Youth Economic Empowerment (YEE) – A Policy for the Future of South Africa

3 June 2020

by Sibusiso Reuben Bakana

As the temperatures were further reducing towards freezing point in 1976, in this same month, young people opted for a different mechanism in normalizing the freezing temperatures. What burned inside them was the fire of oppression experienced as the marginalized Africans. Young people, therefore, ignored the consequences of getting ill as they were already sick and tired of an oppressive system.

Indeed a generational mission, when united, is achievable!

Our generation is then faced with a different context as the commemoration this year will surely be celebrated virtually, and the older generation will be telling us what we need to do and will be promising us on summits, conferences to discuss the already known facts about our marginalization in almost every developmental strata of our society.

Mahinda Rajapaksa  : 50th Millstone in  Sri Lankan Politics

3 May 2020

By Srimal Fernando

Last week Sri Lankan Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa completed fifty years in his political career. In Sri Lanka many of the Rajapaksa followers consider the charismatic politician as a true leader of the masses.  On May 27, 1970 Mahinda began his political career as the youngest-ever Member of Parliament (MP) when he was elected to the Beliatta seat that his father, DA Rajapaksa vacated in 1965.  

Late D.A.Rajapaksa, a founding member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), was a prominent politician in the 1960s in the Prime Minister  Wijeyananda Dahanayake government.  Seven years later the young parliamentarian lost the Beliatta seat in a general election.  Since then as an opposition politician Mahinda chose to bring about changes in the Sri Lankan political system.  

Moreover, ten years later after his loss in a Parliamentary election, Rajapaksas captivating oratory skills and his popularity got  him re-elected as Parliamentarian.  Within no time Mahinda’s prominence in the political stage rose to new heights.  Furthermore as an opposition parliamentarian Rajapaksa played a vital role in bringing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) led People's Alliance (PA) to   power  in 1994 . Since then Rajapaksa  held numerous ministries from Labour to Fisheries until he became Prime Minister in 2004  .  The veteran leader first came to power as the 5th Executive President  in 2005.

New Normal Eid Celebrations a la Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria

28 May 2020

"I wish we can take the wisdom of this pandemic period by carrying out Ramadan prayers in more solemn manner at homes. Under all the challenges, I also hope that we all continue to work and perform our duties at best. God willing, with good intentions and effort, we will be more productive and continue to benefit the community", said the Indonesian Ambassador in Pretoria during a virtual gathering with Indonesian citizens on May 27, 2020.

Photo: Ambassador Salman Al Farisi and Mrs Umi Mahmudah Al Farisi

The ‘new normal’ during the Covid-19 pandemic did not stop Indonesians in the accreditation area of the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria to keep the friendship and brotherhood. The Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria organized a virtual gathering event between the community led by the Indonesian Ambassador in Pretoria, Salman Al Farisi, in celebration of the Eid al-Fitr 1441H.

SA artist using poetry to create awareness about Covid-19

By HRH Stella Sigcau

1 June 2020

Jessica Mbangeni’s enthusiastic roar behind the microphone is symbolic of her prowess, tenacity and never-say-die attitude. The poet has risen to the top of the ladder in South Africa and has become a face of oral tradition and traditional fashion.

She has become cultural Ambassador, flying SA flag high performing in various countries including the US, Scotland, India to mention a few.

She represented South Africa during the Bob Marley celebrations earlier this year in Jamaica where she is a household name, a place she calls spiritual home.  She is not shy about her roots in the African continent.

She is currently using the gift of poetry to create awareness about Covid-19 through what she calls XA initiative which started during lockdown. In Xhosa language she explains, means a point of realisation.  Her poetry which she shares with millions of South Africans through various forms of media gives hope and educates about this virus.

International Solidarity with Eastern Cape

by HRH Stella Sigcau and Kirtan Bhana

29 May 2020

Vietnam

Vietnam has recorded no deaths from Covid-19 since its outbreak in neighbouring China.  This South Asian country has had only 327 cases and almost half were that of foreigners entering the country.

In contrast, South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province has over 3000 cases and 77 deaths. This is one of the reasons that the Mayor of Mbizana Local Municipality, Councillor Daniswa Mafumbatha, reached out to the Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Hoang Van Loi, to assist her office in their initiatives in containing the spread of the virus through sharing of Vietnamese success story in containing the viral pandemic.

With a population of 97million people, Vietnam has had experience in responding to such outbreaks including SARS and MERS. The social distancing policy as well as strategic testing, contact tracing and effective communication campaigns to keep its citizens informed, was carried out.

SWRD Bandaranaike: Altered the Course of Sri Lankan Politics  

27 May 2020

By Srimal Fernando and Abhishekh Ganesh

The year 1951 would change the course of Sri Lankan political history when a split occurred inside the United National Party (UNP). In a astonishing political move SWRD Bandaranaike left his cabinet  post and crossed the floor in the Parliament to the opposition. Simultaneously his prevalence started to ascend inside the Sri Lankan masses as Bandaranaike launched a centre-leftist political party called Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Georgia Independence Day 2020

Listen to a beautiful rendition of the National Anthems of both Georgia and South Africa by Luka Dvali

26 May 2020

Mr Beka Dvali, Ambassador of Georgia to South Africa celebrates Georgia's Independence Day in the time of Covid-19 under lockdown rules. Remotely Ambassador shares his message on this independence day looking forward to relations between Georgia and South Africa post Covid-19. "Georgia had been on the verge of accelerated cooperation right before the pandemic struck and this year was supposed to bring never-before-seen interaction between our countries at Governmental level, in business, in sports like rugby, in people-to-people contacts and in many other dimensions. Notwithstanding the obstacles and delays caused by the pandemic in moving forward our bilateral agenda, now it is time for all of us to persevere, to recuperate, to recover and to re-energise our joint efforts in post COVID-19 era. And in this approach, we are happy to have dedicated allies – colleagues from DIRCO, from other Governmental Departments, all members of Southern Africa Georgia Chamber of Commerce (SAGCC), Georgian Community in South Africa, Georgia’s Honorary Consuls and all our friends in South Africa and indeed in Southern Africa."

