The State Visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to South Africa is taking place from 18 to 20 October 2023. This is the second visit by a Dutch monarch since Queen Beatrix visited South Africa at the invitation of President Nelson Mandela in 1996.

President Ramaphosa officially welcomed Their Majesties at a ceremony on Thursday, 19 October 2023, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Following the Welcome Ceremony, President Ramaphosa and King Willem-Alexander led their respective delegations in official talks. 

The King was accompanied by a delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Minister of Defence; the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality; as well as the Minister of Education, Culture and Science. The delegation also included a business component of about 100 people, as well as the presidents of 25 universities and academic institutions from The Netherlands.

A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Fields of Higher, Technical and Vocational Education was signed on the margins of the visit.

The Netherlands is a major investor in the South African economy and one of South Africa’s significant trading partners. Total trade doubled between 2019 and 2022 when it reached R122 billion.

The Netherlands is also the fourth-largest source of overseas tourists to South Africa, even though the numbers declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the last year before the pandemic, South Africa received 144 071 Dutch tourists, but the number declined to only 21 755 in 2021, before recovering to 90 289 in 2022.

The visit by Their Majesties the King and Queen not only illustrated the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two countries but will accelerate cooperation in areas that bring benefits to the peoples of both countries.

– Source: www.thepresidency.gov.za

“It has never been our nature as South Africans to reserve our empathy only for those with whom we share an ethnic, racial, religious or cultural affinity.

“As South Africans, we have made it part of our national DNA to stand firm against all forms of prejudice, including racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and xenophobia. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of both Palestine and Israel as they go through these difficult times,” the President said.

The President bemoaned the harrowing deaths of Israeli and Palestinian civilians during this conflict.

“It has been traumatic to see the images of civilians killed, wounded and captured; of destroyed homes; and of entire neighbourhoods flattened by bombardment. The atrocities that we have witnessed since last week Saturday are the latest chapter in a painful history of suffering, oppression, occupation and conflict going back more than 75 years.

“The harrowing deaths of Israeli and Palestinian civilians are a shock to our collective humanity. While international law recognises the right of oppressed people who defend themselves to use arms as a means of struggle and defence, that right must be exercised within the bounds of the Geneva Conventions,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said the images of the killing of civilians in Israel by Hamas just over a week ago and the ongoing killing of civilians in Gaza by Israeli forces went against the tenets of international law, which prohibits the targeting of non-combatants, especially women, the aged and children.

He expressed the country’s sadness and condolences to all those who are going through the most difficult time with their families.

“As South Africans, we are particularly filled with deep sorrow, as some who have died are South African citizens caught in this conflict.

“The sheer scale of human suffering is a grim reminder that it is civilians who bear the brunt in armed conflict and who pay the heaviest price.

“We stand firm against violence directed at civilians; against the killing of children, the elderly, the infirm and non-combatants; against the targeting of critical infrastructure such as hospitals; and against the collective punishment of civilian populations.”

The President said that the wanton attack on civilians in Israel and the siege of Gaza and the decision to forcibly expel a population of over one million people from Gaza, together with the indiscriminate use of force, laid the basis for further suffering and death on a huge scale.

“Acts of collective punishment like cutting electricity, food, water, medical and other essential supplies to civilian populations are abhorrent, as is the deliberate destruction of people’s homes.

“As South Africans, this has echoes of the collective punishment of our own people by the apartheid regime as it sought to destroy the liberation movement. It brings back painful memories, as it does for our neighbours in the region,” the President said.

He emphasised that South Africa echoed the position taken by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, that depriving civilians of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international law.

He noted the growing concern that the current conflict might render the possibility of a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians and a two-state solution even further out of reach.

The President said reconciliation and peace were possible if there is demonstrable political will from all sides, and when ordinary citizens commit to a common, shared future.

“Without justice, there can be no peace. The cycle of violence that has been unleashed, is the tragic outcome of decades of unmet and unfulfilled possibilities to peacefully solve the problem between Israelis and Palestinians.

“The international community has a responsibility to support peace and to create favourable conditions for negotiation and dialogue, and not to fan the flames of conflict. World leaders need to, and must make, a call for peace and not vengeance,” the President said.

