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| PRESIDENT PARTICIPATES IN SADC EXTRAORDINARY DOUBLE TROIKA SUMMIT |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa led South Africa's delegation, on Thursday, 27 May 2021, at the Extraordinary Double Troika Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Maputo, Mozambique. |
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The SADC Extraordinary Double Troika discussed insecurity and violence in the region, including insecurity in the Cabo Delgado province in the Republic of Mozambique.
President Ramaphosa was accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; and Minister of State Security, Ayanda Dlodlo.
The SADC Troika is presently chaired by the Republic of Mozambique, with the Republic of Malawi as Incoming Chair and the United Republic of Tanzania as Outgoing Chair.
The Troika of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation consists of the Republic of Botswana as Current Chair, the Republic of South Africa as Incoming Chair and the Republic of Zimbabwe as Outgoing Chair. |
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These together constitute the SADC Double Troika.
The Double Troika was preceded by meetings of ministers and senior officials. |
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| AFRICA SHOULD UNITE TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC RECOVERY |
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| With Africa Day being celebrated on Tuesday, 25 May 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the continent to deepen its efforts to achieve a sustainable and lasting social and economic recovery for its citizens. |
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“Ours must become a continent that is thriving and prosperous, not one from which its people are dying in an attempt to leave,” the President said on Monday, 24 May 2021, in the latest instalment of his weekly newsletter.
The statement was in the wake of African heads of state and government last week converging in Paris when French President Emmanuel Macron convened the Financing of African Economies Summit.
“While we celebrate the progress we have made towards building a peaceful and prosperous continent, events in faraway North Africa show that we still have a long way to go.
“Life is so difficult for millions of people on our continent and opportunities so few that they would risk their lives crossing the sea in pursuit of a better future,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people already suffering from the effects of conflict, under-development and poverty even more vulnerable.
“African economies have been severely damaged and growth prospects are greatly diminished. Many of the continent’s developmental gains may be reversed as the fight against the pandemic takes precedence over other national priorities like poverty eradication. Although low-income countries are especially vulnerable, middle-income countries like our own have also been severely hit,” he said.
Support and economic recovery
To support the continent’s economic recovery, African governments have been working through the African Union (AU) to mobilise significant financing to meet their developmental goals.
At the summit, South Africa reiterated its support for a comprehensive and robust economic stimulus package for Africa to aid the recovery.
But, said the President, this should not be a substitute for official development aid.
“We welcomed the steps taken by financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support low- and middle-income countries, and called for further measures to support vulnerable countries.
"This would include an allocation by the IMF of what are known as Special Drawing Rights, where on the basis of membership quotas, around US$33 billion would be released to increase the reserves of African countries.
“African leaders have, however, argued that an amount of US$33 billion, while welcome, is not sufficient to meet the challenges that the continent faces. As the more developed economies are set to receive much of the US$650 billion of Special Drawing Rights to be issued, we believe that 25% (which equates to US$162.5 billion) should be made available to African countries.”
He said other measures would include increased concessional financing by international institutions and development agencies, and additional measures led by the G20 countries to provide African countries with debt relief.
In what was described as a New Deal for Africa, leaders and international organisations recognised that the continent shared a collective responsibility to implement financial relief measures for African countries in distress.
The President said the international experience with COVID-19 had been a lesson in the importance of collaboration between African countries and with our international partners.
“Our gains as a continent have been because we have both drawn on our own capabilities and worked with the international community.
“As African countries, we want to help ourselves and not be told what is good for us. The principle of ‘nothing about us without us’ should be applied. It is important that we affirm our sovereignty as free and independent states capable of determining the destiny of our continent,” he said.
While countries have immediate financing needs, President Ramaphosa said a sustainable economic recovery could only be assured if the continent increased levels of investment on the continent.
“Investing in African economies will contribute to making Africa the next champion of global growth,” he wrote.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area will play a key role in the continental recovery. We also envisage a greater role for the continental network of African public development banks to mobilise funding to support key projects in health, education, infrastructure, green growth and other sectors.”
African leaders acknowledge the centrality of good governance, public debt management, financial integrity and creating a more favourable climate for private-sector investment in their economies.
Unity and cooperation
President Ramaphosa said the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in unprecedented levels of unity and cooperation between African countries.
“It has seen the continent strengthen its ties with the broader international community and global institutions.”
He reiterated South Africa’s commitment to deepening Africa’s efforts to achieve a sustainable and lasting social and economic recovery for the citizens of Africa.
“Ours must become a continent that is thriving and prosperous, not one from which its people are dying in an attempt to leave. What happens in one part of our continent affects us all, and so we must work together to recover from this crisis, and to ensure that our continent grows and thrives,” he said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PRESIDENT PARTICIPATES IN AFRICA DAY WEBINAR |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday, 25 May 2021, participated in a webinar marking the celebration of Africa Day. |
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The President’s participation in the webinar, titled “A Conversation with Africa”, under the theme, “A Destiny of Peace, Prosperity, Strength and Unity”, was at the invitation of Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
The Presidency in an advisory said the event was part of a series of webinars that started earlier this year, aimed at enhancing the relationship between Africa and the Caribbean.