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic triggered a Return of Human Solidarity and Progressive Internationalism?

Celebrating Africa Month

By Jaimal Anand and Nicholas Wolpe

24 May 2020

As Ahmed Kathrada remarked, “it would be a wrong interpretation of history if we ignored the role of the international community in our struggle”. This quote by the late struggle icon vividly captures the important role played by the international community in the struggle against apartheid and the pursuit to attain democracy and human rights in South Africa.

Photo: Jaimal Anand, Dirco and Nicholas Wolpe, CEO of Liliesleaf Foundation

The momentum produced by the struggle against apartheid stimulated and harnessed international support that transcended geo-political fault lines, which at the time were pronounced and rigid. As the world rose in unison against apartheid, we witnessed what could be achieved when the world came together as one voice, bound together by a common bond and purpose.

The essence of international solidarity lay in the singularity of purpose of countries. The fight against the injustices of apartheid was a clear articulation of this singularity of purpose. It was much more than just unified political beliefs, ideals, purpose and opposition to a repugnant ideology. It transcended politics and went into the realm of friendship, which was most vividly exemplified by the relationship between ANC president OR Tambo and Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme. The latter remarked, “there exists no they and we, only us.  Solidarity is and has to be indivisible”. This notion has unfortunately faded with a resurgence of realpolitik in our discourse. The political discourse now is increasingly about a return to preserving borders and keeping the “other” out.

Shaping the Global Agenda through Partnerships

Celebrating Africa Month

Africa and Asia Solidarity in the era of COVID-19

By Anil Sooklal

24 May 2020

We are passing through a stage in human history that will remembered as among the most challenging periods that humanity has endured. COVID – 19 has globalised the oldest and most significant threat to human existence. The threat has been so severe that we have taken to commit ourselves to isolation. Living without social contact goes against the grain of the basic human need for social interaction and human contact, and as the virus becomes globalised human interaction is becoming insular, it is at this point that we are experiencing an increasing need for cooperation and solidarity.

The painful short term scenarios will be marked by illness and loss of life. Along with these age old enemies to humankind we are seeing a renewed upsurge in our dearest friend, human solidarity. There is no disputing that we are at a historic crossroad and the decisions we take now will have lasting implications. Notably, having learned difficult and tragic lessons from countries in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world, most nations have prioritised human life and health. World economies have been decimated, security threats in vulnerable regions are present and continue to creep while public health systems worldwide are facing incredible strain with many on the verge of collapse.

I am Preaching a New Age of Holistic Innovation!

18 May 2020

Interview with Dieter Brockmeyer, Co-Founder and Director Innovation & TIME of Diplomatic World Institute and Chief Project Officer (CPO) of Diplomatic World (Group), Brockmeyer'"s column Change Now is a regular feature on the Diplomatic Society media platforms.

Photo: Crypto Asset Conference, CAC2020

Describing your background, taking us back to your earlier days, what motivated you to establish the Diplomatic World Institute?

I have been a journalist and developer of industry conferences all my professional life with a strong focus on the media and specifically in the TV industry. This connected me to telecommunications and the internet at a very early stage. So eventually I found myself to have developed a strong expertise in innovation. That led to launching a first exclusive global award, the Global Media innovator, which I organized for three seasons. During this period, I also met Barbara Dietrich who at that time took over the Diplomatic World magazine. Within only four of five years she turned that into a recognized global opinion platform where presidents of states, industry leaders and other great minds express their visions on the future of our planet. So, when she approached me with the idea of the Institute this appeared to be a logical step since the world is changing rapidly and needs new approaches and this has been speeding up even more with the Corona virus outbreak.

Southern Powers in a Post-COVID-19 Development Landscape

18 May 2020

By Srimal Fernando

The coronavirus pandemic receives unprecedented press coverage around the world, not just because it is a public health emergency, but also because it is has caused a global economic crisis.  Currently the developing countries in the Global South are faced with an unprecedented challenge from this Covid-19 pandemic.

The Jindal Centre for the Global South (JCGS) organised a webinar on the topic ‘Southern Powers in a Post-COVID-19 Development Landscape’, to discuss the matter more broadly. The keynote speaker, Dr. Philani Mthembu, the Executive Director for the Institute for Global Dialogue, an independent foreign policy think tank in   South Africa, delivered an insightful lecture.

The webinar was facilitated by Dr. Hebatallah Adam, Executive Director of Jindal Centre of the Global South (JCGS) of Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) . Eminent scholars from different think tanks and a number of university students joined in on the webinar as webinars become the new normal in the practice of social distancing.