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| INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MAKES A RETURN UNDER ALERT LEVEL 1 |
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| South Africa will reopen its international borders on 1 October 2020, under alert level 1 of lockdown. |
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President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement during a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening, 16 September 2020.
While the country will move to alert level 1 of lockdown from midnight on Sunday, 20 September 2020, international borders will only open up in October.
“We will be allowing travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other travel with effect from 1 October 2020. This is subject to various containment and mitigation measures,” announced the President.
For international travel, government will place restrictions for travel to and from certain countries that have high infection rates. A list of countries will be published based on the latest scientific data.
Travellers will only be able to use one of the land border posts that have remained operational during the lockdown or one of the three main airports; King Shaka, OR Tambo or Cape Town International Airport.
On arrival, travellers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours from time of departure.
Where a traveller has not done a COVID-19 test prior to departure, they will be required to remain in mandatory quarantine at their own cost.
All travellers will be screened on arrival and those presenting with symptoms will be required to remain in quarantine until a repeat COVID-19 test is conducted.
All travellers will be asked to install the COVID Alert South Africa mobile app.
“Countries that have used this type of app have been able to manage the Coronavirus pandemic quite effectively,” said the President.
SA missions open for visa applications
In preparation for the re-opening of borders, South African missions abroad will open for visa applications and all long-term visas will be reinstated.
“The tourism sector is one of our greatest economic drivers. We are ready to open our doors again to the world, and invite travellers to enjoy our mountains, our beaches, our vibrant cities and our wildlife game parks in safety and confidence,” said the President.
In the next few days, the updated regulations will be published and ministers have been tasked with ironing out the details through briefings.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PENDING COVID-19 VACCINE SHOULD BE EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED: PRESIDENT |
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| As the world scrambles to find a cure for the novel Coronavirus, once developed, the vaccine should be equally distributed to all countries in need and not just the wealthy, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. |
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The President made the impassioned plea while virtually delivering his opening remarks at the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) first high- level meeting of the Facilitation Council of the “Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator” (ACT-A) on Thursday, 10 September 2020.
President Ramaphosa, who is also the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), co-chaired the meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Ema Solberg.
The meeting formally launched the ACT-A Facilitation Council, which is an international collaboration among a diverse representation of global leaders and partners to accelerate the development, production and equitable deployment of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for COVID-19.
While the pandemic has led to economic hardship and insecurity throughout the world, President Ramaphosa said world governments needed to hasten the process of finding tools to combat the virus.
ACT-A, said the President, was “a ground-breaking and innovating mechanism, a product of an unprecedented and ongoing collaboration”.
“I’m sure that we will all agree that faced with such a pandemic, it is essential that humanity has a sense that if and when a vaccine is developed, all countries, including those on my continent, should benefit and not be left behind,” he said.
Humanity, he said, required that a vaccine should be regarded a public good to benefit all.
President Ramaphosa said: “We cannot achieve universal health coverage when the vaccine is available to only countries that are wealthy and well-resourced in terms of research, manufacturing, distribution and service. As long as someone is infected by the virus, no matter how remote they may be, we are all at risk from the resurgence”.
Moving swiftly in this regard would ensure that everyone has access to the vaccine once it is developed at the same time.
“Countries must together, acting in solidarity, support current global initiatives to develop vaccines,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said the initiative was important to achieving this goal.
“We should use all available infrastructure to conduct research to find safe vaccines. The efforts by the WHO to enable collaboration among scientists to conduct clinical trials are welcome.”
Support for these global efforts are critical, as they are likely to increase the availability of vaccines that are appropriate to specific locations and populations.
“We must also incentivise vaccine development, especially for pharmaceutical companies. They may be concerned that if they embark on this every expensive process, it may not be profitable,” the President said.
While some countries already do this, the President said governments might have to subsidise the development of vaccines as an incentive to ensure fast and adequate production.
“As a global community, we must encourage people to participate in safe clinical trials of vaccines. The act is vital to achieve these goals. It offers us tools at the speed and scale that is needed and but also an equitable mechanism to distribute them.
