Welcome to South Africa

Standing (l-r) Kingdom of Lesotho, HE Mr Nehemia Sekhonyana Bereng, Russian Federation, HE Ilya Rogachev, Republic of Colombia, HE Mr Carlos Andres Barahona Nino, Republic of Cyprus, HE Mr Costas A Papademas, Republic of Kazakhstan, HE Mr Kanat Tumysh, Swiss Federation, HE Dr Nicolas Bruhl and European Union, HE Mrs Riina Kionka
Seated (l-r) Republic of Rwanda, HE Mr Eugene Segore Kayihura, Republic of Malta, HE Mr Dionisio Vella, Republic of Guatemala, HE Mr Erick Estuardo Escobedo Ayala, Kingdom of Morocco, HE Mr Youseff Amrani, Republic of India, HE Mr Jaideep Sarkar, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Australia, HE Gita Kamanth, Republic of Zambia, HE Major General Jackson Miti, French Republic, HE Mr Aurelien Lechevallier, Republic of Niger, HE Mrs Mariama Seydou and Republic of Ireland, HE Ms Fionnuala Gilsenan (credit: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS) 

15 October 2019

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday, 15 October 2019, received Letters of Credence from Ambassadors and High Commissioners-designate who have been designated by the governments of 16 countries to serve in diplomatic missions in South Africa.  
 
The credentials ceremony took place at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Tshwane.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali awarded Nobel Peace Prize

11 October 2019

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea. The prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions.

When Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister in April 2018, he made it clear that he wished to resume peace talks with Eritrea. In close cooperation with Isaias Afwerki, the President of Eritrea, Abiy Ahmed quickly worked out the principles of a peace agreement to end the long “no peace, no war” stalemate between the two countries. These principles are set out in the declarations that Prime Minister Abiy and President Afwerki signed in Asmara and Jeddah last July and September. An important premise for the breakthrough was Abiy Ahmed’s unconditional willingness to accept the arbitration ruling of an international boundary commission in 2002.

(image: @EthiopiainSA)

6th SKA Africa Partner Countries Meeting

17 October 2019

Senior officials and experts concluded the 6th Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Africa Partner Countries Meeting on Monday, 14 October 2019, noting progress in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), African Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (AVN) and other astronomy initiatives aimed at the development of astronomy in the nine African SKA partner countries.

The SKA/AVN partners – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia – meet annually to provide strategic leadership on matters relating to SKA/AVN projects, as well as other relevant radio astronomy initiatives.

The AVN project aims to establish a network of self-sufficient radio telescopes in Africa through the conversion of redundant telecommunications antennas into radio telescopes, "new-build" telescopes or training facilities with training telescopes. This network will strengthen the science that the international VLBI community can do.

SA, Nigeria commit to condusive business environment

4 October 2019

The governments of South Africa and Nigeria have committed to creating a conducive business environment that will make it easier for business to operate.

“We are aware of the challenges that sometimes arise in our respective countries, and have agreed to put in the necessary mechanisms to address these,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

Photo: President Cyril Ramaphosa and  President Buhari at the Union Buildings during the Nigeria State Visit to South Africa. (Jairus Mmutle/GCIS​)

Addressing the South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum in Midrand, President Cyril Ramaphosa said there’s a significant number of local companies conducting business in Nigeria.

Currently South African companies are operating in Nigeria’s telecommunications, banking, retail, hospitality, mining, tourism, agriculture and construction and tourism sectors.

Russia-Africa look to deepen scientific ties

14 October 2019

With a week to go until the first ever Russia-Africa Summit, Russia has emphasised the need to expand and deepen scientific ties between that country and the African continent.

The Russia-Africa summit, set to be held in Russia's Sochi city on October 23-24, will be co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

The Russia–Africa Economic Forum will take place on the sidelines of the summit and will feature a business programme.

The programme will feature a session devoted to humanitarian and social cooperation between Russia and African countries themed ‘Russia and Africa: Science, Education, and Innovation for Economic Development’.

Russian Science and Higher Education Minister Mikhail Kotyukov, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council’s Committee on Science, Education, and Culture Igor Morozov, University of Russia Rector Vladimir Filippov, African Union Human Resources, Science, and Technology Commissioner Sarah Mbi Enow Anyang, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary George Albert Omore Magoha and Mozambique Science and Technology Minister Jorge Nhambiu are among the individuals set to participate in the session.  

Korea calls for ease of doing business in SA

2 October 2019

This year marks Korea’s 4,352nd anniversary since its national foundation, and the 71st anniversary of its Armed Forces Day. In South Africa Ambassador Jong-Dae Park hosted a reception to celebrate these events.

