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| PRESIDENT PARTICIPATES IN VIRTUAL COVID-19 GLOBAL SUMMIT |
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| African Union Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Wednesday, 8 July 2020, participated in the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Global Summit on COVID-19 and the World of Work. |
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The virtual COVID-19-focussed summit built on the ILO’s 2019 International Conference, which adopted the Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work.
The summit expanded on the transformation the world of work is undergoing, driven by technological innovation, demographic shifts, climate change, globalisation and in the current context, a global threat to public health and economic activity.
The virtual summit also set out a roadmap of action for the ILO and its tripartite constituents of workers, employers and governments to shape and direct these changes.
“The ILO is championing a human-centred approach to the future of work in the context of the persistent poverty, inequalities, injustices, conflict and disasters that continue to threaten shared prosperity and decent work for all,” The Presidency said.
The President’s participation formed part of the Global Leaders Day, which was a component of the summit’s programme.
The ILO‘s virtual Global Summit on COVID-19 and the World of Work was held under the theme: “Building a Better Future of Work”.
The forum brought together workers, employers and governments from all around the globe to discuss challenges and opportunities around the economic and social impact of the worldwide pandemic.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| GRAND RENAISSANCE ETHIOPIAN DAM NEGOTIATIONS RESUME |
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| African Union (AU) Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has welcomed the resumption of trilateral negotiations between the parties to the Grand Renaissance Ethiopian Dam (GERD). |
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The negotiations follow the meeting of the AU Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held on 26 June 2020, and the ministerial delegations of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan, supported by technical experts, reconvened on 3 July 2020 to discuss the outstanding legal and technical issues pertaining to the GERD matter.
The GERD is one of the largest infrastructure projects on the continent and has the potential to be a catalyst for integration and development in the sub-region.
“The resumed trilateral negotiations are an indication of the commitment of all parties to the GERD to dialogue as a means toward a peaceful, amicable and durable solution, taking into consideration all the dimensions of the GERD matter.
“By this act, the parties have demonstrated their commitment to an African-led process in the spirit of African solutions to African problems,” said President Ramaphosa.
He said he was sincerely encouraged by the initial report he received, which indicated focussed attention by all parties to the GERD in finding solutions.
“I wish to further implore the parties to proceed along this path in order to reach an agreement on all outstanding issues,” said the President.
In accordance with the decision of the AU Bureau meeting of 26 June 2020, President Ramaphosa will be presented with a report on the outcomes of the trilateral negotiations, after which he will convene a meeting of the Bureau to consider the report.
In the meantime, the President’s Office said the AU Chairperson was maintaining, dynamic, regular contact with all the heads of state and government ahead of this meeting in order to lend further momentum to the ongoing negotiations.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| VETERAN PLAYWRIGHT, WELCOME MSOMI, 76, DIES |
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| Veteran playwright, Welcome Msomi, has died after a short illness. Msomi suffered a stroke in November 2019. |
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He was globally renowned for writing and directing the play uMabatha, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth in isiZulu.
President Cyril Ramaphosa in a statement on Sunday, 5 July 2020, said South Africa’s creative community had lost a significant treasure with the passing of Welcome Msomi.
The President expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Msomi.
President Ramaphosa said: "We have lost a cultural stalwart whose creativity gave depth, colour and lyricism to South Africa’s dramatic and complex history.
"While Welcome Msomi was exceptionally talented as an individual, he dedicated his energy, time and resources to the development of new generations of performers who would celebrate and showcase our nation’s cultural diversity.
"This investment in the future of our cultural communities is Welcome Msomi’s true legacy, one that will ensure that his inspiration lives on in his physical absence."
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ON THE DEATH OF SA ICON, MARY TWALA: “WE HAVE LOST A UNIQUE TALENT” |
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| South African actor, Mary Twala, has died at age 80. |
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Her son, Somizi Mhlongo, shared the sad news on Instagram: "Today is my late father's birthday, and my mom decided to respond to his call to join him in heaven”.
She had an illustrious career as an actor performing in film, television and theatre.
The Presidency on Saturday, 4 July 2020, released a statement extending condolences to the Twala family.
"Like millions of South Africans, I am saddened by the passing of a great icon of our nation’s creative community; someone who was a household name and face to all of us and brought home the joys, the struggles and the humour under pressure that characterises our national life," President Cyril Ramaphosa said.
