions for Africa’s challenges.
“Mr President,
“Despite the progress made, the challenges facing the continent are complex and many, involving multiple crosscutting issues. These include the building of peace and security; promoting inclusive socio-economic development and resilience; promoting access to resources and economic opportunity; and promoting and entrenching democracy and good governance, among others.
“Historically, some of the contributing factors for instability and insecurity on the African continent include poverty, marginalisation, inequality, unemployment, failure to manage diversity, governance, the scramble for natural resources, external interference, and recently the impact of climate change.
“Furthermore, an upsurge in terrorism, violent extremism and inter-communal violence has perpetuated instability in some parts of the continent, taking advantage of the vacuum created by continued conflict, poverty and inequality. Coercive and often unconstitutional changes in governments through military adventurism have also served to degrade social capital and the economies of countries, resulting in widespread violence and humanitarian crises. The impact of these challenges is not only felt on the continent but reverberates to other countries and regions. Thus, concerted efforts and partnerships are needed to deal with these complex threats, including understanding the conditions that give rise to them.
“Consequently, for Africa to experience sustainable peace and prosperity, the achievement of the continental aspiration envisioned in the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s Agenda 2030 for sustainable development is required.
“Mr President,
"The United Nations is making a considerable contribution to assist regional and sub-regional organisations in Africa to resolve conflict situations primarily by deploying its envoys and peacekeepers, as well as by the valuable work of the UN development system. The men and women in blue helmets are the most recognisable symbol of the UN, and should be seen as a bastion of hope earning the trust of the people affected by these various crises.
“For its part, the African Union and its sub-regional organisations have demonstrated leadership by reacting rapidly to maintain peace and security on the continent drawing on their close proximity to the situations, and the ability to comprehend internal and regional political dynamics.
“Mr President, since the onset of our democratic government, South Africa has been an active player in the United Nations and African Union. In recognising the importance of these multilateral institutions, South Africa has contributed significant resources to both institutions. We have consistently been one of the biggest financial contributors to the AU and we are also a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions. This includes our past deployments to the UN/AU Hybrid Mission in Darfur and in Burundi as well as our current significant presence in the DRC, where our troops are part of the highly effective Force Integration Brigade to build peace in our region.
“South Africa has further supported peace-building in Africa through support for political processes. This includes investment in, and support for mediation work, inclusive of women as leaders in peace-keeping and peace-building.
“Mr President,
“Over the last few years, there have been significant efforts to strengthen the relationship between the United Nations and regional organisations, in particular the African Union. The Council has concretised this cooperation through the adoption of landmark resolutions, which recognise the strategic value of such cooperation by promoting the principle of comparative advantage, complementarity and burden-sharing. In this regard, and to advance this cooperation South Africa spearheaded, during its previous terms in the Security Council, the adoption of two resolutions, namely Resolution 1809 in 2008 and Resolution 2033 in 2012.
“However, given the diversity of threats to peace and security on the continent, more needs to be done to strengthen this partnership between the UN and the AU in achieving its aspirations of a conflict free and prosperous Continent.
“A key area pertaining to strengthening this relationship is the financing of AU-led peace support operations. It is unfortunate that despite commitments to this effect, there has not been much progress on the predictable and sustainable funding for AU-led peace support operations from UN assessed contributions.
“Mr President,
"Another area of importance that deserves more attention is the need for effective measures for transitions and drawdowns from peacekeeping to post-conflict reconstruction and development. It is important that efforts are coordinated and harmonised by all relevant stakeholders to ensure that peacebuilding activities are effective, and that the peace dividends of these operations are consolidated.
“The UN Peacebuilding Commission and the AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Framework should work together to provide assistance to post-conflict countries as requested by these countries. National ownership and leadership are pertinent for the success of peacebuilding efforts, and most importantly to prevent countries from relapsing back into conflict.
“We would furthermore like to underline the imperative of involving women, on an equal footing in peace and security processes. This is not only limited to countries in conflict but includes all UN member states, in order to ensure the prominent role of women in issues discussed in the Security Council. The inclusion of the youth in these processes is also necessary.
“These provisions are not merely for the sake of gender parity within the pursuit of peace and security, but are a necessary requirement for more sustainable and effective peace, security and development on the continent.
“To conclude, Mr President,
“South Africa is of the firm view that partnerships for the pursuit of peace and security in Africa can only succeed, provided that all partners complement each other, while working towards one common objective of achieving sustainable peace and security.
