SARB commemorative coins celebrate Constitution

6 June 2019

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has lauded the South African Constitution for enhancing the country’s basic human rights since 1996.

SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said the central bank this year, while considering the most significant way to mark 25 years of democracy, opted to celebrate the Constitution.

He was speaking on Wednesday during the launch of the SA25 commemorative circulation and collectable coins at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg.

“The enhancement in basic human rights – the rights to housing, health care, basic services such as water and electricity, the rights of workers, the rights of civil organisations, the accountability of the executive to Parliament, the transformation of public finance management, the independence and competence of the judiciary, the independence and mandate of the SARB – all come from the Constitution,” said Kganyago.

Pandor's plan to give SA youth international exposure

7 June 2019

As South Africa marks Youth Month this June, newly-appointed International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor says she will use her appointment to leverage international opportunities for the youth of South Africa.

Photo: Newly appointed Minister Naledi Pandor, Deputy Minister Alvin Botes and Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini of DIRCO. (Photo credit: DIRCO)

“We should use the international opportunity far more than we are doing for young people to enjoy skills training.

“We should have thousands of young South Africans all over the world and I know there are countries that are interested in providing these opportunities but we have not always taken them up on it more robustly,” said the Minister in an interview with SAnews.

SA observes World Oceans Day

9 June 2019

South Africa has joined the global community in celebrating the annual World Oceans Day on Saturday - which raised awareness of the role of the oceans and the importance of conserving and protecting the country’s marine environment.

The day in South Africa also coincided with the declaration of a network of 20 new representative Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – which is an important step in the protection of the ocean environment.

(Image: Pixabay)

The network of 20 new MPAs increases the spatial protection of South Africa’s ocean environment from the current 0.4% to 5.4%.

A contradiction of the rise and set of the sun-based Eastern and Western Education experience

By Sibusiso R Bakana

On Tuesday 11th of June 2019, around lunch time in China, we realised that the breakfast news in South Africa was about the amaBhungane writing about a Malawian experience in a Chinese university as an ordeal.

This came to attention and the article went viral as several WeChat messages were popping as an exchange of opinions amongst South African students, some questioning the authenticity of the articles, others in defence of the Chinese educational system. While others are agreeing with the Malawian experience as a similar case. Amidst all the different opinions and while I was following the comments, I opted for writing this short experience that can be an addition to the current discussion between the eastern and western power struggle.

Norway celebrates Constitution Day

21 May 2019

The Ambassador of Norway Astrid Emilie Helle hosted a reception to celebrate Norway's Constitution Day in Pretoria.

On May 17th in 1814, a Constitutional Assembly signed the Constitution of Norway which at that time was considered one of the most democratic constitutions in the world.

Photo: Abdeslam Ajamay, Ambassador Astrid Helle and Director General Mashwahle Diphofa of Cogta

Today, said Ambassador Helle, “we are one of the most prosperous countries in the world. But a high GDP per capita and low unemployment are not the only indicators of a country’s well-being. We also top the UN’s Human Development Index and are rated the second happiest country in the world. I think our high level of equality is one key factor in not only promoting wealth, but also happiness.”

Việt Nam wins seat on United Nations Security Council with landslide vote

7 June 2019

NEW YORK — With near unanimous approval, Việt Nam has secured a seat on the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member for the 2020-2021 tenure.

Photo: (second row right to left) Vietnam Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Acting Director General of the International Organizations Department, Vietnam MOFA Do Hung Viet.

According to the results announced at 11:10pm (New York time), after the very first round of votes were counted, Việt Nam earned approval from 192 out of 193 voting countries and territories late on Friday during the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The result represented a record, with the landslide one of the largest in the history of the United Nations.

Indonesia’s Effort to Boost Medicine Sales in Africa

5 June 2019

"The needs of the African people to medical devices and medicines are undoubtly high, but their access is still limited. This provides great opportunity for us to continue our penetration into the African market. Indonesian branding must be strengthened, one of which is through our participation in this big exhibition," said the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Pretoria, Salman Al-Farisi, during the official opening of the Indonesian Pavilion at the Africa Health Exhibition, May 28-30 2019 in Johannesburg , South Africa.

Photo: Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Pretoria, Salman Al-Farisi, officially opening the Indonesian Pavilion

Develop and Prosper in Peace - Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Africa

On May 29, 2019, in the capital city of Maputo, Mozambique Vietnam Buddhist Association in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique organized the Buddha's Birthday Ceremony 2019. The Day of Vesak this year celebrates the Buddhist calendar year of 2563.

Photo: Birds set free as a prayer for peace and development of Mozambique and Vietnam and of the world.

In a first for Africa the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha (VBS) will establish the Vietnamese Buddhist Centre in Maputo. The centre will cater for the needs of the Vietnamese community in Mozambique while building and consolidating the friendship between Mozambique and Vietnam.  The centre will bring the Mozambicans and Vietnamese together to learn about each other’s cultures, get to know each other’s historical and modern traditions and customs.

Peace and love will be central to interactions of the Vietnamese Buddhist Association in Mozambique, through the many envisaged activities of the Centre in Maputo.

Georgia’s Independence Day 2019

On 23 May 2019, Georgia’s Independence Day was celebrated in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. The Reception was hosted by the Embassy of Georgia in Pretoria. The representatives of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), other South African Governmental institutions, diplomatic corps accredited in South Africa, educational Institutions, think tanks, business circles, members of South African Georgia Chamber of Commerce (SAGCC), friends of Georgia and Georgian citizens residing in South Africa attended the reception.

Photo: On 23 May 2019, Embassy of Georgia in Pretoria  marked Georgia's Independence Day in style, yet once again

Beautiful Harmony

20 May 2019

Naruhito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne to become Japan’s 126th Emperor. It follows the abdication (a first in 200 years) of his father Emperor Akhito and begins the Reiwa Era (Beautiful Harmony). The occasion of the Emperors accession was celebrated in traditional Japanese fashion at the Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

Photo: Ambassador Maruyama presents a video tribute of the life and times of Emperor Naruhito

Ambassador Norio Maruyama, who recently presented his credentials to the newly inaugurated South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, noted that among the first duties carried out by the new Emperor was the signing of his Letter of Credence.

The change in Emperor will also mean a change in the date of Japans National Day which is celebrated on the Emperor’s birthday which is February 23rd.

Poland Constitution Day

10 May 2019

Celebrating the 101 years of the world’s first constitution, Polish Ambassador to South Africa, HE Andrzej Kanthak stated how wave after wave of invaders tried to stop the Polish from celebrating their Constitution. He said that taking this away from Poland never works as the Polish will continue to re-instate it.

Photo: (l-r) Sister Alicja, Katarzyna Otczyk, Ambassador Andrzej Kanthak, Consul Dominika Mosek, Sister Joanna and Adam Szmidt and the Children of Mary Immaculate Nursery School.

He also remarked on how diplomats and historians refer to significant milestones and pointed out several including South Africa’s 25th Freedom Day and 70 years of NATO and 20 years of Poland’s membership of NATO.