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| OR TAMBO STATUE AND NEW RADISSON HOTEL UNVEILED |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially unveiled a statue in honour of the late struggle stalwart and global icon Oliver Reginald Tambo at OR Tambo International Airport. |
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Unveiled on Tuesday, 27 October 2020, the nine-metre tall bronze statue of OR Tambo comes at exactly 103 years since the birth of the globally respected leader.
“This statue forms part of Ekurhuleni’s bold vision to see our country’s liberation history prominently displayed in the province’s tourism hubs.
“Like the statue of President Mandela at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, I have no doubt that this one too will become a tourist attraction and that it will become an essential stop for visitors to the OR Tambo Cultural Precinct, which is doing so much to preserve the legacy of this great man,” said the President.
Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula; Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor, Mzwandile Masina; and members of the Tambo family joined the President at the unveiling.
The statue, which is situated outside the airport, pays tribute to the man who worked tirelessly to forge international support for the anti-apartheid struggle.
“It is therefore most fitting that this statue has been erected here at this airport that bears his name, and that is a gateway to the continent and to the world.
“As they take their first steps on South African soil, visitors to our country will see this magnificent bronze gleaming in the sunlight. This statue is a colossus, as was the man it commemorates,” said the President.
Following the unveiling, the President proceeded to unveil the R950-million Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre, which promises to be a significant boost to South Africa’s tourism economy.
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The hotel, which is scheduled to open its doors to the public on 2 November 2020, will debut the Radisson Hotel Group’s fourth brand, the upscale Radisson, in South Africa and is one of the key projects and catalysts towards the realisation of the City of Ekurhuleni’s 30-year Aerotropolis Masterplan.
This plan seeks to transform the city into a global logistics hub with OR Tambo International as the springboard.
The 248-room hotel boasts state-of-the-art facilities suited to discerning leisure hospitality as well as meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions, which serve business guests.
Once opened, the Radisson Hotel is set to create 565 full-time jobs. – Source: www.SAnews.gov.za |
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| GERD NEGOTIATIONS RESUME AFTER SEVEN-WEEK BREAK |
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| The trilateral negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) resumed on Tuesday, 27 October 2020, following a seven-week break. |
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Resumption of the talks followed extensive consultations with the heads of state of the GERD negotiation parties, which include the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi; Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed; and Sudan Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the commitment by the parties to pursue negotiations guided by the spirit of cooperation, goodwill and compromise, with a view to reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.
“The resumption of the trilateral negotiations on the GERD, under the auspices of the African Union (AU), is indicative of the strong political will and commitment by the leadership of the three parties involved in the negotiations to the peaceful and amicable resolution of the GERD matter. |
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“It is a reaffirmation of the confidence that the parties have in an African-led negotiations process, in line with the Pan-African maxim of African solutions to African problems – one of the cornerstones of the AU,” said President Ramaphosa.
In this regard, he reassured the three negotiating parties of the AU’s unremitting support and cooperation, and expressed his utmost confidence that the parties would reach agreement on the remaining issues, including those related to the technical and legal aspects of the negotiations.
“Without any doubt, the successful conclusion of the GERD negotiations will enhance and accelerate regional integration, while boosting cooperation and sustainable development in the region, for the benefit of Africa as a whole,” said President Ramaphosa. – Source: www.SAnews.gov.za |
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| AU COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND RAISES US$44 MILLION |
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| African Union (AU) Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, says while the AU COVID-19 Response Fund has to date raised US$44 million, more still needs to be done. |
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“I want to thank all the countries on the continent who have contributed, as well as our donor community partners and the continental and international business fraternity.
“However, we need to raise at least a further US$300 million to ensure assistance is provided to societies and countries in need, and to enable us to weather the health and economic storm in the weeks, months and years ahead,” said the President.
The call for more funds was made by the President during the virtual fund-raising webinar for the AU COVID-19 Response Fund on Saturday, 24 October 2020.
Established in April this year, the fund was set up to mitigate the social, economic and humanitarian impact of the pandemic across the continent. It is a financial instrument to mobilise and manage funds from the private sector and other stakeholders. |
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The fund also supports the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention – Africa CDC – which play a key role in the continental response.With eight months since the first reported case of Coronavirus on the African continent, over one million people have been infected with the virus in Africa, and close to 28 000 people have lost their lives.
“This pandemic will continue to be with us for a long time to come. Its effects on human health, on our societies and on our economies have been dire, and we are only now starting to fully comprehend the scale of the devastation.