They are hosted by a collaboration between the South African High Commission in Kingston and the Jamaican Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports.
“The initiative aims to strengthen and boost South Africa-Jamaica bilateral relations and further revive the broader Africa-Caribbean Partnership, and as a result, forge even stronger strategic, economic, cultural and political cooperation between the two countries,” the advisory read.
The two countries enjoy a special relationship and share a tradition of pursuing racial equality.
The Presidency said Africa Day was a very important day for the people of the continent and those in the Diaspora, as it commemorated the establishment of the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The OAU in 2002 became the African Union, especially for its role in decolonisation and African independence.
President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Holness were joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith; Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange: and South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, in the webinar.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TO HOST PRESIDENT MACRON ON STATE VISIT |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 28 May 2021, host President Emmanuel Macron of the Republic of France on a State Visit at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. |
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President Macron’s first visit to South Africa is at the invitation of President Ramaphosa.
The visit is aimed at strengthening the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which is substantiated by a number of bilateral agreements in various areas of cooperation.
The two countries are committed to advocating for world peace and security, strengthening multilateral and regional cooperation and responding to climate change.
The visit will focus on issues pertaining to the global response to COVID-19 and the economic, health, research and manufacturing responses to the current pandemic and beyond.
The leaders will also discuss the expansion of mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities. South Africa is France’s largest trading partner in Africa while France is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner within the European Union trading bloc. Approximately 400 French companies are represented in South Africa. During the 2019 South Africa Investment Conference, French companies pledged R20 billion of investment into South Africa. |
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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA CALLS FOR EQUITABLE VACCINATION ACCESS |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for equitable vaccine access as poorer countries lag behind in their COVID-19 inoculation drive. |
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Speaking during the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA), President Ramaphosa said this week’s assembly was taking place in one of the critical periods in recent history as countries grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At this year’s World Health Assembly, we’re urged to end this pandemic, prevent the next one and build a healthier, safer and fairer world,” he said on Monday, 24 May 2021.
To achieve this year’s agenda, President Ramaphosa has called on world leaders to urgently address the huge divide in the provision of lifesaving jabs.
“Millions of people in wealthier nations have been vaccinated, while billions of people in poorer countries still wait and are still vulnerable to infection, disease and death.”
He believes that all leaders need to work together to remedy the situation.
“This is not only a moral imperative. Effective and comprehensive global vaccination is vital to ending the pandemic. None of us can hope to be safe unless we’re all safe all over the world.”
The WHA is the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO) attended by all member states.
Increase vaccine production
President Ramaphosa, who co-chairs the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, has also pleaded with the global leaders to continue to support the initiative to raise US$18.5 billion.
The ACT Accelerator is a global collaboration accelerating the development, production and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines.
“We must urgently increase vaccine production across the world, including in low- and middle-income countries.”
He also shone the spotlight on the limited waiver on intellectual property rights as a mechanism to promote rapid, equitable access.
According to the President, this will allow countries to allow the use of intellectual property, share technologies to produce vaccines and therapeutics, lower prices and expedite distribution to everyone across the globe.
“As we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, we need to build more robust pandemic response systems.”
He told delegates that countries must invest in national health systems, as they are crucial to the health of people and the sustainability of economies.
“While the pandemic has exposed some of the weaknesses in our respective health systems, it has also required decisive measures to strengthen them.”
Meanwhile, the President said he believed that building healthier, safer and fairer lives was also about delivering integrated services for HIV, tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases and maternal, newborn and child services.
He paid tribute to the contribution of the millions of health workers and other frontline personnel who have demonstrated amazing courage and dedication.
He also thanked the WHO’s Director-General (DG), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, and his staff for the “excellent” job done in managing this pandemic.
Vaccine crisis
DG Ghebreyesus also shared President Ramaphosa's sentiments.
He said the ongoing vaccine crisis was a "scandalous" inequity that was perpetuating the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to DG Ghebreyesus, over 75% of all vaccines have been administered in just 10 countries.
“There is no diplomatic way to say it: a small group of countries that make and buy the majority of the world’s vaccines control the fate of the rest of the world,” DG Ghebreyesus added.
In addition, he said the number of vaccine doses administered globally so far would have been enough to cover all healthcare workers and the elderly, had they been distributed equally.
"But right now, there is not enough supply. Countries that vaccinate children and other low-risk groups now do so at the expense of healthcare workers and high-risk groups in other countries."
DG Ghebreyesus said since the assembly started on Monday, almost 1 000 people had lost their lives to COVID-19.
“And in the time it takes me to make these remarks, a further 400 will die.”
The 74th WHA, which kicked off on Monday under the theme, “Ending this Pandemic, Preventing the Next: Building Together a Healthier, Safer and Fairer world”, will conclude on 1 June 2021.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA PARTICIPATES IN GLOBAL HEALTH SUMMIT |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa on 21 May 2021 participated in the Global Health Summit to share lessons learned from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and discuss ways to improve global health security through enhanced cooperation, coordination, joint action and solidarity. |
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The virtual summit was co-hosted by the President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Italy, Mario Draghi, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The summit focussed on matters related to:
- better monitoring, anticipation, characterisation and sharing of information threats
- policies and actions to enhance pandemic preparedness
- mutually agreed control measures to contain threats in a coordinated manner
- promoting the rapid development, production, distribution and global access to medical countermeasures
- ensuring sustainable and agile financing support for collaborative action, and the endorsement of the summit outcome, the “Rome Declaration” of Principles.
