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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ADDRESSES AFRICAN LEADERS ON CLIMATE CHANGE |
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President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday, 8 June 2021, addressed and chaired the virtual meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). |
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The President chaired the meeting in his capacity as the coordinator of this continental structure.
The committee was established in 2009 by the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government to spearhead an African Common Position on Climate Change and ensure that Africa speaks with one voice in global climate change negotiations.
The committee’s deliberations this week formed part of preparations for COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in the United Kingdom in November 2021.
The meeting deliberated on the African Green Stimulus Programme and the current status of international climate negotiations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and charted a way forward for Africa’s engagement at COP26.
The committee also focussed on the implementation of new and ongoing climate change programmes and activities by the AU Commission, and received updates from the three African climate commissions.
The AU Committee on Climate Change met after the recent virtual Climate Summit of World Leaders convened by the President of the United States of America on 22 and 23 April 2021, in which a number of African leaders participated.
The summit reaffirmed that the international community needed to significantly scale up its efforts, raise the level of ambition and support developing countries with the means to implement climate actions.
Since its establishment, CAHOSCC has been working with the African Ministerial Conference on Environment and the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change to advance the Africa Common Position on Climate Change at global fora and negotiations on climate change.
Over the years, CAHOSCC has played a key strategic role in coordinating Africa’s Common Position on Climate Change and promoting the unity of Africa on climate change issues at heads of state and government level.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| RALLYING FOR TRIPS WAIVER FOR COVID-19 VACCINES |
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| The G7 Leaders Summit will provide an opportunity for South Africa to seek broader support for the temporary waiver of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) Agreement at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. |
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This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will be travelling to the United Kingdom to attend the G7 Leaders Summit later this week. South Africa has been invited as a guest country, together with South Korea, Australia and India.
“The G7 Leaders Summit is an opportunity to seek broader support for the struggle we are waging alongside India and more than 100 other countries to achieve a temporary waiver of the TRIPS Agreement at the WTO to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. This will enable countries to manufacture their own vaccines and pave the way for the development of a local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in our own country and on the continent,” the President said on Monday, 7 June 2021, in his newsletter.
The President said he would share a message of hope about the prospects of the country’s recovery to the delegates at the summit.
“I will be presenting the clear signals that our country is emerging from the devastation wrought by the pandemic. These signals include a strengthening currency, a record trade surplus, and growth in mining, financial services and manufacturing,” President Ramaphosa said.
Delegates will be informed about the life-changing opportunities being provided through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which has directly benefitted nearly 700 000 people since it was launched eight months ago.
“We can reflect that there is progress towards greater policy and regulatory certainty in important economic sectors such as energy and telecommunications. Our delegation to the G7 Summit will be able to talk about the progress we are making in overcoming the pandemic and the measures we have taken towards our national recovery that are slowly but steadily yielding results,” the President said.
The summit is expected to discuss how to promote future prosperity through free and fair trade, championing shared values and tackling climate change, but the global recovery from COVID-19 is likely to dominate the agenda.
“We emerged from a desperate situation that threatened to engulf us and built a new nation. Over the last year and a half, we rallied together to fight the pandemic, united in the belief that better days would come.
“Throughout the course of our history, we have had setbacks and false starts. But, our resilient nature allowed us to weather many storms. It is this drive and determination that must continue to propel us forward as our country recovers socially, politically and economically.
“Let us look ahead and move forward. Let us nurture the green shoots of progress. Let us not only hope for better days, but let us work even harder to achieve them,” the President said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA PAYS TRIBUTE TO SHALEEN SURTIE-RICHARDS |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late veteran stage and screen actor, Shaleen Surtie-Richards. |
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Surtie-Richards, aged 66, passed away in Cape Town on Monday, 7 June 2021.
She was in the city to film the KykNet series “Arendsvlei”.
Paying tribute to an educator-turned-actor, President Ramaphosa said the country had lost a performer, whose distinctive energy, artistic versatility and humility touched generations of South Africans for more than three decades.
“On stage and screen, Shaleen Surtie-Richards held a mirror to our unjust past and gave us hope for our future as a nation. May her soul rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said in a statement.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has also paid tribute to the veteran actress for delivering her performances with heart and soul.
“Surtie-Richards invested her heart and soul into every character she portrayed. Her warmth and sense of humour were infectious and her talent won her international recognition,” Minister Mthethwa said.
Born in Upington, Northern Cape, on 7 May 1955, Surtie-Richards was most famous for her roles such as “Mattie” on the SABC 1 soapie, “Generations” and “Nenna” in the long-running M-Net hit series, “Egoli: Place of Gold”.
She received many awards during her decades-long career, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Royalty Soapie Awards.
While Surtie-Richards was known for her extensive career in the performing arts, she qualified as a nursery school teacher and taught children before making her debut as an actress.
