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| PRESIDENT ENVISIONS TRANSFORMATIVE, INCLUSIVE FUTURE |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has told the United Nations (UN) that the task ahead is to chart the course for a transformative and inclusive future in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic. |
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This must be done in a manner that respects the worth and dignity of every human being.
“To resolve our global challenges – be they health emergencies, transnational crime, conflict and war, climate change, migration or natural disasters – we must work together. |
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“The UN system is the best means by which we can address and overcome these global challenges. And it is only through multilateralism that we can forge common strategies for the benefit and advancement of all,” he said.
Speaking on Monday, 21 September 2020, at the 75th Commemoration of the UN General Assembly, the President said the UN was, and must forever remain, the foremost guarantor of world peace.
To realise a just and humane world, the UN must be fit for purpose, adequately funded and representative in its decision-making structures.
“We must ensure that the sovereign equality of nations is protected. Unilateral coercive measures and violations of international law must be dealt with firmly and consistently.
“We must strengthen the UN’s coordination with regional bodies such as the African Union, to ensure our efforts are complementary and mutually reinforcing.”
He said global peace was not just about a world free of conflict. |
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“It is also a world free of poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. It is a world of inclusive economic growth and shared prosperity. It is a world where young people are able to grow and thrive, and where women have equal rights and opportunities,” said the President.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PRESIDENT ASKS CITIZENS TO DO “JERUSALEMA” CHALLENGE ON HERITAGE DAY |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to celebrate Heritage Day by reflecting on the country’s journey in the last six months in weathering the COVID-19 storm. |
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He has also called on citizens to get their groove on by taking part in the Jerusalema global dance frenzy by duo Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode on 24 September 2020.
“There can be no better celebration of our South Africanness than joining the global phenomenon that is the Jerusalema dance challenge,” President Ramaphosa announced during his address on Wednesday, 16 September 2020.
“So, I urge all of you to take up this challenge on Heritage Day and show the world what we are capable of.”
Jerusalema has taken the world by storm and has over 139 039 790 views on YouTube and counting.
The hit continues to travel beyond the country’s borders and has topped the charts, including the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in the United States.
It was number one on iTunes in Africa and the top five in countries such as Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
It has also reached number one on the Top 200 France charts and reached a peak on the Shazam Global Top 200 at number four last month.
Apart from dancing to the President’s favourite song, President Ramaphosa has also encouraged South Africans to use this public holiday as family time, remember those who have lost their lives to COVID-19, and “quietly rejoice” in the remarkable and diverse heritage of the nation.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA TO KEEP CLOSE WATCH ON COUNTRIES’ COVID-19 STATUS AS BORDERS REOPEN |
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| Government says while a ban will be put in place for international countries still experiencing high infection rates when South Africa reopens its border for global travellers, this will be reviewed regularly. |
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Addressing media on Level 1 regulations on Friday, 18 September 2020, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, said government would publish a list of affected countries in due course.
While South Africa moved to lockdown Level 1 on Monday, international border gates will reopen on 1 October 2020.
“International travel on the continent is allowed to and from all countries. However, for other international travel, there will be a schedule of countries where infections are high, which will temporarily not be allowed, until such time their infections get under control.
“Even for these countries, [the ban is] not permanent. It will depend what happens to their infections [and when] they come under control, they will be allowed.
“The Health Minster will make sure that the affected countries are properly identified. I don’t know the exact date [for the list publication] but it will be before we start travelling ... This is not a static list and it will be changing all the time,” said Minister Dlamini Zuma.
This, she said, was because some countries would experience peaks at different periods.
Visa applications at embassies will be permitted from next week. The Minister said long-term visas would be reactivated immediately.
South Africans returning from abroad, she said, would be expected to produce a medical certificate not older than 72 hours, clearly indicating their negative COVID-19 test results.
“That means they won’t have to be quarantined if they don’t have symptoms,” she said.
South Africans who do not comply will be quarantined, a service they will be charged for.
“The long-term visa will be re-established. People can then use those visas from 1 October.”
Land borders and sea ports
On land borders, the Minister said the 18 that were opened during the lockdown for the import and export of goods, would now allow the movement of people and tourists.
“The 35 land borders that were closed will remain closed. We are just opening the 18 fully so that they can take traffic for tourists [and other forms of travel]. We must remember that we [are only permitted] to use the 18 borders,” she said.