G20 and invited global leaders, international and regional organisation heads, and representatives of global health bodies attended the summit. |
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| MINISTER PANDOR WELCOMES MEMBERS OF PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT |
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| The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, on behalf of South Africa, as the host country, delivered the welcoming remarks at the opening of the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Fifth Pan-African Parliament (PAP), at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, on Monday, 24 May 2021. |
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The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, delivered the keynoted address as the Guest of Honour at the ceremony.
The ceremony was held under the African Union’s theme for 2021: “Year of the Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want”. |
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| SOUTH AFRCA DELIVERS MAIZE MEAL TO SUPPORT ZIMBABWE'S FLOODING VICTIMS |
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| South Africa will provide tons of maize meal to the people of Zimbabwe who were affected by severe flooding caused by the tropical cyclone Idai weather system in 2019. |
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The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, travelled to Zimbabwe on Africa Day, 25 May 2021, to officially hand over the first shipment.
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, will receive the consignment on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe at the State House in Harare, Zimbabwe,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said.
The department said South Africa responded to an appeal from the Zimbabwean Government in 2019 for humanitarian assistance.
DIRCO said this was in response to infrastructure destruction and loss of human life caused by severe flooding.
According to ReliefWeb, the largest humanitarian information portal in the world, at least 82 deaths and over 200 injuries were reported, mainly in Chimanimani, while 217 people went missing.
Through the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund, the department said South Africa pledged R50 million in humanitarian support to assist those affected by the cyclone in Zimbabwe.
The assistance consists of 450 000 bags of 12.5 kg maize meal to be distributed to the affected families.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 delayed the implementation of the project, which will now be completed by September 2021.”
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA FORGES SOLIDARITY WITH PEOPLE OF PALESTINE |
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| International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has called on the United Nations (UN) and the Gulf Council to be more resolute in pursuing freedom for the people of Palestine. |
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The Minister said this when she tabled the department’s Budget Vote during a mini plenary of the National Assembly on Thursday, 20 May 2021.
This came after tensions arose when Israeli authorities embarked on violent removals of Palestinians from their homes, leaving many displaced and stripped of their human rights and dignity.
“The recent vicious attacks by Israel on Palestinian people and the forced removal of Palestinians from their homes is clear evidence of the absence of peace and security for millions worldwide.
“Sadly, we all watched as Palestine suffered more and more brutally. Greater effort must be exerted to achieve peace in the Middle East. Powerful nations must accept that we all depend on each other and even the most powerful will not achieve peace and security through unilateral actions and neglect of the poor, the oppressed and marginalised.
“We call on the UN and the Gulf Council to be more resolute in pursuing freedom for the people of Palestine,” she said.
In her address to the mini plenary, Minister Pandor said the South African Government was pleased to be serving in the UN Peacebuilding Commission for 2021 to 2022, as this will contribute towards the maintenance of international peace and security just as South Africa did during its term on the UN Security Council.
She said peace and security were extremely fragile or absent in many parts of the globe.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA TO CLOSE 10 DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS |
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| Ten diplomatic missions will be closed as part of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation's (DIRCO) efforts to cut costs. |
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Minister Naledi Pandor announced on Thursday, 20 May 2021, that the department had taken a hard but necessary decision to close 10 diplomatic missions abroad in response to South Africa's fiscal constraints, which were worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Pandor said the missions, which included embassies, high commissions and consulates, were being closed systematically during the 2021/22 financial year.
“This decision is deeply regretted and South Africa expresses its confidence that the excellent diplomatic relations with these countries and regions will continue through the non-resident missions, and the diplomatic missions represented in South Africa,” she said.
Minister Pandor was addressing journalists before presenting her department's budget to Parliament on Thursday afternoon.
“We wish to assure South African citizens resident abroad, businesses and tourists that a smooth transfer of civic and immigration services to non-resident missions is under way.
“All affected stakeholders are advised to check with the affected embassies and consulates general on the exact dates of termination of services,” said Minister Pandor.
She said further announcements on the transfer of civic and immigration services would be made on the websites of DIRCO, the Department of Home Affairs and the affected missions.
The missions earmarked for closure are:
- Minsk, Belarus
- Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
- The Holy See, The Vatican
- Helsinki, Finland
- Milan, Italy (consulate)
- Muscat, Oman
- Suva, Fiji
- Bucharest, Romania
- Lima, Peru
- Chicago, United States of America (consulate).
Minister Pandor said there had had been an increasing need to “do more with less” as a result of the fiscal constraints faced by government. The outbreak of COVID-19 had also presented new challenges to the economic climate.
The funding pressures have necessitated cutbacks in the operational budget and require DIRCO to become more strategic to ensure resource constraints do not unduly impact South Africa’s international footprint and influence, she said.