“We will remember her with great fondness for her iconic roles in hit films such as “Fiela se Kind”, “Mama Jack”, “Treurgrond” and “Vaselinetjie”. Most recently, she starred in the KykNet series, “Arendsvlei”. She turned every role she touched into an audio-visual masterpiece," the Minister said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| GOVERNMENT INVESTS R18 BILLION IN BLACK INDUSTRIALISTS |
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| Over the past five years, nearly 800 black industrialists have been funded to the value of R18 billion, said President Cyril Ramaphosa. |
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“Black industrialists across the value chain, from hospitals to medical devices, have enjoyed support from development finance institutions such as the Industrial Development Corporation. Last week, we received firm commitments from both Germany and France to provide support for this venture, including financing technical expertise, skills training and know-how,” President Ramaphosa said.
Addressing the 45th Black Management Forum (BMF) corporate update dinner on Friday, 4 June 2021, the President added that nearly 120 000 jobs had been created or saved.
He said that one of the most important initiatives to support the growth and sustainability of black business was the Black Industrialists Programme.
Businesses that received support include those in food production, agro-processing, manufacturing, IT and technology, among others.
The total approved funding since the inception of the programme was around R32 billion, the President said.
“Another key programme of government is the Equity Equivalent Programme. It was created for multinational companies that cannot sell equity to black South Africans and have never sold equity outside their country of origin.
“In return for BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) ownership points, these multinationals need to invest in skills development programmes, support for enterprise and supplier development, or research and development.”
Over the last year, 87 black industrialists have been supported through the Equity Equivalent Programme, including 39 owned by women.
“Last year, we announced that we were working towards ensuring that 40% of government procurement would be set aside for women-owned businesses. Training programmes are currently being conducted around the country to prepare women-owned businesses for participation in this venture,” President Ramaphosa said.
Integrating SMMEs
The President added that government’s vision was to realise a transformed and restructured economy that is a “catalyst for economic growth, employment creation and shared prosperity”.
The President said integrating small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) into value chains was key to achieving this vision. This as it will provide for a strategic shift of the South African economy from the one concentrated in few big industry players into broader participation.
“We know that smaller producers and SMMEs often struggle to gain market access because they are not able to compete as a result of lack of knowledge, information, skills or technology to meet market requirements.
“That is why support for SMMEs is a cornerstone of our economic transformation policies. Confronting the spatial inequities that limit opportunity for black people is an important part of our work. We have sought to revive the township and rural economy through supporting local ecosystems for entrepreneurship,” President Ramaphosa said.
Economic recovery presents new opportunities for black business
The President said that government was determined that the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, launched in October 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, should present new opportunities for black business.
“We want to position black industrialists to drive [the] economic recovery and build industries of the future. Our massive infrastructure programme creates opportunities for black enterprises through localisation and community procurement.
“There are opportunities in the green economy, including in the hydrogen sector. We have seen for example during COVID-19, pilot programmes for fuel cell electricity generation at field hospitals with black-led companies.
“Last year, we gazetted regulations to incorporate the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) into local laws, paving the way for South African businesses to benefit from the agreement. We have also gazetted a list of the products that can be exported and imported with no customs duties within the next five years,” President Ramaphosa said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| JUSTICE FOR THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE |
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On 8 June 2021, the Permanent Missions of South Africa and Namibia to the United Nations (UN) in New York jointly hosted a virtual side event in partnership with the State of Palestine on “The Importance of Upholding the Principles of Self-Determination and Non-discrimination – Justice for the Palestinian People”. |
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The virtual side event explored what steps are required by the international community through the UN to uphold international law in respect of eliminating racial discrimination, including full enforcement of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Apartheid Convention, the Rome Statute and other relevant international covenants and UN resolutions to ensure that the rights of the Palestinian people guaranteed under international law but for too long rendered inaccessible to them, are finally achieved.
Panellists included:
- Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa
- Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of Namibia
- Riyadh al-Maliki, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine
- Professor John Dugard, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Violation of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
- Attorney Michael Sfard, Israeli Human Rights lawyer
- Nada Awad, Cairo Institute for Human Rights
- Rania Muhareb, Al-Haq Organisation, Palestinian human rights organisation
- Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine Director, Human Rights Watch.
Addressing the event, Minister Pandor said, among other things: “ … We wish to reiterate that illegal settlements leading to dispossession and displacements and human rights abuses are incompatible with international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The policies and practices of Israel, as the occupying power, are in flagrant violation of United Nations General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and contravene international law. It is therefore imperative that the Security Council, as the body entrusted to maintain international peace and security, take concrete steps against these illegal acts and go beyond mere rhetoric condemnation. The recorded failures of the Security Council in ensuring respect for and the upholding of the rule of law has dented the integrity of this august organ and highlighted the urgent need for Security Council reform.
“We hope that through dialogues of this nature, we will be able to not only highlight the human rights challenges faced by the Palestinian people, but also propose concrete actions that we, as member states and civil society can take, including strengthening existing UN mechanisms, to bring greater focus on this matter central to the maintenance of international peace and security.”