While all commercial sea ports will resume operations, passenger-ferrying cruise ships will be not be allowed to offload.
The OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town international airports will remain the only reception for global travellers.
On domestic travel, regulations will not change for long distance (200km) buses and taxis will still be allowed to fill to 70% capacity, while observing health protocols.
“When we move around, we need to remember that at level 5, we were under a 24-hour curfew and the hours of the curfew have been diminishing with the levels. At this level, the curfew will start at 00:01 and end at 4:00.
“Everything will be looked at from time to time,” said Minister Dlamini Zuma.
The Minister said while there was an improvement in the infection rate, caution still had to be taken.
“We are not out of the woods yet. Let’s just be clear about that,” she said.
Night vigils, nightclubs, initiation schools and passenger ships for international travel remain banned.
Beyond this, spectators are still not permitted at sporting venues. In this regard, international sporting events are still not allowed.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA AMENDS REGULATIONS TO PROTECT OZONE LAYER |
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| South Africa has amended its regulations aimed at protecting the ozone layer. |
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“In an effort to ensure that we close the potential gaps in illegal trade, an amendment of the Regulations Regarding the Phasing-out and Management of Ozone Depleting Substances has been undertaken …”, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister, Makhotso Sotyu, said.
Addressing the virtual celebration of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, Deputy Minister Sotyu said measures were put in place to monitor and control imports and exports in the country, such as import quotas and the licensing system.
This year’s celebration was themed “Ozone for Life”, acknowledging 35 years of ozone layer protection, preserving of the environment and human health.
Deputy Minister Sotyu said government was actively involved in activities locally and internationally that aimed to protect the ozone layer and ultimately human health.
Government’s collaboration with the industry birthed the Chemicals Management Phakisa Initiatives, is aimed at impacting positively on both the environment and economy, such as the training of refrigeration and air conditioning technicians in the informal servicing sector in the country by 2023.
Government is extending reach to learning institutions in order to develop and raise a generation of environmentalists.
“South Africa also participates and plays an important role in leading the Africa Group in international negotiations, making sure that the needs of the continent in phasing out and managing ozone depleting substances are met,” Deputy Minister Sotyu said.
This year, South Africa is the President of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment and has been privileged to co-chair the Open Ended-Working Group Meeting in 2020.
“We are hopeful that despite the very difficult circumstances we face the world over, our contribution and leadership will help in guiding the ozone family to making important decisions,” she said.
World Ozone Day was declared in 1994 by the United Nations following the signing of the Montreal Protocol, which aims to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control the total global production and consumption of ozone depleting substances.
This year’s celebration brought together the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, importers and exporters of refrigerants, learning institutions and government to reflect on measures taken to phase out ozone depleting substances such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons in South Africa, and encourage the use of environmentally friendly alternatives.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| AFRICA WILL CONTINUE TO FACE COVID-19 AFTERMATH HEAD ON |
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Africa has laid down good economic fundamentals that will enable the continent to rapidly rebuild economies after the losses suffered due to COVID-19, believes Health Minister,
Dr Zweli Mkhize. |
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Speaking on Monday, 21 September 2020, during the Centre for Global Development virtual conference, the Minister said African countries had already made incredible progress across the indicators of poverty, health outcomes, educational enrolments and life expectancy.
“Countries have invested the dividends of growth into health and education and building the physical and telecommunications infrastructure to connect our countries and our economies. We had also been on track to launch the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement this year, creating a single African market and the largest free trade area in the world.
“This pandemic has presented a once-in-a-century emergency and no country is unscathed from its economic impacts. As a continent, we recognise the magnitude of the challenge and we will continue to confront it head on,” said Minister Mkhize.
What began as a health crisis has become an economic crisis. COVID-19 has tipped Africa into its first recession in 25 years, threatening to undo 25 consecutive years of positive economic growth.
“The impact of COVID-19 is expected to see an economic contraction of 3.2% in the sub-Saharan Africa region in 2020, reducing per capita gross domestic product (GDP) to levels last seen in 2010.
“For the first time in decades, extreme poverty will increase. Indeed, we have already seen that 26 to 39 million Africans have been pushed into extreme poverty in just the last six months alone, raising poverty by between 6% and 9%,” said the Minister.
Reflecting on the economic situation in South Africa, the impact of COVID-19 will see GDP contract 7.5% this year.