– Source: TimesLIVE |
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| MINISTER PANDOR HOSTS MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE |
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| The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, hosted her Zimbabwean counterpart, Dr Frederick Shava, on a Working Visit to South Africa on Friday, 21 May 2021 in Cape Town. |
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The visit by Minister Shava took place against the historical and fraternal bonds between South Africa and Zimbabwe, which were cemented during the period of the struggle for liberation against colonialism and apartheid.
The two ministers discussed a wide range of bilateral, continental and international issues of mutual concern.
South Africa and Zimbabwe consolidate their strategic relations through a Bi-National Commission, which is a structured bilateral mechanism, to coordinate and forge bilateral cooperation and partnership between the two countries. |
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| GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL CHARLOTTE MAXEKE HONORARY INITIATIVE |
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| Government will launch the Charlotte Maxeke African Women’s Economic Justice and Rights Initiative in honour of the remarkable role the late social and political activist and icon played in promoting South Africa abroad. |
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According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the initiative’s objective is to mobilise the global community behind the Gender Equality Forum’s Global Acceleration Plan, particularly the Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights.
Addressing media ahead of her department’s Budget Vote in Parliament, Minister Naledi Pandor said this year’s theme was: “Building Back Better to Advance the Legacy of Charlotte Maxeke”.
“Our government declared 2021 The Year of Charlotte Maxeke. Our theme, therefore, celebrates this remarkable woman, who would have turned 150 years this year.”
According to the Minister, in celebrating her legacy, DIRCO will reflect on her internationalism.
She cited Daluxolo Moloantoa’s article on how Maxeke used her singing talent to travel the world, flying South Africa’s flag high on the global stage, gaining international stardom.
South Africa’s flag high on the global stage, gaining international stardom.
Maxeke also became the first black South African woman to graduate with a Bachelor of Science from Wilberforce University in Ohio, United States.
The Minister also recalled how Maxeke and her choir members were left stranded and penniless on the streets of New York after their choir conductor vanished with all their money.
“[Maxeke’s] name was recognised in the newspapers by Bishop Daniel A Payne, of the African Methodist Church in Ohio, who went on to offer her an international scholarship. The scholarship emerged from a crisis and was indeed an act of solidarity.”
Minister Pandor said Maxeke championed several programmes, including opening doors for other South Africans, especially women, to study at Wilberforce University.
The Minister believes the activist’s story and values of Ubuntu resonate with the department.
“The core of our foreign policy is to improve the living conditions of South Africans and contribute to the well-being of our fellow Africans as well as all those who are yearning for freedom, peace and prosperity in the world. It is in our interest that Africa and the world is peaceful, politically united and economically prosperous.”
Charlotte Maxeke African Women’s Economic Justice and Rights Initiative
According to Minister Pandor, the initiative will be implemented in three phases.
She announced the Charlotte Maxeke Africa Future Leadership Programme, which will be launched in June.
She said it would provide mentorship and training opportunities for youth in international policy and diplomacy work, and target 70% youth leaders from Africa and 30% from South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Maxeke African Women's Leadership Awards will celebrate women leaders across the continent.
“They will recognise and honour exceptional African women leaders whose achievements, mentorship, influence and contributions have advanced Africa’s development in various sectors of society.”
The annual Charlotte Maxeke Minister's Breakfast with women ambassadors will provide the opportunity for Minister Pandor to engage the ambassadors on gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives.
The Minister said details of the second phase, scheduled to start between 2022 and 2023, would be announced later.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| DEPUTY MINISTER MASHEGO-DLAMINI PARTICIPATES IN A PANEL DISCUSSION FOCUSSING ON AFRICA MONTH |
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| The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Candith Mashego-Dlamini, participated in a hybrid panel discussion focussing on Africa Month at the University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, on Wednesday, 26 May 2021. |
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Participants in the panel discussion were students from the faculties of International Relations, Political Science and Law. The Deputy Minister reflected on the importance of academia or education in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy.
Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini said that: “Foreign policy in practice requires an effective interface among various stakeholders whose activities abroad have a bearing on whether or not South Africa achieves its goals.
“There is growing realisation in international relations that civil societies, NGOs, business and the whole of government have a reinforcing effect on a country’s foreign policy.” |
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| PARLIAMENT PAYS HOMAGE TO AU FOUNDING FOREBEARS |
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| As South Africa joined the continent in commemorating Africa Day, on 25 May 2021, Parliament paid homage to all founding forebears of the African Union (AU), who sacrificed lives and livelihoods to attain liberation and freedom across the continent. |
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“As we celebrate this day, we are acutely conscious of the ideals our forebears struggled for, which included the battle against poverty, inequality, wars and conflicts, and limited share of resources,” Parliament’s presiding officers said in a statement on Tuesday, 25 May 2021.
The presiding officers, Speaker Thandi Modise of the National Assembly, and Chairperson Amos Masondo of the National Council of Provinces, also expressed appreciation towards the efforts to mainstream Africa in the world fight against COVID-19, with efforts to break barriers to access to life-saving interventions and vaccines.