– Read more |
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| SOUTH AFRICA AND RWANDA STRENGTHEN TIES |
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| The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, hosted her Rwandan counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Vincent Biruta, on a Working Visit to South Africa on 4 June 2021. |
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The two ministers met to assess the current state of bilateral relations as well as to iron out challenges that are affecting the conduct of relations between South Africa and Rwanda.
The ministers recalled the good bilateral relations that existed between the two countries prior to the events that led to the straining of relations in 2013.
In open and frank discussions, both ministers confirmed their determination and commitment to normalise diplomatic relations as expressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Paul Kagame, following bilateral meetings.
The ministers agreed that full cooperation between the two countries in a number of areas and sectors, would support increased socio-economic development.
It was agreed that mutual actions and measures would be taken to direct bilateral relations along a new path for the benefit of the governments and peoples of South Africa and Rwanda.
To this end, the ministers agreed on a road map that would support the normalisation process, predicated on agreed timelines. Both countries must value and respect the international laws and regulations that govern relations between countries, including territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
The meeting agreed on the establishment of a Joint Mechanism led by ministers Pandor and Biruta, to guide and manage the normalisation process. Senior officials of both countries will serve as the Technical Committee of the Mechanism. The mechanism will be required to engage the entire spectrum of issues affecting bilateral relations and report to the ministers. |
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| SOUTH AFRICA AND CUBA COMMEMORATE 27 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BASED ON SOLIDARITY AND COOPERATION |
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| The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, and her Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriquez Parrilla, recently virtually commemorated 27 years of formal diplomatic relations between their two countries. |
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The two ministers spoke through a video call on 3 June 2021.
Presidents Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro formalised diplomatic relations between South Africa and Cuba on 11 May 1994.
However, the deep and special relationship between the two countries dates back well before 1994. It was cemented on the battlefields of southern Angola, where almost half a million Cubans joined their destiny with that of African combatants to reject the military intervention of apartheid and neo-colonialism on the continent.
Cuba is a strategic partner for South Africa in the Latin American region and in multilateral fora. The relations are characterised by high-level political dialogue as evidenced by annual meetings of the Joint Consultative Mechanism.
The two countries’ relations continue to display a good model of South-South cooperation and human solidarity in the areas of health training and services, human settlements technical exchange, science and technology, public works technical assistance, cooperation on water resource management and water supply and on professional services in the field of basic education.
South Africa-Cuba Health Cooperation is the flagship bilateral cooperation programme. Currently, just under 600 South African medical students are studying in Cuba at various levels. At the request of South Africa, 217 Cuban medical practitioners, part of the Cuban Medical Brigade, were deployed throughout the country in April/May 2020 to assist South Africa in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa nominated the Cuban Medical Brigade for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.
On the multilateral front, South Africa as a matter of principle, and in solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba, will always vote in favour of the important annual United Nations (UN) Resolution calling for the end of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba. Both countries also maintain excellent cooperation in multilateral arena, through mechanisms such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 and the UN system.
The special and historic relations of solidarity between South Africa are best summed up in the words of the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, before the National Parliament, on 4 March 2021, when she stated: “South Africa and the Republic of Cuba are bonded by a noble history of freedom struggle. The current relations between South Africa and Cuba are morally pedigreed as well as embedded within the doctrine of South-South relations”. Minister Pandor affirmed in her budget speech on 20 May 2021 that “we continue to support Cuba and work closely with that solid friend of South Africa”. |
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| MINISTER PANDOR HOSTS HEADS OF MISSION FROM THE ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST REGION |
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| On 3 June 2021, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, hosted a minister’s dinner for Heads of Mission from the Asia and Middle East Region resident in Pretoria. |
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Welcoming the guests, Minister Pandor said, among other things: “It is a pleasure and honour for me to welcome you this evening. During the past 15 months, COVID-19 has prohibited us from holding such gatherings. Although I did meet with some of the Excellencies here individually on several occasions, I am pleased that you can join me this evening, in person, as we reflect on the relations between South Africa and the countries in Asia and the Middle East, as a collective.
“I wish to thank you and your respective governments for the support extended to South Africa during the last 15 months in terms of our own fight against the pandemic. The South African Government has received generous donations from your governments, which included PPE, food parcels to the poor and vulnerable, and donations to schools, etc. Your governments’ assistance during the repatriation of our citizens in the early days of the pandemic, is also deeply appreciated.
“One of the major determinants of the strength of the short-term economic recovery will be the effectiveness of pandemic containment measures. South Africa intends to strengthen cooperation with the region in containing further outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic, and where possible initiate efforts towards the production of vaccines on the African continent.
“The globe is confronted by post-COVID economic recovery challenges. The countries present here are important trading partners for South Africa. South Africa’s two-way trade with Asia and the Middle East stood at R984 billion in 2020. South Africa’s bilateral relations with the countries of the region are also well-established in areas such as technical cooperation, health, skills development opportunities for our people as is their investment footprint in South Africa.