Photo: Mr Jong-Dae Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea with Mr Fish Amos Mahlaleia, Deputy Minister of Tourism

“Taking this opportunity, I would also like to ask the South African government to consider and offer best solutions to facilitate Korea’s and all other foreign countries’ business in terms of assuring their security and easing issuance of visas, so that they can contribute  to economic growth and employment in South Africa in a win-win manner,” a call from Ambassador Park.   

Speaking about South Africa’s upcoming Investment Summit Ambassador Park said that there are over 30 Korean companies in South Africa, with investments in the automotive, manufacturing, ICT, energy, construction, cosmetics and the shipping sectors, among others. “Many of our companies will participate in the upcoming South Africa Investment Conference next month. We are counting on South Africa to be not only an important market and economic partner in itself, but to also serve as a hub and springboard for the rest of the African continent. Be mindful that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement is now in effect and undergoing its implementation stage.”

A rising star ready to make it internationally

by Stella Sigcau

16 October 2019

Azemahle Lwanda Matebese a 13 year old, grade 8 scholar from Durban Girls High School has had a passion for dancing since a young age.

Daughter of businessman from KwaBomvana in the Eastern Cape Mr Ntsikelelo Matebese and his wife Princess Nombongo Matebese (nee Ndamase) who traces her roots to the Faku dynasty and ooBhayi has been dancing since grade 1, doing ballet and modern dancing. Her curiosity and love for the arts, according to her mother Nombongo Matebese saw her participate in other cultural activities at her school and in grade 3 was awarded with a Pick n Pay trophy for being an all- rounder in cultural activities within her Primary School, Glenmore in Durban.

SADC enhances cooperation with Indonesia

15 October 2019

”Indonesia is ready to be part of the African development, especially in the southern African region”

Photo: Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to South Africa Mr Salman Al Farisi with Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax

This was conveyed by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to South Africa and concurrently the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, and the Kingdom of Lesotho, H.E. Salman Al Farisi, at a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, on October 10th at the SADC Secretariat office in Gaborone, Botswana.

Ambassador Farisi conveyed that Africa has become the top priority of Indonesian diplomacy especially in the fields of investment, trade, and people-to-people contact.

Culture and Heritage Tourism Boost the Economy of the Mpondo Kingdom

15 October 2019

By Stella Sigcau

Mpondo Kingdom is known for its cultural richness, beautiful environment with an amazing landscape. It’s also known for the dynamism and warmth of its people rooted on Ubuntu principles. The environment and land to amaMpondo which to most is the main source of survival and being remains imperative. Mpondoland boasts a pristine coastline along the Indian Ocean which hosts marine and coastal habitats as well as pristine estuaries. It is also known for the annual sardine migration (Sardine Run) and its diversity of indigenous plants and trees. The rare Pondoland coconut palm was declared a national monument. Some of its wonders include the beautiful and magnificent rivers e.g. the Mzimvubu, Mngazi, Sikombe, Mbotyi Rivers, its falls e.g. Magwa falls, the nature reserves e.g. Mkhambathi and Hluleka, beautiful oceans e.g. Mzamba, Port St Johns, Umthatha mouth, Lambasi bay, the beautiful Mountains and natural forests in Ntabankulu which is host to the annual Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival.

A MEMORIAL, CORONATION, ENGAGEMENT AND A WEDDING: A ROYAL AFFAIR

by Stella Sigcau

15 October 2019

September and October months were very busy in the royal calendars throughout South Africa with heritage events hosted by Traditional leaders to promote their unique cultures and heritage whilst contributing to culture and rural development as well as tourism.

Photo: Nkhosi Mahumane coronated

To mention a few AmaMpondo celebrated their annual Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival, amaBhaca celebrated umkhosi wokukhahlela, amaHlubi celebrated the King Langalibalele Day, amaNtlane from Centane commemorated their local hero Nkosi Nqabane kaNtlane.

The famous Zulu Reed dance and the commemoration of Nkosi James Senzakhona Mahlangu of the Ndebele Kingdom also took place during this period. Apart from these heritage activities there were other significant royal affairs that attracted people from various walks of life who came to witness also culture and heritage, namely, an unveiling of a memorial monument, a royal engagement, a coronation and a royal wedding that saw relations created between two Kingdoms and between two countries.

Indonesian Tourism responds to Millennials and wins Award

8 October 2019

"The challenge to the tourism world is not getting easier. It is not only the global economic slowdown, but also a change in the traveller’s lifestyle which are very dynamic. Indonesia has all the capacity to serve the millennial market, from the digital infrastructure to a variety of special-interest tourism options”, said Mr Salman Al Farisi, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Pretoria, at the Indonesian Tourism Sales Mission in Johannesburg, South Africa on 3 October 2019.

Photo: Mr Salman Al Farisi, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Pretoria addressing the Sales Mission

The Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, the Ministry of Tourism and ITPC Johannesburg in collaboration with Singapore Airlines invited 25 travel agents and business partners in South Africa to brief them about the latest updates from Indonesia.