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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA CONGRATULATES DR LAZARUS CHAKWERA ON HIS ELECTION AS PRESIDENT OF MALAWI |
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| The Chairperson of the Africa Union (AU), President Cyril Ramaphosa, has offered his congratulations to Dr Lazarus Chakwera on his election as the President of the Republic of Malawi. |
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President Ramaphosa has furthermore congratulated all stakeholders on the success of this historic election, which followed a Malawi Constitutional Court judgment on 3 January 2020, which called for new elections to be held. Malawians returned to the polls on 23 June 2020.
President Ramaphosa has commended and congratulated the people of Malawi for conducting peaceful elections, which have served to deepen democracy in Malawi.
The AU Chairperson concluded his congratulatory message by re-committing the AU to continued closer working ties with the Government of Malawi to enhance cooperation and pay particular attention to strengthening economic development and integration. |
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| SOUTH AFRICA COMMEMORATES THE SIGNING OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), 26 JUNE 2020 |
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| On 26 June 2020, South Africa joined the international community in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the UN. |
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“South Africa wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the UN Charter and its support for the primacy of the UN as a system of global governance through which current challenges facing the international community, including in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, could be resolved.”
In recognising this historical milestone, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, stated: "The United Nations, as a system of global governance has made an immense contribution in maintaining international peace and security, fostering cooperation among states, and promoting development, the adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights. It has also played a pivotal role in educating and informing the global community about challenges the world currently faces. The contribution that the UN has made to the people of South Africa, through its role in the dismantling of the inhumane and oppressive system of apartheid, will always be hailed and appreciated".
“The signing of the Charter of the UN in San Francisco on 26 June 1945 was a seminal moment in the relations between states and invoked a sense of unity for a common cause for humanity. The UN Charter remains the basis for the creation of a rules-based international system with multilateralism at its core.
“Today, the world faces new global challenges, which warrant a renewed commitment by the international community to uphold and defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the principles of international law with a view to establishing a peaceful and prosperous world, as well as a just and equitable world order. South Africa remains concerned at the growing resort to unilateralism and unilaterally imposed coercive measures that undermine the UN Charter and international law and threaten cooperation, peace and stability.
“The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UN Charter comes at a time when the world is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic reminds us once more of the vital importance of collective action through the multilateral system with the UN and its agencies at the core.” |
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| DEPUTY MINISTER TOURS UN COVID HUB IN JOHANNESBURG |
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| The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, was invited by the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) Regional Director for southern Africa, Lola Castro, to visit the UN Regional Humanitarian Hub for the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, 1 July 2020. |
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President Cyril Ramaphosa granted approval for the UN to establish a temporary humanitarian staging area in Johannesburg as part of wider international efforts aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring humanitarian and health goods and workers access throughout the southern African region. The hub is therefore an essential part of South Africa’s assistance to these global efforts.
Deputy Minister Botes has overseen the process of the establishment of the hub and conducted a visit to the premises to see the operation of the air passenger aviation element of the Staging Area with a flight departing from South Africa to Addis Ababa at 10:00 am. During the visit, the Deputy Minister was provided with an opportunity to interact with humanitarian workers who were passengers on the departing flight and also shown the operation of the aviation stream.
The Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director of the WFP were on site to meet the Deputy Minister on arrival and take him through the hub area. |
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| SOUTH AFRICA CONDEMNS ISRAEL'S PLANNED ANNEXATION OF PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES |
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| The South African Government remains gravely concerned at the intention of Israel to proceed with its unilateral action to annex strategic areas of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) in the West Bank and Jordan Valley, from 1 July 2020. |
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Israel’s annexation plans represent a unilateral negation of the two-state solution, and are opposed by most countries in the region and internationally. Annexation would constitute a most serious violation of international law, undercut the possibilities of a renewal of negotiations, intensify tensions and further hamper efforts to advance regional peace and to maintain international peace and security. Moreover, it will have serious diplomatic, security, economic, social and legal repercussions.
In line with South Africa’s constitutional mandate and foreign policy priorities, our country continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine in the wake of Israeli aggression. We reaffirm our committed support to the Palestinian independence struggle for achieving freedom from the Israeli illegal occupation.
