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Heita!
Es’kia Mphahlele was born in Marabastad (Kasie), a location in Pretoria where people of all races and religious beliefs cohabited in harmony. They attended the same schools, played on the same sports fields and were enriched by the cultural diversity. This was South Africa until the Nationalist Party of FW de Klerk, who died recently, introduced the heinous Group Areas Act of 1950 that devastated this idyllic existence of freedom. The forced removal of people according to race destroyed nationhood, and separated family and friends and introduced draconian and brutal measures to keep them apart. This was an indelible impact of Apartheid’s divide and rule legacy for which the FW de Klerk Foundation released an apology after his death. The Yunus Emre Institute for Turkish Culture in South Africa celebrated the legacy of Yunus Emre and Es’kia Mphahlele at a conference to mark 700 years of Yunus Emre.
The South African miracle, as it became known, is being undermined by the powers that be, to turn the much lauded negotiated settlement into a mirage. Fortunately, as was discussed at a workshop on a Peace Initiative for Yemen, it seems that the independence of the Chapter Nine Institutions set up to uphold the constitutional democracy of South Africa are holding strong, and together with the resolve of the South African nation, are forging ahead to realize the real value of freedom, equality and justice.
The squabble over coalitions for a majority in the local councils after the recent municipal elections in South Africa, although having the lowest turnout, shows that political parties should heed the will of the people, and not misinterpret what the people have voted for. The protest of abstaining to vote should sound alarm bells for political parties and the legitimacy of their mandate.
The 246th celebration of the US Marine Corps certainly reinforced the values of honour, courage and loyalty. Unfortunately, it seems US politicians and their politicking has irreparably damaged the reputation of the country. As reports of China taking over from the USA as the world’s largest economy, the Dialogue between China and the World was hosted by the Xi Jinping Academy with discussions on socialism for the new era. Environment and Climate will be central to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) taking place in Dakar, Senegal at the end of November.
Re-launching the vital tourism sector and mitigating the dire consequences of the Covid-19 global pandemic was scrutinized at the Korean Embassy in Tshwane/Pretoria when they hosted members of the Small Tourism Enterprise Association. The significance of people to people, face to face interaction is the essence of social structure.
The visit of His Beatitude Pope Theodore II, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa from Egypt affirms the unique and diverse links between the people of Africa.
The soulful art of Batik making was on display at the Indonesian Embassy as guests were given the opportunity to try their hand at this UNESCO recognized intangible heritage of humanity. Indonesia takes up the chair of the G20 from Italy and forms part of the troika with India.
Kirtan Bhana
Founder and Publisher
Yunus Emre and Es’kia Mphahlele – 'The Pen is Mightier than the Sword'
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The year 2021 has been declared as the “Year of Yunus Emre” by UNESCO commemorating the 700th anniversary of the celebrated poet.The Yunus Emre Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa organised a tree planting ceremony at Seshegong Secondary School in Olievenhoutbosch, Tshwane and named it the 'Yunus Emre Friendly and Memorial Forest in South Africa'.
To further deepen understanding between the people of South Africa and the people of Turkey, a conference connecting the great South African writer and philosopher, Es’kia Mphahlele and the Sufi mystic and poet Yunus Emre was held at the Institute in Johannesburg on 13 November.
Invited speakers Prof Muxe Nkondo, UNISA Council Member and Dr Mustafa Mheta, Senior Researcher enlightened guests of the significance of the work and the profoundness of their thoughts on human behaviour and relationships.
“The Institute aims to create a healthy friendship between Turkey and South Africa in its activities,” said Abdülaziz Yiğit, Director at the Institute.
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| A Yemeni solution for Yemen |
On the Panel (l-r) Anas Al-Hamati, Dr Abdulkader Al-Guneid, Ambassador Mohammed Dangor and Mohammed Bhabha Seated (1st row r-l) Ambassador Ahmed Hassan, Chargé D’ Affairs of the Republic of Yemen, Ambassador Sultan Bin Abdullah Al-Angari of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Tariq Al-Ansari of Qatar and Ambassador Ashraf Suliman of DIRCO
Will the total defeat of the Houthi rebels in the ongoing conflict in Yemen bring about the desired peace and stability in that Middle Eastern country? What does the South African experience of reconciliation and nationhood provide to the people of Yemen to bring an end to this dispute?
A workshop titled ‘Peace Initiatives in Yemen’ challenges and possible opportunities for building peace in Yemen was hosted at the Future Africa campus at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. The workshop was moderated by Anas-Al-Hamati, a humanitarian and development worker and graduate of Sana’a university. The six year long civil conflict has devastated this ancient land and is causing an unprecedented humanitarian and environmental crisis.