“To mitigate this, we have implemented rescue and stimulus packages amounting to 10% of our GDP. For the first time in the history of our democracy, we turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for relief.
“We, along with 80 countries globally and 35 countries on the African continent, have applied for and received COVID-19-related emergency funding from the IMF.”
Minister Mkhize said it was therefore crucial to have relevant discussions on effective ways to mitigate the economic and health impact of the pandemic across Africa as well as steer the ship back towards the objectives of Agenda 2063 – a safe, healthy, socially integrated and prosperous Africa, free from preventable conditions and premature deaths.
“That is what we had committed to achieve and our people deserve no less,” he said.
Africa needs US$100 billion to effectively respond to the economic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Mkhize said he appreciated the current support the continent was getting from its partners, the multilateral agencies and the private sector.
“I can confirm that about US$40 billion has been committed towards the fight against COVID-19 on the continent of Africa and about US$15.3 billion has already been paid out at bilateral levels to different member states. We are truly grateful for the support.”
He urged all participants in the session to work together to address the economic and health challenges the globe was facing.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SACU BACKS PROPOSALS TO ADVANCE INDUSTRIALISATION |
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| The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) ministers of finance and trade support the proposal of working together, through a regionally coordinated approach, to advance industrialisation, trade-market access regionally and continentally, and to strengthen resource mobilisation. |
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South Africa’s Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, chaired the fourth joint Finance and Trade Ministers’ virtual Ministerial Retreat meeting on Monday, 21 September 2020.
The SACU Ministerial Retreat noted that its development trajectory should be anchored on a clear industrialisation path that provided for the development of regional value chains to strengthen SACU’s productive capacity.
The meeting reaffirmed the outcomes of the SACU Ministers of Trade and Industry of 28 August 2020, as forming the basis for cooperation for regional industrialisation, investment and export promotion.
The ministers acknowledged that a trade and industrialisation agenda would require the mobilisation of substantial financial resources. Going forward, SACU must design appropriate and effective financing instruments by mobilising the national development finance institutions and private-sector enterprises within the region to finance this vision.
The role of the private sector, through collaboration with regional business chambers, in improving the business environment was also highlighted.
The ministers agreed on refined development priorities for the union, within the changing global and regional developments.
They also agreed on activities that could be prioritised for SACU going forward and their sequencing.
“The ministers observed that much disagreement remained around issues involving the Revenue Sharing Formula and Tariff Setting architecture, respectively. However, in the spirit of unity, they were unanimous that specific attention should be put on those issues that propel SACU forward,” the Ministry said.
The Ministerial Retreat also noted the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SACU common resource pool.
They agreed to work jointly to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
The SACU consists of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and eSwatini. It was established in 1910, making it the world’s oldest customs union.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PARK NAMED FOR NELSON MANDELA OPENS IN NUREMBERG, GERMANY |
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| After 18 months of construction, the Nelson Mandela Square, a park in the southern German city of Nuremberg, was officially opened recently. |
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The park was planted with 70 new trees, and has a spacious lawn, bicycle paths, parking lots and Nuremberg’s first bicycle parking garage.
The mayor, Marcus König, and the South African Consul-General, Roleta Lebelo, officiated at the opening together with other stakeholders, including representatives from Public Space Service Nuremberg; government; and the Transport Company Board.
“This is a great landmark established in honour of the late former South African President, Mr Nelson Mandela. The strong historical, political and economic links between Germany and South Africa have since 1994 developed well, resulting in a strong strategic partnership,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said in a statement.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICA RANKED AS TOP GLOBAL BUSINESS SERVICES (GBS) DESTINATION |
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| South Africa’s ranking as a top destination for GBS – or business process outsourcing (BPO) – has been reaffirmed as the country ranked the second most preferred Global BPO offshore destination in 2020 for the third consecutive year. |
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South Africa overtook the Philippines and was only just beaten by India, which has a mature BPO sector. According to industry standards, South Africa’s growth over the past four years is at twice the global growth rate and increasing three times faster than past industry leaders, India and the Philippines.
South Africa’s GBS sector drew US$250 million (R4 billion) worth of investments during the past financial year and has continued to thrive during the COVID-19 lockdown. The sector is primed to employ 500 000 people in the next 10 years according to Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPESA) and is a significant contributor to gross domestic product.