If Israel continues to implement its unilateral plan, it will effectively result in the illegal annexation of 30% of the land of the occupied West Bank. Palestinians would be left with nothing more than a “Bantustan”, ending all hopes for an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state.
South Africa calls on the global community and relevant bodies to intervene and actively oppose Israel’s annexation plan and prevent its implementation, which would pre-empt peaceful solutions to the conflict. South Africa denounces any unilateral annexation and urges Israel to reconsider its act of belligerence that would violate the principle of territorial integrity, and to honour its international obligations to secure peace and security.
South Africa is determined to continue working with the international community to launch a credible, time-bound, multilaterally-sponsored political process to resolve the issue of the Palestinian cause on the basis of international law, international legitimacy and agreed terms of reference, as well as the vision of a two-state solution based on the 4 June 1967 borders.
In this regard, South Africa will continue to support concrete and genuine efforts towards achieving this just and lasting solution, which we believe will greatly contribute to peace, justice and stability in the region. |
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| While international passenger flights remain prohibited, with the exception of those authorised by the Transport Minister, seven more airports resumed operations on 1 July 2020. |
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At an aviation industry briefing on Monday, 29 June 2020, Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, said in addition to the airports (OR Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town International and King Shaka International) that were operational at the time, the following would open on 1 July:
- Bram Fischer International Airport
- Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
- Pietermaritzburg Airport
- Port Elizabeth International Airport
- Richards Bay Airport
- Skukuza Airport
- Upington International Airport.
“As more airports are opened, this will naturally increase the number of passengers at airports and therefore measures have been put in place to ensure that passengers are prepared for their experience at the airports to avoid congestion, mainly at security check points,” said Minister Mbalula, noting that operations would have to be managed properly come 1 July.
The Minister said the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) had received about 117 standard operating procedures from industry and more than 87 had been approved.
While sanitisers are classified as dangerous goods, SACAA has made provision for the carrying of such, in limited quantities, as a safety measure and in compliance with existing regulations to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
For smoother facilitation of passengers at airports, operators have urged the flying community to arrive at least two hours early to allow for sufficient time to process passengers, while adhering to the screening requirements, as per the regulations.
In addition, SACAA has also reviewed its earlier decision of “no catering” on board aircraft by permitting airlines to provide pre-packed meals, which must be placed in front of the seat for each passenger before passengers board the aircraft. This, the Minister said, would allow for minimised movement during flights.
Minister Mbalula said the decision to open more airports was one made after government conducted inspections at the airports, and was satisfied with the developments.
“It was critical for us to test the efficiency and impact of the guidelines we issued against the health and safety of the passengers and aviation personnel operating in this space and we are pleased with the progress we have observed to date.
“Like any other area, we are making continuous improvement in areas where we observed challenges, in consultation with the Department of Health representatives, specifically Port Health,” Minister Mbalula said.
Permitted activities
As part of the relaxation of regulations, all aerial work to conduct the following is permitted from 1 July 2020: agricultural spraying, seeding and dusting; cloud spraying, seeding and dusting; culling; construction; aerial harvesting; aerial patrol, observation and survey; aerial advertisement, including banner towing and other towing of objects; search and rescue; parachuting; aerial recording by photographic or electronic means; fire spotting, control and fighting, and spraying, seeding or dusting, other than for agricultural purposes and clouds.
General aviation is permitted for the following purposes:
- approved regional re-positioning flights for all South African and foreign registered aircraft into and from South Africa for return after maintenance and repair, to perform maintenance and repair, or to continue with contractual work within South Africa or foreign countries within the region
- exchanging of crew members operating in foreign countries as and when required
- transporting aviation technicians, mechanics and engineers internationally for essential support and assistance to aircraft
- proficiency flights, provided that the flight is authorised by SACAA and remains within the general flying area, airfield or airport boundaries
- recreational aviation is permitted for proficiency flights, provided that the flight is authorised by SACAA and remains within the general flying area, airfield or airport boundaries.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| RESTAURANTS, CASINOS, CINEMAS TO RESUME TRADING |
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| Cinemas, restaurants, theatres and casinos can start operating again, albeit under strict conditions, after having closed for three months in the COVID-19 enforced lockdown. |
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This came after Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on Thursday, 25 June 2020, signed and gazetted an amendment to the regulations for the advanced COVID-19 alert level 3 lockdown.