He emphasised that the only way to bring about peace was the fulfilment of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to human rights, dignity and nationhood.

“It is our collective hope that the Israeli and Palestinian people come together, reconcile and choose the path of a just peace,” he said.

‒ Source: SAnews.gov.za

“The hydrogen economy has a prominent role to play in our country’s JET, providing employment and support to vulnerable workers, communities and small businesses.

“It has been estimated that the hydrogen economy has the potential to add 3.6% to our gross domestic product (GDP) by 2050 and approximately 370 000 jobs. We must act with purpose to harness the potential of the green hydrogen economy,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa addressed the second iteration of the South African Green Hydrogen Summit (SAGHS) in Century City, Cape Town, on Monday, 16 October 2023.

The inaugural SAGHS, held in 2022, reaffirmed South Africa as an investment destination of choice and a world leader in the green energy space. It focussed on scaling up regional cooperation around green hydrogen.

This second summit aimed to highlight South Africa’s exceptional potential as an early-stage, large-scale and low-cost world-class green hydrogen production hub and total value chain investment destination.

South Africa’s Investment Strategy, approved by Cabinet earlier this year, lists green hydrogen as one of the big frontier strategic sectors expected to attract foreign and domestic direct investment.

The President emphasised the nation’s goal to position itself as a globally competitive player in this dynamic and growing industry.

The President noted that 64 countries, accounting for 89% of global emissions, had announced net zero targets by 2050. He further said that it was anticipated that global green hydrogen demand would increase sevenfold by 2050.

He said that for the world to limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius, green hydrogen would need to constitute 10% to 20% of the global energy mix.

“South Africa has committed to ambitious emission reduction targets. Our own estimates indicate that green hydrogen has the potential to remove 10% to 15% of our domestic emissions and contribute to our nation’s long-term energy security,” he said.

Green Hydrogen Alliance

The President acknowledged the collaboration efforts being made through the African Green Hydrogen Alliance, which includes Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Ethiopia, Angola and South Africa.

The alliance aims to harness Africa’s potential in developing green hydrogen industries. It aims to make joint calls for technical support, funding and market access to international public and private-sector partners.

“The inaugural summit laid a strong policy foundation. This year’s summit has a dedicated project focus, providing an opportunity to demonstrate the degree to which projects have matured and advanced. This is also an opportunity to demonstrate technological developments and advancements in the green hydrogen space.

“Close cooperation between public, private and financial partners will be key to unlocking Africa’s green hydrogen potential. This will enable mass-scale domestic and international demand for green hydrogen and increase cooperation on green hydrogen production, storage and distribution infrastructure,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President emphasised that if investment was significantly scaled-up, green hydrogen could deliver the equivalent of more than one third of Africa’s current energy consumption, increase the collective GDP, improve clean water supply and empower communities.

He said proper planning, regulation and incentive schemes were critical to mobilise private-sector investment.

“South Africa has deep capital markets, with world-class conditions for generating renewable energy through solar and wind power, which are key drivers of the production of green hydrogen.

“Funding green hydrogen projects will require innovative financing structures sourced from multiple stakeholders,” President Ramaphosa said.

Building the green hydrogen industry

In June 2023, South Africa concluded a Heads of Agreement with the intention to launch the SA-H2 Fund. This is an innovative blended finance fund that will facilitate the development of a green hydrogen sector and circular economy in South Africa.

SA-H2 aims to secure US$1 billion in funding raised directly in South Africa or via indirect channels. The fund is a partnership of private and public enterprises, locally and globally.

Since the last summit, the President said advances had been made towards building the green hydrogen industry in the country.

These include a Joint Declaration of Intent with the German Government, focussing on market access, off-take opportunities and value-additive benefits in the production of green steel and green fertiliser.

South Africa has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Netherlands as an off-taker for green hydrogen derivative products.

“It is encouraging to note that a Memorandum of Cooperation will be signed at this conference by three multinationals in the green hydrogen mobility space, namely Sasol, Anglo American and BMW.

“Sasol will serve as a supplier to Anglo and BMW as part of their focus on commercial and passenger fleet transformation. These are important initiatives within the context of carbon border adjustment mechanisms,” the President said.

He thanked all the partners and sponsors that had made this summit possible. He sent a special mention to Anglo American, BMW, Sasol, the Industrial Development Corporation and GIZ.