“We expect the vaccination programme to gain the requisite momentum towards the necessary herd immunity that will break the back of the pandemic,” the presiding officers said.
The presiding officers noted that with just over 24 million COVID-19 doses administered on the continent, they hoped that AU member states’ heightening their collaboration efforts will be able to place the vaccination programme on a higher trajectory, “as Africa overcomes this and other related challenges”.
They further encouraged Africans to heed the call and get vaccinated as roll-outs are steadily gaining momentum across the continent.
Parliament has adopted the theme, “The Year of Arts, Culture and Heritage – Building a Better Africa and a Better World in the Midst of COVID-19”, which aptly articulates the current challenges facing the continent. It also provides a good framework for interventions and mobilisation of international support.
The officers said these efforts included strengthening the execution of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, mobilising world nations to remove patent barriers to the production of sufficient vaccines to fight the Coronavirus pandemic and financing African economies to enable their remodelling and recalibration.
“We noted with appreciation the resolutions of the summit of the heads of state that met earlier this month in France to finance African economies, using global financial firepower to replenish depleted coffers of the African economies and ramp up a slow vaccine roll-out on the continent.
“We strongly believe in human solidarity across the world, driven by an understanding that we can only be safe from the pandemic when all of us are safe, and when Africa and other developing nations are enabled to access and produce requisite quantities of vaccines to protect their people.”
The presiding officers also affirmed their confidence that “other major priorities of the continent, as part of striving to reach the 2063 development goals, will receive critical attention”.
Africa Day
Africa Day is intended to celebrate the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963.
The OAU’s main objectives were, among others, to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonisation and apartheid, to promote unity and solidarity among African states and to promote international cooperation.
The AU was launched in 2002. It followed a decision by the OAU to create a new continental organisation as there was a need to refocus attention from the fight for decolonisation, and ridding the continent of apartheid towards increased cooperation and integration to drive Africa’s growth and economic development.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| AFRICA COMMUNICATIONS WEEK 2021: THE SOUTH AFRICAN EDITION |
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| On Monday, 24 May 2021, the South African edition of Africa Communications Week 2021 kicked off. |
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The week-long event is bringing together communication professionals, media and press attachés based in South Africa to deliberate on the theme: “Changing Perceptions on Africa: Saving Lives, Saving Livelihoods”. The event is hosted by PR Trends ZA, the Government Communication and Information System, Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Africa Communications Week forms part of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s programme for Africa Month 2021.
The programme includes panel discussions, workshops and webinars.
Africa Communications Week was born in 2017 out of a realisation that, in this interconnected world, there were way too many communication professionals around the globe trying to impact the Africa narrative and working in isolation. The first edition started in 2017. The South African edition of Africa Communications Week has been running since 2018. Since then, Africa Communications Week has built bridges and has grown into the premier gathering for professionals passionate about the transformation of the continent through strategic communication.
Narratives surrounding Africa have an impact on the socio-economic development of the continent. Africa-focussed communicators must, therefore, be strategic about shaping a narrative that is so vital to the transformation of the continent. |
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| INVESTING IN SCIENCE VITAL FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S FUTURE, DEVELOPMENT |
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| The devastation brought about by COVID-19 and the manner in which South Africa responded to the pandemic has shown how important it is to invest in science to safeguard the nation’s future. |
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This is according to Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, who tabled the Science and Innovation Budget Vote on Tuesday, 18 May 2021.
“One of the lessons is that investing in science is vital for South Africa's future and its development.
“Our science and innovation investments made in the past decades led to us to building expertise, infrastructure and research capacity needed in our response when diseases strike.
“This was demonstrated when our National System of Innovation leveraged our response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
As the pandemic swept across the world and left death and economic devastation in its wake, South Africa pulled all its resources together to respond to the outbreak through science-driven solutions.
South Africa’s infrastructure, in response to COVID 19, includes the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, which saw local scientists lead investigations into the evolutionary characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and detected a new variant, dubbed 501Y.V2.
There is also the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research and the South African Biodiversity Institute whose research and development portfolios include pathogen genomics, and the skills needed in the areas of vaccines, biochemistry, microbiology and genetics, among others.
South Africa has established an indigenous knowledge-based research team that is investigating seven mono-herbal and two multi-herbal medicine formulations with potential relevance to COVID-19.
“We are also collaborating with the North-West University to raise public awareness on the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Act.”
Minister Nzimande also said other interventions made include:
- Data modelling, through the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Command and Control Collaborator situational awareness platform for COVID-19. This provides close to real-time data on the Coronavirus outbreak per province, district, local municipality and ward.
- The SA Population Research Infrastructure Network’s random sample of household’s research to document the knowledge, behaviour and outcomes of these households in relation to non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 measures.
- The Human Sciences Research Council surveys to measure the public response to COVID-19 and the effects of lockdown.
- The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory National Ventilator Project.
- The deployment of hydrogen fuel cell systems in hospitals and medical facilities.
“These infrastructure networks and investments were instrumental in allowing our government to respond quickly and effectively in managing the Coronavirus outbreak.