In the regulations, the Ministry said these services could be provided subject to the strict adherence to all health protocols and social distancing measures, and following the directions to be issued by the responsible Minister, after consultation with the Minister of Health.
The regulations were gazetted by the Minister after consultation with other Cabinet members.
The amendments expand the sectors that are permitted under level 3. Regulation 33 has been updated to allow movement for the purpose of provision and procuring the services permitted in these regulations.
The Ministry said the amendments were issued in line with the President’s message that government was implementing the Risk Adjusted Strategy model in order to balance the overriding objective of saving lives and protecting livelihoods.
The Minister urges South Africans to continue to exercise caution and protect themselves and others from avoidable exposure to COVID-19 infection.
The amended regulations are published on the following websites: www.gov.za and www.cogta.gov.za.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| VWSA HANDS OVER PHASE 1 MEDICAL FACILITY IN EASTERN CAPE |
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| More than seven weeks ago, Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) announced its intention to repurpose its old factory to become a temporary medical facility. The first phase of that facility is now open. |
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Phase 1 of the new facility, which was handed over to the Eastern Cape Department of Health recently, can accommodate 1 485 patients, including high-acuity patients who require oxygenation.
The project is a cooperative collaboration between VWSA, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
The German BMZ provided R100 million in funding and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber assisted in facilitating the project. The Department of Health is tasked with running the facility, with support from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. At completion, the facility will be able to accommodate 3 300 patients.
Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, was in attendance at the handover ceremony as well as Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and Thomas Schaeffer, Chairperson and Managing Director of VWSA, among others.
– Source: www.thesouthafrican.com |
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| V&A WATERFRONT IS NOW OFFERING A FULL DRIVE-THROUGH SERVICE |
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| The V&A Waterfront is partnering with one of South Africa’s leading Click and Collect service providers, to offer an alternative for shoppers who want to avoid possible exposure to COVID-19 by queuing in shops, but who still want to collect their own goods. |
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The new Click and Collect Drive-Through Service will allow customers to place online orders with multiple V&A Waterfront stores, and then to collect their parcels themselves. The drive-through facility is positioned at Entrance One of Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre nearest The Table Bay Hotel. The kiosk itself is situated outside, in front of Tasha’s restaurant.
The new service is based on Pargo’s smart logistics platform that offers innovative omnichannel logistics solutions through a tech-enabled network of pickup points. From 11 June, the V&A Waterfront became the first retail mall to introduce the service, which will be piloted until December 2020.
The easy-to-use service allows customers to place orders online with participating retail stores. They will then receive a notification when the parcel is ready for collection. Customers simply drive up to the brightly coloured kiosk, collect their parcel and drive away.
The entire process can be completed without customers leaving their cars.
Participating stores currently include @Home, Cape Union Mart, Sportscene, Fabiani, Foschini, Wizardz, Old Khaki, Totalsports, Markham, Keedo, Poetry, G-Star and many more. More stores are expected to be added.
Customers receive email and SMS notifications throughout the parcel’s journey, including when the parcel is ready for collection. Customers can then collect at a time convenient to them. The collection kiosk is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
– Sources: V&A Waterfront / www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICA’S “JURASSIC PARK” IS THE LARGEST DINOSAUR GRAVEYARD IN THE WORLD |
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| Since that initial discovery, palaeontologists from far and wide have descended on the area, led by Professor Jonah Choinière of the Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits University. |
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A local shepherd made the biggest dinosaur fossil discoveries in the Eastern Cape. The Dinosaur Graveyard is said to be home to hundreds of specimens.
Dumangwe Thyobeka made the discovery while travelling through the area to visit the graves of his great-grandparents. Thyobeka, who has the responsibility of maintaining their graves, found a large bone, which he could not identify.
“One day, while doing that I came across a large bone, I had never seen anything like that before and knew I had to show the bones to someone,” Thyobeka told the BBC.
Thyobeka took the bone to James Rhalene, a local with interest in dinosaurs. The two of them eventually ended up approaching Themba Jikajika, a local Geography teacher, about the bone when they were unable to figure out its origin.