“Now that it is a proven functioning mechanism, we must waste no time in rallying support with the political and financial support it needs to succeed. As South Africa, and on behalf of the AU, we look forward to this cooperation. Working with all states and partners to achieve our collective objectives, I’m sure we will succeed,” he said.
ACT-A was launched on 24 April and provided with political and financial support through global pledging events on 4 May and 27 June.
In a statement, The Presidency said the ACT-A had already established a dynamic portfolio of vaccine candidates, launched a global facility to optimise vaccine development and use, and had started the rollout of the first proven therapy for severe disease.
This collaboration has also identified a potentially game-changing rapid test and established a framework for equitable allocation of these products globally.
The Facilitation Council will work to address key challenges and galvanise global leadership to enable access to COVID-19 tools for all countries.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA DECLARES SPECIAL OFFICIAL FUNERAL FOR GEORGE BIZOS |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has honoured the late human rights lawyer and social activist, Advocate George Bizos, by declaring a Special Official Funeral Category 1 for him. |
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President Ramaphosa authorised that the national flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the country from Saturday, 12 September, until the evening of the Special Official Funeral on Thursday, 17 September.
The renowned human rights lawyer passed away on the afternoon of 9 September 2020 at the age of 92.
Bizos was born in Kirani, Greece. He came to South Africa with his father in 1941.
He dedicated his legal career to fighting for basic human rights, while representing numerous high-profile activists in political trials, including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and others accused in both the 1956 Treason and 1963 Rivonia trials.
President Ramaphosa described Bizos as one of the best legal minds in South Africa, who contributed immensely to the attainment of democracy.
“George Bizos was a well-known name and he had an incisive legal mind. He was also one of the architects of our Constitution, who contributed immensely. He will be sorely missed.
"We bow our heads in honour of the contribution he made to our democracy,” said President Ramaphosa at the time of Bizos’ passing.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| UK GOVERNMENT DONATES TO SA’S SOLIDARITY FUND |
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| The South African Government has received a donation of R50 million from the United Kingdom (UK), which will be channelled towards projects supporting and promoting women's empowerment. |
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International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Alvin Botes, received the monetary donation and participated in a signing ceremony with the UK Government on Monday, 14 September 2020.
The donation is aimed at extending the Solidarity Fund’s ongoing efforts to counter the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, with a particular focus on women’s empowerment.
The British High Commission has identified programmes responding to gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment and small and medium enterprises.
The funding will be deployed to support two existing humanitarian pillar projects, namely the second intervention in gender-based violence support and farming input vouchers.
“We are elated the Solidarity Fund recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has bestowed an additional burden on the marginalised women of South Africa. When jobs get lost, normally women are the first to face unemployment. When households endure strain because of a contracting economy, women bear the brunt of societal frustration.
"It therefore holds true that to remedy a nation and to recover economic fortunes, we should invest in women.
“To the British people, we wish to say ‘it is good to make new friends, but it is indeed better to keep old friends'," said Deputy Minister Botes upon receiving the donation.
The Deputy Minister said the COVID-19 pandemic had emphasised the need for increased international cooperation and a multilateral approach to solving the world’s biggest challenges.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed that the impact of transnational challenges may only be mitigated through multilateral responses, and through better interstate cooperation.
"South Africa and the United Kingdom maintain such strategic partnership within the framework of our bilateral relations, and we regard the UK as a reliable persona within the plethora of multilateral fora,” Deputy Minister Botes said.
With the next 10 years identified as the decade of advancing women’s economic inclusion by the African Union under the stewardship of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the donation comes at an opportune time.
“This trilateral relationship between the South African Government, the British High Commission and the Solidarity Fund serves as an important instrument to respond to the economic alienation of South Africa’s women.
"Our trilateral relationship demonstrates a shared commitment to harness the repository of both state and non-state actors in fighting gender-based violence, which is a product of gender inequalities and patriarchy.