He added: "We have lost a unique talent and an endearing human being whose performances brought to life the meaning of being South African, and appealed to South Africans of all generations. We will miss her dearly." |
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| CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY AID FOR SOUTH AFRICA: BMW GROUP SUPPORTS GERMAN DEVELOPMENT POLICY |
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| The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and BMW Group South Africa are supporting the South African Government in its efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by providing 750 new hospital beds. |
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BMW Group South Africa, which operates a production plant in Rosslyn in the Gauteng region, is providing the project with financial assistance of around 2.7 million Euros.
BMW Group South Africa has been involved with various social projects in Gauteng for almost 50 years and will continue with this during the Coronavirus crisis as an investment in the community and its employee.
In a recent virtual ceremony, Chairperson of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Oliver Zipse; German Minister of Cooperation and Development, Dr Gerd Müller; and South African Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding.
The agreement includes an emergency Coronavirus package, with the three partners working together to help expand medical infrastructure at nine hospitals and four clinics in the Gauteng region. In addition to masks and disinfectant, the Gauteng region will also be provided with 750 additional hospital beds and 150 mobile oxygen tanks no later than July.
South Africa is currently among the regions of the continent hardest hit by COVID-19. As in many other African countries, there is also a lack of emergency beds, ventilators and laboratory facilities.
BMW Group South Africa is providing the project with financial assistance of 2.7 million Euros, as well as making several BMW X3s produced at the Rosslyn plant available. Oliver Zipse, Chairperson of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said: “In a global crisis like the Coronavirus pandemic, solidarity is more important than anything else. We provide help where it is needed the most. That is why we are helping develop health infrastructure at our location in Gauteng in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the South African Government."
The BMW Group has been active in the Gauteng region through its production plant for almost 50 years. Tim Abbott, CEO of BMW Group South Africa, said: “We traditionally feel a responsibility towards the community we are a part of. It is only natural for us to support the Gauteng region, where we have been committed to various local health and education projects for decades.” |
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| TWO SA SPOTS FEATURED ON MOST POPULAR POST-PANDEMIC TRAVEL DESTINATION LIST |
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| For a number of people, looking to the future, once we’re back on track after the pandemic, means planning a holiday. |
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A travel survey conducted in May showed that South Africa was chosen as the most popular post-COVID-19 destination among travellers.
The results of a more recent survey by Big Seven Travel also names two of our tourist hotspots on their list of The 50 Most Popular Destinations for Post-Lockdown Travel.
“Looking at the destinations our readers have been searching for the most on site, a survey of our 1.5 audience on social media, taking into account trending holiday locations on Google Search in the past 30 days, we can see that there’s a clear a trend for post-lockdown getaways: remote islands, peaceful countryside breaks and tropical paradise beaches.”
The top three post-pandemic travel spots were:
1. Santorini, Greece
2. South Island, New Zealand
3. Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy.
Coming in at number 20 was South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Safari experiences in general have been a popular search term for Big 7 Travel readers. The Kruger National Park is a vast space in South Africa that covers 19 485 km² and is home to a huge array of wildlife.
A few places behind at number 36 (but still a tourist favourite) was Cape Town.
“Cape Town is a dream location to visit: endless natural beauty and clifftop views, pastel pink neighbourhoods and turquoise waters. What more could you ask for?
“Hike Table Mountain National Park, learn about the country’s history and see penguins up-close. Cape Town is also home to amazing wine and food, and we predict that the next decade will see plenty of exciting new additions to the city’s hospitality scene. South Africa isn’t allowing tourists in until 2021, but it’s worth the wait.”
– Source: www.2oceansvibe.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN RESTAURANT RECOGNISED IN THE TOP 100 IN WORLD |
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| Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient has once again been awarded the prestigious Wine Spectator Grand Award 2020. |
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Restaurant Mosaic is one of only 100 restaurants in the world, and the only one on the African continent, to have received this coveted award for their exceptional wine lists and cellar. This is the third year running that the restaurant has been honoured with a Grand Award.
Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient Private Hotel is South Africa’s finest destination restaurant and private hotel. Award-winning South African Chef Chantel is known for presenting the art of nature on her plates through her botanical cuisine to take you on a culinary tour of pure indulgence. Chantel has enhanced South Africa’s status as a gourmet destination on the international culinary map, thanks to her meticulous approach to modern fine dining. She draws her inspiration from fresh, seasonal produce to create dishes which taste as wonderful as they look. The restaurant is decorated in the Belle Epoque style and has an intimate feel with booth-type seats and two private dining rooms.
Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards are judged on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award. Wine Spectator has recognised the achievements of nearly 3 800 restaurants, hailing from all 50 states and 80 countries and territories, that have demonstrated the passion and devoted the resources to create outstanding wine programmes in 2020.
“We are extremely proud of this global recognition and raise our glasses, to say a great big thank you to our Cellar Master for his passion, dedication and continued hard work to ensure that we have all these beautiful wine gems available for our guests to enjoy. Our team looks forward to welcoming back our guests when we re-open on 2 September 2020, when we launch our much-awaited Spring Menu – Nasturtium“, says Patron Chef Dartnall.
– Sources: Wine Spectator | Restaurant Mosaic I www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| AFRICA CELEBRATES ITS FIRST FEMALE SUBMARINE NAVIGATOR |
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| Gillian Mallouw, 29, from Port Elizabeth, a naval officer in Cape Town is the first woman in Africa to navigate a submarine. |
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The South African Navy is the naval warfare branch of the South African National Defence Force and its role is to conduct and prepare for naval operations in defence of the nation, its citizens and its interest. The navy also carries out peacetime operations in support of other national objectives.
Mallouw is a lieutenant in the South African Navy and is based at the Simon’s Town Naval Base. She enlisted in the navy a decade ago and has never looked back.
“I was in Grade 9 when I decided I was going to join the navy once I completed school. I was already exposed to the navy as I joined the Sea Cadets in Grade 7 and this taught me so much about the maritime industry,” Mallouw says.
Asked if she had to work extra hard in a seemingly male-dominated field, she says it never bothered her.
I just didn’t worry about anything like that. In our line of work, you have to go through so many things to get where you want to be.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are a male or female, all that matters is hard work and determination,” she says.
It took Mallouw three years of intensive theory and practical training to get to where she is, but she is determined to go even further.
Mallouw, who is humbled by the title of being the first African woman to navigate a submarine, says: “I don’t look at it that way. Basically, I’m just focussed on doing what I have to do. There are so many facets to what we do, but I do feel proud as we are definitely moving in the right direction as a country.
“There are lots of women out there who are not allowed to read or drive, and it does feel great that I am in a position without limitations – except for myself – to move forward,” Mallouw explains.
Her advice to the youth is to never give up.
“If you’re passionate enough, don’t let anything get in your way. At times circumstances are bad, but push forward. It may be difficult at times, but block out the noise. We live in an age of technology and information – use the information out there.”
– Source: African News Agency |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN TEACHER IN CHINA WINS BEST TEACHER AWARD AT HIS SCHOOL |
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| A South African teacher in China is being awarded for his awesome teaching methods that have resulted in his class performing brilliantly. |
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Ndumiso Chili has such a positive attitude to life that he’s gathered over 2 600 followers on Twitter as he tweets pictures of his graduation, his gratitude and his dedication to staying fit and being the best international English teacher ever.
He recently announced the big news. Ndumiso tweeted: “Honored that I will be receiving an award as the teacher of the year in my school, here in China. A South African citizen trying his level best in everything he touches. With over 95% of my biology students obtaining straight As.”
Ndumiso, who studied at Tuks, and is a former international Education Ambassador to Sweden, describes himself as “just a simple Zulu guy trying to make it in a HUGE ass country”.
The 30-year-old likes to run and work out at the gym, followed by drinking green tea to boost his “mental capacity and metabolism”.
He was featured a couple of months ago in the Sowetan where he shared his experiences in China to urge South Africans to stay home and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
Those who know him have congratulated him heartily on his award, saying Ndumiso has always been a hard worker and deserves to be recognised with the award.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| RICH MNISI AND MAXHOSA MAKE IT ONTO BRITISH VOGUE'S LIST OF 7 AFRICAN FASHION BRANDS TO KNOW |
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| The viral #VogueChallenge that took over social media a couple of weeks ago, brought to light the fact that the publication had been lacking diversity for decades. |
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The publication has since made attempts to embrace black creatives after Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, also admitted that Vogue hadn’t done enough for black people in its 128-year existence.
One of their make-goods is a recent British Vogue article giving a nod to African fashion brands, in which local designers Rich Mnisi and Laduma Ngxokolo of MAXHOSA Africa, are mentioned. |
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South African contemporary and multi-disciplinary creator, Rich Mnisi, has been featured on British Vogue's digital platform. The Johannesburg artist has dressed Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell and Bonang Matheba and continues to make his mark across the world.