“I wish business and government delegations at this summit well as we work to shape Africa’s green hydrogen agenda for the benefit of our economies and societies, now and into the future,” he said.

‒ Source: SAnews.gov.za

This was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the South Africa-Namibia Business Forum, held in Namibia on Friday, 13 October 2023.

“Our ministers of international relations tabled a report at the Bi-national Commission where they reported on up to 159 areas of agreement that they have worked on in the past few days. This process started after His Excellency Hage Geingob visited South Africa on a State Visit earlier this year.

“This business forum was presaged by those agreements that they have been working on for all this time. To have had up to 150-something areas agreement is a truly outstanding feat … that is a result of real good hard work,” he said.

The President said the two countries could use the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area to position themselves as an industrialising hub for the continent with a focus on increased trade between the two countries and with the rest of the continent.

The agreements encourage the two governments to deepen or broaden cooperation in four specific areas:

• green hydrogen
• developing cross-border value chains to boost industrialisation and economic development
• promoting higher levels of investment in each other’s economies
• facilitating deeper private-sector relations.

On green hydrogen, the President said: “South Africa is in the process of considering and finalising a green hydrogen commercialisation strategy. Namibia too is implementing its green hydrogen strategy. We can either go at it alone as South Africa and Namibia or we can position this part of the west coast of the African continent as a key green hydrogen region.”

Turning to cross-border value chains, President Ramaphosa said the two countries together had “the key elements of success”.

“We have raw materials, ranging from critical minerals to agricultural raw materials. We have technology, capital, an increasingly skilled and educated workforce and infrastructure. A number of value chains can be identified.

“One of these relate to our use of critical minerals to ensure that manufacturing takes place on the African continent,” he said.

President Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa’s favourability as an investment destination and called on Namibian businesses to do business in the country and called on South African companies to do the same in Namibia.

“I want to invite Namibian businesses who want to expand their operations to set up businesses in our country. Similarly, South African companies can work with the Government of Namibia and local business partners to set up operations here.

“In order to boost investment, we agreed earlier today to request our ministers of trade and industry to work towards establishing a financing facility for industrial and productive development projects,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said business fora like the one held on Friday were an example of platforms that must be created to strengthen “dialogue and stimulate joint ventures” in the private sectors of both countries.

“Namibian businesses must see benefits from the involvement of South African firms in Namibia and vice versa.

“I wish to welcome two key decisions we made at the Bi-national Commission today. They are, firstly, to deepen cooperation to attract private-sector investment in agreed areas of cooperation.

“Secondly, to establish a South Africa-Namibia Business Council to serve as a public-private sector platform for coordinated and concerted actions,” President Ramaphosa said.

– Source: www.gov.za

“We are indeed stronger together when we come together in our diversity and we create opportunities for people to live their passion, fulfil their potential and display their talents.

“But, we’re also together on days when we struggle and when we create the space for people to come back from difficulty and to continue the journey to victory with us.

“Out of the 20 nations in the World Cup, the Springboks delighted and inspired us whether they were on the field, on the bench or in the coaches’ box.

“We wish the Springboks the very best as they prepare for what we hope will be another unforgettable victory next week.”

‒ Source: SAnews.gov.za

“We must never undermine the importance of our efforts through structures such as the National Economic Development and Labour Council and others, because it is indeed through these social compacts that we can further develop our country and empower South Africans,” Deputy President Mashatile said on Thursday,12 October 2023.

Speaking at the Seventh Annual Solutions Exchange Conference in Johannesburg, Deputy President Mashatile said government was encouraged by the pledges signed with 115 CEOs, who have demonstrated their willingness to help to implement some of the interventions undertaken towards socio-economic transformation.

The Deputy President said the Department of Employment and Labour had spearheaded the National Pathway Management Network, which is a networking initiative that has brought together over 30 diverse partners to aggregate opportunities from across the economy.

He said the network enabled young people to find earning and learning opportunities, enter the labour market and receive the support that they require to establish their own businesses at no cost.

“The SA Youth platform launched by Harambee, through the National Pathway Management Network, has over 4.1 million young people registered and is the largest platform in this network.

