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Being African

4 May 2021 Issue 265 - Being African

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May is Africa Month

Africa month wild ambiguity

The month of May is recognised as Africa month – a time when the continent of Africa commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

The establishing the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) in 1963, the African continent became a pioneer in being the first continent to focus on continental unity and to encourage nation building through unity and freedom from oppression. It is in celebration of this milestone of the OAU and its successor, the African Union, that the Department of Arts and Culture will host a series of events to celebrate Africa Day on 25th May and throughout May for Africa Month.

Yet even before 1963, many initiatives were taken by Africans – both from the continent and in its diaspora – for Africa to regain its rightful place in the world. South Africans are also found amongst those earlier generations who made enormous contributions towards this effort. The speech of Pixley Ka Isaka Seme in 1906, on the “Regeneration of Africa”, would be echoed by the generations that followed, and enhanced through a number of initiatives aimed at the decolonisation and regeneration of the continent.

Africa Month also seeks to increase the appreciation and demand for arts and culture goods and services, and to stimulate competitive markets for trade among African countries.

South Africa's ports remain on high alert for COVID-19

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has assured the public that South Africa is on high alert for the B.1.617 Coronavirus variant.

“All our ports of entry employ stringent containment procedures to minimise the importation of COVID-19,” he said, adding that government remained on high alert to screen passengers and test those who require further assessment.

He said while the variant was yet to be detected in South Africa, members of the genomics team had informed government that they had intensified surveillance to not only ensure detection of the virus but to also understand its implications.

3rd May Constitution

by Andrzej Kanthak, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to South Africa and Dainius Junevičius, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to South Africa

Europe’s oldest constitution sees Poland and Lithuania commemorating 230th anniversary of their Commonwealth constitution adoption on 3 May 2021.

For 226 years (1569 - 1795), both Poland and Lithuania formed a common state known as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In sixteenth and early seventeenth century the Commonwealth experienced its Golden Age, at the time it was the largest state in Europe.

Since the end of the 17th century, the political and economic power of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth began its fast and deep decline. The Commonwealth, surrounded by enemies, was unable to respond to the aggression of its neighbours. The destruction of the country and its economy was also related to political turmoil and the degradation of the political and social institution of the Commonwealth.

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The Art of African-European relations

Listen to 'Two the power of MORE' - podcast with Christian Salow and Dieter Brockmeyer in discussion with Nomaza Nongqunga Coupez from Undiscovered Canvas about African Arts and Innovation. She was appointed by French President Emmanuel Macron to serve on the Conseil Presidential pour Afrique (CPA). A group made up of 11 Africans to advise the President to bridge the gap between France and Africa in art.

Africa-Asia Inter Regional

By Dr Srimal Fernando and Kirtan Bhana

Regionalism has undergone several waves of change in the past century. The term ‘regional integration’ has also come to be associated with several meanings. In contrast, new regionalism approaches for African and Asian challenges could be addressed on a broader basis in a comprehensive fashion without solely focusing on specific areas of cooperation. The importance of collectively unifying strengths and designing policies that are aligned in a way that enhances the well-being of the entire region needs to be recognized.

South Asia
COVID-19 Pandemic : Global Response and Solidarity with India

The World stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing missions of support for the countries public health services as medical emergencies surge after a spike in the number of coronavirus cases.

Diplomats and Vodacom contribute to improving school results

Sello Motsei Kgwebong
Bokamosa High School in Tshwane North District hosted an awards ceremony for their teachers and staff for their integral role in the increase of the pass rate to 94% in 2020. The school underwent an improvement, from less than 50% a few years ago, when Ms S Madumo took over as principal. The school with limited resources and in an underprivileged community of Stinkwater took 2nd place in top performing township schools in the Tshwane North District.

Principal Madumo awarded certificates and handed gifts to her fellow colleagues as recognition for their commitment, dedication and belief in team work and achieving outstanding success.

The First Man to Walk in Space

Ambassador Ilya Rogachev of Russia presents a prize to Joe Mahlanga who won a quiz competition about the history of space exploration. Also pictured is Alexander Arefiev, Press Attache at the Russian Embassy

The first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, paved the way for all space exploration that followed. In introducing the film ‘Spacewalker’ to guests, Ambassador of Russia to South Africa, Ilya Rogachev said that Gagarin “didn’t just write his name in history, he turned a whole new page on it.” This year marks 60 years since Yuri Gagarin’s legendary flight into space.

The Russian embassy in South Africa hosted a Yuri Gagarin photo exhibition and screened the Russian movie ‘Spacewalker’ to honour the 60th anniversary of Gagarin’s great accomplishment.

The scene was set at Apogee Boutique hotel in Pretoria to step into the world of space travel.

SANParks welcomes report on wildlife management

Image by instagram.com/@diressh_parbhoo

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has welcomed the report of a High Level Panel into the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.

The panel was appointed by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy to review policies, regulatory measures, practices and policy positions that are related to the hunting, trade, captive keeping, management and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.

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