| |
|
SOUTH AFRICA WELCOMES PROGRESS TOWARDS A RESOLUTION OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR) SITUATION |
| |
South Africa welcomes the efforts of the transitional Government in the CAR to comply with the decisions of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). The country also welcomes the CAR transitional Government’s decision to strengthen its relations with South Africa, the ECCAS region, Africa and the international community. |
| |
 |
| |
President Jacob Zuma received the Prime Minister of the CAR, Mr Nicholas Tiangaye, in Pretoria on 28 April 2013. The two leaders discussed the situation in CAR and the need to bring about stability in that country and on the African continent.
The meeting between President Zuma and Prime Minister Tiangaye followed extensive diplomatic engagements at the level of the summits of the ECCAS, the African Union and the United Nations regarding the political and security situation in the CAR.
On 23 April 2013, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, participated in a parliamentary debate on the CAR in Cape Town.
“Since South Africa’s readmission into the international community, our engagement on issues of global peace and security has been informed by our understanding that we cannot be an island of peace and stability in a continent of wars, conflicts and strife. This is in line with of our vision of an African continent that is prosperous, peaceful, democratic and united, and which contributes to a world that is just and equitable. This perspective is derived from foreign policy imperatives, speaking to South Africa’s national interest and the vision of a better Africa,” the Minister said.
President Zuma, accompanied by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane, is attending the Contact Group Meeting on the CAR in Congo, Brazzaville, on 3 May 2013. |
|
| |
|
| |
MINISTER CALLS FOR REFORM OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (UNSC) DURING UN DEBATE ON THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS IN AFRICA |
| |
 |
| |
“It will be a travesty of justice to discuss the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Africa and the role of the United Nations Security Council without making reference to the need for the institution to be reformed.” |
| |
Speaking during a UN thematic debate to examine tools of peaceful resolution of conflict in Africa in New York on 25 April 2013, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, reiterated the call made in 2005 for a speedy reform of the UNSC.
“The position of Africa is very clear; Africa should at least be allocated two seats in a reformed Security Council. The debate has been going on for far too long and the time for action is now.”
The Minister called on the intergovernmental negotiations to move quickly during the upcoming 67th session in September to ensure that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) could “seize this historic opportunity before the 70th anniversary of the UN in 2015”.
The Minister also thanked the President of the 67th Session of the UNGA, Vuk Jeremic, for prioritising Africa and practically demonstrating it by convening the special sitting in the context of the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of Africa Unity to be celebrated at the end of May. |
|
| |
|
| |
SOUTH AFRICA AND GERMANY REAFFIRM ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP |
| |
| Germany is one of the leading trading and investment partners for South Africa. It is South Africa’s third-largest trading partner, the second-largest investor and the third-largest tourism market. |
| |
 |
| |
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, hosted the German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, for a working visit on 29 April 2013 to further strengthen the excellent relations that exist between the two countries.
Relations between South Africa and Germany are conducted through a Bi-National Commission, which meets biennially at the level of Deputy President/Vice Chancellor and is a major governmental instrument in coordinating bilateral cooperation.
Speaking during a joint press briefing on 29 April, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said Germany extensively supported South Africa’s national development priorities and had allocated an amount of approximately R3,4 billion to South Africa for the period 2012 to 2013. This included R426 million for development assistance and R3 billion as concessionary loans to development finance institutions and state-owned enterprises.
Development cooperation between the two countries covers areas such as climate change and the environment, renewable energy, vocational education and training, science and technology, and capacity-building. |
|
| |
|
| |
SOUTH AFRICA CONGRATULATES ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER |
| |
The South African Government is looking forward to working with the new Government in consolidating and strengthening political and economic relations that exist between the two countries. |
| |
On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the new Prime Minister of Italy, Enrico Letta, following the formation of a new coalition government on 28 April 2013.
President Zuma wished Prime Minister Letta well in his new position, reconfirmed his appreciation for the warm and close relations and committed to further strengthen the special relationship that existed between South Africa and Italy and their people.
South Africa and Italy share similar goals regarding the promotion of a balanced international order respectful of human rights, the strengthening of intercultural dialogue and supporting sustainable and fair development.