“South Africa’s accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in November 2020 is a historic milestone and will contribute to closer and more beneficial economic opportunities. I am looking forward to visiting a number of countries in Southeast Asia in the month ahead, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore.
“South Africa fully supports ASEAN’s constructive role in facilitating a peaceful solution to the undemocratic developments in Myanmar.
“South Africa would like to continue working closely with governments in the region to further joint trade, investment and business potential. There is substantial scope for improving current levels of investments, especially in terms of industries that are geared towards the beneficiation and value-addition of our local commodities and natural resources. The benefits of using South Africa as a logistical nodal point from where to access the vast African market to gain the full benefit of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement is another opportunity.
“The Middle East region is also crucial to our post-pandemic reconstruction and development. In 2020, total trade with the Middle East region amounted to R122 billion, despite the effects of COVID-19 on trade and investment.
“A key priority for South Africa with the Middle East region is to diversify our trade and this has been happening gradually, but the dominance of crude oil and petrochemicals remains. We hope we can all work toward diversifying this trading dynamic through growth in other sectors.
“In March/April this year, I paid a visit to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and engaged with my counterparts on a number of pressing issues, including the security situation in the Middle East and Africa. From a bilateral point of view, we agreed to further strengthen cooperation. Similarly, I look forward to receiving my counterparts from Oman and Qatar here later this year to continue our collaboration within the various bilateral mechanisms that we share.
“I have tried to provide an overview of the state of relations between South Africa and the vast region of Asia and the Middle East, as well as outlining some of our future priorities. I look forward to further engagement with you on the global issues that confront us and that will impact or guide our future relations.” |
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| MARINE LITTER A GLOBAL CONCERN |
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| Marine litter, including plastic litter, has become a matter of increasing global and national concern as a source of marine pollution. |
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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has therefore prioritised efforts to deal with the challenge of marine litter.
There is sufficient evidence that a large percentage of pollution in the ocean originates from sources on land.
In response to this growing concern, the department has developed a “Source-to-Sea” initiative, focussing on managing litter sources, mainly from upstream catchments where the litter gets transported to the ocean and coastal areas by rivers and tributaries that discharge into the ocean.
“The Source-to-Sea Programme involves multiple government departments, at national, provincial and local level, as well as the private sector and other stakeholders, working in priority catchment areas, and providing job opportunities through the Working for the Coast Programme,” said the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, on the occasion of observing World Oceans Day, on 8 June 2021.
The main objective of the pilot project is to reduce the prevalence of marine litter by up-scaling efforts to capture and recover litter in these river systems.
The project also aims to monitor and characterise the litter recovered and to conduct school and community awareness initiatives.
This year’s World Oceans Day was observed under the theme: “Ocean: Life and Livelihood”.
World Ocean Day was officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 and is observed since 2009 by all member states, including South Africa.
Marine litter primarily comes from towns and cities located along rivers and waterways, which become pathways for litter into the marine environment.
Minister Creecy said as part of the Presidency’s Employment Stimulus Initiative, the department was expanding the Source -to-Sea Programme into 16 coastal districts with the target of creating approximately 1 600 job opportunities.
Planning is underway to commence this initiative in July 2021.
“As we grow our ocean economy, we also have to be cognisant of the impact of increasing human activity on the health of our oceans.
“It is essential that we manage our footprint and impact and put in place measures to protect our ocean and coastal ecosystems and biodiversity within the context of sustainable development.
“It is for this reason that South Africa’s Oceans Economy Programme includes a specific priority and focus on marine protection and ocean governance,” said Minister Creecy.
Globally, plastic production has reached new highs, with over 320 million tons now being produced annually.
It is estimated that between four to 12 million tons of plastic are added to the oceans each year.
“Our oceans are globally recognised as unique and a hotspot of marine biodiversity. The Atlantic, Southern and Indian oceans’ fishing grounds are among the healthiest worldwide, and coastal tourism is, and has the potential to be a significant income earner for many African coastal nations,” the Minister said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT CELEBRATES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY |
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| The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Barbara Creecy, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in South Africa, Dr Ayodele Odusola, marked this year’s World Environment Day by reflecting on 25 years of DFFE/UNDP cooperation, in Pretoria on Saturday, 5 June 2021. |
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Over the last 25 years, the DFFE and the UNDP have teamed up on over 26 projects to address critical national priorities relating to the protection of the natural environment with the main focus on, among other things, climate change and energy, to better the lives of South Africans and conserving the rich biodiversity. The UNDP has provided, in partnership with other stakeholders, much-needed technical assistance and grant finance, as well as operational and management support.
While the theme for World Environment Day 2021 was: “Ecosystem Restoration”, the marking of 25 years of cooperation between DFFE and UNDP was held under the theme: “Financing the Future of Nature, Climate and the Environment”, and the role of development cooperation. This theme has a wide scope, encouraging wide interest and buy-in required to crowd in support for the DFFE budget agenda, and the wider national environmental agenda associated with COVID-19 economic reconstruction and recovery, inclusivity, and a just and socially equitable carbon transition. |
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| The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has commended local brand, Bathu, for being named as one of the most admired African brands. |
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“In our pursuit of intra-Africa trade, we are excited that our fellow Africans in other parts of the continent love our brands. This is in line with our Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprises (SMMEs)-focussed Localisation Policy Framework and Implementation Programme, supporting local brands and buying local campaigns,” the department said on Tuesday, 8 June 2021.