“This is an inclusive platform that uses cutting-edge technology such as geo-mapping, which allows for youth to be matched with opportunities closer to their residence, thereby saving transport and other costs.

“It is indeed this niche innovation that has made it possible for young people, who live further away from the economic hubs, to also access economic opportunities and kick-start their entry into the labour market,” the Deputy President said.

Deputy President Mashatile said young people had been supported to secure over one million opportunities on the system from over 1 000 opportunity holders.

“Our government remains committed to increasing private-sector investment in order to promote job creation. To accomplish this, we have facilitated an investment drive with an initial target of R1.2 trillion over a five-year period.

“We have since mobilised nearly R1.5 trillion in investment commitments, therefore exceeding this goal and many of these investment commitments are expected to translate into actual employment,” he said.

He said the South African economy employed 5.1 million youth, 3.4 million of whom are employed in the formal economy.

“As we work closely with the business community to create jobs for our youth, we must not forget the power of entrepreneurship. The State has the responsibility to collaborate with business and the people in co-creating strong economies that enable development to occur,” the Deputy President said.

Deputy President Mashatile said as leaders of government, business and civil society, they believed in the youth of South Africa, whose contributions would be critical in shaping the future of the economy.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

According to the Fourth Geneva Convention, “civilians in areas of armed conflict and occupied territories are protected by the 159 articles of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Civilians are to be protected from murder, torture, or brutality and from discrimination on the basis of race, nationality, religion or political opinion”.

The United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights has previously declared Israel’s “continuous grave breaches” of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Additional Protocol I to be war crimes.

“International Humanitarian Law includes the obligation not to target civilian populations and the responsibility to protect civilians in armed conflict. Israeli bombardments from the air, sea and land have continued and intensified across the Gaza Strip for the sixth consecutive day.

“This is an egregious violation of International Humanitarian Law,” said DIRCO.

According to the latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the continual bombardment of the Gaza Strip has now resulted in over 423 000 internally displaced people (IDP), this represents an increase of 24% over the past 24 hours. Two-thirds of the IDPs are taking shelter in UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools.

“[The] announcement by Israel giving 1.1 million Gazans 24 hours to leave the Northern Gaza Strip and evacuate to the South of Gaza, will lead to further catastrophe as, according to humanitarian organisations on the ground, there are not enough resources to host so many IDPs in other governorates ‒ not enough shelter, aid or water.

“The UN has announced that UN schools turned into shelters are already overrun with shortages in resources, including food, water, medicine and other humanitarian provisions as required under International Law,” the DIRCO statement read.

The department urged the Israeli Government to heed calls to provide services to the Gaza Strip.

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has stressed that crucial life-saving supplies, including fuel, food and water, must be allowed into Gaza.

Between 100 and 150 Israelis, including soldiers and civilians, some of whom are women and children, as well as some foreign nationals, have been captured and forcibly taken into Gaza. Secretary-General Guterres has also called for the “immediate release of all Israeli hostages, which is also forbidden under International Humanitarian Law”.

“South Africa calls on Israel to immediately heed the calls of the UN Secretary General, the plethora of humanitarian organisation operating in Gaza and a number of governments around the world to immediately provide water, food, fuel and electricity to the people of Gaza.

“South Africa also calls for the release of the Israeli hostages taken into Gaza,” the department said.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

Twenty laptops were handed over to students of Mshadza Secondary and Lungisani Secondary School. Each school received 10 laptops.

While outlining steps to address challenges that are facing the successful implementation of the AfCFTA, Furriel emphasised that an investment-led trade approach was key. She said trade integration and liberalisation must be accompanied by programmes to support African industrialisation, regional value chains and infrastructure development. She added that continued engagement with the Southern African Customs Union and other AfCFTA members on rules of origin that would support Africa’s industrialisation objectives was vital to the successful implementation of the AfCFTA.

The Scientific Director at L’Oreal South Africa, Dershana Jackison, described the AfCFTA as a key business, regulatory and policy instrument that would shape the cosmetic market of the future. She urged industry players and trade associations to actively participate in its implementation and for government to ensure that the cosmetic sector is prioritised.

Jackison noted that standards harmonisation and technical regulatory convergence for the continent were important as they would dictate market control and access to currently untapped African markets. But for this to happen, she said the industry players through trade associations and government must influence and contribute to the direction they take.