“In these challenging times for the international community, it is more necessary than ever for South Africa and Italy to combine their efforts to achieve them,” President Zuma said. |
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
| |
NPT STATES STRENGTHEN STANCE AGAINST USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS |
| |
 |
|
“By raising awareness about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, civil society has a crucial role to play, side-by-side with governments, as we fulfil our responsibilities. We owe it to future generations to work together to rid our world of the threat posed by nuclear weapons.” |
|
|
| |
In the interest of the very survival of humanity, parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) have made a call that nuclear weapons should never be used again, under any circumstances.
They say the catastrophic effects of a nuclear weapon detonation, whether by accident, miscalculation or design, cannot be adequately addressed and that all efforts must be exerted to eliminate this threat.
In a joint statement by state parties, which was delivered by the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, Abdul Samad Minty, during the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT in Geneva, the countries said the only way to guarantee that nuclear weapons would never be used again was through their total elimination.
They believed it was the shared responsibility of all states to prevent the use of nuclear weapons; to prevent their vertical and horizontal proliferation; and to achieve nuclear disarmament, including through fulfilling the objectives of the NPT and achieving its universality.
The full implementation of the 2010 Action Plan and previous outcomes aimed at achieving the objectives of the NPT must therefore not be postponed any further, the countries said in their statement titled “The Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons”.
The NPT came into force in 1970 with the avowed goal of stopping countries from building a nuclear bomb. Currently, 189 countries have ratified the treaty. SAnews.gov.za |
|
| |
|
| |
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL |
| |
The move marks the beginning of the implementation of a critical component of the Safa Technical Master Plan – the building of a rich and robust talent identification and development pipeline. |
| |
 |
|
The South African Football Association (Safa), in partnership with the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust, has unveiled a development programme that will help the country groom its young soccer talent.
The Safa Under-13 and Under-15 Boys and Girls Leagues will kick off in all the association’s 311 local football associations in May this year.
The programme was made possible through funding provided by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust.
Provincial U-13 and U-15 teams will participate in national competitions in December 2013.
In the process, 1 000 boys and 1 000 girls who show potential will be identified and put through high-performance tests conducted by high-performance universities. SAnews.gov.za |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES (SEZs) IN THE PIPELINE |
| |
| The SEZs are aimed to promote economic growth and job creation, by setting up enabling environments for developing targeted industrial activities and attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment in manufacturing and tradable services. |
| |
The Department of Trade and Industry has identified 10 potential SEZs countrywide, and will soon be conducting feasibility studies to determine their viability.
Presenting the SEZs Bill to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry in Cape Town on 26 April 2013, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, said his department was close to finalising Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape as an SEZ. South Africa’s existing industrial development zones (IDZs) in Richards Bay, East London and Coega outside Port Elizabeth will also fall under the SEZs programme.
SEZs included free ports, free trade zones, IDZs and sector development zones. southafrica.info |
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
| |
SA TO SUPPLY SECURITY VEHICLES TO BRAZIL |
| |
The deal is expected to help Brazil deal with security concerns for the hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. |
| |
 |
| |
South Africa's largest privately owned defence and aerospace firm, Paramount Group, has won an international bid to supply security vehicles to Brazil.
The vehicles will be used by Brazil's special police operations battalion and its shock police battalion, which is part of the country's military police and special resources battalion.
The deal is expected to help the country deal with security concerns for the hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. www.southafrica.info |
|
| |
|
| |
SOUTH AFRICA TAKES HOME AWARD AT ZIMBABWE TRADE FAIR |
| |
| This year’s fair was held under the theme, “Building Value, Enhancing Growth”. |
| |
 |
|
South Africa scooped the Best Stand Award for a second year running at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Thabethe, received the award on the department’s behalf on 26 April 2013 from Malawian President, Joyce Banda.
“This award does not belong to the dti but to South Africa as a country in general. To be crowned the best exhibitor in an international fair in which more than about 20 countries are participating is a great achievement,” the Deputy Minister said.
Italy and Mozambique were second and third, respectively.
The Deputy Minister led a group of 47 South African companies to the fair which is widely recognised as the largest intra-regional trade fair south of the Sahara. The 47 companies were an increase from the 34 companies that participated in the multisectoral, multinational fair last year.
SAnews.gov.za
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
