Bangladesh the “Development Miracle”

13 September 2019

Ambassador Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General: Asia and Middle East led a South African delegation to Bangladesh to attend and co – chair the 5th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) between South Africa and Bangladesh on 3 September 2019, in Dhaka. South Africa hosted a successful 4th Senior Officials Meeting on 12 July 2017.

Photo: Deputy Minister Sotyu, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Mr Momen and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the opening session of the third IORA Blue Economy Meeting held from 4-5 September 2019 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Bangladesh will take over the Vice Chair of IORA at the meeting in the UAE in November and become the Chair in 2021.

Ambassador Sooklal also participated in the commemoration of 25 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Bangladesh, as well as the Third Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Blue Economy Ministerial Conference (BEC-III) under the theme; “Promoting Sustainable Blue Economy- making the best use of opportunities from the Indian Ocean".The Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Sotyu led the South African delegation to the BEC-III.

Prestigious Cuban music band performs a successful tour in South Africa

3 September 2019

The internationally renowned Cuban saxophonist at the helm of the Madre Tierra band elevated the Caribbean island to the top in the Arts Alive International Festival which was held on Sunday, September 1st in Johannesburg, with an attendance of 20 thousand people.

This Cuban band, composed of 7 talented musicians, is in South Africa for the second time this year. In January Madre Tierra had a successful presentation in the Marula Festival in Limpopo province.

The young musicians were special guests at a Cuban Night, a cultural gala organized by the Embassy of Cuba as part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cuba and South Africa, which hosted representatives of the cultural sector, the press, the government, the diplomatic corps, among other friends of Cuba.

Contact details for the United Arab Emirates

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Pretoria would like to announce new contact details for its Consular Section.
The Consular Section can be contacted on telephone number +27 12 342 9567 or via email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The Embassy can be contacted on telephone +27 12 342 7736, Fax +27 12 342 7738 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Austin Fernando discusses Radicalization in South Asia 

13 September 2019

By Srimal  Fernando

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Jindal Global University (JGU), a significant milestone in the history of Indian Higher education. Coinciding with the university anniversary day the Diplomania Society of the Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), a series of panel discussions themed on Radicalization in South Asia was organised. 

Photo: Dr Seshadri Chari (r) and High Commissioner Fernando (l)

The participation of His Excellency Austin Fernando, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India as a panelist in front of a large audience at   the university was an important moment that offered some fresh insights into the radicalization of youth in Sri Lanka during the past   thirty years.

Rwanda’s achievements

27 August 2019

25 years of peace and harmony in a post genocide Rwanda has led to remarkable progress in this East African countries development. Kwibuka, which means ‘we remember’ is commemorated on July 4 and is a celebration of Rwanda’s socio-political achievements.

Photo: Mr Vincent Karega, High Commissioner of Rwanda to South Africa hosted  a Rwanda – The Royal Tour, to showcase Rwanda to potential business partners, travelers and  investors.. This was High Commissioner Karega’s last event hosted in South Africa. He departs to Kinshasa in theDRC to take up his new posting.
(l-r) Bongani Baloyi, Executive Mayor of Midvaal Municipality, High Commissioner Vincent Karega, Mr Thai-Keong Chua, High Commissioner of Singapore and Mr Eric Franck Saizonou, Ambassador of Benin

After two and a half decades environmental awareness has become a sharp focus in this country landscaped by hills and abundant natural beauty.

SA strengthens relations with CAR

27 August 2019

Tourism Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela says South Africa will continue to strengthen the bond of friendship with the Central African Republic (CAR).

Photo: Deputy Minister of Tourism Hon Fish Mahlalela MP joins HE Ambassador Andre Nzapayeke and the people of the Central African Republic on the occasion of the 59th National Day of Celebration, and send a message of solidarity on behalf of the Government of South Africa.

Mahlalela has on behalf of the South African government congratulated the government and political parties in the Central African Republic for reaching the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation that was signed in Bangui on 6 February 2019.

Speaking at the 59th celebration of the National Day of Central African Republic, Mahlalela said South Africa and the Central African Republic enjoy strong diplomatic relations which date back to 1993.

“It is our hope and wish that, on your 59th anniversary of independence, the people of the Central African Republic enjoy peace, development and economic prosperity.

“It is our belief that without peace and security there cannot be development, and our two countries share a common vision of a peaceful and prosperous Africa,” the deputy minister said.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Address to the Nation

2 September 2019

CONSTRUCTIVE PUBLIC DIALOGUE - THE BASIS OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF KAZAKHSTAN

Dear compatriots!
Dear members of parliament and government!