“It is estimated that the AfCFTA has a potential to boost intra-Africa trade by 52.3% by eliminating import duties and to double this trade if non-tariff barriers are reduced. Access to African markets through the AfCFTA is expected to expand the size of Africa’s economy to US$29 trillion by 2050. This offers huge opportunities for the cosmetic sector,” said Jackison.

According to the Senior Manager of Analytical and Material Sciences at the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA), Dr Maria Fernandes-Whaley, NMISA’s efforts in the essential oils industry offer tangible benefits to South African businesses in the chemicals, cosmetics and related sectors, aligning with the AfCFTA’s goals of enhancing intra-African trade and economic growth.

“The recent launch of the first accredited testing service for essential oils in southern Africa by NMISA holds tremendous promise for not only the essential oils industry but also for various sectors, including chemicals and cosmetics, under the AfCFTA,” said Dr Fernandes-Whaley.

Dr Fernandes-Whaley added that NMISA’s accreditation to the international standard ISO/IEC 17025 carried significant implications for South African industries, particularly those in the chemicals and cosmetics sectors. She said one of the key advantages offered by NMISA’s accredited testing service was the international recognition of test reports and certificates of analysis for essential oils.

“This recognition eliminates the need for further testing when South African companies export their products, which can be a cumbersome and costly process. As a result, producers in southern Africa, including those in the cosmetics sector, will gain a competitive edge by enhancing the credibility and quality assurance of their products on the international market,” added Dr Fernandes-Whaley.

The dtic has already embarked on provincial awareness workshops, which provide a platform for information-sharing with the private sector on the benefits offered under the agreement. The workshops were also used to also identify South African companies in various provinces, in the targeted sector masterplans and other priority sectors that have the capacity to export to the rest of the continent.  More workshops focussing on different sectors are being organised.

– Source: www.gov.za

Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said, “I am delighted that so many of the incredible offerings we have in the Western Cape have been recognised on such a prestigious world stage. The closer we get to our summer peak period, the more reasons we must expect a record-setting season. This is very exciting because the tourism and hospitality sector contributes significantly to our economy and especially to job creation in the Western Cape.”

The Western Cape winners include:

• Africa's Leading Airport 2023: Cape Town International Airport, South Africa
• Africa's Leading City Destination 2023: Cape Town, South Africa
• Africa's Leading Cruise Port 2023: Port of Cape Town, South Africa
• Africa's Leading Design Hotel 2023: Labotessa Luxury Boutique Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
• Africa's Leading Luxury Hotel 2023: The Silo Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town South Africa
• Africa's Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2023: Villa Two@Ellerman House, Cape Town, South Africa
• Africa's Leading Luxury Resort 2023: One&Only Cape Town, South Africa
• Africa's Leading Sports Resort 2023: Pezula Nature Hotel & Spa, South Africa.

MEC Wenger continued, “I’d like to congratulate all our amazing winners for their contribution to ensuring that Cape Town and the Western Cape remain a destination of choice for visitors. I’d also like to recognise all our other impressive brands that were nominated, which is a great indication of the sector’s commitment to and achievement of excellence.”

“More tourists mean more jobs in our province and the flurry of tourism and hospitality accolades awarded to so many in the Western Cape tourism and hospitality sector gives us hope that by working together to support and grow the industry, we can grow our economy and create many more jobs for residents.” concluded MEC Wenger.

 – Source: www.gov.za

Having the chance to grow an audience overseas is always a big deal for artists, performers and bands. Time and time again, we celebrate South Africans that are making it big overseas. Just recently, Black Coffee made history for South Africa with his performance at Madison Square Gardens.

Now it’s GoodLuck’s turn. This amazing band has spent over a decade building up its fanbase. From signing international deals to bringing joy to crowds – the band’s trio are flying the South African flag high.

The band is setting its sights on a summer tour in South Africa and then heading over to Ireland, UK and Vietnam.

Their six-city tour GoodLuck Live in UK & Ireland for this October and November has already broken their own record by selling out the London show in less than eight hours. The multi-city tour will see the band perform in Brighton, Southampton, Sheffield, Manchester and at London’s O2 Academy, and for the first time ever, performing in Ireland at Dublin’s The New Academy venue.