“It’s good news for South Africa, and it’s very good news for youth employment, an area where some 50% of young South Africans are unemployed. South Africa’s GBS sector provides a crucial lifeline for thousands of people, notably previously disadvantaged and disabled young South Africans – who find meaningful and stable employment in South Africa’s burgeoning GBS sector, and an opportunity for career progression and personal development,” explains Daniel Shapiro, a director and founder of Alefbet Holdings, which owns numerous collections and customer service BPO providers.
“South Africa is an increasingly attractive destination for global businesses to offshore their business processes. Global giants like Amazon have already recognised this potential and recently set up customer service operations here. As a country, we have thousands of educated young South Africans in need of gainful employment; our IT and telephony structures are world-class; we have a stable political environment and one of the best constitutions in the world; our English accent and linguistic capabilities are amenable across many geographies, including the US, UK and Australia; and our exchange rate makes it a particularly cost-effective exercise. If you consider that the US minimum wage is US$15/hour, we are able to provide our services in South Africa, fully loaded and including management time at US$10-11/hour – making SA a very attractive option for outsourcing at a time when businesses across the globe are under enormous cost pressures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SA is currently the third-largest offshore location for UK and Australian organisations who enjoy up to 60% cost savings compared to onshore service delivery, along with a comparable if not better quality of service, cultural affinity and great work ethic of our people,” adds Shapiro.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.co.za |
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| “SA AGULHAS” DEPARTS UNDER STRICT HEALTH PROTOCOLS |
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| The annual “SA Agulhas II” relief voyage to Gough Island departed recently under strict COVID-19 health protocols. |
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Gough Island, some 2 600 km south-west of Cape Town, is very strategic for South Africa’s weather observations and forecasting.
The weather data collected at Gough and Marion islands, and at SANAE IV (South African National Antarctic Expedition) on Antarctica, is important for the navigation of passing vessels, warning South Africa of impending severe weather systems, in the case of Gough Island, as well as providing insight into climate change.
These data sets are also key to improving the accuracy of South Africa's global and regional weather forecast models.
In a statement, the department noted that within the current context of the Coronavirus lockdown period, the schedule and procedures were adjusted to accommodate a strict quarantine and COVID-19 testing process before departure, as well as a strict adherence to sanitisation procedures during the loading of the vessel.
“The recruitment process, including psychometric testing for the expedition members, was finalised on 24 August 2020. The team also undertook training in Cape Town. Most of the team members appointed have some experience of life on Gough Island,” the department said.
The department explained that strict lockdown requirements and quarantine procedures required a significantly reduced team for the relief voyage, which would focus on the logistical functions necessary to keep the base operational.
Overwintering scientific functions will be limited to maintaining the long-term meteorological record by the South African Weather Service and the seabird monitoring by the Royal Society for Protection of Birds United Kingdom (UK).
Gough Island is an overseas territory of the UK. A lease agreement for the island was concluded with Britain in 1956 and has been renewed over the years.
The annual relief voyage on the SA Agulhas II transports scientists from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, various tertiary institutions and research agencies with approved scientific projects.
The voyage takes place annually in September, taking approximately four days sailing time from Cape Town to Gough Island.
The SA Agulhas II is expected to return to Cape Town on 16 October 2020.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARY SERIES TO BE FILMED ON MARION ISLAND |
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| The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) has approved a proposal by United Kingdom-based film and production company, Plimsoll Productions, to film a wildlife documentary series on Marion Island. |
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The approval, which follows a rigorous approval process involving key stakeholders, will see filmmakers and scientists collaborate to ensure the continuation of important research projects on Marion Island.
“There are significant, globally valued long-term science and conservation projects on Marion Island that were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and both parties viewed this as an opportunity for collaboration,” the department said recently.
The agreement with Plimsoll Production includes the charter of a private vessel at their own cost, with an offer to transport seven members of the M77 over-wintering team to the island in September 2020.
“This would allow for the mitigation of the impact of COVID-19 on science activities by enabling filmmakers and scientists to combine efforts to enable the continuation of field science programmes on Marion Island, as well as filming incredible natural behaviour. Some of these scientific datasets on Marion Island are nearing 40 years of uninterrupted observations,” the department said.
There has been a thorough analysis of the proposed activities and a permit with very strict conditions has been issued.
