Gusen: Granite and death, memory and oblivion

18 September 2017

The opening ceremony of the exhibition "Gusen: Granite and death, memory and oblivion" took place on 7 September 2017 at the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre. The exhibition, consisting of 20 bilaterally printed panels, was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria in cooperation with the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, the Embassy of Austria in Pretoria and the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung in Johannesburg.

The aim of the exhibition is to restore the collective memory of Gusen - the largest German Nazi concentration camp in Mauthausen – Gusen complex. The entire KL Mauthausen-Gusen complex was classified as a third-class camp (Stufe III), with the toughest conditions and with the least chance of survival. 

(Photo by Lukasz Nowak)

Jamaica’s 55th Independence Celebrations

15 September 2017

On 2 September 2017, Jamaica’s High Commissioner, H.E. Cheryl Spencer and Staff hosted a Reception in celebration of Jamaica’s 55th anniversary of Independence in Pretoria. Addressing Guests, the High Commissioner said that in Jamaica, Independence celebrations began weeks before and would normally have culminated on 6 August, the day of Independence.

Photo: Photo: Jamaica’s High Commissioner, H.E. Cheryl Spencer and Director-General of the Department of Public Works – Mr Mziwonke Dlabantu toasting to  Jamaica’s 55th Anniversary of Independence.

However, as 55 is an important milestone and while still a young nation the achievements of the country, which despite its small size, has touched the lives and hearts of many, are worth being celebrated for as long as possible this year. 

2017 Gerard Sekoto award

14 September 2017

On Wednesday 13 September 2017, Ambassador of France to South Africa, H.E. Mr. Christophe Farnaud attended the 2017 L’Atelier art awards in Johannesburg.

For the past 14 years the Embassy of France in South Africa, the French Institute of South Africa, the Alliance Française network and the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA) have sponsored the Gerard Sekoto award at the annual L’Atelier awards.

Photo: (l-r) David Wingfield, Head of Barclays Africa Group Marketing, Gerard Sekoto award winner Banele Khoza, Ambassador of France to South Africa Christophe Farnaud and Avitha Sooful from South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA). (Credit: L’Atelier 2017)

17th Annual Regional Seminar on International Humanitarian Law

14 September 2017

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) co-hosted a successful 17th edition of the Annual Regional Seminar on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) from 05-08 September 2017 at the OR-Tambo Building, Pretoria.

The Annual Regional Seminar which took place under the theme “the 1977 Additional Protocols: 40 years after” was attended by 21 countries from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region and the Indian Ocean Islands, namely: Angola, Botswana, Mauritius, Mozambique, Comoros, Seychelles, Namibia, Lesotho, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Swaziland, and Zambia. Nigeria, Ethiopian and Tanzania also attended as special guest countries. The Pan African Parliament, SADC Parliamentary Forum, the African Union Commission were also represented.

Celebration of the National Day of Brazil

14 September 2017

The Embassy of Brazil in Pretoria held a reception in celebration of Brazil’s National Day on September 7th. The event was attended by South African authorities, artists, cultural agents, businessmen and investors, members of the diplomatic corps, the press, the Brazilian community, among others.

Photo: (l-r) Mr E.I. Ebrahim, Parliamentary Counsellor to the President of South Africa; Ms. Yvonne Chaka Chaka; Ms. Lira; Mrs. Ligia Kosin Jorge and Ambassador Nedilson Jorge.

On the occasion, Brazilian Ambassador Nedilson Jorge and his wife, Mrs. Ligia Kosin Jorge, welcomed the Parliamentary Counsellor to the President of South Africa, Mr. Ebrahim Ismael Ebrahim, as the representative of the South African Government at the event. Personalities such as singer and philanthropist Yvonne Chaka Chaka and singers Lira and Lady Zamar also attended.

Seeking study opportunities

14 September 2017

A delegation from China recently visited the Pearson Institute for Higher Education in Ashlea Gardens Pretoria, to talk about study opportunities for Chinese nationals in South Africa.

A number of high-ranking Chinese politicians, including Li Jingtian and SU Xiaoyun, both members of the standing committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, along with the educational counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Song Bo, were in the delegation.

Li is chairman of the ethnic affairs committee of the NPC. They were addressed by leading Pearson academic lecturers, including Dr Farhana Paruk, Pearson director, as well as Unisa's Professor Dirk Kotze.

Seeking trade opportunities in Russia

11 September 2017

Local companies have been urged to look for trade opportunities in the Russian market.

Minister Plenipotentiary at the South Africa Embassy in Russia, Henry Short, on Monday told the South African business delegation, which is currently participating in the 2017 World Food Moscow International Exhibition, to search for potential trade opportunities.

(Photo: SA Embassy in Russia)

The 20-member business delegation is participating in the exhibition which kicked off today. The Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) facilitated the delegation’s participation in the exhibition. The objective of the scheme is to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country.

BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future

12 September 2017

The 9th BRICS Summit was successfully held in Xiamen, China from 3 to 5 September 2017. Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the summit and leaders from South Africa, Brazil, Russia and India were present.

(Photo: DIRCO)

The leaders discussed issues of mutual concern aimed at achieving development, economic growth and prosperity, as well as peace and security – matters that have brought them together over the past 10 years.

The leaders acknowledged that they have traversed a remarkable journey together on their respective development paths tailored to their national circumstances, devoted to growing their economies and improving people’s livelihoods.

South Africa and Vietnam accelerate trade

12 September 2017

South Africa and Vietnam have agreed to fast track trade relations.

This emerged during SA Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane’s working visit to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Minsiter Nkoana-Mashabane met the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phạm Bình Minh.

(Photo: DIRCO)

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Minister Pham Bình discussed various ways of strengthening bilateral relations, including through expanding trade and investment between the two countries.

“They agreed on concluding pending agreements and memoranda of understanding to expand the formal framework of cooperation,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said.

Iran-South Africa cooperation promote global peace

12 September 2017

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says cooperation between Iran and South Africa can play a prominent role in promoting peace and stability across the world.

Photo: Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani (r) and South Africa’s Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete attend a joint press conference following a meeting in Tehran on September 2, 2017. (Photo by ICANA)

“Iran and South Africa can make valuable efforts for [improving] international peace and stability and [serving] the interests of developing countries through joint cooperation in international circles,” Rouhani said in a meeting with South Africa’s Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete in Tehran.

Egypt Candidate for UNESCO

12 September 2017

Egypt Special Envoy has started an African tour to convey the Egyptian government's thanks for the African countries support to Minister Moshera Khattab as a candidate for the Director General of UNESCO.

Photo: Egypt Special Envoy Ambassador Mohamed El-Orabi and South African International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers

The elections are scheduled for October 9.

Egypt Special Envoy, Ambassador "Mohamed El-Orabi" has started the African tour by visiting South Africa. The tour also includes Mauritius, Mozambique, Algeria and Morocco.