“They decided to bring the bones to me, and when I was looking at them, I told them I suspect them to be fossils, that is according to how they appeared.”
Since that initial discovery, palaeontologists from far and wide have descended on the area, led by Professor Jonah Choinière of the Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits University.
The fossils date as far back as 200 million years. The area in Qhemega in the Eastern Cape has already yielded hundreds of fossils with at least 12 different herbivorous dinosaur species identified in the area.
It’s believed the site could cover a 20-km radius and could yet yield even more fossils. The team has only just completed its first foray into the area with the research in the area likely to take years to complete.
“The first time we went to have to look at this, it was just mind-blowing. There were dinosaurs everywhere,” Prof. Choinière told the BBC. The team will return next year to continue their research and hopefully collect more samples, which they can use to learn more about the majestic animals that all made this area in the Eastern Cape their final resting place.
For now, the long-term goal for those involved in the find is to have the area named a UNESCO heritage site. This would undoubtedly raise the area’s profile and attract foreign researchers who could do a lot for the economy in this rural part of the Eastern Cape.
– Source: www.thesouthafrican.co.za |
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| MAKOKOU THE GORILLA UNDERGOES HISTORIC NASAL SURGERY |
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| Makokou, the 34-year-old western lowland male gorilla, will be able to smell and taste again after undergoing successful extensive nasal surgery recently. |
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Makokou, who calls the Johannesburg Zoo home, was the second gorilla in history to have endoscopic nasal and sinus surgery in order to remove inflammatory polyps that had completely blocked his nasal passages.
This is according to a statement by the University of Pretoria's Veterinary Science Faculty.
The gorilla, weighing 210 kg, was transported to the university's Onderstepoort campus a few weeks ago by helicopter, so that he could undergo a scan of his nasal passages.
A team of specialists from the veterinary faculty joined forces with human medical specialists and the Johannesburg Zoo veterinary team to accomplish the mammoth task of not only transporting Makokou, but also to perform the surgery.
"The team made use of the latest medical technology to navigate their way through the nasal passages and sinuses of the 210-kg patient," the statement read.
"For the first time, frozen sections of tissue removed from the gorilla's nose were evaluated on-site by a pathologist during the procedure.
"Shortly after 9 am, Makokou was darted with a combination of anaesthetic drugs. Once asleep, he was transported a few hundred metres to the Zoo's veterinary hospital, where the surgery theatre had been prepared with state-of-the-art monitoring and surgical equipment."
The surgical team then carefully removed several large inflammatory polyps that were obstructing his nasal passages.
Following the three-hour surgery, Makokou was returned to his enclosure night-room, where he was monitored carefully during his recovery.
"This was only the second time in history that this kind of procedure had been performed on a gorilla. The only other case was in a male gorilla of similar age at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle in 2014."
"On 9 July, Makokou will be celebrating his 35th birthday and he would be able to do so with a much better sense of smell and taste."
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| SANCCOB LOOKS BACK 20 YEARS AT THE “MV TREASURE”, A MAJOR SPILL FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS |
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| 23 June 2020 was the 20th anniversary since the “MV Treasure” sank off the coast of Cape Town. The ship sank between the Dassen and Robben Islands. |
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The sinking triggered one of the biggest oil spills the Western Cape had ever seen. Over 19 000 African penguins and hundreds of other seabirds were oiled, and a further 19 500 penguins were captured and translocated to the Eastern Cape, while the oil was cleaned by Bio-Matrix. This event is still the biggest animal rescue operation in world history today.
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) commemorated the day by hosting a webinar during which they shared stories of the event, volunteer experiences and any memories from the public.
“2020 marks the 20th year since this event, which is still recorded as the biggest animal rescue operation in the world. SANCCOB worked together with an international team, including governmental and conservation authorities, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), International Bird Rescue and thousands of animal professionals and volunteers from all around the world, to rescue and rehabilitate the endangered birds and save the species from further decline. The rehabilitation operation spanned over three months, where local and international teams of experts supervised over 45 000 volunteers.”