“Gender-based violence is the highest manifestation of sexist domination and it exists because patriarchy gave men an enormous symbolic and material power. This violence is a consequence of the construction of masculinity in patriarchal societies,” said the Deputy Minister.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PRESIDENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE COORDINATING COMMISSION ESTABLISHED |
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| Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission. |
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“The commission will coordinate the just transition of our country to a low-carbon climate and resilient economy and society by 2050,” said a statement issued by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on Thursday, 10 September 2020.
The structure will be represented by government, its social partners, civil society and experts from academia and research institutions.
South Africa is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Cabinet’s decision is in line with the Presidential Job Summit Framework Agreement, signed during the Presidential Job Summit in 2018.
Low Emission Development (LED) Strategy
Cabinet also approved the submission of the country’s LED Strategy to the UNFCCC Secretariat.
“This LED Strategy will advance the national climate change and development policy in a more coordinated, coherent and strategic manner. It provides mitigation measures, focussing on four key sectors of the economy, namely: energy; industry; agriculture, forestry and land use; and waste,” said the statement issued following Cabinet’s meeting.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| AFDB APPROVES US$27.33M IN COVID-19 GRANTS |
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| The African Development Bank (AfDB) Board has approved US$27.33 million in grants to boost the African Union’s (AU) efforts to mobilise a continental response to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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In a statement, the AfDB said the approval followed a meeting of the extended Bureau of the Conference of Heads of State and Government with Africa’s private sector on 22 April 2020, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairperson of the AU, at which the bank’s President, Akinwumi Adesina, pledged strong support for the AU’s COVID-19 initiative.
The AU Bureau meeting called for contributions to the AU’s COVID-19 Response Fund established in March by the AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
Adesina said the bank would strongly support the continent to get through the pandemic and build back – strongly and smartly.
“The bank’s financial support to the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC), reaffirms our strong commitment to regional efforts to tackle the pandemic being coordinated by the AU. Africa needs a well-financed Africa Centres CDC, today and for the future,” he said.
The bank’s grant financing will support the Africa CDC in providing technical assistance and building capacity for 37 African Development Fund (ADF) eligible countries, particularly the transition states, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its impact. The ADF is the bank’s concessional window.
Sourced from the ADF’s Regional Operations/Regional Public Goods envelope and the Transition Support Facility, the two grants are expected to support the implementation of Africa CDC’s COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan through strengthening surveillance at various points of entry (air, sea and land) in African countries; building sub-regional and national capacity for epidemiological surveillance; and ensuring the availability of testing materials and personal protective equipment for frontline workers deployed in hotspots.
The operation will also facilitate collection of gender-disaggregated data and adequate staffing for Africa CDC’s emergency operations centre.
At the beginning of February 2020, only two reference laboratories – in Senegal and in South Africa – could run tests for COVID-19 on the continent.
The Africa CDC, working with governments, the World Health Organisation and several development partners and public health institutes, has increased this capacity to 44 countries currently. Despite this progress, Africa’s testing capacity remains low, with the 37 ADF-eligible countries accounting for only 40% of completed COVID-19 tests to date.
The bank said the support would complement various national and sub-regional operations financed by the AfDB under its COVID-19 Response Facility to support African countries to contain and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| G20 WATER MINISTERS COMMIT TO EXTEND ACCESS TO WATER |
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| Despite the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, G20 water ministers have affirmed their commitment to cooperate closely. |
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The ministers will also take concrete actions to maintain existing services and accelerate access to safe and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services across the world.
The ministers made the commitment during a virtual G20 Agriculture and Water Ministers Meeting, held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, 12 September 2020.
South Africa’s Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, joined the global ministers of agriculture and water in discussions to strengthen policy cooperation towards food security and nutrition, as well as towards tackling water-management challenges.
South Africa was the only representative from Africa that participated and raised crucial issues that concern not only the country, but the region and the continent as a whole.
The Ministerial Meeting highlighted the devastating human losses and suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic globally and its impact on food security and nutrition, hygiene, water and sanitation.
