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International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

24 April

Message by UN Secretary-General António Guterres

This first observance of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace underscores the value of international cooperation for the common good. For nearly 75 years, the multilateral arrangements established after the Second World War have saved lives, expanded economic and social progress, upheld human rights and, not least, helped to prevent a third descent into global conflagration. From the articulation of international law to the advancement of gender equality, from protecting the environment to limiting the proliferation of lethal weapons and deadly disease, multilateralism and diplomacy have a proven record of service to people everywhere.

But such cooperation cannot be taken for granted. This new International Day falls at a time when multilateral efforts are under pressure from unresolved conflicts, runaway climate change, widening inequalities and other threats. New technologies are creating diverse opportunities but also the potential for disruptions to job markets, social cohesion and the enjoyment of our rights. We are living with a paradox: global challenges are more connected, but our responses are growing more fragmented. We are seeing an increasing deficit of trust in governments, political establishments and international organizations, and the rising appeal of nationalist and populist voices that demonize and divide. This is very dangerous in the face of today’s challenges, for which collective action is essential.

South African Consulate for Dhaka

23 April 2019

The South African High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, concurrently accredited to Bangladesh, Ms. Robina P. Marks made a farewell call on Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, MP at the latter’s office on Monday. During the call, she informed that from 01 April 2019, South Africa will carry out its diplomatic relations with Bangladesh from its Mission in New Delhi.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, expressed satisfaction at the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Africa and highlighted the immense potential to further strengthen bilateral ties, especially in trade and investment.

Romania celebrates EU Presidency

16 April 2019

The Embassy of Romania in South Africa in celebration of Romania’s Presidency to the Council of the European Union hosted a concert by the talented Romanian pianist Daniel Ciobanu at Unisa

Romanian Ambassador Marius Boranescu (pictured left) highlighted Romania's priorities as President. Romania, who became a member country of the EU on 1 January 2007, holds the six-month rotating Presidency of the European Union from 1 January to 30 June 2019.

The priorities of the Romanian Presidency are driven by this motto: cohesion, a common European value, understood as unity, equal treatment and convergence.

Lebanese Relief Aid for Cyclone Idai victims

16 April 2019

The third-deadliest tropical cyclone on record, killing at least 847 in total and leaving thousands stranded, Cyclone Idai left the city of Beira like a war zone.

Having no less than a hundred Lebanese owning businesses and residing in Beira with their families, H.E. Mr. Kabalan Frangieh, Ambassador of Lebanon, visited them in the disaster struck city on the 27th of March 2019.

Photo: Ambassador Frangieh meeting with Mr. Paulik Ucacha, the Sofala Police Provincial Commander

The Ambassador met with the First Lady of Mozambique, Mrs. Isaura Nyusi and her relief team at Maputo International Airport and promised to urge the community to collect more donations to help relieve the victims of the cyclone.

Representing Africa in the World: Setting Priorities for South Africa’s Third Term in the UN Security Council

3 April 2019

Keynote Address by L N Sisulu, MP, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Johannesburg

I am glad for this opportunity to finally formally make your acquaintance. We have had an extremely difficult schedule since our mid-term re-arrangement of government, so it has been a rough ride for us. But we are here now and I hope we can establish a relationship where we can further consolidate our partnership and where we can benefit from this platform as we navigate treacherous waters or as we might need to explain difficult decisions we have taken or are faced with daunting challenges such as the matter of our relations with our neighbours. We would like to have a relationship with yourselves that enables us to tap into the resource that you are.

For today you have asked me to address you on our third term at the UNSC. We feel particularly privileged to hold this position at this time and even if I to say it myself, this is one area I feel confident to say we are doing well so far, but that will be for you to judge.
We hold our non-permanent seat on the basis of a request to the African Union to allow us to hold the seat. We have the experience; we have the profile; and in the year of Madiba’s 100th anniversary it would be a fitting tribute to him, for us to use our position to cement his values of Human Rights and to use that position to fight for reforms of the Institution and ensure that all the values he stood for are ingrained in the culture of all peace loving nations.