“To monitor compliance with the permit conditions, a departmental official will accompany the film crew to ensure that they observe the necessary regulations and protocols. The proposal also went through an extremely rigorous interrogation by the Prince Edward Island Advisory Committee (PEIAC).
“The PEIAC was established in compliance with the Prince Edward Island Management Plan to ensure that the pristine nature of the Prince Edward Island is maintained and all activities are controlled and in compliance with the Management Plan,” the department explained.
Keeping with COVID-19 prescripts
In keeping with the COVID-19 prescripts and regulations, the entire team will adhere to a strict working protocols.
“For the trip to Marion Island, the charter vessel will be de-contaminated prior to departure. A full inspection will be conducted on the vessel by DEFF to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
“The entire filming team, scientists and vessel crew will all be quarantined and COVID-19 tested in the leadup to departure. All participants on the expedition will undergo full medical examinations prescribed for visitors to the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic,” the department said.
The expedition will depart from Cape Town to Marion Island in mid-September.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| BIRTHDAY QUEEN: MISS UNIVERSE ZOZIBINI TUNZI CELEBRATES ON HOME SOIL |
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| Zozibini Tunzi may have captured the universe, but there's no place like home to celebrate one's birthday. |
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Tunzi, who has been vocal about gender-based violence, natural beauty and the empowerment of women during her reign (of which a great deal has been a virtual one), celebrated her 27th birthday on Friday, 18 September.
Lockdown restrictions had most of the world on pause for a while and the Miss Universe 2019 title holder has been forced to spend a few months social distancing in New York.
However, during a pandemic and a time like this, one really just wants to be at home with your family and while our borders are still closed for international travel, it seems from an Instagram post that Tunzi has been granted special permission to return home for a short private holiday.
She posted a picture of being back home in Sidwadweni, Eastern Cape, and emphasised how this short family break served as “restoration of the soul”.
South Africa and the rest of the world have been showing Miss Universe their love, affection and appreciation on Twitter.
The official Miss Universe page tweeted a tribute to Tunzi with a throw-back at some of her “best moments” at the Miss Universe pageant last year.
South African celebrities have also flooded Tunzi with their wishes.
The glory and praise went beyond just her beauty. Tunzi’s perspective of teaching young girl’s leadership and to “take up space” was something many remembered her by. Her women empowerment messages still stand strong as she recently posted a video supporting the idea of women doing whatever they want with their hair, clothes and bodies.
– Source: www.thesouthafrican.co.za |
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| LEADING ARTISTS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD COME TOGETHER FOR AFRICAN PAINTED DOG CONSERVATION |
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| Artists have created some incredible pieces featuring the beautiful wild dog, which will go on auction for charity in aid of conservation. |
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Launching on Tuesday, 15 September, a global art fundraiser “LYCAON – Artists for Painted Dogs” features over 30 international artists and photographers, who have come together to raise awareness and funds globally, for the endangered African Painted Dog (also known as Painted Wolves or African Wild Dogs). Artwork is available to preview from 29 September and go on sale at 12 noon (BST) on 6 October.
A century ago, approximately 500 000 Painted Dogs roamed the African continent. Less than 6 600, including around 700 breeding pairs, remain in the wild today, as a result of ongoing habitat fragmentation, snare poaching, road kills and diseases caught from domestic dogs. Artists are donating 50% or more of the proceeds from the sale of their artwork to Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe and Wildlife ACT in South Africa.
“Art is such a powerful tool to spread awareness and wonderment at the natural world. Touching people both visually and emotionally, it is something which when embraced, can be incredibly transforming. I hope with this exhibition, we will shine a light on the enigmatic but endangered Painted Dog and build a strong pack mentality with our contributing artists to continue working for the plight of all species threatened today”, says Heather Irvine, Artist and Curator, Artists for Painted Dogs.
African Painted Dogs, with their iconic Mickey Mouse ears, are one of Africa’s most enigmatic yet threatened predators. They are neither dog nor wolf but a canid in a separate genus called Lycaon – a very distant cousin to our domestic dogs.
Today, this remarkable species is extinct in 11 African countries and possibly extinct in eight other, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The exhibition, organised by renowned United Kingdom artist Heather Irvine, also includes Karen Laurence-Rowe (Kenya), Emily Lamb (Art Patron, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation), Nick Lyon (Director, BBC Dynasties Painted Wolves), Nick Dyer (author of Painted Wolves: A Wild Dog’s Life), Liberty Shuro (Zimbabwe), Livia Gomez (Brazil), Stephen Rew (David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year, 2019) and Nick Mackman (David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year, 2015).
