Sardar Bibi Maryam Bakhtiari

Dr Ahmad Ali Mohsenzadeh, Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of Iran in South Africa with the recently published book Sardar Bibi Maryam Bakhtiari

4 June 2021

The book SARDAR BIBI MARYAM BAKHTIARI, researched and written by Dr. Parichehr Soltani Zaraswand, narrates the struggle and self-sacrifice of this brave lady during the constitutional period and resistance against the colonialism of her time.

The Cultural Consulate of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has now published this book in South Africa with the hope of inspiring the revolutionary South African minds, especially the brave women of this country whose contribution in the liberation struggle cannot be overlooked.

Democracy in Iran fruit of Imam Khomeini Thoughts

3 June 2021

During Islamic Republic, Sharia (Islamic law) was introduced. Shortly after the return of Imam Khomeini from exile in 1979, he issued a fatwa ordering that Jews and other minorities be treated well. By law, several seats in the Parliament are reserved for minority religions. Imam Khomeini also called for unity between Sunni and Shia Muslims (Sunni Muslims are the largest religious minority in Iran).

And ten days later by the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini declared a provisional government. On March 30, 1979, and March 31, 1979, Iranian vote in a referendum on the question of accepting an Islamic Republic as the new system of the country. Through the ballot box, over 98% voted in favor of replacing the monarchy with an Islamic Republic. The constitution requires that a president be elected every four years. This democratic process has continued and now the 13th presidential election in Iran is scheduled to be held on June 18. In addition to that, 10 parliamentary elections and dozens of elections for city and village councils and the Assembly of Experts have been held so far.

BRICS Foreign Ministers discuss Covid-19 challenges and reform of the Multilateral System

BRICS Foreign Minister's virtual meeting (photo: Jacoline Schoonees/Dirco)

3 June 2021

As chair of BRICS, India's External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar hosted a virtual meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers on 1 June 2021. The meeting was attended by Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor and Brazil's Foreign Minister Carlos Alberto Franco.

The meeting focused on the response to the Covid-19 crisis and equitable access to vaccines. India and South Africa have been pushing for a waiver of patent protections for Covid-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The BRICS members stressed the need to promote initiatives aimed at ensuring timely, affordable, and equitable access to, as well as the distribution of diagnostics, therapeutics, medicines and vaccines, and essential health products and technologies, and their components, as well as equipment to combat COVID-19 pandemic and to support the achievement of universal health coverage including preventive measures and actions.

Innovation Diplomacy, Viral Pandemic and Changing Attitudes

The Diplomatic Society together with Diplomatic World hosted a webinar titled 'Innovation Diplomacy'. The full video is available to view on YouTube in the link above.

2 June 2021

“The ongoing pandemic has changed the way we live. It will also change the way diplomacy is conducted. Diplomacy has gone virtual and diplomats have been deprived of one of their most potent tools: personal contact. Last year, for example, and for the first time ever, the 75th United Nations General Assembly – the annual meeting of world leaders in New York – was held in a virtual format with pre-recorded video presentations and videoconferences by world leaders.

“There is a strong consensus that we need to build back better after COVID-19. For this to happen, new innovative approaches are needed as we adapt to new circumstances, and I am certain that today’s speakers will shed some light on this topic.

The African Heads of Missions in Greece co-organized an online Africa Day Conference with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2 June 2021

On 26 May 2021, the African Group of Ambassadors in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs co organized an Africa Day online Conference under the 2021 AU theme ” The Arts, Culture and Heritage. Levers the Africa we want". H.E. Mr Nikos Dendias, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, honored Africa Day as the key note speaker of the online celebration.

Prominent speakers, included H.E Ms. Amira Elfadil Mohammed Elfadil, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development; H.E. Mr Nicholas Yatromanolakis. Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports of the Hellenic Republic; Mr Spyros Kouvelis, Former Minister of State for Foreign Economic, Cultural, and Environmental Affairs of the Hellenic Republic; Mr Michalis Saris, Former Minister of Economic Affairs of Cyprus; Mr Sotiris Mousouris, President of the Hellenic Africa Chamber of Commerce and Development and HE. Mr Ismail Khairat, Ambassador of Egypt.

Launching Youth Month

1 June 2021

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has called on society to play its part in availing opportunities for the youth to ensure an inclusive and transformed society.

“We cannot ignore our youth, if we are to see our society progress. Therefore, all of us must play our part in creating an inclusive society that allows engagement, improves the mental health of youth and people with disabilities, and increase access to economic opportunities for the youth,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.

The Minister made the call during the launch of Youth Month 2021, on Tuesday.

A South Africa for all

31 May 2021

As South Africa marks the 60th year since becoming an apartheid republic, President Cyril Ramaphosa says the anniversary is a painful reminder of the country’s racist past.

“[It is the anniversary] of an event in our history that most South Africans would rather not remember,” the President wrote in his latest weekly newsletter on Monday.

On this day, apartheid South Africa became a “republic” after cutting ties with the British Empire.

“But while a ‘republic’ is generally defined as a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, this was not the case in South Africa,” President Ramaphosa said.

Freedom Park honors Traditional Leaders for their role in colonial resistance and the liberation struggle

31 May 2021

by Stella Sigcau

Freedom Park honored Mpondo Kings and Chiefs who played a role in the liberation struggle and in the colonial resistance at a colourful cultural ceremony that was held at the Freedom Park Precinct in Pretoria on 30 April 2021.

As a build up to the event, dialogues were held with various Traditional leaders and Municipalities of the Mpondo Kingdom in this regard including Queen Madosini Ndamase and Nkosi Ntandoyezwe Ndamase at Nyandeni Great Place, Libode, Nkosi Jongilanga Sigcau and Ndlunkulu Nombethe Sigcau at Lwandlolubomvu Great Place in Ntabankulu, Nkosi Njingalwazi Sigcau and Ndlunkulu Matshezi Sigcau at Ntlenzi Great Place in Flagstaff, Nkosi Malindi of Mbotyi in Lusikisiki and Mbizana Senior Traditional leaders Nkosi Makhunze Sigcau, Nkosi Maquthu Thembsile of Isisele Traditional Council, Nkosi Mandisi Ndunge of Ndunge Traditional Council, Nkosi Mongezi Mditshwa of Imizizi Traditional Council.

Handover of the Peace Column by artist Ulrike Bolenz to the International Club ICAA in the Foreign Ministry of Germany by Diplomatic World Institute

Pictured (l-r)Nicole Baroness von Vietinghoff-Scheel, Barbara Dietrich and Edgar A Gansen

31 May 2021

The presence of the peace column in the International Club ICAA in the Foreign Ministry in Berlin is of particular importance because all German diplomats are sent out into the world from here.

The work of art connects cultures, religions, peoples and countries within the world community and promotes peace and prosperity through compassion, care and honesty with respect for the identity of others.

The Peace Column is on permanent loan to the International Club in the Federal Foreign Office.

Egypt meets the Astronauts of Nurtured Mindz Academy in South Africa

Habiba Abdel Razek back row 3rd from left), the spouse of the Ambassador of Egypt to South Africa, Ambassador Ahmed El Fadly with spouses of the Embassy staff and learners and staff of Nurtured Mindz Learning Academy

31 May 2021

On the 25th of May 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was founded by 32 African countries to unite the African continent. As a founding member state, Egypt has been preparing young generations to assume their responsibilities in building a better future for their continent.

With this in mind, the Embassy of Egypt in South Africa participated on Friday, May 28, 2021 in a celebration called “Egypt meets South Africa” held by Nurtured Mindz Learning Academy in Soshanguve, on the occasion of Africa Day 2021.