Bathu has been named number 10 of this year’s most admired African brands by the Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands.
Bathu, meaning shoes in Kasi slang, is a proudly South African sneaker brand that was founded in 2015 by Theo Baloyi, a qualified accountant who quit his job for a fulfilling journey as a manufacturer of a “global brand in the making”.
“The ranking is the most authoritative survey and analysis on brands and underlying businesses in Africa. The survey was conducted between March and April 2021 and yielded over 80 000 brand mentions and over 3 500 unique brands.
“The list boasts some of the biggest corporates across Africa such as MTN, DSTV, Shoprite, Vodacom and Tiger Brands,” the department said.
The department’s mandate is to support and promote entrepreneurship in South Africa.
“While it is our mandate to empower SMMEs and cooperatives, we are equally dependant on hard-working entrepreneurs who are eager to start, sustain and grow their businesses. As DSBD, we are thrilled to note and witness this spectacle performance by local brands,” the department said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| ROOIBOS NOW SOUTH AFRICA'S VERY OWN “CHAMPAGNE” – BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE BREWING |
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| The term Rooibos has now been included on the European Union's (EU) register of iconic geographic indicators. |
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Rooibos products can now use the EU's logo to indicate authenticity and quality to European consumers. This is, however, not the end of the road to try to protect the name Rooibos and the local industry.
Rooibos is joining iconic regional products like champagne and Gorgonzola in getting geographical protection from the EU – it is being added to the EU's list of items with a so-called protected designation of origin (PDO).
The register protects the names of wines, meats, cheese, breads and more: for example, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Kalamata olives or Roquefort can only be labelled accordingly if they come from their designated region.
Now, Rooibos is getting the same legal protection. It will be the first African food to be approved by the EU for listing on the register.
And, says Dawie de Villiers, legal director of the SA Rooibos Council, this is only the beginning of getting global recognition for the local tea – the council also wants to crack the nod with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
"The inclusion of the name Rooibos on the EU register is just the start of getting global recognition. Our next step as the council, is to get the term Rooibos also certified as a product of origin with the WTO," De Villiers told Fin24 on Monday, 7 June 2021.
PDO status is important because it offers a valuable competitive advantage in the consumer market. Food products listed on the EU register of protected designations of origins already generate a total of almost R1.24 trillion in value. What's more, bilateral agreements between the EU and its international partners recognise the protected designations of origin.
The registration means Rooibos can only be used to refer to the dried leaves of 100% pure Rooibos derived from Aspalathus linearis that has been cultivated or wild-harvested in designated municipalities of the Western and Northern Cape; mainly the Cederberg region.
De Villiers said the application for EU PDO was made about 10 years ago. Various processes had to be completed, of which the recent inclusion on the EU register was the final and official stamp of approval.
"We have had confirmation in the last year or so that our application had been accepted, but now our Rooibos products can use the EU's official logo to prove it is genuinely certified," said De Villiers.
"We now want to use the official recognition obtained in the EU to get global recognition in other countries, including China, too."
He says the next step is scaling up marketing. "We are going to work hard on exposing the origin of Rooibos and, with our traditional knowledge agreement with the San and Khoi, be able to talk more about the heritage of Rooibos to make the product even more special," said De Villiers.
"Rooibos forms part of SA’s rich biodiversity, and we believe that the registration will make way for other indigenous species, such as buchu and aloe ferox to reap protected designation of origin rewards," he said.
– Source: www.news24.com |
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| UCT RESEARCHER AWARDED AXA RESEARCH CHAIR |
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| Lara Dugas, an Honorary Professor in Human Biology at the University of Cape Town (UCT), has been awarded a prestigious AXA Research Chair, titled: “The AXA Research Chair in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Epidemiology”. |
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The chair is only the second awarded to a researcher in Africa (the first also resides at UCT) and will allow Dugas to continue her ongoing research into how the lived environment impacts long-term NCD outcomes in African populations.
“My specific focus is to understand how lifestyle, including habitual diet and physical activity, alters the gut microbiota and changes NCD risk,” explains Dugas.
The AXA Research Chair will support a global research partnership between UCT and Loyola University Chicago (LUC), where Dugas also holds the position of Associate Professor of Global Public Health and Epidemiology in the Department of Public Health Sciences.
“It will permit us to combine three large cohorts from both UCT and LUC to understand the intersection between infectious, communicable diseases and NCD risk,” confirms Dugas. “My primary funded research has focussed on NCDs in African-origin populations. UCT has been a collaborator in my research since 2008. This is an amazing culmination of this partnership. The AXA Research Chair will allow me to be based full-time at UCT, while still engaging in my internationally funded cohort studies. This will be critical to the success of the AXA Research Chair goals.”