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.co.za |
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| TABLE MOUNTAIN CABLEWAY NOMINATED FOR AFRICA’S WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2020 |
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| The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) has been nominated in the Leading Tourist Attraction Category of the 2020 World Travel Awards. Public voting closes on 24 September 2020. |
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Every year, the World Travel Awards celebrate the very best across the tourism and hospitality industries. The awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors. In 2019, TMACC took the top spot as Leading Tourist Attraction in Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Initially postponed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 awards will now take place in Antalya, Turkey, in late October.
“We are so excited that TMACC has been nominated for this prestigious award. This is a huge honour for us”, says Wahida Parker, Managing Director at TMACC.
“We are constantly working to provide our visitors with an experience of a lifetime, from the moment they purchase their tickets to the moment they are walking back to the cars or tour buses.
”TMACC is currently competing with giants in the attractions industry across the continent, which include: Mountain Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and two of the fellow Cape Town Big Six attractions – Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront.
Parker said that the cableway was focussed towards building a reputation that is centred on best practice – ultimately ensuring that visitors enjoy world-class experiences.
“As a responsible operator, it is important that we take a careful approach to operations, specifically in the social and physical environments that are the backbone of our establishment.”
Locals, travellers and tourism professionals vote for the awards and the focus is on excellence in customer service and overall experience.
“The Mountain belongs to all of us and I therefore would like to strongly urge all South Africans to go and vote for our New7Wonder of Nature,” adds Parker.
Voting closes on 24 September 2020. To vote, visit www.worldtravelawards.com/vote.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SPECTACULAR NEW ZIPLINES OF MORE THAN 2KM CROSS A GARDEN ROUTE GORGE |
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| The South African National Parks (SANParks) and South African Forest Adventures on Friday, 18 September 2020, launched new ziplines across a beautiful gorge between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape. |
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The four ziplines span 2.2 km in total, of which the longest is 700 metres. The four cables criss-cross the Kranshoek gorge, reaching heights of more than 200 metres.
A special opening price of R400 for the zipline tour applies for the period from 18 September until the end of October. From the start of November, the price doubles to R800.
South African Forest Adventures intends adding two extra cables to the zipline before the end of the year to take the number of cables to six, Managing Director, Clinton Lerm, says.
Adventurers can hire GoPro cameras for R300 to record their zipline experience.
Knysna Ziplines is located within the Knysna Lakes section of SANParks Garden Route National Park. The zipline is in the Kranshoek gorge and gives spectacular views of the Indian Ocean as well as fynbos and indigenous forest.
Mammals found in the park include bush pigs, baboons, bushbucks, Cape clawless otters and leopards, while the marine life includes Southern right whales and dolphins.
SANParks gave the zipline project the go-ahead in 2016 when South African Forest Adventures won the tender to build it and the concession to operate it.
The Knysna fires in 2017 disrupted the construction of the zip line.
Work on the project restarted in late 2018 and was completed at the cost of more than R4 million just before the national COVID-19 lockdown started on 27 March 2020.
The zipline office is at Harkerville Forest Lodge, which is 15 km from Plettenberg Bay and 20 km from Knysna.
SANParks Garden Route National Park Knysna Lakes section received about 100 000 visitors over the past three SANParks financial years.
SANParks expects that the new attraction will bring 10 000 extra visitors to the park in its first year.
Adventure guides, who will operate the zip line, have been seconded from other South African Forest Adventures sites and have thorough training in safety, according to SANParks.
These guides will train and mentor new staff recruited from nearby Kranshoek, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. The project created 40 jobs during construction and 15 staff will operate the zip line, according to SANParks spokesperson, Nandi Mgwadlamba.
– Source: Business Insider |
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| NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR TAKES ON THE #JERUSALEMA DANCE CHALLENGE |
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| We have been waiting for the release of this performance without even realising it; the Ndlovu Youth Choir have just released their “Jerusalema” rendition. |
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Master KG’s song Jerusalema has become a global dancing challenge. Every week, we see a new video trending online of a group dancing to the now smash hit. The song first premiered on YouTube in December 2019.
Master KG is a 24-year-old rising star who comes from Calais Village, Limpopo.