“They also demonstrated our world-class competence in identifying variants and keeping science at the foundation of government decisions.”
Cabinet has approved the department’s strategy to drive a multipronged national vaccine production and development strategy to secure the nation’s long-term pandemic preparedness.
“In this regard, [the department] is working closely with Biovac, in which the State has 47% shareholding, to increase the scope of public participation, and leveraging capital investment by domestic private and international vaccine players, to build South Africa’s vaccine production resilience.
“We hope to build strong partnerships with China, Russia and other BRICS partners, as well as European and North American partners. We are particularly pleased at the commitment of expatriates, most notably, Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, a former graduate of Wits University, to invest in our nation’s future pandemic security.”
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| MINISTER MTHETHWA EXTENDS CONDOLENCES TO MJOKES MATSANE'S FAMILY |
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| The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has extended its deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of iconic kwaito group, Trompies's, Emmanuel Mojalefa “Mjokes” Matsane. |
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Matsane, who was a co-director of Kalawa Jazzme Records, passed away in a car accident, after a performance in Soweto on Sunday.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, said Mjokes was part of a collective that created a unique musical genre for South Africa.
“His contribution to the development of Kwaito and the music industry are notable life achievements,” Minister Mthethwa said in a statement.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA LANDS SEVERAL NOMINATIONS FOR 2021 WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS |
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| South Africa walked away with 23 World Travel Awards in 2020; and now, it has been nominated for even more awards in 2021 |
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The World Travel Awards have announced the 28th annual award ceremony nominees. South Africa has received several nominations within the Africa category.
There are over 65 travel categories, and South Africa, or a South African business, has been nominated in every category.
The World Travel Awards have been running since 1994 and have featured the world’s best travel destinations and more. 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.
This year, some of the most notable award nominations include:
The nominations for Africa’s Leading Airports include all three major international airports in South Africa. That is a nod to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Africa’s Leading Tourist Destinations include Robben Island, Table Mountain and V&A Waterfront. All a big nod to Cape Town.
Gqeberha, formally Port Elizabeth, joins Cape Town with a nomination for the Leading Cruise Port in Africa. Similarly, Plettenberg Bay gets a nomination for the Leading Beach Destination in Africa – already a massive win for the small beach town!
South Africa is being featured heavily this year, and it is a big boost for tourism to come.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com/ |
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| FROM ZOZI TO ROLENE: GLAMOROUS GOWNS NOW ON DISPLAY IN SANDTON |
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| If you are a fan of designer dresses, now is your chance to see the #BespokeByBiji exhibition at The Diamond Walk in Sandton. |
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A collection of glamorous gowns worn by South African celebrities such as the longest-reigning Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi, and Miss World 2014, Rolene Strauss, is now on show as part of the #BespokeByBiji exhibition at The Diamond Walk in Sandton City, Johannesburg.
According to TimesLive, one of the highlights of this exhibit is the gown designed for Zozi’s crowning moment as Miss Universe in 2019.
The gown was designed by local designer Birgit Gibbs (or Biji as she’s known professionally known) who has been in the fashion industry since 1990.
Of the award-winning “Sunrise Ocean Dress”, Zozi said at the time: “[This] dress symbolises where I come from; it represents the brown of the sand and the blue of the ocean. I feel like I have South Africa with me on the stage.”
The dress is said to be the main attraction at the exhibit that will run until 6 June 2021.
“I had never in my life invested as much time and effort into a garment as I did while making Tunzi’s 2019 crowning gown,” Biji said, adding that it took 1 400 hours and 132 000 beads to make.
She also created the striking dress Zozi wore in her final moments as the reigning Miss Universe at the pageant’s finale on Sunday, 16 May 2021.
It is reported that Rolene Strauss’ red dress that she wore when she handed over her Miss World crown, will also be on display.
Also on display is the Xhosa-inspired evening dress she created for Thulisa Keyi to wear while representing Mzansi on the Miss World stage in 2018.
Boity Thulo’s blue dress that she wore in a campaign promoting her hair care range will also be displayed, while Natasha Joubert’s gown that she wore at the 2021 Miss Universe is also free to see at the exhibit.
– Source: www.thesouthafrican.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICA FEATURED ON ONE OF THE MOST SUBSCRIBED CHANNELS IN THE WORLD |
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| Even during the global pandemic, South Africa has been featured as a bucket list travel destination on one of the most subscribed channels in the world. This is epic for our tourism. |
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South Africa as a “bucket list” travel destination has just been featured on the current most subscribed sports channel in the world!
The video, which was featured on Dude Perfect, was viewed almost eight million times in just three days.
Dude Perfect is an American sports and comedy group headquartered in Frisco, Texas, United States. The group consists of twins Cory and Coby Cotton, Garrett Hilbert (The Purple Hoser), Cody Jones (Tall Guy), and Tyler “Ty” Toney (Beard), all of whom are former college roommates at Texas A&M University. The channel is the current most subscribed sports channel on YouTube and the 16th-most subscribed channel overall.