Recently, Rich appeared in a British Vogue feature titled: "7 Inspiring African Fashion Brands To Know – And Wear – Now", curated by London-based boutique, Koibird.
"His expressive designs are an amalgamation of patterns, prints and textures that explore narratives of African heritage. Popular culture, art, film and music also inform his work, all given a contemporary twist," writes Alice Cary, digital fashion writer at British Vogue.
Thando Thabethe, Tshepi Vundla and Moozlie are just some of the local celebrities who reached out to Rich, congratulating him on the mention in the international magazine, which has been labelled the "the fashion Bible”.
Dubbed Mr 2-Million, Rich recently unveiled his five-piece collection on face masks, with the most expensive piece in the collection setting you back by just R1 999. Yes, we said "just R1 999" – it's designer ... with Swarovski crystals.
Also featured, is Laduma Ngxokolo's Maxhosa, who Vogue notes his "colourful graphic pieces have caught the eye of Beyoncé and Alicia Keys". |
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2019 LVMH Prize finalist Kenneth Ize also made it onto the list along with Loza Maléombho, Lisa Folawiyo, Orange Culture and Christie Brown.
– Source: www.w24.co.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN BORN DIRECTOR AT THE HELM OF ARETHA FRANKLIN BIOPIC |
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| South African born Director, Liesl Tommy, has brought Aretha Franklin to life in a new biopic starring Jennifer Hudson. |
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Released during the BET Awards, the trailer starts off with Hudson singing her iconic song Respect (which the film is coined after) with the word spelt out behind her in giant neon-style letters before clips of her rise to fame are shown.
The film will be directed by Liesl Tommy and features Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan and Mary J Blige.
Liesl Tommy has directed theatre all over the United States (US), including Center Stage (Baltimore, Maryland), Dallas Theater Center (Dallas, Texas), California Shakespeare Theater (San Francisco, California), Sundance East Africa, Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Berkeley, California), and La Jolla Playhouse (La Jolla, California).
She is known for re-envisioning classic plays by creating retellings drawn from her own personal experiences and stories in life. Tommy’s aesthetic is physical and visceral, and she is interested in portraying the violence of being a human on stage through physical violence and violent exchanges.
Tommy was born and raised in Factreton, Cape Town, during the apartheid era, and was racially segregated, because she was a non-white citizen. Her family moved to Massachusetts, US, when she was 15 years old, and she attended Newton North High School. While in high school, she states that she found a common language and purpose through theatre and made that her main focus.
After graduation, she studied acting in London and attended a conservatory programme through Trinity Repertory Company in (Providence, Rhode Island). While in acting school, she developed an interest in directing and her teachers gave her the opportunity to direct a show once a year until she graduated.
– Sources: Liesl Tommy | RESPECT I www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICANS WIN BEST MUSIC VIDEO AT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WITH “WE CAN’T BREATHE” |
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| A powerful South African video has won the Music Video Category in an international film festival – the 2020 Moment Invitational Film Festival. |
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The video, directed by Luke Bell, features Cape Town-based musician Phehello Makgoe performing his song We Can’t Breathe. And the guys would love your vote right now to make sure they win the People’s Choice Awards too.
Luke told SAPeople: “We are so so stoked! It’s a pretty awesome award so very grateful.”
It’s an amazing accomplishment for the South Africans’ production to win … but it’s no surprise. The video – about the Black Lives Matter movement – is extremely powerful.
Normally, the finalists would have been flown to New York for the event, but thanks to COVID, this year it was online.
As one of the 15 finalists in the competition, the SA team is also in the running to win the People’s Choice Awards. This is decided on the public vote; and three lucky people who vote for their favourite will also win $10,000 in prizes from the sponsors.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN STAR, SHO MADJOZI, OFFICIALLY SIGNS TO EPIC RECORDS IN THE USA |
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| Crowned “a new kind of global pop star” by “The New York Times”, award-winning South African rap disruptor, Sho Madjozi, has officially signed to Epic Records. She joins the label’s esteemed roster as the only South African act in North America. |
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Epic Records’ Chairperson and CEO, Sylvia Rhone, said: “African artists are enjoying an unprecedented level of visibility in music and Sho Madjozi is beautifully waving the flag for South Africa.
"She’s bold, brilliant and remarkably talented and her music embodies all that is special about her homeland. We’re honoured to have her as the newest member of the Epic family.”