“For us to continue to with prevention efforts, healthcare and case management for our people, the fund has to mobilise additional resources as quickly as possible,” said the President.
With the search for the COVID-19 vaccine still ongoing, President Ramaphosa said the need for funds was critical as the continent would need substantial resources to ensure equitable access for all African countries. |
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“I call on both our first-time donors and those who have pledged their support previously to give generously to the fund.
“In doing so, you are not just making a contribution to overcoming this current emergency – you are also making a solid investment in Africa’s recovery and in her future,” said President Ramaphosa. – Source: www.SAnews.gov.za |
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| AFRICA MUST AVOID A SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS |
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| The African Union (AU) Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has urged African countries to avoid a surge of infections, which could lead to a second wave and necessitate a more stringent lockdown. |
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“The pandemic has shown a great deal of resilience and countries that have experienced a decline in infections have also encountered surges in infections, which has made them revisit the lockdown measures.
“We must try to avoid that scenario in Africa. We remain optimistic that the momentum will not be lost and we will ensure that all outstanding work is completed,” he said.
The President made the call on Thursday, 22 October 2020, during the second mid-year coordination meeting of the AU, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs).
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) set to come into effect next year, President Ramaphosa called on countries to ensure that all outstanding issues were addressed, paving the way for its implementation.
“With the finish line now in sight, we must make this final push and ensure all outstanding issues on phases 1 and 2 are finalised in order for us to start trading by 1 January 2021,” said the President. |
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Division of Labour
The meeting welcomed progress made in the development of the detailed proposal on the Division of Labour by the AU Commission; the AU Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development; AfCFTA Secretariat; the African Peer Review Mechanism; the RECs; RMs and member states in the areas of trade, political affairs and peace and security.
“We look forward to the finalisation of the remaining areas concerning the Division of Labour for consideration at the latest by the 35th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in February 2022,” said President Ramaphosa.
This, he said, will give the relevant stakeholders enough time to consult and to come back with a comprehensive document, which had the buy-in of everyone. In this context, the AU would have fulfilled the aspirations set out in the institutional reform process.
The meeting also considered and noted the report of Ghanaian President and the Champion of the AU Financial Institution, Nana Akufo Addo.
The establishment of the AU Financial Institution is set to go a long way in fulfilling the objectives of the Abuja Treaty and further deepen the continental economic integration project.
“It is imperative that we strengthen the RECs as building blocs for Africa’s continental integration. Intensified coordination and harmonisation will bring us closer to the realisation of the African Economic Community, in line with the principles of the Abuja Treaty,” said President Ramaphosa. – Source: www.SAnews.gov.za |
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| AU CONDEMNS USE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST #ENDSARS PROTESTORS |
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| African Union (AU) Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has called on the Nigerian Government to desist from the use of violence and respect human rights and the rule of law amid the #EndSARS protests. |
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The call comes amid weeks of protests dubbed the #EndSARS protests on social media, calling for an end to police brutality by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Nigeria.
Amid mounting pressure, the SARS was disbanded by the Nigerian Government.
“As we meet here, we are deeply concerned about the violence that has taken place in recent days in Lagos in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We join the Chairperson of the AU Commission in calling on all political and social actors to reject the use of violence and respect human rights and the rule of law.
“We offer our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” said President Ramaphosa.
The President made the call during the second mid-year coordination meeting of the AU, the Regional Economic Communities (REC) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), held on Thursday, 22 October 2020. The mid-year coordination meeting is the principal forum for the AU, RECs and RMs to harmonise their work and coordinate implementation of the continental integration agenda.
Economic recovery post COVID-19
The meeting came as the continent is still in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the continent’s economy.
Through cooperation at a continental level, the AU formed the African Task Force for Coronavirus, which established the Partnership for Accelerated COVID-19 testing campaign, and launched the innovative Africa Medical Supplies Platform to ensure that all African countries have access to affordable medical equipment, diagnostics and other essential supplies.
“That we have been able to respond proactively to the COVID-19 threat is due to the great work of the AU Commission and the member states.
“On behalf of us all, I wish to thank His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Ms Amira Elfadil Mohammed, and the Director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr John Nkengasong, for their efforts,” said President Ramaphosa.
Economic integration
With eyes set on economic recovery, President Ramaphosa said the continent remained united in its quest for economic integration.
“While some RECs have made significant progress in key areas of integration, others have struggled to achieve the goals set out in their respective treaties and conventions and in meeting the milestones set out in the Abuja Treaty.