“Content created by Dude Perfect predominantly consists of videos depicting various trick shots, stereotypes, and stunts. The group also regularly uploads videos of ‘battles’, in which the individual members of Dude Perfect compete against one another in a good-natured game or contest, incorporating different sports and a unique set of rules. Dude Perfect also features various spots like Bucket List, Wheel Unfortunate, Cool not Cool, Betcha, Absurd Recurds, Top 10, Get Crafty, Mail Time, Game Time, Taste Test and Bloops.”
In the South Africa: Bucket List episode, the team bungee jumps, feeds elephants, paraglides, chills with penguins and helps with a rhino rescue. This is what good content looks like and a feature like this is epic for our tourism.
– Sources: Dude Perfect and www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN POET AND SCULPTOR PITIKA NTULI WINS A GLOBAL FINE ART AWARD IN PARIS |
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South African sculptor, poet and writer Pitika Ntuli on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, added another accolade to his impressive CV, being awarded the Global Fine Art People’s Choice “You-2" Award. |
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Judy Holm, Global Fine Art Awards founder and president, on Tuesday announced that Ntuli’s Azibuyele Emasisweni (Return to the Source), an online exhibition of the bone sculptures hosted by the Melrose Gallery, won the “You-2 Award”, one of the two People’s Choice Awards of the seventh annual Global Fine Art Awards.
There were 116 nominees, which included exhibitions from some of the most established art galleries and museums in the world.
On hearing the news, Ntuli said he couldn't believe it.
Ntuli has spent much of his life in the service of liberating his country and now to find that his own art has contributed to putting South African and African art firmly on the world agenda is something he can’t quite take in.
He thanked all the collaborators, voters, the gallery and his children, and most especially his life partner, his wife, for all the support. He said via text message that his “overarching desire” was that his exhibition would show “we are all interconnected, interrelated and interdependent with each other and nature – a message that first peoples of the world have known since time immemorial”.
Ntuli hoped African art would become more and more prominent and appreciated.
In her speech, Holm recognised the significance of the category in which the exhibition was nominated, Best Digital and Educational Programme. She spoke about the significance of finding new ways of communicating art in the time of COVID-19.
She also gave special mention to the underlying spiritual and political meaning of the works.
Each bone sculpture was accompanied by a poem and 33 collaborators, including Homi Bhabha, Ngugi Wa’Thiongo and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, contributed poems, reflections and theoretical analysis.
– Source: TimesLIVE |
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| “LAKUTSHON’ ILANGA” SHORTLISTED FOR BAFTA STUDENT FILM AWARD |
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| South African-born filmmaker Phumi Morare's film “Lakutshon’ Ilanga” has been shortlisted for a prestigious Bafta Student Film Award. |
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The Bafta Student Film Awards are an annual awards ceremony hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Los Angeles Awards (Bafta) as a showcase for rising industry talent.
The shortlist of the Bafta Student Film Awards this year has been selected from 680 submissions made by students at film schools in 34 different countries. The nominees for the Baftas will be announced on 9 June and the film nominees will be considered for the Special Jury Prize.
Lakutshon Ilanga means “when the sun sets”.
The young filmmaker, who is completing her final year at Chapman University in the United States, took to Instagram to share the excitement of her film being shortlisted for an international award.
“I’m so excited to share that our short film @lakutshonilangashortfilm was shortlisted by @baftala for the student BAFTA awards,” she wrote.
The film is named after Miriam Makeba’s hit song Lakutshon’ilanga. The short film is based on a young black nurse living in apartheid South Africa who realises her activist, younger brother may be in danger when he doesn’t return home after school.
“The film was inspired by my mother and the story she told me six years ago of how she saw her young brother, who was a teenager then, being taken by apartheid police in the 1980s,” said Morare to Sowetan Live.
“She shared with me how she had to fight to save him. The story really fascinated me. I thought she was very heroic and the fact that she approached those police, she was just protecting her brother,” she added.
– Source: www.thesouthafrican.com |
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| IRVETTE VAN ZYL SMASHES 50KM WORLD RECORD |
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| Irvette van Zyl (33) obliterated the women’s 50km ultra-marathon world record as she powered to victory in the Nedbank Runified-race in Gqeberha on Sunday, 23 May 2021. |
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The 33-year-old South African, who trains between four and five hours a day, completed the course along Marine Drive, in an incredible eye-popping three hours, four minutes and 23 seconds.
“I was shocked as she was initially actually allowed to do only 30 kilometres,” says LJ van Zyl, her husband of nine years, a hurdler and a lecturer at the University of Pretoria.
“She then asked the organisers of the event if she can complete it, whereas they said ‘go for it’.
“It’s not all day you can have a world record attempt, I’m very, very pleased for her,” he said to goodthingsguy.com.
Super-fit Irvette says she was surprised too: “My legs were still aching from my previous race about two weeks ago, so I was a bit brittle. But otherwise, I felt good, I felt amazing”.
The mother-of-two, who in 2020, had chondroplasty with stem cells injected in her tibia and femur to grow new cartilages, recently qualified to represent South Africa at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in the women’s marathon.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN: MASSIVE PAY DAY AT THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP |
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| Louis Oosthuizen may have fallen short in his quest for a second Major, but he did have nearly R15 million reasons to smile. |
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Oosthuizen ultimately finished a tie for second, two shots behind record-breaking winner Phil Mickelson after Sunday’s final round of the 103rd PGA Championship at the Ocean Course, Kiawah Island.