The Chair offers a €1M, five-year award and is the second to be awarded in Africa. The first, awarded to Professor Mark New, Director of the African Climate and Development Initiative in 2016, is also hosted at UCT.
Dugas is honoured to be named the latest AXA Research Chair. “I am the first in my family to receive a university degree. When I finished my PhD, I didn’t even know that positions like this existed,” explains Dugas. “I have been extremely fortunate to have found a career that I feel so passionate about, and to be surrounded by so many incredible mentors and collaborators. This work really is built on the shoulders of giants.”
– Source: UCT |
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| SOUTH AFRICA’S GREENPOP SELECTED AS PARTNER FOR UN DECADE OF ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION |
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| South African organisation Greenpop has been selected as a support partner for the United Nations (UN) Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Campaign. |
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Greenpop was founded in 2010 with the goal of planting more trees in South Africa. Since then, the organisation has grown from strength to strength. Greenpop works all over the country to plant trees. Since 2010, Greenpop has planted over 130 000 trees around South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
Part of their project has been more than just planting trees, it has been about restoring the forests that have disappeared over time. The UN saw this and selected the local organisation to join their Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.
Ecosystem restoration means assisting in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, as well as conserving the ecosystems that are still intact. All kinds of natural as well as human-made ecosystems can be restored, including forests, farmlands, cities, wetlands and oceans.
Restoring ecosystems, large and small, protects and improves not only our planet but also the livelihoods of billions of people who depend on them. With a focus on forests, Greenpop has been doing this for some time, making them the perfect support partners for this next decade.
The primary aim of the decade, which runs from 2021 – 2030, is to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. In addition, the decade aims to inspire and support organisations, communities and individuals to collaborate and develop the appropriate skill sets for catalysing and successfully implementing restoration initiatives across the world.
Led by the UN Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN, the UN Decade is a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world, for the benefit of people and nature.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| RARE BLUE DIAMOND FROM SOUTH AFRICA GOES UP FOR SALE WITH WORLDWIDE VIEWINGS |
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| Petra Diamonds has announced the final sales process for a rare and exceptional blue diamond. The 39.34-carat Type IIb blue diamond was recovered at the famous Cullinan Diamond Mine in South Africa on 1 April 2021. |
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Interested buyers can bid online. The tender on Petra’s online bidding platform is planned to close on or around Monday, 12 July 2021, at different times (depending on the city).
Previously, the 12-carat polished Blue Moon of Josephine (cut from a slightly smaller 29-carat rough blue diamond from the Cullinan Mine) sold for US$48.5 million (about R357.5 million) in 2015, representing a remarkable +US$4 million per carat (US$20 million per gram), which remains the world record price per carat ever paid for a diamond … but this could be broken with the sale of this latest 39.34 carat blue diamond.
Type IIb blue diamonds are so rare that their age has not been established. Recent studies on minerals trapped inside these diamonds imply that they are among the deepest-formed diamonds ever found, created at depths in excess of 500km below the Earth’s surface. The boron that gives their blue colour has been linked to seawater, suggesting that these diamonds are a record of rocks from the ocean floor that have been transported to the lower mantle by plate tectonics, where these diamonds formed under conditions of extreme pressure and temperature.
The Cullinan Diamond Mine is one of the world’s most celebrated diamond mines, located at the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountain range. It’s most famous for the Cullinan diamond, discovered in 1905, which is the largest rough gem diamond ever found at 3,106 carats. “This iconic stone was cut into the two most important diamonds, which form part of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London – the First Star of Africa, which is mounted at the top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre and which at 530 carats is the largest flawless cut diamond in the world, and the Second Star of Africa, a 317-carat polished diamond which forms the centrepiece of the Imperial State Crown,” according to Petra’s website.
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| CAPE TOWN TOURISM SHINES AT INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS |
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| Despite the doom and gloom during a year when tourism is struggling, Cape Town scoops several top awards at the international film awards. |
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The prestigious International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) was recently held at the Labia Theatre in Gardens, Cape Town. The ceremony honoured and celebrated some of the top tourism films in both Africa and the International Category.
“We are extremely delighted to have walked away with five awards this year,” says Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism.
“Our team worked exceptionally hard on these films to ensure that future visitors are inspired to visit Cape Town once again. So, to receive this recognition from such a prestigious film festival is an absolute honour.”
Cape Town Tourism’s “That Homegrown Feeling” and “We are Worth Waiting For!” claimed a gold and a silver award each, while the ever-handy “Pocket-friendly Cape Town Challenge” scooped silver in the destination categories. Entries were evaluated by an international jury made up of acclaimed professionals in the audiovisual production, marketing and tourism sectors.
The Table Bay Hotel at the V&A Waterfront walked away with a gold and silver award for their COVID-19 Safety Protocols film in the accommodation categories.