“We welcome the fact that all the RECs affirm the importance of trade in advancing economic integration,” he said.
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) set to come into operation next year, President Ramaphosa said economic integration would be given added momentum.
The AfCFTA offers the continent a great opportunity for job creation, industrial linkages, economic diversification and structural transformation.
“The pandemic will in the long term lead to a trade rebalancing, with economies in the developed world turning to localisation, local job retention and other programmes to support their respective recoveries.
“So too, must we use this opportunity to engage in greater trade with each other and to create more jobs and opportunities for our people, especially for youth, women and persons with disabilities,” said the President.
AfCFTA Protocol for African Women in Trade
With women identified as the driving force for trade in both the formal and informal economies, President Ramaphosa said greater economic opportunities must be afforded to women, including higher levels of public procurement for women-owned businesses.
“The African Union should consider an AfCFTA Protocol for African Women in Trade as a legislated instrument for trade facilitation for women in Africa.
“Without targeted trade facilitation, women will be excluded from the benefits of the AfCFTA by virtue of the structural barriers that women face in Africa’s economies,” he said. – Source: www.SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA WELCOMES THE 50TH RATIFICATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS (TPNW) |
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| South Africa welcomed the 50th ratification on 24 October 2020 of TPNW, allowing it to enter into force. |
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The seminal treaty was adopted by UN member states on 7 July 2017 and South Africa signed the treaty at a signing ceremony held on the margins of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2017 and ratified it on 25 February 2019.
The treaty prohibits all signatory countries from developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, transferring, possessing, stockpiling, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons, or allowing nuclear weapons to be stationed on their territory. It also prohibits them from assisting, encouraging or inducing anyone to engage in any of these activities.
Welcoming the final step for the treaty to come into force, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, stated: “The 50th ratification of the treaty, on United Nations Day, 25 October, is a watershed moment in humanities’ attempt to rid the world of nuclear weapons. It reminds us that nuclear energy should be solely used for peaceful purposes and not as a weapon of mass destruction.”
Minister Pandor noted: “South Africa is honoured, as the first country to have voluntarily eliminated all its nuclear weapons, to have played a leading role, together with several UN member states and members of civil society in ensuring that the treaty is agreed upon and now finally ratified. The treaty exemplifies the central goal of the UN, which according to the UN Charter is to 'save succeeding generations from the scourge of war'."
The Minister concluded: “Our collective goal must remain to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. In this regard, South Africa, working with others who maintain the same goal, will continue our efforts to ensure the complete elimination of all weapons of mass destruction.”
The treaty complements other international instruments by contributing towards fulfilling the nuclear disarmament obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the objectives of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and the various nuclear-weapon-free-zone treaties, such as the Pelindaba Treaty that already banned nuclear weapons in Africa. |
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| SADC DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE |
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| 25 October 2020 marked the day on which the member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) united in their resolve in calling for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. |
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The SADC Heads of State and Government, held in Tanzania in August 2019, declared 25 October as the day to stand in solidarity with Zimbabwe, an event in which SADC member states collectively voice their disapproval and condemnation of sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe through various activities and platforms until sanctions are lifted.
In this regard, the South African Government reaffirms its support to the SADC Summit’s decision to call for the unconditional and immediate removal of sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe. |
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| SOUTH AFRICA AND THE NETHERLANDS CO-HOST VIRTUAL GLOBAL CYBER POLICY DIALOGUE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA |
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South Africa and the Netherlands, in partnership with the EastWest Institute and Research ICT Africa, co-hosted a virtual Global Cyber Policy Dialogue for Southern Africa on Tuesday, 27 October 2020. The Cyber Dialogue conference was initiated on 3 February 2020 during the inaugural meeting of the Joint Commission for Cooperation between South Africa and the Netherlands. |
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Minister Naledi Pandor and her Dutch counterpart, Minister Stef Blok, discussed the international challenges related to cyber security and underscored the importance of close international cooperation in order to develop consensus at international level. The two countries, therefore, agreed to co-host a outhern Africa Global Cyber Policy Dialogue focussed on improving regional awareness and cooperation in cyber matters in southern Africa.
The online conference promoted awareness on cyber matters, focussing on governance, peace and security as well as capacity-building. The conference also reflected on the benefits and dangers of digitalisation, and sensitised participants on human rights, peace and security-related matters. Furthermore, the conference discussed how the United Nations could play an important role in shaping the use of cyberspace to create a better life for all in the global context.