– Sources: SANCCOB / www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S “SHARKFEST” FEATURES SA SHOW IN WHICH A SHARK HUNTS AND DROWNS A WHALE |
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| National Geographic’s iconic “SharkFest” is back. This year’s four-week line-up is the channel’s biggest-ever shark-themed marathon. A unique South African story, in which drone footage captures a shark hunting a whale, takes centre stage in this year’s marathon. |
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National Geographic and National Geographic Wild will air four full weeks of shark programming with 17 original premieres and the best shark programming from the networks’ massive library as part of its biggest-ever shark spectacular.
Showcasing the ocean’s greatest competitors in their natural habitat, the eighth annual event takes place on National Geographic (DStv 181, Starsat 220) on Saturday, 4 July from 14:00 – 19:00, and on and National Geographic Wild (DStv 181, Starsat 220) every day at 18:00 from 6 – 31 July, with additional programming on selected days.
Taking centre stage in this year’s marathon is the show Shark Vs Whale, which airs on Friday, 17 July 2020, at 18:00 on National Geographic Wild (DStv 181).
It follows marine biologist, Ryan Johnson, as he does a routine drone survey and discovers something he’s never seen before. Captured from the air, Ryan films a humpback whale being attacked and strategically drowned by a great white shark.
The never-before-seen behaviour causes a complete perspective shift on a creature Johnson has spent his life studying. To make sense of the event, he follows humpback whales on their migration, mapping places that may make them vulnerable, and takes a new look at great white sharks to discover how and why they become whale killers.
"For the past eight years, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild have been the destination for viewers to get up close and personal with one of the world’s most awe-inspiring creatures, and this year we’re eating up the competition with an unprecedented line-up of action-packed shark shows," says Geoff Daniels, Executive Vice President of Global Unscripted Entertainment at National Geographic.
He adds: "Over four full weeks, our viewers will get the ultimate home field advantage to witness the ocean’s super stars in their prime, so pull up your beach chairs and get ready for some SharkFest!"
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| SA CHOIR JOINS 20 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TO HEAL THE EARTH THROUGH SONG |
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| In an effort to spread unity and courage during this time, choirs from across the world have come together to form a virtual choir. |
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The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the world, robbing many of their family members, livelihoods and ways of life.
In an effort to spread unity and courage during this time, choirs from across the world have come together to form a virtual choir under the name Sing Around The gloBe (SATB) to perform Frank Ticheli’s Earth Song on YouTube.
SATB is a nod to the four voice parts in a choir: sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. Despite the geographical distance that separates the choirs, 167 singers from a total of 21 award-winning choirs have joined together to perform Frank Ticheli’s Earth Song, a song that is a prayer for harmony and peace in times of darkness and conflict. Viewers all around the globe can enjoy a seamless rendition of an audio and visual experience produced by Grammy-winning sound engineer, Bill Hare; prominent conductor, composer and arranger, Ralf Schmitt; and X Factor creative director Andrew Timm.
The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Tuks Camerata choir, conducted by Dr Michael Barrett-Berg, has also been involved in this project. Tuks Camerata celebrates its 52nd anniversary in 2020 and has received many national and international accolades over the years. The choir is made up of over 80 UP students from a variety of study fields, including Medicine, Engineering, Theology, Law, Education, Economics, Accounting, Plant Sciences and Music.
Dr Barrett-Berg, also a senior lecturer in Classical Music Studies at UP, says: “To live in a time of pandemic is to be suddenly and collectively awakened to how fragile we are, how precious life is, and how close death is. COVID-19 has hit us all hard, so many people have contracted it, we have loved ones who have died, and we see so many people struggling to stay alive without income or a job or food for their families. This project is about bringing us all together to overcome the many different difficulties we are facing, with bravery, empathy and compassion. Through the power of music and the use of technology, we aim to bridge the separation and unite people’s hearts. When you experience this performance, our hope is that you deeply feel our message of love, unity, courage and friendship and that when we all emerge from this time, that we will be there for each other, helping to make each other’s lives better.”
– Sources: UP’s Tuks Camerata / www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| ALL-AFRICAN SERIES NOMINATED AT THE INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL |
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| “My Better World”, a fully African-produced animation has received a nomination at the 2020 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. |
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The 55-episode life skills series that follows the adventures of six African teens as they navigate the complex challenges of school, family and friendship, was selected for competition at the 2020 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. It is the only fully African-produced project in its category, produced by Fundi Films in collaboration with Johannesburg-based MAAN Creative for Impact(Ed), formerly Discovery Learning Alliance.