Back at home in South Africa, work will commence with Sony Music Entertainment Africa, who say they are “thrilled” to be supporting legendary sister label Epic Records on such an important South African artist.
"We’re working at a special company at a special time and we couldn’t be prouder than we are of our local star Sho and our big sister Sylvia for partnering to make this happen,” says Sean Watson, Managing Director of Sony Music Entertainment Africa.
Sho has come a long way from the two-room rondavel she called home as a child in South Africa.
Since making her debut in 2017, she has quietly emerged as a global force renowned for head-spinning wordplay, ear-perking Xitsonga lyrics, and eye-popping colourful fashion.
Powered by hits like John Cena (1.8 million Spotify streams) and Huku (1.2 million Spotify streams), Sho took home Favourite African Star at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, Best New International Artist at the BET Awards, Entertainer of the Year from Forbes, and more.
This year, she’s been nominated once again for a BET Award in the category of Best International Artist.
Sho has graced the global covers of magazines such as Elle, Cosmopolitan and Bona. Not to mention, she shared the stage with Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran at the 2019 Global Citizen Festival and joined forces with Diplo for a much-talked-about Super Bowl party performance in the same year.
Plus, she met actor and WWE legend John Cena during a viral moment on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| SA'S RYAN GIBBONS WINS FIRST-EVER VIRTUAL TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE |
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| South Africa's Ryan Gibbons won stage one of the first-ever Virtual Tour de France. |
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The 25-year-old rides for NTT Pro Cycling and their four-rider line-up also included Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Edvald Boasson Hagen and Rasmus Tiller.
Twenty-three of the world's best cycling teams lined up for this inaugural event.
Ryan Gibbons of NTT Pro Cycling made Tour de France history on Saturday when the South African sprinted to the stage one victory of the event's first-ever virtual race.
Racing on the Zwift virtual cycling platform, 23 of the world's best cycling teams lined up for the first-ever virtual Tour de France.
NTT Pro Cycling's four-rider line-up also included South Africa's Reinardt Janse van Rensburg and Norwegians Edvald Boasson Hagen and Rasmus Tiller.
Stage one was an undulating 36.4 km over four laps of Zwift's Watopia virtual world. Each lap contained an intermediate sprint and a category three climb, meaning the fight would be on from the start for the green and polka dot jerseys.
"I'm truly overwhelmed and this is quite special. Every race our team lines up for, whether it's out on the road or virtual, we do so with a lot of planning, structure and goals. No doubt, we will be going to the next five stages trying to replicate today's success," Gibbons said via a press statement.
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| YOUNG SOUTH AFRICAN TO COMPETE FOR CHANCE TO JOIN FERRARI'S DRIVER ACADEMY |
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| Young women drivers are poised to become Ferrari's first-ever female racing professionals as a result of an exciting and innovative talent detection programme by the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission and its first major partner, Scuderia Ferrari |
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Following the 11 June 2020 announcement of the FIA Girls on Track - Rising Stars project, an agreement, set to expand over four years, could result in two candidates, aged between 12 and 16, becoming full-time students.
This will see them possibly entering one of the national FIA Formula 4 championships as Ferrari Academy drivers.
South African Tyler Robinson has been chosen as a finalist following a worldwide selection phase from more than 70 applications across five continents. She is one of 20 drivers who will participate in a shoot-out in October at the Winfield Racing School based at the Paul Ricard Circuit, France. Twelve drivers will then move onto the next stage, attending karting and F4-focussed training camps before a further eight drivers are eliminated. The final quartet will then participate in a week-long course at the Ferrari Driver Academy in November.
Robinson said: "Finding out that I have been selected for the FIA Girls On Track - Rising Stars Shoot Out, I feel super excited and really nervous at the same time, and in the back of my mind all I can think about is what I am going to do, to make the most of this opportunity."
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| CAF POSTPONES 2021 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS |
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| Next year's Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon has been postponed until 2022, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced recently in a video conference. |
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CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad, said African football's governing body took the decision as "health was the main priority".
"The peak of the pandemic has not been reached yet," Ahmad added.
The Cup of Nations was set to be played in January and February 2021, reverting back to its traditional winter slot after experimenting with a summer tournament in Egypt last year.
The CAF Champions League will complete its matches in September while the Confederation Cup will wrap up towards the end of this year with a “Final Four” expected to take place in Morocco.
These last two competitions were interrupted in March ahead of the semi-finals phase.