South Africa and the Netherlands enjoy cordial and multi-faceted bilateral relations. Since 1994, South Africa and the Netherlands have forged a solid partnership that transcends many fields, including economic, trade, science and technology, education, judicial, multilateral and culture. |
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| CONGRATULATIONS POUR IN FOR NEW MISS SA |
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| The Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has congratulated the newly crowned Miss SA. |
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Shudufhadzo Musida, 24, from Limpopo walked away with the Miss SA 2020 title on Saturday in Cape Town.
Musida beat the other hopefuls from various provinces who were vying for the glittering crown named Buhle.
Thato Mosehle from North West was announced the first runner-up, while Natasha Joubert from Gauteng is the second runner-up.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said she was very impressed with Musida, who is currently studying towards an Honours degree in International Relations at Wits University. The stunner also has a Bachelor of Social Sciences in philosophy, politics and economics.
The new Miss SA said she was passionate about tackling mental health issues and was committed to spreading the message.
The beauty queen took to Twitter to express her gratitude. |
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“I am your Miss South Africa 2020. It’s finally sinking in. Thank you so much to everyone for your love and support. It took an entire village to get me here and I stand here on a mountain of prayers. I love you all so much,” she tweeted.
The Minister thinks that Musida’s strong leadership qualities demonstrate that she will be a sterling ambassador for the youth given the current persistent scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the country.
The department believes that mental health is strongly linked to GBVF.
The Minister said her victory also came at a time when the country was heading towards the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children 2020 Campaign.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said she would like to enlist Miss SA 2020 to collaborate with the department in the fight against GBVF.
“We have a responsibility not to fold our arms while we are witnesses to moral degeneration. The youth are the ones who bear the brunt of moral decay. They are often perceived as agents of immoral behaviour or helpless victims who need some external intervention. They themselves decry the lack of role models and opportunities for right living. We need strong interventions with youth to break this cycle,” said Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
The Minister has called on all South Africans to make interventions in their own spaces to respond to the scourge of GBVF as a society.
“Ambassadors like Miss South Africa are very important in addressing behavioural change that is needed to end the killing of women and children,” she added. – Source: www.SAnews.gov.za |
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| AT AGE 200, SA ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY (SAAO) DECLARED NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE |
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| The 200-year-old SAAO, with its headquarters in the Cape Town suburb of Observatory, has been unveiled as a national heritage site. |
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The facility was the first in the Southern Hemisphere. With a history dating back to 1820, this is a “living site”, with more than 200 years of prominence in the international astronomical community. Its main research telescopes are located at the observing site 15 kilometres from the Karoo town of Sutherland in the Northern Cape.
On a hilltop, 1 800 metres above sea level, stand 24 telescopes of various sizes and forms – some owned by SAAO and some hosted for international research institutes. The main telescope is known as the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).
These telescopes provide astronomers in South Africa and all over the world with access to the country’s exceptionally dark skies.
Lungisa Malgas, CEO of the SA National Heritage Association, said the agency was commemorating and celebrating the role that the SAAO continued to play as the oldest permanent observatory in the southern half of the world.
The SA National Heritage Resources Agency and the SAAO were on Tuesday joined by several government ministers at the event.
“It is at this very place that Cape astronomers observed the first measurement of a distance to a star, the first photographic sky survey, the accurate measurement of the distance to the sun … the determination of the shape of the Earth in the Southern Hemisphere and the first accurate geodetic surveys of southern Africa,” said Malgas.
The unveiling ceremony was part of a weeklong programme of events to celebrate the Observatory’s bicentennial excellence in Astrophysics research and the significant scientific role it has played as the oldest permanent observatory in the Southern Hemisphere. – Source: www.SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN IN NEW YORK WINS GOLD IN 2020 STUDENT ACADEMY AWARDS FOR "UMAMA" |
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| South African student Talia Smith, who is currently studying at New York University (NYU) in the United States of America, has won gold in the prestigious 2020 Student Academy Awards for her poignant short film "Umama", based on a true life account of her "domestic worker". |
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Talia received the news of her incredible achievement from none other than legendary movie director Spike Lee, himself a former Student Academy Award Winner (in 1983).
Talia’s proud mother shared a video of Lee delivering the news to Talia. He says "congratulations", and then adds "Gold is the top prize"!
According to the official Academy Awards website, previous winners have gone on to win 11 Oscars, and receive 63 Oscar nominations. And in fact, all Student Academy Award-winning films are eligible to compete for 2020 Oscars® in their Short Film Category.