“We have missed many of our regular guests at Cape Town’s best address during the pandemic, and once lockdown eased and allowed us to re-open, we put many measures in place to welcome them back in safety,” said The Table Bay General Manager Joanne Selby. “The video explains the hotel’s COVID-19 protocols, which protect guests and provide them with peace of mind during their stay.”
Caroline Ungersbock, co-founder and director of the ITFFA, notes that there were 865 entries from 97 countries, of which a quarter were from Africa. “The competition was fierce,” notes Ungersbock. “As COVID caused numerous logistical challenges, it made sense to combine the Afro-centric version of our event with the International one this year.”
Film festivals play an important role in creating a link between tourists and the communities they visit, providing future tourism development opportunities within those communities. According to research done by the National Department of Tourism, there has been an increase in travel to popular filming destinations, contributing to the growth of film tourism.
With South Africa becoming an increasingly popular film tourism destination, winning awards as a city will undoubtedly market the Mother City to tourists and attract them to our communities – therefore, these awards are significant wins for the city.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| ELLEN IN AWE OF SOUTH AFRICAN STARLET, THUSO MBEDU |
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Thuso Mbedu, leading lady in the series “Underground Railroad”, doesn’t only have South Africans proud of her success and acting chops, but also has the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey in awe. |
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Ellen and Thuso sat down for an interview recently on “The Ellen Show”, making Thuso one of the few South Africans to grace the daytime talk show couch of glory.
Ellen seemed like the starstruck one throughout the entire interview.
“I feel so honoured that you’re here,” she expressed at the beginning of the interview, which felt more like a conversation, as many of the comments on the video will confirm.
She went on to say that “Oprah and I were talking … she of course loves the show as well,”
“We’re both in awe of you,” Ellen beamed.
Ellen also went on to commend the show on its “fantastic reviews”, and told Thuso that she’s a shoo-in to win an Emmy.
It’s incredible to see South Africans taking up space in Hollywood, and for soon to be critically acclaimed productions.
– Source: www.capetownetc.com |
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| NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR REMAKES LADY GAGA’S “SHALLOW” INTO BEAUTIFUL SOUTH AFRICAN COVER |
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| The Ndlovu Youth Choir is the gift that keeps on giving! The group has done a proudly South African version of Lady Gaga’s “Shallow”, and it is goosebumps-worthy! |
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The world fell in love with the story of “A Star is Born”, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, back in 2018. To this day, “Shallow”, sung by Gaga and Cooper, is a firm favourite on the radio and now the Ndlovu Youth Choir is giving the song their own flare.
The song was done for their album “Rise”, and they have now released an accompanying music video that will give you goosebumps.
On “Shallow”, the infectious energy of this 30-strong choir, ranging in age from 14 – 24 from the beautiful Moutse Valley in rural Limpopo, is clear. The choir, well known for their soul-stirring renditions of well-known covers, re-interprets this beautiful single with their own unique style, feel and breathtaking harmonies.
“For us as a choir, it is important that each project we take on has a strong focus on not only the performance aspect, but that it is an opportunity for us to upskill all our choristers where we can. We’re excited with the new direction the choir is taking in not only being a performing arts organisation but now also working in the writing space, creating new and original song content.” – Ralf Schmitt, Artistic Director of Ndlovu Youth Choir.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SPRINGBOKS WIN A SPECIAL AWARD FROM BLACK MANAGEMENT FORUM |
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| The Springboks have been honoured with a special Presidential Award from the Black Management Forum. |
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Andile Nomlala, president of the forum, made the award at a special ceremony attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg on Friday, 4 June 2021.
“In the words of former President Nelson Mandela, sport has the power to change the world, and in the context of the Springboks victory in 2019, sport has the power to display progress in transforming not just itself, but the country at large,” said Nomlala in his citation.
“Given the historical roots of the game and its exclusionary nature, the 2019 Rugby World Cup win has opened the door to more meaningful transformation in sport. The World Cup win for the Springboks elevates the transformation reality that black people can excel in the sport and become key components of the team in ensuring victory.”
Mark Alexander, SA Rugby president, Springbok coach, Jacques Nienaber, and captain, Siya Kolisi, were on hand to receive the award on behalf of the team and management.
“We are greatly honoured to receive this award,” said Alexander.
“The South African Rugby Union is very proud of what Rassie (Erasmus, director of rugby), Jacques, Siya and the team achieved in 2019.
“Winning the Rugby World Cup was a magnificent achievement but just as significant was the way it was achieved. The combination of Rassie’s leadership and Siya’s character showed that diversity is our strength and that when South Africans unite in a harmonious whole, we are capable of great things.”
Nomlala said: “The selection of Siya Kolisi as the first black captain of the team sent rays of hope throughout the country, signalling the words of Nelson Mandela that sport creates hope where despair was resident. Siya Kolisi’s role as the captain was inspirational and progressive, leading a more representative team to victory.