Another tournament that has also been pushed back is the African Nations Championship for domestic-based players. It will kick off in Cameroon in January 2021.
Other CAF special events, including its star-studded awards ceremony, featuring the likes of Liverpool duo, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, have also been cancelled.
CAF members who attended the meeting did not discuss regional qualification matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Ahmad said the current decisions were subject to change with the fluidity of the virus contagion.
Ahmad also announced the cancellation of the women's Cup of Nations, which was scheduled to take place in November, while revealing the launch of a new club competition for 2021.
"I am expressing my pride in seeing the birth of a women's Champions League on the African continent," the CAF president said.
Last week, FIFA pledged US$1.5 billion in grants and loans as a relief fund to help national and continental federations in stemming the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
CAF announced the allocation of an additional US$16.2 million to assist national associations in mitigating COVID-19's financial challenges.
Other regional football competitions slated to be played this summer have also been delayed such as the European Championship and Copa America.
A number of top European leagues have returned to action over the past month and a half, with matches played in empty stadiums and under strict health protocols.
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| BLITZBOKS FINISH RUNNERS-UP TO NEW ZEALAND AS SEVENS SEASON CONCLUDES PREMATURELY |
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| New Zealand's Sevens team has been crowned champions for the 2019/20 World Rugby Sevens Series season. |
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The four remaining events have been cancelled after the season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The All Blacks Sevens were top of the standings, while South Africa's Blitzboks finished second.
The Kiwis were leading the log standings on 115 log points, closely followed by the Blitzboks on 104. Fiji (83), Australia (81) and England (77) finished third, fourth and fifth respectively.
Springbok Sevens coach, Neil Powell, congratulated All Blacks Sevens counterpart, Clark Laidlaw, and his squad for winning the title.
"New Zealand won three of the six tournaments and had two more podium finishes, which shows their amazing level of consistency during the season,” Powell said via a press statement.
"After these performances, I think they deserved the title. We had tournament victories in Dubai and Los Angeles and made the finals in Cape Town and Sydney, but our below par performances in Hamilton and Vancouver cost us."
Powell said the news of the cancellation of the London, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong tournaments was disappointing, but understandable.
"There was very good communication from World Rugby with the national coaches since the pandemic started, so we all knew that it was going to be a stretch to complete the season, if at all, and we know their decision was taken with the best interest at heart for all involved," said Powell, who was pleased with South Africa’s second place finish overall.
"We played some good rugby at times and I will consider the season as a success. Much of the World Series planning and performances were with the Olympic Games in mind, so I think we kept on track with what we planned in that regard and I would like to thank my management and the squad for the effort they delivered."
Powell added that the cancellation of the World Rugby Sevens Series brought clarity for the team: "We can now cancel all provisional dates and start to plan for the next series. There will be new challenges and some new players, but that is an exciting prospect something we are looking forward to.”
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, DURING THE VIDEO TELECONFERENCE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON PEACE OPERATIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS, 7 JULY 2020 |
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"Mr President,
"The Minister of Defence of Germany, HE Ms Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, it is an honour to have you, your Excellency Chair this debate. We view this debate as important not only due to its focus, but also because it is the first time that the Council discusses the topic of peace operations and human rights under the agenda item Peacekeeping.
"Mr President,
"My delegation is grateful for the briefings received from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Michelle Bachelet; the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Mr David Shearer; as well as civil-society representative, Mr Senga Dismas Kitenge, President Groupe LOTUS, based in Kisangani, DRC."
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0707.htm |
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| STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, DURING THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL VIDEO TELECONFERENCE MEETING ON THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PEACE AND SECURITY, 2 JULY 2020 |
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"I thank the President, Minister Heiko Maas, for convening this briefing on the maintenance of peace and security focusing on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
"I also thank Secretary-General, António Guterres; the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr Peter Maurer; and the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs, Ms Amira Elfadil Mohammed, for their respective statements."
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0702.htm |
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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 THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOLUTION 2231, 30 JUNE 2020 |
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"Mr President,
"South Africa continues to welcome the JCPOA as one of most important diplomatic achievements in the area of nuclear non-proliferation, since the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The JCPOA remains an example of global cooperation to address challenges that affect us all.
"In this regard, we call on all parties to the JCPOA and Security Council members to uphold and implement Resolution 2231 (2015), which is essential for the Council’s fulfilment of its mandate to maintain international peace and security."
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0630.htm |
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