SADC elects new leadership

Outgoing Chairperson President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique hands over the chairship of SADC to President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi at the 41st Head of States and Government Ordinary Summit in Malawi. (Photo:Kopano Tlape GCIS)

18 August 2021

The 41st Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has elected President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, as Chairperson of SADC, and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo as the incoming Chairperson of SADC.

The Summit also elected President Cyril Ramaphosa as Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and President of the Republic Namibia Dr Hage G. Geingob, as incoming Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

Change in Zambia

18 August 2021

Zambia voted in a new President, Hakainde Hichilema, after holding general elections on 12 August 2021, the 7th since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1991.

In a media briefing on Monday Hichilema said, “It is with great honour, humility and gratitude that I stand before you today to say change is here. We have prevailed. Zambia has prevailed.

“This victory does not belong to me, but to the men and women of Zambia. You came out in large numbers, with great energy and passion, and you sent a clear and resounding message that has reverberated around the world. It is time for change.”

Merdeka Indonesia

By Salman Al Farisi*

17 August 2021

Indonesia considers South Africa as a strategic partner. The profound sentimental and historic links between the peoples of the Indonesian archipelago and the African continent is a special bond that is evolving in this modern epoch. In the face of the challenges of a new dynamic in social behaviour and value systems new opportunities for engagement and exchange present themselves.

Now, 76 years have passed since Indonesia attained its independence from the Dutch colonialist and the withdrawal of the Japanese imperial forces after their defeat at the end of the Second World War. After several centuries of colonial subjugation the Indonesian people have reclaimed their heritage and have built a unified nation with its 273 million people of diverse cultures and the largest number of people as followers of Islam in the world.

UNCLOS – Enhancing Maritime Security

‘Prompted by the desire to settle, in a spirit of mutual understanding and
cooperation, all issues relating to the law of the sea and aware of the historic
significance of this Convention as an important contribution to the
maintenance of peace, justice and progress for all peoples of the world’

This is the first paragraph of the preamble of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). (https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf)

168 countries are party to this noble UN convention that comprehensively sets out a legal order for the seas and oceans, the ocean floor, the subsoil thereof and the air space above.

At the first-ever UN Security Council Open Debate on Enhancing Maritime Security which was held virtually on August 9, 2021 Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said, “Even when the world is devoting much resource to the fight against COVID-19, the topic of our discussion is of strategic and substantial importance. Vietnam especially commends and echoes India's Five S Approach at the Security Council. Vietnam is committed to working with India and other Council members in promoting dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect, for global peace and prosperity.”

Mother India at 75

By Advocate Ajay Sooklal, Dr. Srimal Fernando and Mr. Kirtan Bhana

Women ministers in PM Modi's team don handloom saris reflecting India's sartorial diversity. Seven women MPs took oath as union ministers in the expansion of the council of ministers in July this year. Pictured (l-r) Darshana Jardosh - Minister for Railways and Textiles, Pratima Bhoumik - Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shobha Karandlaje - Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Smriti Z Irani - Minister for Women and Child Development, Nirmala Sitharaman - Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Bharati Pravin Pawar - Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Meenakshi Lekhi - Minister of External Affairs and Culture, Anupriya Patel - Minister for Commerce and Industry and Annapurna Devi - Minister of Education.

15 August 2021

As the Indian tri-colour lights up buildings around the world and Jai Hind rings out not only in the sub-continent, but in many parts of the world, India celebrates and commemorates 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.

Bharat, as India is also known, was a source of higher knowledge and wisdom for several thousand years as documentation of calendars and other historical records show. They also show that there was a deep understanding of the cosmos and its effects and influence on seasonal changes, weather patterns and climate conditions among others. Having this kind of information led to a multitude of discoveries in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, which are evident in the rich heritage of the Indian sub-continent.

International Youth Day - Transforming food systems

12 August 2021

Youth innovation for human and planetary health

With the world’s population expected to increase by 2 billion people in the next 30 years, it has become recognized by numerous stakeholders that simply producing a larger volume of healthier food more sustainably will not ensure human and planetary wellbeing. Other crucial challenges must also be addressed, such as the interlinkages embodied by the 2030 Agenda including poverty reduction; social inclusion; health care; biodiversity conservation; and climate change mitigation. It has been acknowledged that there is a need for inclusive support mechanisms that ensure youth continue to amplify efforts collectively and individually to restore the planet and protect life, while integrating biodiversity in the transformation of food systems.

South Africa and Kenya cement bonds

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, Ambassador Raychelle Omamo at the First Session of the South Africa – Kenya Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photos: Katlholo Maifadi/DIRCO)

12 August 2021

While South Africa and Kenya enjoy strong bilateral relations, the two countries will work together to address hindrances to bilateral cooperation.

The two countries held a two-day South Africa-Kenya Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), attended by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, and her counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, Ambassador Raychelle Omamo.

President Ramaphosa announces changes to his Cabinet

6 August 2021

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday evening announced a few major changes to his Cabinet, as part of improving the capacity of government.

“I am therefore making changes to the National Executive to improve the capacity of government to effectively undertake these tasks,” he said referring to the challenges faced by South Africa requiring several tasks to be undertaken at once.

The President announced several changes to the National Executive, at a time when government is facing several challenges, including re-working to accelerate its vaccination programme to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, and at the same time, working to ensure peace and stability in the wake of the recent outbreak of violence and destruction in parts of the country.

The Blue Brigade - Stories of creativity and resilience

Youth and COVID-19: Stories of creativity and resilience

This World Youth Skills Day 2021 let’s recognize adolescents and young people who helped fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

5 August 2021

India’s young people are leading the way in the battle against COVID-19 through heroic acts of goodwill and support in their families and communities.

Through some of the harshest times, these young champions have stepped up as researchers, advocates, innovators and communicators on the frontline, promoting health and safety. Their courage and relentless determination to help those around them is a reminder of how we can achieve a healthier, safer and equal world.

As adolescents and young people continue to showcase their adaptability and resilience in this challenging time, it is important for the rest of us to recognize, support and champion their skills development.

Dlamini-Zuma gazettes municipal election date

4 August 2021

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has gazetted the date of 27 October 2021 for the scheduled fifth edition of the local government elections.

Making the announcement on Tuesday, Dlamini-Zuma said this was to comply with Constitutional requirements.

Section 159 of the Constitution, read with the Municipal Structures Act, prescribes that the end of a five-year term of local government elections be held within a period of 90 days.

US donates Pfizer vaccine doses to SA

South African Acting Minister of Health, Mmamoloko Kubayi joined by Health Deputy Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla and Chief of Mission at US Embassy in South Africa Mr Todd Haskell as 2.8 Million Pfizer vaccine doses arrive at OR Tambo International Airport donated by the USA government. The next batch will arrive on Tuesday to conclude the 5.6 m doses donation. (Photo credit Elmond Jiyane, GCIS)

2 August 2021

South Africa has received 2.8 million Pfizer vaccine doses from the United States as part of a donation that is set to boost the country’s vaccination rollout campaign.

Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi was joined by Deputy Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla and the Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in South Africa, Todd Haskell, in accepting the consignment at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday.

The initiative is part of the collaboration between the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), COVAX, and the US government, with the African Union Member States set to receive about 25 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to enhance coverage across the continent, and vaccinate at least 60% of the African population.