Congratulations on the beginning of the new parliamentary season!
We are approaching the important part in the newest history of our country.
Approximately thirty years ago, we proclaimed our independence thus fulfilling the dream that our ancestors had for centuries.
Since that time, under the leadership of the First President of Kazakhstan – the Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country has become a stable and reputable state in the world.
Thanks to the solid unity of our nation, we have strengthened our independence and created opportunities for improving the wellbeing of our people.
It was a time of creation and progress, peace and harmony.
The whole world recognized the way of development of the country and called it the Kazakhstan model or the Nazarbayev model.
Today, we are able to double the achievements of our independence and to bring our country to a qualitatively new stage of development.
We can achieve this by maintaining the continuity of the policy of the Leader of the Nation and through systemic reforms.
As you know, this was the basis of my pre-election programme.
At the moment state bodies are doing the necessary work to implement it.
I will definitely fulfil my promises to the people.

Norway joins South Africa in celebrating women’s month

30 August 2019
 
Peace building is one of the top focus areas of Norway’s cooperation with South Africa, and Women, Peace and Security has been high on the agenda of both countries for years. The Royal Norwegian Embassy has therefore been partnering with Department of International Relations & Cooperation (DIRCO) and Centre for Mediation in Africa (CMA) at University of Pretoria on Women, Peace and Security since 2013.

Photo: Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and former Norwegian Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Bjørnestad with a participant at the graduation ceremony. (Dirco)

The objective of the training programme is to work towards the objectives of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which was adopted in 2000. One of the outcomes planned for the current phase is – “knowledge and expertise for conflict resolution, mediation and negotiations are acquired and applied by South African Women”.

Tenth Anniversary of the International Day against Nuclear Tests

29 August 2019

Today is the Tenth Anniversary of the International Day against Nuclear Tests commemorated annually on 29 August. This significant day has particular importance for the entire international community. This date has received the international status in December 2009 when the UN General Assembly adopted its historic Resolution 64/35 on the matter. Therefore, this year we celebrate this Day globally for the tenth time.

The beginning of nuclear tests in the East Kazakhstan Region, which started exactly 70 years ago in 1949, marked one of the most tragic pages in the history of Kazakhstan. These terrific explosions brought innumerable disasters to its population. More than 1 million people suffered on the territory of 300 thousand square kilometres, which is equal to the territory of Italy, for example. In 1991, on this memorable date of 29 August, H.E. Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, First President of Kazakhstan, Leader of the Nation, made a truly historic decision, closing by his decree the world’s second largest Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site.

Other countries followed this right choice and good example made by Kazakhstan. This step eventually ceased functioning of other nuclear test sites globally and paved the way for the adoption in 1996 of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty - CTBT.

Because of the enormous efforts by Kazakhstan’s First President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country Kazakhstan has rapidly gone from the status of possessor of the fourth largest nuclear arsenal to the widely recognized rank of leading country in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Under His Excellency’s leadership, from the day of Independence, Kazakhstan has been persistently striving to achieve the goal of a nuclear-free world and turning it into the main task of humanity in the 21st century. Guided by the noble idea of a nuclear-free future, the Leader of Kazakhstan Nation initiated in 2015 the adoption of the Universal Declaration on the Achievement of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World by the UN General Assembly.

 Sooklal recognised at India Day

26 August 2019

India Day is celebrated worldwide to remember the sacrifices that were made by freedom fighters for the independence of India. This is also a day of unity to spread the message of love and peace in the world, which is the essence of Indian culture.  The day was filled with music, dance, culture and entertainment.

At the India Day celebrations in Durban, Prof, Ambassador Sooklal, Deputy Director General Middle East and Asia at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation for SA was recognised for his contribution in building a new South Africa as well as fostering strong ties between South Africa and India.

He also received a lifetime award from the Indian Association of Africa and Sadafal Foundation in Durban.

Towards a child-centred society

26 August 2019

Swedish national theatre Unga Klara partners with  Drama for Life  and Cradle of Creativity for cutting-edge conference and festival - 8th to 23rd August 2019

Unga Klara is Sweden’s national theatre for children and young people. Its partnership with Drama for Life  and the Cradle of Creativity Festival in August  formed part of its 2019 worldwide tour. Unga Klara is renowned for its stimulating theatre work, tackling complex issues through heightened theatricality and innovative performance aesthetics.

Photo: UNGA KLARA collab with Drama for Life

The company performed four trailblazing productions in Johannesburg and Cape Town: Because I Say So (for children aged three to six); My True Selves (a classroom play around identity, primarily for children aged eight to 12); Girls Will Make You Blush (a combination of dance and theatre about menstruation and puberty for 13-year-olds and older teens); and X (a play about colonialism and racism for teenagers aged 15 and up).