The G20 Ministerial Committee adopted a Ministerial Declaration, which will ensure provision of adequate access to safe and affordable water to households, including healthcare facilities. This is in a bid to enable critical hygienic measures such as handwashing to be practised.
Addressing water challenges
Regarding water challenges, the G20 Ministerial Committee encouraged the international community to work more closely together, sharing innovation and best practices and maximise synergies towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 6.
The G20 Ministerial Committee also raised concern about the impact of water scarcity and poor water quality, as well as the significant impact on biodiversity and ecosystems.
They further called on countries to prioritise water-demand management and conservation and substantially increase water use efficiency and water productivity.
Minister Sisulu said that the G20 Dialogue on Water was long overdue and that it came at a critical time of the unprecedented pandemic that puts water at the centre of all interventions.
“This current situation reawakened in us the notion that water is life and is central to all human development,” Minister Sisulu said.
In her address to the G20 ministers, Minister Sisulu endorsed the statement made by the European Union Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, when he said “water is vitally important in our sustainability as the human species”.
The Minister said South Africa supported the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration.
“Water is a vital concern at all levels and water challenges affect human life, people’s livelihoods, global supply chains, food security, nutrition and ecosystems. It is crucial and urgent that we work towards attracting and increasing water-related investment, innovation, and water security, if we are to achieve the objectives of this forum,” Minister Sisulu said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| TECHNICAL TASK TEAM TO FACILITATE SA-US MARKET ACCESS |
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| Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, and United States (US) Ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, have agreed to establish a technical task team that will work on facilitating market access of agricultural products |
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Minister Didiza and Ambassador Marks made the agreement during a virtual meeting held on Tuesday, 8 September 2020. The meeting discussed agricultural trade relations of mutual interest to both countries.
At the meeting, Minister Didiza noted and expressed appreciation of the increase in exports of citrus from South Africa to the US market.
Such an increase was encouraging she said while also expressing the hope that this would translate to other agricultural products getting into the US market.
“Increasing agricultural production is important for food security as well as contributing to the economy through trade,” Minister Didiza said.
The Minister said she believed that the transformation of the sector, as envisaged through the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, would ensure that “as a country, we can increase our volumes for trade, which will bring great benefits for the country’s economy”.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| LEGENDARY MUSICIANS AND POET HONOURED WITH POSTAGE STAMPS |
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| Government has honoured well-known legends Hugh Masekela, Dr Phillip Tabane and Professor Willie Keorapetse Kgositsile with postage stamps. |
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The three were honoured for the role they played during the country’s darkest of times of apartheid.
This is a result of a 2018 Cabinet decision, which would see the South African Post Office (SAPO) honour the three artists, whose words and music left an imprint on the continent and the world.
Masekela was an award-winning jazz maestro, who also went into exile before returning to South Africa when political parties were unbanned.
He is known as the father of South African jazz, with 40 albums under his name. He succumbed to cancer in 2018.
Tabane is a renowned vocalist, jazz guitarist and bandleader. He died at the age of 84 in 2018. He was recognised as one of the best musicians and was awarded honourary doctoral degrees.
Kgositsile, who also passed away in 2018, was a journalist turned author. He was a renowned poet and teacher, whose dedication to politics led him to establish the African National Congress’ Department of Education and Department of Arts and Culture.
He was the country’s first National Poet Laureate in 1996, and received the National Order of Ikhamanga in 2008.
Speaking during the commemorative launch on Tuesday, 8 September 2020, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, said stamps played a critical role as a small ambassador for the country. Stamps travel across the world in the global postal network.
“Stamps also serve as a nation-builder and educational tool, as they reflect the country’s diverse culture, history, heritage, heroes and heroines, who played a critical role in the development of our country."
They also attract huge interest for stamp collectors, and what is portrayed becomes very critical and serves as a revenue-generating source for SAPO.