Our candidature was endorsed by the AU. That is a confidence boost we do not take for granted. What this means is that we are constantly conscious of our responsibility towards the continent. We have our own strong views on most of the matters under consideration, but we are sensitive to the fact that we represent more than ourselves and this can be a difficult balancing act. But we have managed it very well. We have created a very strong lobby group in New York among the African diplomats and they played a significant role in the support we received and continue to receive. That well-knit, informed network of our African diplomats provides us with the confidence and support we need. It has emboldened us. I must say I am very proud of our posture at the Security Council, except for the glitch on Myanmar, which I’ll return to later in the discussion.

Celebrating the Life of Chris Hani, A True Revolutionary, A Friend of Cuba

10 April 2019

Twenty six years ago, in the morning of Saturday April 10, 1993, South African Communist Party secretary-general and member of the ANC national executive committee, Comrade Martin Thembisile "Chris" Hani, was assassinated outside his Boksburg home.

Although he was only 50 at the time of his death, his contribution to the anti-Apartheid struggle was enormous.

Cde. Hani was one of the most courageous and talented revolutionary leaders on the fight for a new South Africa. Although he had been a military man for nearly thirty years, he strongly believed in peace.

‘So Sri Lanka’ promoted in South Africa

2019-04-08

The Sri Lankan High Commission in Pretoria with the support of the Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau organized a "So Sri Lanka” Tourism Exhibition in Menlyn from 20th to 25th March 2019. It was the first ever Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Campaign that took place in South Africa.

The Exhibition was launched on the 20th March 2019, and Bangladesh High Commissioner H.E. Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, Pakistan High Commissioner H.E. Sohail Khan, Georgian Ambassador H.E. Beka Dvali and Sri Lankan High Commissioner H.E. Kumar Mallimaratchi participated as the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour at the Launch.

The Year of Vikari Varusham

Iniya Tamizh Puthandu Nalvazhtugal the Year of Vikari (Love) Varusham to all.

The Trustees, Affiliates and the Executives of the Tamil Federation of Gauteng takes this opportunity in wishing you all that you desire.

As you walk this year through your many victories, trials, tribulations & moments of wonder, may Namashivaya walk alongside you, embracing all your worries and heartbreak, also sharing your glorious, golden moments made in heaven.

Bear in mind that life does not just happen. We have to build it with hard work, sacrifice, laughter, love, virtue, integrity & patience.

Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria begins Digital Marketing Era

3 April 2019

"This GBR exhibition is a bridge in our efforts to improve cooperation between Indonesia and South Africa. At this year's exhibition, we begin to introduce a digital platform to market Indonesian products, which can be accessed at any time, in every place.

Photo: Ambassador Salman Al-Farisi with President Commissioner of PT. Global Ecosystem Solutions, Hadi Lee

"It is time for us to align our speed with technological developments. I believe in the effectiveness of digital marketing to help further penetrate the African market", said the Indonesian Ambassador in Pretoria, Salman Al-Farisi on the sidelines of the Annual Global Business Roundtable (GBR) World Congress & Exhibition Exhibition on March 27-29 2019 in Johannesburg.

Cuban Vice President visits South Africa

2 April 2019

On March 31st, Inés María Chapman, Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba completed an official visit to South Africa.

Photo: Inés María Chapman, Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba with Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa

As the main activity of her program, the Cuban Vice President represented the Island as a country invited to the Conference of Solidarity with the Western Sahara of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), that took place on March 26 in Pretoria.

Mexico to Coordinate MIKTA Group for 2019

1 April 2019

MIKTA is an innovative partnership lead by foreign ministers that brings together Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkey and Indonesia to bridge divides in the multilateral system and build consensus on complex and challenging issues, drawing on the diverse perspectives of its members and their shared interest in an effective, rules-based global order.

Photo: Deputy Head of Mission of Australia, Sonya Koppe, Ambassador of Turkey, Elif Çomoğlu Űlgen, Ambassador of Mexico, Ana Luisa Fajer, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Salman Al Farisi and Jong Dae-Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

The Foreign Ministers of these emerging countries (also known as constructive powers) met for the first time in September 2013 in New York, under the initiative of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. Since then our exchanges have grown to encompass collaboration between academics, diplomats, journalists, parliamentarians, and experts in areas ranging from trade to international security, gender equality, governance and sustainable development.

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