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.

20 October 2022

A special session of the SputnikPro project for young journalists from African countries opens at the headquarters of the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency and Radio Sputnik Moscow. The 15 participants include television and radio hosts, as well as correspondents and producers of African biggest media holdings.

19 October 2022

A visit to Saudi Arabia by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation of ministers and business people saw the signing of 17 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the two countries.

President Ramaphosa visited the Kingdom at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness (HRH) King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and was hosted in Jeddah by HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud on 15-16 October 2022.

‘Silent Land’ (2021)- How Perfect is Perfect?

A movie review by Dilon Bhana

19 October 2022

‘Silent Land’, directed by Agnieszka Woszczynska, follows a stiff, seemingly perfect Polish couple on vacation on an Italian island. This year’s Polish entry to the European Film Festival in South Africa, is a slow burn philosophical endeavour disguised as a crime thriller.