29 July 2026 Issue 354 - The World on the Move
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Gugu Motlanthe delivering opening remarks (photo: TDS) |
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"Political vacuums never remain empty. They are always filled."
- Gugu Motlanthe, Executive Trustee, Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation
There are conferences that report on the world as it is, and there are those rare gatherings that challenge us to imagine the world as it could become. The Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation's Winter Seminar belongs firmly in the latter category. Convening leaders from government, diplomacy, business, academia and civil society, the Foundation once again demonstrated that its greatest contribution is not simply convening dialogue but elevating national discourse. At a time when public debate is increasingly polarised, the Foundation has created a trusted space where complex questions can be examined with intellectual honesty and historical perspective. It is a contribution worthy of recognition and one that South Africa, and indeed Africa, needs now more than ever. The seminar's central theme was migration. Yet beneath every discussion lay a more profound question. Migration is not merely about the movement of people; it is about the movement of hope. People seldom leave behind family, culture and homeland simply because another destination appears attractive. They move because opportunity has become unevenly distributed, because aspiration has outgrown possibility, and because somewhere a vacuum has emerged between what life promises and what society delivers. |
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| Beyond Protocol, The Rise of Network Diplomacy |
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Pictured (l-r) at the launch are Ange Okamba - Economic Counsellor - Embassy of the Republic of Congo, Rod Ciangillan Rembendambya – Ambassador of Gabon, Gil Bires - Commercial Counsellor - High Commission of Mozambique, Antonis Mandritis – Ambassador of Cyprus, Maceda Huo – Counsellor - High Commission of Mozambique and Constantinos Tsouroulis – Founding President of the Chamber (photo: TDS) |
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The launch of the Pan African Hellenic Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Professionalism and Entrepreneurs NPC in Pretoria may, at first glance, appear to be the establishment of another business chamber. In reality, it is emblematic of a profound transformation taking place in international relations, one in which diplomacy is increasingly driven not only by governments, but by networks of business leaders, professionals, diaspora communities, academia and civil society.
The world is entering a new era. For centuries, diplomacy was the exclusive preserve of nation states. Ambassadors negotiated treaties, governments managed alliances, and embassies served as the principal conduits of international engagement. While these institutions remain indispensable, they are no longer the sole architects of global cooperation.
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South Africa, Nigeria strengthen cooperation on migration, security and governance |
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Minister Ronald Lamola (file photo) |
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South Africa and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration, governance and regional security, following high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at easing tensions and deepening relations between the two countries.
The engagements come as migration and immigration continue to dominate discussions across the continent, with African leaders placing greater emphasis on finding coordinated responses to cross-border movement, public safety and governance challenges. President Cyril Ramaphosa's Special Envoy to Nigeria and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, concluded a diplomatic mission to Abuja, where he delivered an official message from President Ramaphosa to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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| Russia and China: Geopolitical Rivals and/or Competitors in Africa |
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The growth of neo-colonial tendencies, the current geopolitical developments and the scramble for its resources by external countries in Africa: these are some of the issues researcher and business analyst Lipton Matthews has recently discussed in an interview conversation with Kester Kenn Klomegah. Matthews is associated with Merion West, The Federalist, American Thinker, Intellectual Takeout, Mises Institute, and Imaginative Conservative.
In particular, Matthews gives in-depth views on China's valuable contribution to various economic sectors especially infrastructure development spanning three decades and on the possible implications of Russia-China collaboration in Africa. Matthews talks also on the positive prospects and significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and advises both African leaders and corporate business leaders to collaborate in strengthening trade networks within the continent, take up the emerging challenges and seize the opportunity to build a better Africa, whose population is estimated at 1.4 billion people. Here are the interview excerpts. |
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| | Durban conference positions Special Economic Zones as Catalysts for South Africa's industrial revival |
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Deputy President Paul Mashatile addressing delegates (photo: GCIS) |
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South Africa has renewed its commitment to using Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as engines of industrialisation, investment and job creation, with government leaders, investors and development partners gathering in Durban for the Second International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference under the theme, "Reigniting Industrialisation through World-Class SEZs."
Hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), the two-day conference highlighted both the progress achieved since the inaugural conference in 2019 and the work that still lies ahead if South Africa is to tackle one of its greatest challenges – persistently high unemployment. Delivering the keynote address, Deputy President Paul Mashatile framed the conference as more than an investment gathering, describing it as part of a long-term national project to reshape South Africa's economy. |
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| International Winter Ballet Gala brings World Class Stars to Pretoria |
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Mzansi Ballet, in collaboration with the South African International Ballet Competition, proudly presents the International Winter Ballet Gala at the AfriForum Theatre, Pretoria, on Friday, 31 July 2026, with performances at 15h00 and 19h00. Staged by Dirk Badenhorst, this exceptional event brings together an extraordinary line-up of international and South African ballet stars for one unforgettable day.
We are delighted to announce that Luna Maia Helm of the Bolshoi Ballet and Lev Melkumov of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy will be featured in the Gala, performing some of ballet's most dazzling pas de deux, including highlights from Swan Lake (composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky) and Le Corsaire (composed by Adolphe Adam). Adding to this spectacular event, we are also thrilled to welcome acclaimed Cuban guest artists Greisell Lastre Casuso and Joan Manuel Riera Perez, who will perform the spectacular Diana and Acteon Pas de Deux (composed by Riccardo Drigo) and the beloved Don Quixote Pas de Deux (composed by Ludwig Minkus), showcasing their extraordinary artistry, technical brilliance, and virtuosity.
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