National Orders honour remarkable individuals

President Cyril Ramaphosa with recipients of the National Orders (photo: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS)

19 November 2021

Two years have passed since the last Presentation of National Orders were held and President Cyril Ramaphosa said that it is important to recognise and "honour those among us who have made outstanding contributions towards the betterment of our country and of the human condition."

"National Orders are the highest awards that our country bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

President Ramaphosa conferred with the Honour of the Mega Holy and Sacred Cross of Saint Savvas

19 November 2021

The President of the Republic of South Africa His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa is conferred with the Honour of the Mega Holy and Sacred Cross of Saint Savvas by His Beatitude, Theodoros ll, Pope and Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria and all of Africa for his outstanding and exemplary leadership on and humanitarian contribution to the continent of Africa. The honour is reserved exclusively for Heads of State by the Patriarchate.

Creating Communities of Excellence

Sello Motsei with Principals Ngwasheng and Kalayci

19 November 2021

Education is seen as a way out of poverty, yet in South Africa many of the previously disadvantaged schools remain under-resourced. There are many benefits to these schools partnering with well-resourced ones, exposing them to what is possible.

Kgwebong Consulting team led by Mr Sello Motsei facilitated a meeting between the principal of Iketleng Primary School, Ms S Ngwasheng and Star College (Turkish School) Principal, Mr Murat Kalayci. Iketleng Primary School is based in an informal settlement called Kanana in Hammanskraal and Star College is based in Pretoria East.

Yunus Emre and Es’kia Mphahlele – 'The Pen is Mightier than the Sword'

16 November 2021

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.

“The Institute aims to create a healthy friendship between Turkey and South Africa in its activities. The forest was a gift from the people of Turkey tothe  people of South Africa,” said Abdülaziz Yiğit, Director at the Institute.

Tourism and Business opportunities between South Korea and South Africa

Ambassador Chull-joo Park and Percy Koji (standing centre) and Judi Nwokedi (seated centre) pictured with members of STEA and the embassy

15 November 2021

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.

A Yemeni solution for Yemen

On the Panel (l-r) Anas Al-Hamati, Dr Abdulkader Al-Guneid, Ambassador Mohammed Dangor and Mohammed Bhabha

15 November 2021

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.

Egypt’s Ambassador to South Africa hosts His Beatitude Pope Theodore II, The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa

15 November 2021

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.

Happy 246th Birthday US Marines

Todd Haskell, Chargé d’Affairs of the United States of America to South Africa and Jennifer Haskell with members of the Marine Corps

12 November 2021

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.

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

12 November 2021

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.

Borderless Batik – JIBB

Madam Umi Al Farisi showing Princess Swati Dlamini Mandela the art of Batik

9 November 2021

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.

Dialogue between China and the world

International Forum on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era

by Sibusiso R Bakana

8 November 2021

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.”