Leadership of the Land of Great Steppe continues building a New Fair Kazakhstan

By Kanat Tumysh, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of South Africa

3 November 2022

Kazakhstan is about to reach a major milestone in its democratic development. While elections have taken place regularly since our independence in 1991, the upcoming presidential election on November 20 can be considered one the most consequential for the future of democratic politics in Kazakhstan.

This year has been the most tumultuous in our recent history. Our country was first rocked by the tragic events in January, when Kazakhstan suffered an armed coup attempt. Just over a month later a conflict erupted in Ukraine, indirectly impacting our country’s economy. Yet despite these challenges, our nation began writing a new chapter of our political development.

by Greg Mills, Director, The Brenthurst Foundation

3 November 2022

Elections have tossed out governments and been a catalyst for coalitions. They have also been a means of expressing people's disquiet on growing corruption, and an opportunity to extort something from politicians every five years. But until now, all the political games have made little improvement to the lives of the average Basotho.

"The problem is gangsterism,” replied the officer, as he tried to get prisoners who, wearing a combination of red overalls and stitched-together rags, were to stand in line to vote at Mohale Hoek's prison. I had asked him why Lesotho had the world's third highest murder rate, after El Salvador and Jamaica. 'It's very, very high,' he admitted, shepherding lines of the 426 inmates towards the carefully ordered process.

3 November 2022

The South African Government welcomes the successful negotiation and signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This Agreement signals a commitment to ending the use of force to settle differences and disputes and confirms the correctness of South Africa’s principled position that political differences are best resolved through meaningful dialogue and diplomacy.

Anna Karenina – A Russian Classic

2 November 2022

There are over fifteen film adaptations of the book Anna Karenina by renowned Russian author and philosopher Leon Tolstoy who also wrote the acclaimed novel ‘War and Peace’. The version filmed in 1935 starred Greta Garbo in one of her most celebrated roles. More recently, in 2012, Keira Knightly took on the classic role of Anna Karenina in this timeless epic love story. Written in 1878 this work of literature is considered to be among the greatest ever written.

“First, it is important to strengthen the exchange of experience in governance,” said Ambassador Chen Xiaodong of the PRC to South Africa at a High Level Dialogue at the Embassy of China in the City of Tshwane to unpack and provide information on the landmark 20th National Congress of the CPC which he attended from 16 to 20 October in Beijing. The China-South Africa Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects the special bond between the two countries which the Ambassador reassured will strengthen and deepen.

A Vote of Confidence for the Governance of China

By Kirtan Bhana

2 November 2022

To lead a party of 98 million members must be a remarkable task for President Xi Jinping who was elected secretary general of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for a third consecutive term. Just the membership of the CPC outnumbers the population of many countries. This 20th National Congress marks the beginning of the 2nd centenary of the CPC which was established in 1921 inspired by fairness in material distribution and the creation of a classless equal society. On the first page of the first chapter of volume IV of his book ‘The Governance of China’, in his speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the CPC President Xi makes reference to the Opium War of 1840 explaining that “China was gradually reduced to a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society and went through a period of suffering worse than it had previously known.”

Creating a Fair Kazakhstan

1 November 2022

An important date for the people of Kazakhstan is October 25, as it is on this day that the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Kazakh SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic) was adopted and marked the first step towards independence. It is on this day that Kazakhstan now celebrates its Independence Day said Ambassador Kanat Tumysh of Kazakhstan which coincided with the launch of his book ‘Treatise on the views of excellent Societies and their opposites’ based on the teachings of Al-Farabi. The book launch was hosted by Ambassador Tariq Al Ansari of Qatar at his official residence.

27 October 2022

Indian Consul General in Johannesburg Anju Ranjan’s foremost responsibility is to ensure the well-being of Indian nationals in South Africa. She arrived in the country in October 2019 to take up her post. Her appointment followed the State visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to India where he was chief guest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at India’s Independence Day celebrations in January 2019.

National Ayurveda Day

26 October 2022

National Ayurveda Day is observed on the occasion of Dhanwantari Jayanti (Dhanteras) every year since 2016. The 7th National Ayurveda day this year was celebrated on 23 October and it aimed to introduce Ayurvedic principles of healing to the younger generation and to establish awareness among them. This year India celebrated Ayurveda Day under the theme of “Har Din Har Ghar Ayurveda”.

Building Trust, Finding Balance – World Indonesianist Congress 2022

By Kirtan Bhana - Indonesianist

20 October 2022

“I called for the world to put forward a new paradigm of win-win cooperation, not zero-sum; of collaboration, not competition; engagement not containment,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Mrs Retno Marsudi at the opening the 4th World Indonesianist Congress referring to the remarks she made at the United Nations General Assembly UNGA in September.

20 October 2022

Delegates of more than 60 countries have descended on South African soil to attend the Association of World Elections Bodies (A-WEB)’s first and historic meeting on the African continent. The A-WEB 5th General Assembly, which incorporates the A-WEB Executive Board Meeting and an international conference, got underway with delegates from electoral authorities all over the world.