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| Apartheid-Era’s Last President, FW de Klerk, Was a Man at War With His History |
FW de Klerk leaves a divided and contested historical legacy.
By Ray Hartley, Research Director, The Brenthurst Foundation
To many South Africans, FW de Klerk was the last white leader of the apartheid state who changed tack to save his image as the Struggle closed in on the old order.
To the traditional Afrikaner nationalists, he is the “verraaier” who sold out the cause of racial separation and capitulated to the ANC.
Finally, to pragmatists – a minority in today’s feverish political discourse – De Klerk was a man who turned away from the straight-jacket of his past and did the right thing when asked to make a rational decision about the future of his country.
Happy 246th Birthday US Marines
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 Todd Haskell, Chargé d’Affairs of the United States of America to South Africa and Jennifer Haskell with members of the Marine Corps
Celebrating the birthday of the US Marine Corps, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States of America to South Africa, Todd Haskell, hosted an event at Hill House in Pretoria on 10 November. The celebration included the age-old traditions except the annual ball which didn’t take place due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Haskell, on congratulating the members of the Marine Corps said that he was honoured to celebrate the history of the Corps and witness the bond that unites all generations of Marines. On a personal note Haskell remembered his father, Walter J Haskell, a Marine who shipped out to war in 1943 and returned wounded, like so many others. He received a Purple Heart and many years later, while Haskell was posted in Tel Aviv, his father was invited to the celebration and was honoured as the oldest Marine there.
Dialogue between China and the world
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International Forum on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era
by Sibusiso R Bakana
The eighth edition of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is due to be held in Dakar, Senegal, from 29-30 November 2021. The theme of the conference will be “Deepen China-Africa Partnership and Promote Sustainable Development to Build a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in the New Era”, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on 5 November, he said that the meeting would “review and assess the follow-up implementation of the outcomes of the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit as well as the joint China-Africa response to Covid-19, and chart the course for China-Africa relations for the next three years and more to come.”
Madam Umi Al Farisi showing Princess Swati Dlamini Mandela the art of Batik
South African national hero, Nelson Mandela and global freedom icon was fond of batik shirts and they became his signature style. This is just one example of the global popularity and recognition of Indonesian Batik. In 2009 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) acknowledged Batik as a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Borderless Batik was the theme for the 2021 JIBB (Jogja International Batik Biennale). The event was a virtual and live hybrid event with the participation of 23 countries around the globe. In South Africa Ambassador Salman Al Farisi of Indonesia hosted Princess Swati Dlamini Mandela, granddaughter of Nelson and Winnie Mandela, at his residence in Pretoria to honour the event. Dlamini Mandela and invited guests were treated to Indonesian music, fashion and food.
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Tourism and Business opportunities between South Korea and South Africa
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Ambassador Chull-joo Park and Percy Koji (standing centre) and Judi Nwokedi (seated centre) pictured with members of STEA and the embassy
Percy Morapedi Koji, CEO of Small Tourism Enterprise Association (STEA) recently organized a meeting between STEA members and Mr Chull-joo Park, Ambassador of South Korea to South Africa. The aim of the engagement was to collaborate and to share opportunities between South Africa and South Korea and to increase tourism both ways.
Sang Min Lee, Director of Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) London Office as well as Ruby James, also from KTO London Office joined in the discussion remotely and gave insights into tourism in South Korea. Judi Nwokedi, COO of Tourvest and Koji, CEO of Travel with Confidence in turn highlighted tourism opportunities from a Southern African perspective.
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Egypt’s Ambassador to South Africa hosts His Beatitude Pope Theodore II, The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa
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On Friday 12 November 2021, Egypt’s Ambassador to South Africa Ahmed El Fadly received His Beatitude Pope Theodore II, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa upon his arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Pope Theodore II is visiting South Africa and Botswana during the period 12 to 26 November 2021 as part of a wider tour that includes a number of African countries.
Later on Friday, Ambassador El Fadly hosted a luncheon in honor of Pope Theodore II in Egypt’s Ambassadorial Residence in Pretoria which was attended by representatives of the Greek Orthodox Churches and the Coptic Church in South Africa, Ambassadors of the Orthodox countries accredited to South Africa, including the Ambassadors of Cyprus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Greek Embassy and the Consul of Greece in Johannesburg as well as a number of patriarchs, clergy and heads of the Greek and Cypriot Communities in South Africa.
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