Students from around the world competed for the awards and cash grants in the annual international competition. Only 18 won medals, of whom only seven received gold, including South Africa’s Talia, who won in the Narrative (Domestic Film Schools) Category.
And it’s not the first award Talia has received. Earlier this month, she won the First Time Female Filmmaker Award at the HER International Festival in Ireland.
Talia recently told Merry Go Round magazine that she was born and raised in South Africa, in a very large, tight-knit family filled with passionate storytellers, so from a young age she learnt that “keeping an audience engaged was a skill” and that you have to have a great ending. She was also drawn to filmmaking because both her mom (a producer) and father (an editor) work in the industry. |
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| She says she knew she wanted to work in film from the age of eight, and was drawn to New York from a childhood holiday where she spent the whole weekend in Toys R Us. It became her dream to study at NYU. – Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| TWO SOUTH AFRICAN LODGES ARE AMONG THE 17 TOP RESORTS IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO TRAVELLERS |
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| "Conde Nast Traveler" released its annual ranking of the best resorts in October. |
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To inform the list, the publication surveyed travellers via the annual Readers' Choice Awards.
This year's list is a little different since non-essential travel was on-hold for much of 2020, and it highlights places that resonated with readers "in a year when travel may have been out of reach".
Most of the top resorts this year are safari getaways in Africa, like Singita Sabi Sand's Boulder Lodge in South Africa.
Located in a wildlife reserve in South Africa, Singita Sabi Sand's Boulders Lodge features 12 suites with private decks and pools. Starting rates are around R32 000 a night per person. – Source: www.businessinsider.com |
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| THREE SOUTH AFRICAN FILMS WIN TOP AWARDS AT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL IN PORTUGAL |
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| Three fabulous South African films have won top awards at an international film festival in Viseu, Portugal. |
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The three films are: Mzansea, which won two first prizes, Welcome to Khayelitsha, which won a second prize and Love Hermanus’, which came second in the Locations Category.
The South Africa films were competing among 300 films from 45 countries at the Art & Tur International Tourism Film Festival.
Hugo Lambrechts from the South African Embassy in Portugal, who received the Love Hermanus Award on behalf of the filmmakers, said: “Proudly South African … So pleased with the success of this project over the last four years with seven inspiring SA films competing this year!” He explained that “lots of awards are in the form of the Barceloster Rooster, a historic figure in Portugal!”
Four of these were won by South African films! Many of the awards are in the form of the Barceloster Rooster, a historic figure in Portugal, said Hugo Lambrechts.
South Africa’s big winner, MzanSea, directed and edited by Otto Whitehead, celebrates the treasures of South Africa’s oceans where the country has increased the extent of its marine protected areas from 0.4 to 5%. – Source: www.sapeople.com
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| MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS ADDS SA DESIGNER'S WORK TO PERMANENT COLLECTION |
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| Thabisa Mjo of Johannesburg-based product design studio, Mash T. Design Studio, has become the first South African designer to have her work form part of the permanent collection at the renowned Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD) in Paris, France. |
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MAD was founded in 1905 and its permanent collection is dedicated to the exhibition and preservation of the decorative arts. The museum houses over 150 000 objects that epitomise the art of living and illustrate the heights of craftmanship.
The museum's collection stretches from the Middle Ages through to modern times, and includes contemporary pieces by the likes of legendary designers such as Le Corbusier and Philippe Starcke.
MAD has acquired two of Mjo's pieces: the Tutu 2.0 lamps and an eye-catching Mjojo cabinet.
Both pieces came to the museum’s attention because they were part of an exhibition of Mjo’s work at the Bonne Espérance Gallery, located in the centre of Paris, which ran from 19 June to 10 August 2019.
Bonne Espérance Gallery showcases work that is unique for its originality and diversity, and represents artists and designers hailing from the creative geography of South Africa and its neighbouring countries, Lesotho, eSwatini, Botswana and Namibia.
This is not the first time that Mjo’s work has been noticed internationally. Her products are featured in Nando’s restaurants across the globe. In 2019, she curated an exhibition of her own and other designer pieces at Milan Design Week, an initiative that was sponsored by Nando’s and mentored by Nando’s Design Programme Creative Director, Tracy Lynch.
Mjo first rose to local fame by jointly winning the first Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) talent search, a competition that is now in its third iteration, with a new winner to be announced in November 2020. Mjo was chosen as the inaugural HYD winner for her Tutu 2.0, a lamp inspired by xibelani, the traditional garment worn by Tsonga women. It is this very same piece that has been acquired by MAD, Paris. The Tutu 2.0 then went on to win the Design Indaba’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa Award in 2018.