Then it’s on to Vietnam after the tour had been postponed for the last two years and returning for a headline slot at The Monsoon Festival, which is huge.

The band is going to be busy, but spreading that authentically inspiring and energetic South African sound along the way.

‒ Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

The team is using the World Rescue format for the scenarios and using more complex training scenarios with door and roof removals, as well as patient care for multiple patients in conjunction with extricating other patients.

‘The team consists of highly skilled extrication specialist firefighters, who are trained at rescuing victims from trapped motor vehicle accidents. Often during horrific motor vehicle collisions where victims are trapped and getting them to hospital becomes critical, it is a race against time and every second counts. Through exposure to new extrication techniques, it is another investment in knowledge and skills, which allows quicker extrication of trapped victims in horrific motor vehicle accidents,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The team was first invited to compete in 2016 and returned in 2017. They participated again in 2018 when the World Rescue Challenge was held in Cape Town. In the 2019 competition in France, the team participated with new car technology where the vehicles were sponsored by Renault.

The international competition returned post-COVID in 2022, where the team again managed a top-10 position in Luxembourg.

‘The challenge will be tough as this is the stage for the world’s best rescuers. The team will be learning from the teams from the other countries and be exposed to new methods of working, new equipment on the market and utilising these tools in the pits when doing the scenarios,’ said Alderman Smith.

The nine-person team boasts 176 years of experience between them and while they’re stationed at different firehouses, they train together to ensure they can compete in the World Rescue Extrication Competition.

The team will return and take on the role of trainer and mentor to the rest of the firefighters in the latest techniques and this allows the service to upskill all its firefighters to render a more clinical extrication rescue to trapped victims.

‘With more vehicles on our roads, motorists are exposed daily to the possibility of being involved in an accident. Should this happen, rest assured, there is a Fire & Rescue Service that can deal with such incidents. We wish the Cape Town Destroyers well and we know they will make us proud,’ added Alderman Smith.

The team members are:

• Incident Commander – Station Commander Morne Haskell, stationed at Goodwood Fire Station
• Technician – Station Commander Warren Sam, stationed at Goodwood Fire Station
• Technician – Station Commander Virgel Cloete, stationed at Strand Fire Station
• Reserve technician – Senior Firefighter Alvin Kaliza, stationed at Goodwood Fire Station
• Technician – Senior Firefighter Michael Gardiner, stationed at Strand Fire Station
• Reserve medic – Firefighter Robert Stamatiadis, stationed at Lakeside
• Main medic – Firefighter Gershwin Cloete, stationed at Sir Lowry’s Pass Fire Station
• Medic – Firefighter Keenan Walters, stationed at Milnerton Fire Station
• Team Manager – District Head Operations, Arlene Wehr.

Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

– Source: www.sapeople.com

According to the film’s production notes, “The Wait is an allegory of South Africa’s complex society, where a sense of powerlessness and hope exist together at all times.”

Hamdulay is a writer, director and producer, based in Cape Town. His films have been selected for many film festivals around the world and he has won several awards, including the Durban International Film Festival Best SA Feature Film award in 2021, for Sons of the Sea.

The Wait, which is produced by Khosie Dal, will be competing with 13 other films during the festival, which runs from 30 November to 9 December in Jeddah.

– Source: www.sapeople.com

The International Emmy nomination places The Mandela Project in the company of exceptional works from France, the United Kingdom and Brazil.

“We are truly honoured by this International Emmy Award nomination for The Mandela Project and are immensely proud to have partnered with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and YouTube Originals Black Voices on this project. The recognition that we have received reaffirms our mission to deliver exceptional African storytelling and speaks to the phenomenal talent of the team. As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the passing of the iconic Nelson Mandela and are on the brink of celebrating 30 years of South Africa’s thriving democracy next year, this work takes on an even deeper resonance.

“The Mandela Project serves as a poignant reminder of Madiba’s indomitable spirit, his enduring legacy and the journey of an entire nation towards freedom and equality. This nomination is motivation for Paramount to continue to play an integral part in creating impactful change within society, through creativity,” says Dillon Khan, Vice President for Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Creative Services at Paramount Africa.