“As e-commerce markets develop and grow, so does the parcel market that needs effective and efficient logistical value chain, supported by digital infrastructure. We also need to ensure that these commemorative stamps are digitised and sold on digital platforms,” the Minister said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| DESIGUAL OPENS ITS FIRST STORE IN SOUTH AFRICA |
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| Spanish fashion brand Desigual, founded in Barcelona in 1984, has opened its first South African store in Sandton City Shopping Centre. |
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Created with the aim of “dressing people, not bodies”, Desigual is famous for the individuality and unique character of its creations, which aim to bring authenticity to those who want to be 100% themselves and express their most creative side. The collections are made up of colourful and unapologetic garments that exude non-conformism, rebelliousness and optimism–essential traits of the Desigual DNA.
Desigual has a presence in 92 countries with a network of close to 500 stores that operate through an omnichannel model, a model that responds to the brand’s commitment to staying close to the consumer at all times, whenever and wherever they are, and regardless of the channel they choose to shop through. This decentralised geographical management allows the brand to serve customers all over the world as swiftly as possible.
Desigual’s first store in South Africa covers an area of 180 m² and carries collections from the Woman, Accessories and Shoes categories. As has been the norm since the launch of the new brand image in 2019, Desigual is using this store to showcase its new corporate identity and shopping experience. The brand has opted for a franchise format and will be entering the South African market through local partner Marian Gaylard, a strategy that has proven successful in other regions, such as Latin America, and which Desigual will now be following in Africa.
As Desigual’s Channels Director, Jordi Balsells, explains: “The South African market has an intriguing potential for growth. The qualities of our collections, such as the vibrant colours, the diversity of the materials and the uniqueness of the designs, match a style that will resonate with local consumers and which, combined with the Desigual DNA, has the potential to build a very strong connection with customers.”
Desigual currently has three branded stores in Egypt and one in Tunis. The company initially came to Africa with the opening of its store in Egypt (Citystards Shopping Mall, Cairo) in 2010.
– Source: www.mypr.co.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN LAW PROFESSOR RECOGNISED AMONG 500 OF THE TOP AROUND THE GLOBE |
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| A South African law professor from the University of Pretoria has been recognised among 500 of the top around the globe. |
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The University of Pretoria (UP) proudly announced that Professor André Boraine, former Dean of the Faculty of Law and currently in its Department of Private Law, has been recognised for his insolvency law and restructuring expertise in the 2020 LawDragon 500 Leading Global Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyers list.
The fields of insolvency law, restructuring, business rescue and insolvency law reforms and tools took centre stage during this unprecedented time amid COVID-19.
This global recognition, published on 4 August 2020 by LawDragon magazine, recognises lawyers who were “selected from intensive journalistic research into the lawyers handling the biggest restructurings globally, intersected with professional leadership and respect of their peers”.
“Hearty congratulations, André!” said Dean Elsabe Schoeman.
“UP Law is very proud of this achievement, your lifetime of work and dedication to improving the field of insolvency law worldwide. Thank you for keeping UP Law on the global map!”
Prof. Boraine is the author of several books on the topic, was involved in the compilation of technical reports and is a member of several professional bodies.
– Sources: Ubuntu Beds and www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN SANCTUARY WINS INTERNATIONAL PRESTIGE AWARD FOR BEST CHILDCARE SERVICE |
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| Heartlands Baby Sanctuary has been named the Best Childcare Service in South Africa by the Corporate Livewire South Africa Prestige Awards. |
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In the last five years, the Heartlands Baby Sanctuary has offered temporary care and safety to 280 babies. The sanctuary’s goal is to temporarily care for a child and then reunite it with family, whether existing or adoptive.
In an average month, the sanctuary can go through 4 800 nappies and 1 900 bottles of formula. Staff and volunteers work 24/7 to ensure the safety of the babies and children. Throughout the lockdown, the baby sanctuary lost revenue from its donors and sustainability projects.
Despite the loss of income, the staff and volunteers continued to provide care for the babies within their care.
It was announced recently that Heartlands Baby Sanctuary had won the Best Childcare Service in South Africa, awarded by the international Prestige Awards, run out of the United Kingdom.
The Corporate Livewire South Africa Prestige Awards recognise small and medium-sized businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past 12 months.
- Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| TWO SOUTH AFRICAN WINES ARE GIVEN 100 POINTS BY RENOWNED WINE EXPERT |
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| Winemakers and wine lovers have been waiting with bated breath for the release of leading United Kingdom wine writer Tim Atkin’s latest report on the South African wine industry. Now in its eighth year of publication, it’s widely regarded as one of the most detailed and authoritative overviews of South African wine. |
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Kristen Duff from Publik Wine says, “Tim Atkin has not only become the foremost commentator on South African wine, but possibly also the industry’s greatest international friend and ally. What arguably sets him apart is his holistic approach – while he goes to great lengths to assess and critique the ‘objective’ quality of individual wines, his reporting also encompasses broader socio-economic and human elements.”
Tim says on his website, “Despite the well-publicised challenges it faces, South Africa is making the best wines in its history. To prepare this report under the restrictions of COVID-19, I tasted 1 381 wines in London, and had 62 Zoom calls with winemakers to replace my usual month-long tour of the Cape.”
Two wines in the report each received perfect scores of 100 points; these are only the second and third South African wines ever to receive this accolade. They are the 2018 Porseleinberg syrah from the Swartland, and the 2019 Sadie Family Skurfberg chenin blanc from Olifants River.
Twenty-three other South African wines scored 97 points or higher, with chenin blanc being the standout grape. Read the full report on timatkin.com.
– Source: www.food24.com |
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| NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR BACK ON “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” (AGT) WITH A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE |
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| The Ndlovu Youth Choir recently was back on AGT … this time to showcase the beauty of South Africa to the world! |
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The talented choir shot to global fame during their time on AGT, but the Ndlovu Youth Choir first caught the attention of the world when they performed an isiZulu cover of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You during an interview on Jacaranda’s breakfast show.
And now they are giving us all the feels with another performance on AGT.
“This week, we were back on AGT with a very special performance showing off our beautiful country. Love lifts us all higher and higher!”
Ralf Schmitt says that it great being back on AGT.
“It was a new experience filming with armed rangers in the wild African bush. We were in leopard, rhino and hyena territory, and a huge croc was lurking just behind the opening scene. Got to love Africa!”
– Source: www.goodthingsguy |
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| MASTER KG MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST AFRICAN ARTIST TO TOP SHAZAM GLOBAL CHART |
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| Master KG has made history by becoming the first African artist to top the Shazam Global Chart with his smash hit “Jerusalema”, featuring Nomcebo Zikode. |
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The American music-identification application owned by Apple Inc confirmed to Sowetan that not only did Master KG top the chart, but it was also a history-making feat as no African artist has ever topped the Shazam Global Chart.
“It means a lot to me. It validates the path I’m on. It means the world is moving to Jerusalema and they want to know more about the song and the artists behind it,” Master KG, whose real name is Kgaogelo Moagi, told Sowetan.
“It’s a big deal to me and Nomcebo. It’s blessings on top of blessings. God is amazing.”
According to the latest data breakdown by Shazam, Jerusalema spent 18 consecutive weeks on the chart before climbing to No 1.
Furthermore, the song has charted in 35 countries on Shazam, reaching the top spot in nine of them – South Africa, France, Italy, Romania, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Bulgaria and the Netherlands.
The song has been most Shazamed in France, Italy, Nigeria, South Africa and Romania.
– Source: Sowetanlive.co.za |
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| TREVOR NOAH MAKES PRESTIGIOUS FORTUNE 40 UNDER 40 LIST, ALONG WITH OTHER A-LISTERS |
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| There is just no stopping Trevor Noah’s success. The South African comedian continues to make strides in his career and this time, it’s making it onto the Fortune 40 Under 40 list of the most influential people in the world. |
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The prestigious list was released recently and highlights some of the world's most powerful emerging leaders in the categories of finance, technology, healthcare, government and politics, and media and entertainment.
The entertainment category mixes established stars with some of the brightest emerging talents and includes the likes of Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, actress Zendaya, Insecure star Issa Rae, Beyoncé and Mzansi’s very own Trevor Noah.