“Music Doesn’t Need Visa To travel And Music it Doesn’t Matter Where You Come From..and the type of music u do. It’s Possible To be heard all over the world. Just Believe In Your Self And Work Hard And Respect your work” – Master KG.
His fellow Limpopo stars, the Ndlovu Youth Choir from the beautiful Moutse Valley in rural Limpopo, was established in January 2009 with the aim of affording talented, underprivileged teenagers and young adults (14 - 24 years) the opportunity to perform locally and abroad proficiently.
The talented choir shot to global fame during their time on America’s Got Talent, 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.
They have joined in the Jerusalema dance challenge. Take a look at their rendition below.
https://www.goodthingsguy.com/fun/ndlovu-youth-choir-jerusalema/
– Sources: www.goodthingsguy.com / YouTube |
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| SOUTH AFRICA’S FABULOUS GOLDA SCHULTZ SINGS OF HOPE AT ROYAL ALBERT HALL |
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| Singing on the Last Night of the Proms, aka the BBC Proms, the summer festival of orchestral highlights, South Africa’s fantastic opera singer Golda Schultz recently gave a moving rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” from the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical “Carouse”. |
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Schultz, who was born in Cape Town and studied at Juilliard in New York, and is now living in Munich, Germany, has been getting rave reviews lately. The Last Night of the Proms this year takes place in an almost empty Royal Albert Hall in London.
In an interview with the Guardian before the Proms, Schultz said she had sung to a socially distanced audience in in Turin, Italy, in June. “I took part in Mozart’s Requiem to a socially distanced audience of 200 health workers. No words can describe how emotional that was. We all applauded each other at the end. There wasn’t a dry eye. It still tears me up just talking about it.”
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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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 POLITICAL SITUATION IN SYRIA, 18 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
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“Mr President, let me begin by thanking Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, for his comprehensive briefing today and congratulate him and his office for successfully holding the third round of discussions of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva.
“South Africa believes that the Constitutional Committee plays a pivotal role in enabling political discussion among various sectors of Syrian society, which can pave the way towards a Syrian-led and Syrian–owned political process.
"We urge the parties to engage in open and frank dialogue to foster a culture of cooperation and compromise, which is vital to any sustainable peace process. In this regard, we call on the parties to capitalise on the momentum gained from this most recent meeting, to work together, in good faith, on finalising the agenda and date for the fourth round of Constitutional Committee discussions.”
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0918.htm |
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| STATEMENT BY HE AMBASSADOR J M MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), OPEN VIDEO TELECONFERENCE MEETING OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TITLED, “HUMANITARIAN EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND PEACE AND SECURITY”, NEW YORK, 17 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
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“Mr President,
“Allow me to first congratulate Niger on its Presidency of the Security Council for the month of September 2020 and for convening this meeting to highlight the potential impact of environmental degradation on peace and security situations. There is certainly a need to better understand the impact of effective environmental governance and policy and whether this may influence the reduction of conflict and help bring about peace and security.
“South Africa recognises that climate change represents an existential threat to humanity and all other species. In fact, all forms of environmental degradation require our urgent attention and a progressive, ambitious and collective multilateral response from all Member States. Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, together with the other 16 Sustainable Development Goals, remains critical to the effective pursuit by all of humanity of the basic tenets of the 2030 Agenda: namely, the alleviation of poverty, by leaving no one behind on the path to sustainable development and by assisting those furthest behind first.”
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0917.htm |
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| STATEMENT BY THE PERMANENT MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), DURING THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFING ON PROTECTING CIVILIANS AFFECTED BY CONFLICT INDUCED HUNGER, 17 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
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“Mr President,
“Thank you for convening this briefing to address conflict induced hunger.
“I would also like to thank the Under Secretary-General of Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Mark Lowcock; the Director-General of Food and Agriculture Organisation, Mr QU Dongyu; and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Mr David Beasley, for their insightful briefing and bringing these realities to our attention.
“South Africa is deeply concerned about the increasing number of people suffering from malnutrition and food insecurity globally, including on the African continent and the Middle East. Hunger is on the rise, and millions of people are at risk. Hunger is both a cause and effect of war and conflict and remains a worrying threat to international peace and security. In this regard, this Council has a clear responsibility to act when it is linked to threats to international peace and security.”
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj0917a.htm |
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