The second piece acquired by MAD, Paris, the Mjojo cabinet, has a shape inspired by a brand of commonly used vertical water storage tanks called JoJo tanks. But it is also play on the Xhosa word umjojo, which can be loosely translated to mean something that makes one shy away from attention.
This word is the complete opposite of her intention with the cabinet, says Mjo, because the Mjojo “invites people to look at it because it is so wacky. It's so interesting to me to see other people being intrigued by this wacky cabinet, because for me, it was just this outlandish idea that I had, and really I wanted to satisfy my own curiosity to see if it could work.”
“I am completely thrilled to have my work represented on the international stage and as part of an important permanent collection, following my earlier exhibition at Bonne Espérance," states Mjo. – Source: www.bizzcommunity.com |
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| SA FILMMAKER SELECTED AS A FINALIST IN 2020 AFRICA IN MOTION SHORT FILM COMPETITION |
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The Africa in Motion Film Festival (AiM) has announced the shortlist for the annual Short Film Competition, which includes South African filmmaker Bernard Myburgh who was selected for his short film "Roger". AiM's annual Short Film Competition has been running successfully since 2008 and, this year, the festival received over 450 entries of outstanding quality and variety including animation. |
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Filmmakers from Africa and the Diaspora were invited to submit short films made after 2018 with a running time of no more than 30 minutes. The competition aims to promote and support the work of young and upcoming African talent.
The winning film and director will be announced at the festival’s closing and will receive a prize of £500. Viewers will be able to submit star ratings after watching the short films and an Audience Choice Award will be granted as a result. AiM aims to uplift the brilliance of African cinema, and this year’s competition is exemplary of the talented work that these aspiring creators continue to produce.
Ranging in topic, theme and form, the virtuosity of African film has shone through this unprecedented period. Viewing committee member Ben Allardyce says:
“The selection process for us wasn’t easy this year due to the range of great films that were submitted. However, we have managed to select 15 insightful films that we feel exhibit the strength and power of African filmmaking.”
The winner will be selected by an expert jury of international film practitioners well versed on the experiences of African and Black diaspora filmmakers.
The selected films for the Short Film Competition are: “Da Yie (Good Night)” by Anthony Nti (Ghana, 2019); "Habib” by Shady Fouad (Egypt, 2019); “Henet Ward (Ward’s Henna Party)” by Morad Mostafa (Egypt, 2019); "The Trap” by Nada Riyadh (Egypt, 2019); “The Volcano’s Last Wish” by Guenny K Pires(Cape Verde, 2020); “Bablinga” by Fabien Dao (Burkina Faso, 2020); "KaunaPawa (Invisibles)“ by Joel Haikali (Namibia, 2019); "This Day Won’t Last” by Mouaad el Salem (Tunisia, 2020); “Sun and Moon” by Amira El Badry (Egypt, 2020); “Serotonin” by Shehab Satti (Sudan, 2018); “Ser Feliz No Vão (Happy In The Gap)” by Lucas H Rossi dos Santos (Brazil, 2020); “Troublemaker” by Olive Nwosu (Nigeria, 2019); “Journée Noire” by Yoro Mbaye (Senegal, 2019); “We Do What We Can” by Kwake Awuku Asabre (United Kingdom, 2019); and “Roger” by Bernard Myburgh (South Africa, 2020). – Source: www.bizzcommunity.com |
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| STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, DURING THE SECURITY COUNCIL VIDEO TELECONFERENCE OPEN DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE, 26 OCTOBER 2020 |
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"Thank you,
"Mr President for giving me the floor. We express our appreciation to Deputy Minister Vershinin for chairing our meeting.
"Allow me to take this opportunity to welcome Dr Riad Al-Malki, Foreign Minister of the State of Palestine to the Council, and thank you for your participation here today.
"I would also like to thank Special Coordinator, Mladenov, for his frank and useful update on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. South Africa welcomes your offices concerted efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict that arises out of the occupation of Palestinian Territories and urge you to continue these efforts so that the UN plays a key role, as the representative of the international community, in finding a solution to the Palestinian/Israeli matter.
"We took note of the remarks by the new Israeli Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the recent events in the Middle East between Israel and United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, three members of the League of Arab States. We had hoped that these events will lead to less suffering of Palestinians in prisons, exile and internally displaced from their homes."
Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2020/matj1026.htm |
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