Reflecting on Noah’s career, the publication hailed him as “one of the most visible comedians in the US and beyond”.
“Since 2015, South African Trevor Noah has become one of the most visible comedians in the US and beyond as the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, succeeding the wildly popular Jon Stewart.
“Noah is also an actor, writer, producer and political commentator. He began his career in SA, where he was born to a black mother and white father, whose interracial relationship was illegal under apartheid. His childhood is the subject of No. 1 New York Times best-seller Born a Crime, which will be adapted for film with Lupita Nyong’o starring as his mother,” Fortune said.
They also highlighted his nine Emmy nominations and one win and celebrated his nine comedy specials and multi-year deal with Viacom, giving them first rights to all his future projects.
It is the first time that Noah has featured on the list. The star also made his debut on the Forbes list of richest people last year, after he banked an estimated R430 million in 2018.
– Source: Independent Online |
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| GEORGE COETZEE WINS PORTUGAL MASTERS FOR FIFTH EUROPEAN TOUR TITLE |
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| South African George Coetzee shot a 5-under 66 to win the Portugal Masters by two strokes on Sunday, 13 September 2020. |
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Coetzee finished at 16 under par after birdies on two of the last three holes to seal the victory over Englishman Laurie Canter, who also shot a 66.
Tommy Fleetwood (64) ended another shot back after making a late charge with four birdies in his last seven holes, including the final two.
The Englishman was tied for third with Swede Joakim Lagergren (65), who also finished strongly with birdies on 14, 16 and 17.
The 34-year-old Coetzee clinched his fifth European Tour title with a bogey-free round that included some key par saves at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura. He also won last week on the Sunshine Tour.
Coetzee carried a one-shot lead into the final round. He had entered the weekend eight shots behind Julien Guerrier (72), who finished in a tie for eighth, seven shots off the lead.
– Source: www.golfchannel.com |
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| CAPE TOWN TO RIO: CAPETONIAN TO TAKE ON SOLO ATLANTIC ROW FOR THE ENVIRONMENT |
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| A Capetonian is set to row from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro to showcase the message that 100% renewable energy is a practical option. |
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Capetonian Zirk Botha, an ex-naval combat officer and adventure racer, will undertake a solo row to Rio de Janeiro, leaving Cape Town in December 2020, in support of the environment and climate change.
The Atlantic crossing will require Botha to row completely unassisted for approximately 90 days, over approximately 7 000 km over the unpredictable ocean. It is said that Botha will rely completely on his own strength, with the help of solar panels and batteries to power his equipment for the crossing thanks to Juwi Renewable Energies based in Cape Town.
“I want to use the challenge to spotlight the impact of fossil fuels and irresponsible consumerism on the planet, which will be the future home of our children and future generations. Renewable energies are essential to a sustainable future,” says Botha. “For my solo row from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro I will be 100% self-sustaining for over three months. This provides a perfect showcase to support a message that 100% renewable energy is a practical option. In fact, in this case, it is the only viable option: I will be totally reliant on solar-charged batteries as the source of electricity for my watermaker (desalinator), auto-pilot, safety equipment, radio and satellite communications equipment.”
Ocean rowing is considered to be the ultimate challenge of human endurance. More people have climbed Mount Everest than have crossed an ocean in a rowing boat. “I will have no supporting safety boat, and I can expect to experience large waves and swells travelling across the southern Atlantic,” says Botha.“
I will row for 14 hours a day on average, expecting to take 100+ days to complete the crossing to Rio. The energy requirements are significant and staying well-hydrated is very important – I will probably consume 10 litres of water and 8 000 calories of food per day. A normal person consumes approximately 2 500 calories a day. Even so, I expect to lose over 12 kg crossing the Atlantic.”
Botha says he is training extremely hard. “I’m rowing intensively, plus doing weight and endurance training, but I know that my biggest challenge will not be physical, but rather mental.”
Botha has built his boat, almost single-handedly, and has just completed installing equipment, including solar panels, navigational and satellite equipment, and a desalinator. The construction of the ocean rowing boat is based on a design by Phil Morrison, a naval architect.