“The BMF has chosen to recognise the strides made by the Springboks through their victory. A victory which symbolises unity in purpose that results in meaningful transformation. Even though the road ahead remains thorny with challenges, this World Cup victory sends a clear message that transformation does not compromise quality but elevates black talent which can perform at the highest level in sport and any other sphere.”
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| SPRINGBOK SQUAD NAMED FOR LIONS SERIES |
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| Frans Steyn and Morné Steyn are in line to experience the rare honour of facing the British & Irish Lions for a second time after being named in a dynamic Springbok squad featuring several Rugby World Cup winners and exciting uncapped players for the Castle Lager Lions Series and Georgia internationals. |
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Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, announced the squad on Saturday, 5 June 2021, that will do duty for the first time since the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan on 2 November 2019, with 29 Rugby World Cup winners and eight uncapped players in the 46-man squad.
The Springboks will line up against Georgia on successive Fridays, 2 and 9 July, before battling it out against the British & Irish Lions in three tests on 24 and 31 July, and 7 August, respectively.
The South Africa “A” team, which will comprise players from this squad, will also meet the Lions on Wednesday, 14 July.
Apart from Morné Steyn (flyhalf) – who kicked the penalty goal that clinched the series win in 2009 – and Frans Steyn (centre), both of whom were key members of the Springbok team during the 2009 campaign, this year’s extravaganza will have extra significance for Duane Vermeulen (No 8), who faced the Lions as a member of the Emerging Springbok and DHL WP teams that season.
The entire 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, except for the retired trio of Tendai Mtawarira, Francois Louw and Schalk Brits, and the injured Warrick Gelant, were named in Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber’s squad.
The eight uncapped players are Joseph Dweba (hooker), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (lock), Jasper Wiese (loose forward), Sanele Nohamba (scrumhalf), Wandisile Simelane (centre), Yaw Penxe, Rosko Specman (both wings) and Aphelele Fassi (fullback).
Seven players in the squad boast 50 or more Test caps, with Eben Etzebeth leading the pack with an impressive 85 caps, while Morné Steyn – who last featured in the green and gold in 2016 – headlines a list of 10 players who will make a welcome return to the Springbok squad.
“The British & Irish Lions tour occurs once every 12 years so it’s a very special occasion,” said Alexander.
“In most instances, it comes around only once in a Springbok player’s career, so I would like to congratulate the players who have been selected and wish them luck as they prepare to defend their crown.”
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| SOUTH AFRICA’S BRAD BINDER SIGNS NEW RACING DEAL UNTIL 2024 |
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| South African Brad Binder – who won the 2020 MotoGP Rookie of the Year Award – says he is “super, super happy” to have signed a new contract that will see him remain part of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team for the next three years and take him to 10 Grand Prix seasons in “orange” by the end of the 2024 MotoGP campaign. |
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Clearly, Binder’s “Story of a Legend” (watch on Showmax) continues! Just recently, he posted a new MotoGP milestone at the Gran Premio D’Italia by equalling the highest top speed in the history of the sport at 362.4 kmph during FP3 around the iconic Mugello track.
Of his new deal, the SA sports star revealed:
“I’m super, super happy to have signed again for three more seasons with KTM and it will take us up to 10 years. It’s incredible to have been with this manufacturer for such a long time now and we’ve always had a good relationship. I’m extremely happy in KTM colours, so it’s extra satisfying to have a long contract signed up.
“It’s cool to have that belief and support from a company. It’s an honour. From here on, we can focus on building ourselves towards the front. We are not terribly far away, and it would be really nice to do something great together. It’s exciting to see what these next years will bring.”
KTM Motorsports Director, Pit Beirer, said: “This was a very easy contract for us to do because we love Brad as a racer and what he brings to the team, the factory and the MotoGP class. He was also very enthusiastic to make a big commitment to us and that says a lot for our progression and our potential in this championship. Sometimes you find a racer and a mentality that really fits with your own philosophy and the fact that Brad has come all the way to the top with us in a 10-year period is a very special story. We’re really proud to continue racing with him and to keep setting new targets together.”
– Source: www.sapeople.com |
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| CYCLING AFTER THE OLYMPIC GOLD: CAPETONIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN TOKYO GAMES |
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| A young man from Capricorn near Muizenberg is on course to achieving his dream of competing in the Olympics. |
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Nicholas Dlamini has recently become one of three South African cyclists to be selected to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Games in Japan.
The event was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is scheduled to take place from 23 July to 8 August this year.
Dlamini (25) will join Team SA to represent the country in the men's 234-kilometre-long road race.
He said getting to the Olympics had been his dream for a long time.
“I was born in Cape Town and grew up in a small township and nothing much was happening there besides alcohol and drug abuse. But I was fortunate to have role models alongside me who guided me.”
The young cyclist's journey began at the Velokhaya Life Cycling Academy in Khayelitsha in 2009 when he was 14 years old.
Back then he would cycle from Capricorn to Khayelitsha to train every day.
Dlamini's currently in Europe on an intense training schedule.
– Source: www.ewn.co.za |
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