The International Emmy Awards honour the world’s best television, and each year, leading television producers from around the world showcase their programming and compete to be recognised. This year’s winners will be announced at a gala event, which will take place on Monday, 20 November 2023, at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City, and with The Mandela Project on the cards, it will be a night to remember.

– Source: www.sapeople.com

“France asked a lot of questions of us, but the character we showed stood out. We had a clear plan on what we needed to do, especially at the breakdown and we had to fight for one another, especially in the last eight minutes of the yellow card. I’m proud of the guys and the discipline they showed.”

Nienaber was equally proud of the team: “We knew how tough it would be to come to France and face the French. They’ve been playing well and were consistent in their performances.

“They’ve also been building well as a team, so we knew it was going to be a proper test match and it was always going to be tight. Many of the games (in the tournament) have been won and lost in the last eight minutes.”

Kolisi added to the coach’s sentiments.

“To latch onto what Jacques said, their team has been building for four years and we knew it would take everything (to win),” said Kolisi.

“For their captain to come back from an injury and then play the way he did was good.

“We knew how loud and intense it would be at the stadium, but the French people can be proud of their team. It was a tough game and we knew it would take something special.”

While Nienaber was open about his excitement, he said the Boks still had work to do if they wanted to defend their title.

“There were good things and other things we didn’t do so well,” said Nienaber, “but there was the pressure of a knock-out game and we know there is a lot we need to work on going forward.”

The Springboks moved hotels in Paris on Monday and had the day off to rest and recover before returning to training on Tuesday for the semi-final.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

The South African women’s team aimed and achieved their goal to win the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Olympic Qualifier, thus securing the coveted 2024 Olympic spot.

For that incredible effort by his players in Tunisia – where they beat Kenya by 12-7 in the final after an earlier 31-0 victory over Zambia in the semi-finals – head coach Renfred Dazel said he would be forever grateful.

“I feel so happy for the players who worked so hard to achieve this – we were denied in 2016 and 2020, but this time it is official and it’s such a great feeling,” said Dazel.

“We knew Kenya was going to be a tough opponent and I told the players that defence will win us this one. We did really well in the first half, but could not convert all our pressure into points, so when they took the lead in the second half, we had to fight hard.

“But once again, like in the Challenger Series final, we had the fight in us for the win and it was a great comeback.”

The Springbok Women’s Sevens team earlier in the year secured core status on the revamped HSBC SVNS after winning the Challenger Series in Stellenbosch, and Dazel said qualifying for the Olympic Games would further boost their profile.

“It is huge for our system and it is huge for women’s rugby in the country overall,” he said.

“There will be more opportunities now for girls to come and play rugby, so winning this weekend was immense for the women’s game. The future looks bright.”

Rights Mkhari, one of the team’s co-captains, said the players were very proud about their achievement, especially since they had to stick together and fight back from 7-5 down to win the final.

“We had to dig deep and fight hard and that is a great feeling,” said Mkhari.

“We are emotional and proud right now. No one gave up, we kept pushing and playing for the teammate next to you. In the end, that was the difference and we scored when it mattered.”

Mkhari insisted that this victory would help grow the game among the youth: “That is one of the reasons we are so happy, this win opened the doors and now other can follow.”

Scorers:

South Africa 31 (21), Zambia 0 (0)
SA – Tries: Rights Mkhari, Nadine Roos (3), Ayanda Malinga, Maria Tshiremba. Conversions: Roos (3).

South Africa 12 (5), Kenya 7 (0)
SA – Tries: Nadine Roos, Maria Tshiremba. Conversion: Roos.
Kenya – Try: Sharon Auma. Conversion: Grace Okulu.

– Source: www.sapeople.com

The ceremony took place at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban.

The latest edition of the 2023 BRICS Games sae young athletes aged between 19 and 21 across BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations battling for various honours within five sporting codes.

These include swimming, badminton, table tennis, tennis and beach volleyball.

The games will be played simultaneously across Kings Park Swimming Pool, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Curro Hillcrest High School and Bay of Plenty from 18 to 21 October 2023.

“Following the BRICS leaders’ recommendation, the 2023 BRICS Games will be an expanded championship programme which will see more sporting and the inclusion of Paralympians in the code of tennis for the first time at the games.

“The opening ceremony officially unveiled competing teams from all the BRICS nations.”

‒ Source: SAnews.gov.za