“This would require support for Africa in taking a lead to find solutions to the conflicts that persist on the continent. For this to occur, we must come to the realisation that conflict has no boundaries. Its impact reverberates across the globe and thus it is in all our interests to ensure a safe and prosperous world.
“I thank you.” |
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| STATEMENT BY DR NALEDI PANDOR, MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, DURING THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON “COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY: THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANISATION (CSTO), COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS) AND THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION (SCO) IN COUNTERING TERRORIST THREATS”, 25 SEPTEMBER 2019 |
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“Minister Lavrov,
"Let me start out by thanking Secretary-General António Guterres for his briefing as well as expressing my appreciation for the briefings of Secretary-General Vladimir Imamovich Norov, of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Secretary-General Valery Semerikov, of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, and Deputy Executive Secretary Sergey Ivanov, of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
“Mr President,
"This debate today affords us an opportunity to reaffirm the value of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organisations to address peace and security challenges, including the scourge of terrorism. |
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“Terrorism continues to threaten our populations and deprive us of the genius and creativity of our children and youth. On the African continent, it has the potential to derail our collective efforts to bring about peace, security and sustainable development.
“Continued terrorist attacks across the world have shown us that no nation or region is immune to its threat and there is no short-term solution to countering the threat of terrorism and its devastating consequences. If we are to triumph over this scourge we need, in addition to our national efforts, to strengthen international, regional and sub-regional cooperation and coordination efforts.
“Mr President,
“A multilateral framework, anchored in the United Nations, remains critical to preventing and countering the diverse and evolving aspects of this threat. With near universal membership, the United Nations is best placed to foster cooperation across the globe, as well as in supporting Member States and regions to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy across its four pillars.
“The collective sharing of experiences and information and the adoption of best practices in dealing with our common threats, contribute positively to the development and enhancement of our capabilities. It also improves the effectiveness in addressing our specific contexts in countering terrorism.
“Mr President,
"Regional organisations are key partners of the United Nations in this important task. South Africa has consistently prioritised an enhanced strategic partnership between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organisations, not only in countering terrorism, but also in conflict prevention and resolution. As a member of this Council, my country continues to strive for closer partnership between the United Nations and the African Union. This takes into account the volume of African conflict situations on the agenda of the Security Council, as well as the growing threat of terrorism across Africa.
“Different regions of the world experience the threat posed by terrorist groups and/or the return or relocation of foreign terrorist fighters, differently. We encourage the development of partnerships with regional organisations, given their understanding of local and regional dynamics and their understanding of what would be required to address the issue. In this regard, the international community must find ways to support efforts by regional organisations aimed at fighting terrorism and violent extremism, including through sharing experiences and providing technical assistance and adequate resources for capacity-building.
“Mr President,
"As we ponder solutions to this awful threat, it is essential that we understand and address the root causes and conditions that give rise to terrorism. We should aim to seek political solutions aimed at resolving long-standing conflicts to create the conditions for stability and a better future over the long-term. We should seek to address the marginalisation of some sectors of the population and address socio-economic and political disparities. More often than not, where there is conflict, there might also be a deficit of the rule of law, thus allowing terrorists the space to entrench themselves and expand their activities. We have seen this on the African continent with the devastating effects of terror activities in the Sahel following the conflict in Libya associated with the flow of arms and the rise of terror groups.
“Mr President,
"The African Union has been proactive in dealing with the threat of terrorism as evidenced by its normative frameworks developed since 1999, primarily the Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and its related Protocol of 2004 as well as its counter-terrorism strategy adopted in 2015. Likewise, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) also adopted its counter-terrorism framework and strategy in 2015. At the domestic level, South Africa adopted its National Counter-Terrorism Strategy in 2013, and has an accompanying Action Plan.
“South Africa believes that, due to its very nature, it is difficult to defeat terrorism militarily or solely through the use of coercive measures. South Africa therefore remains supportive of counter-terrorism initiatives that focus on prevention measures, on addressing conditions that give rise to terrorism, on promoting dialogue, tolerance, diversity and understanding among peoples, cultures and religions.
“South Africa will continue to work with all members of the United Nations, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and other relevant parties in addressing the scourge of terrorism and all its attendant manifestations at the regional and international level.
“I thank you.” |
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