My Better World draws upwards of two million viewers every week on Kenya’s Citizen TV (with more countries to follow soon), and is part of an education programme in more than 1 500 schools across sub-Saharan Africa. The series has also recently won a Gold Telly Award, for craft in animation, and a Silver Telly Award for social impact in television.
The series’ producer, Chris Morgan of Fundi Films, says, “We were honoured to produce this landmark series. We spent three years working with a pan-African team of over 100 artists to bring it to life, and to see the team rewarded with an Annecy nomination is amazing.”
The series of 55 seven-minute episodes is one of the largest animated series created entirely in Africa. Each episode also includes a two-minute documentary showcasing inspiring role models from across Africa. “We had writers in Tanzania and Kenya, documentary crews in Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda and others, and of course the incredible animators from MAAN Creative in Johannesburg.” The series was produced in four languages, English, Swahili, Somali and Hausa, and is the subject of a World Bank study into the impact of the series on learners in Nigeria.
“We’re thrilled that My Better World is an Official Selection for Annecy – the world’s highest-profile animation event,” says MAAN Creative Co-Director, Michael Clark, who co-directed the animated segments of the series. “While the client for this show, Impact(Ed), is US-based, pretty much all the creative was produced by us here in Africa – it was our ideas, our stories, our artwork, our talent. It’s gratifying to see our work recognised at such a reputable international animation festival – to show the rest of the world what Africa is capable of in terms of animation.”
More than 30 South African animators and artists worked on My Better World, and there are over 30 characters and voice artists in the show. “The Annecy nomination is not only a highlight for us as a company, I think it is a very positive story for African story-telling and our local animation industry. It is quite a landmark project in many ways,” says Clark.
“It’s been an incredible project to be part of,” says Clark. “MAAN Creative is currently midway through creating our first totally original story, Sam the Hedgehog, which is aimed at raising autism awareness, and we are hoping to find enough funding to finish the short film by the end of the year, to enter into next year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival.”
Fundi Films is now working on a series focussed on the impact of urbanisation in East Africa for the World Bank, and in response to COVID-19, is adapting My Better World for radio.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), DURING THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON PEACE AND SECURITY IN AFRICA: GRAND ETHIOPIAN RENAISSANCE DAM, 29 JUNE 2020 |
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“Mr President,
“We thank Under-Secretary General, Rosemary DiCarlo, for her briefing and we welcome the participation of the representatives of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan in our discussions today.
“Mr President,
“Over the last few weeks, the Security Council has received letters from each of the three countries detailing their perspectives on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).”
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0629a.htm |
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| STATEMENT BY THE PERMANENT MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), DURING THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL VIDEO TELECONFERENCE MEETING ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SYRIA, 29 JUNE 2020 |
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“Thank you, Mr President,
“Allow me to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Mark Lowcock, for his timely briefing on the humanitarian situation in Syria. We also take note of the briefing by Ms Susannah Sirkin, Director of Policy and Senior Advisor at Physicians for Human Rights.
“Mr President,
“Let me begin by reiterating South Africa’s call for a cessation of all hostilities across Syria and for safe, unimpeded and impartial delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the country and assistance to all who require it, no matter where they are.”
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0629.htm |
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| STATEMENT BY THE PERMANENT MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), DURING THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THE UN ASSISTANCE MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN (UNAMA), 25 JUNE 2020 |
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“Thank you, Madam President,
“We wish to welcome Ms Deborah Lyons (Special Representative and Head of UNAMA) to the Council and thank her for her briefing on the situation in Afghanistan and the work of UNAMA.
“We also thank Ms Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Ms Shaharzad Akbar, Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, for their briefings.”
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0625.htm |
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| A3+1 STATEMENT ON THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), 24 JUNE 2020 |
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“Mr President,
“I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3 +1 members of the Council namely, Tunisia, South Africa, Niger and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“We would like to thank you for convening this important and timely meeting on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We would also like to thank and commend the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the situation in the DRC and the activities of United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). Similarly, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO, Ms Leila Zerrougui, for her comprehensive briefing.”
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0624.htm |
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