For his four-round efforts of 4-under par, the 38-year-old from Mossel Bay took home US$1 056 000 (R14.7 million).
Louis Oosthuizen’s five compatriots who also made the cut were left smiling as well.
Christian Bezuidenhout faded to a final round 77 and a tie for 30th. That was good enough for US$59 750 (R832 000).
Branden Grace also had a final 18 holes to forget as he signed for 78 and a T38th finish and US$42 000 (R585 000) in prize money.
Daniel van Tonder finished in a tie for 44th on four-over par, which was worth US$31 300 (R486 000).
Dean Burmester was consistent throughout his four rounds of 74-74-74-73, which was good enough for a tie for 59th and $21 400 (R300 000).
Finally, young sensation Garrick Higgo closed with an impressive 3-under par 69 for a share of 64th and $20 200 (R280 000) in earnings.
Meanwhile, Mickelson became the oldest ever winner of a Major, less than a month shy of his 51st birthday.
He banked US$2 160 000 (R30 million) for his efforts and saw his world ranking rocket up from 115th to 32nd.
– Source: www.thesouthafrican.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN ROWERS QUALIFY FOR OLYMPICS |
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| Emotions were high this past weekend as the top rowers from around the world gathered in Lucerne for the final Olympic qualifying regatta. |
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While the RMB National Squad had already qualified one boat for the Tokyo Olympics, Roger Barrow, head coach of the RMB National Squad, believed we had the skill and depth of athletes to qualify two more boats.
The squad spent three weeks in Lesotho at a high altitude training camp preparing for the final Olympic qualifiers where Barrow selected the teams:
- Men’s Four – Lawrence Brittain, Kyle Schoonbee, John Smith and Sandro Torrente
- Lightweight Women’s Double ScullI – Kirsten McCann and Nicole van Wyk.
Jake Green and Luc Daffarn have paired up for the Men’s Heavyweight Pair boat that has already qualified for Tokyo Olympics.
The weather opened up for the weekend but forced the organisers to squeeze a three-day regatta into two days, meaning the teams would race the semi-finals and finals on the same day, just two hours apart. This made a tough regatta that much harder.
Kirsten McCann and Nicole van Wyk had a tough regatta, sadly missing the qualification, while the Men’s Four won their heat, semi-finals and finals. They looked calm and delivered an impressive performance, securing a gold medal and a ticket to Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Sean Kerr, president of Rowing South Africa, said: “We couldn’t be more proud of the team that represented us in Lucerne. The four-year build up is brutal and the athletes sacrifice a large part of their lives to become Olympians. To have a Men’s Four this quick and to win the qualifier on Sunday only bodes well for another great representation from South Africa at the games in rowing. Now for the buildup to Tokyo.”
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| BOKS TO HOST PUMAS IN RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP RETURN |
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| The Springboks will make their return to the Castle Lager Rugby Championship with two home tests against Argentina in August, before embarking on a four-match tour of Australasia, according to the 2021 tournament schedule announced by SANZAAR on Friday, 21 May 2021. |
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This year’s 12-match tournament will see two matches played in South Africa, five in Australia and five in New Zealand.
The tests in South Africa will see Argentina play the Springboks twice before both teams head to Australia and New Zealand for the remainder of the tournament.
The match schedule has been amended to accommodate the ongoing effects of the pandemic, including continued international travel restrictions and government quarantine protocols that exist within the member union territories.
It was hoped that the 2021 Castle Lager Rugby Championship, as announced last year, would comprise the four national teams playing each other on a home or away basis through a new mini-tour match schedule.
However, the pandemic makes this impossible at present and as a result, the 12-match tournament will be played in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, with the Springboks making their return to the competition after missing out in 2020, when all the matches were hosted in Australia.
According to the 2021 schedule, the Springboks open their campaign against Argentina on Saturday, 14 August, a week after the conclusion of the Castle Lager Lions Series, before the second Test against the Pumas on 21 August, before travelling to Australia.
Next on the fixture list are the Wallabies, on 11 and 18 September, before the Springboks conclude their commitments with two tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand on consecutive weekends – 25 September and 2 October.
Rassie Erasmus, Director of Rugby, said in his reaction to the draw the Springboks were delighted at the prospects of resuming their rivalry with their southern hemisphere opponents.
“Following the unfortunate COVID-related disruptions of last year, we are very much looking forward to resume playing against the Pumas, Wallabies and the All Blacks,” said Erasmus.
“There is a great rivalry between us, but we also have a lot of respect for each other and have built good friendships over many years of southern hemisphere competition.
“Playing the All Blacks in their backyard is a massive challenge, Argentina showed their growing stature last year while the Wallabies are always tough opponents, especially on their home turf.”
Following two home internationals against Georgia and the three-Test Castle Lager Lions Series, the tests against Argentina will give Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber his first bite of southern hemisphere action.
– Source: www.springboks.rugby |
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