Botha is currently doing the requisite safety tests on open water to obtain a certificate of fitness for the boat and is in training with his rowing coach, Derrick Read from the Cape Coastal Rowing Club based in Simon’s Town. The boat has been named “Ratel” which is Afrikaans for honey badger, an animal known for its courage and tenacity.
Botha is an avid adventure racer, competing in many multi-day non-stop events that comprised trail running, rock climbing, river rafting and mountain biking. His many adventures include trekking the Himalayas, and stand-up paddleboarding through the Okavango Delta, of Botswana.
– Source: www.thesouthafrican.co.za |
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| STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, DURING THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON YEMEN, 15 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
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“Mr President,
“We thank Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) Under Secretary-General, Mark Lowcock, for their briefings.
“South Africa reiterates its support to Special Envoy Griffiths in his quest for a peaceful solution to the situation in Yemen, amidst continuing violence and the persistent COVID-19 pandemic.
“My delegation would like to reiterate that the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, is indistinguishably linked to the political impasse. As such my intervention will focus on these two elements, namely the humanitarian and the political situation.
“Mr President,
"On the humanitarian situation, South Africa continues to express concern regarding the devastating effect on the people of Yemen, in particular the women, children, the aged, internally displaced persons, and those with disabilities.
"South Africa expresses concern that the humanitarian situation is now exacerbated by the suspension by the Houthis of all UN and humanitarian flights to Sanaa in response to the blocking by the coalition of commercial vessels in Hodeida, an entry point for more than 70% of Yemen’s imports of commercial goods and aid."
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0915.htm |
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| STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA ON BEHALF OF NIGER, TUNISIA, SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES & SOUTH AFRICA (A3+1), DURING THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, 14 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
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“Mr President,
“This statement is delivered on behalf of Niger, Tunisia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and South Africa (the A3+1). We thank you for scheduling this annual meeting on progress to reform peacekeeping and thereby address existing gaps and respond to peace and security challenges.
“Niger, Tunisia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and South Africa thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his insightful briefing.
“Since the formation of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), in May 1948, the first UN peacekeeping mission to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours, more than 1 million men and women have served under the UN flag in more than 70 UN peacekeeping operations. More than 100,000 military, police and civilian personnel from 125 countries currently serve in 14 peacekeeping operations."
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0914.htm |
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| STATEMENT BY THE PERMANENT MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, DURING THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN VIDEO TELECONFERENCE MEETING ON SYRIA - CHEMICAL WEAPONS, 10 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
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“Thank you, Mr President,
“Allow me to thank Ms Izumi Nakamitzu (High Representative for Disarmament Affairs) for her briefing to the Security Council, and the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (the OPCW) for his 83rd Report.
"I would like to begin by reiterating South Africa’s position that we condemn any use of chemical weapons. No cause can ever justify the use of any weapon of mass destruction by any actor under any circumstances. South Africa remains committed to its international obligations as a State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and as a member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (the OPCW).
“South Africa strongly supports multilateralism and the international rule of law, which includes the non-discriminatory and consistent application of the provisions of relevant multilateral instruments, and the preservation of the international norms against weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons."
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0910.htm |
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| STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, DURING THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOLUTION 2532 (COVID-19 PANDEMIC), 9 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
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“Mr President,
“I thank you for convening this meeting to allow the Security Council to be informed on the implementation of Resolution 2532 (2020).
“I would also like to thank the Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ms Rosemary DiCarlo; the Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix; and the Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Mark Lowcock, for their comprehensive briefings.
“South Africa notes with concern that the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire, in order to focus due attention on the COVID-19 pandemic and attempts to mitigate its impacts, has not been broadly respected by parties to conflict.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an added burden to countries affected by conflict due to the numerous restrictions resulting from it, which may derail progress in achieving the necessary milestones in political processes. Regrettably, in some countries where the call for a global ceasefire was initially respected, tensions have risen once again, and the gains made in achieving political settlements are being undermined."
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0909.htm |
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