Government commits to working with Traditional and Khoi-San leaders

11 March 2022

Deputy President David Mabuza says government is committed to ensuring that the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) succeeds in its mandate to uplift and lead the communities that it serves.

He was speaking at a dialogue held in Pretoria between Traditional and Khoi San leaders and the Inter-Ministerial Task Team in response to matters raised by Traditional Leaders.

King Silamba commemorated

by HRH Stella Sigcau

King Makhosonke Mabhena of the Ndebele Kingdom

11 March 2021

On 5 March 2022 at Komjekejeke Heritage Site, amaNdebele commemorated their legendary King Silamba who upheld Ndebele culture and heritage under the challenging times of colonialism. He is buried in Komjekejeke where the event takes place. In his honour and legacy his descendent King Makhosonke Mabhena II, 42 years ago decided to use the legacy of King Silamba to unite amaNdebele, celebrate ubuNdebele whilst sharing ubuNdebele with other cultures.

A Roadmap for Consolidating Solidarity
FOCAC paves the way for strengthening ties, says Acting Dean of African Diplomatic Corps and Djibouti’s Ambassador to China

By LIU TING

11 March 2022

Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil (Supplied)

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)’s Eighth Ministerial Conference, held in late November 2021 in Senegal, charted the way for the development of China-Africa ties in the following three years and beyond. On this occasion, Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil, Acting Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Djibouti’s Ambassador to China, spoke to ChinAfrica about the FOCAC meeting in Dakar and Sino-African ties.

Women Breaking through the Glass Ceiling

Break the Bias - Members of IDSA celebrating International Women's Day with Vanessa Gounden at her flagship store at The Firs in Rosebank

10 March 2022

Breaking the glass ceiling is how Vanessa Gounden describes her life’s journey. As a woman born in apartheid South Africa, whose laws discriminated against people of colour, she saw her family lose their home and means of income during the forced removals of the oppressive Group Areas Act.

AfriForum and AmaBhele kaJamangile Traditional Council sign agreement on Agriculture

by HRH Stella Sigcau

Seated: Kallie Kriel, CEO of Afriforum, Flip Buys, Chairperson of Afriforum, iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla and Princess Thembela Mabandla-Lingani, Private Secretary to iNkosi Zwelothando
Standing: Bhelekazi Mabandla, Head of Diplomatic Services, Prince Sivile Mabandla, Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural Cooperation at Afriforum, Mosses Ajuong Gar, Special Advisor DP South Sudan and Prince Mbasa Beja, Special Advisor to iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla (Photo by Bhelekazi Mabandla)

10 March 2022

Representatives from AfriForum and the Office of iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla who is the Senior Traditional Leader of AmaBhele kaJamangile Traditional Community signed a mutual recognition and cooperation agreement in the area of agriculture on 2 March 2022.

IORA Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

8 March 2022

IORA celebrated grandly its 25th Anniversary in a hybrid format - in-person in Mauritius and virtually - on 7 March 2022. The celebration included an Official Reception Ceremony and a special dedicated cross-cultural segment.

The Hon. Alan Ganoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail of the Republic of Mauritius graced the occasion as Chief Guest, while Delegates from the Diplomatic Missions of IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners, International and Regional Organizations based in Mauritius attended the Silver Jubilee Celebration. H.E. Salman Al Farisi, Secretary General of IORA Chaired the reception ceremony.

Break the Bias

8 March 2022

Every year, March 8th is celebrated as International Women’s Day around the globe. The Day can be traced back to the feminist movements in Europe and America in the early 1900s. In 1917 women in Russia chose to protest and strike for "bread and peace" and this fell on March 8 as per the Gregorian calendar.

An Authentic Korean Experience

Ambassador Chull-joo Park pictured with the Taewondo team from Noble Palms Primary School

7 March 2022

Ambassador Chull-joo Park of the Republic of Korea to South Africa hosted Diplomatic Heads of Mission colleagues to experience and partake in Korean art and culture at the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) in Waterkloof Pretoria. ‘K-Culture’, as the ambassador referred to it, is making its presence felt globally through film, K- Pop music, Squid Games, Korean food and the more traditional sport of Taekwondo.  

Resolution of conflict in Ukraine must be durable and lasting

7 March 2021

In his weekly letter, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa writes, "There have been some who have said that in abstaining from the vote condemning Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, South Africa has placed itself on the wrong side of history. Yet, South Africa is firmly on the side of peace at a time when another war is something the world does not need, nor can it afford. The results of these hostilities will be felt globally and for many years to come.

A Financial Catalyst for the Future
China and Rwanda sign an agreement to avoid double taxation and tax evasion

By Ge Lijun
China and Rwanda sign the DTAA in Kigali, Rwanda, on December 7, 2021 (XINHUA)

China and Rwanda signed the Agreement on the Elimination of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and its affiliated protocol on December 7, 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. The goal of this agreement is to make it easier for investors to invest in the two nations by lowering the barriers to entry, while also strengthening commercial ties. According to Rao Hongwei, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, tax cooperation is critical for the healthy and steady growth of bilateral economic and commercial relations.

Adwa an African Victory
Commemorating the 126th Anniversary

7 March 2022

“Prior to the victory at Adwa, Africa was, to the European interest, an object of conquest and domination. This was combined with contempt and racism,” said Deputy Ambassador of Ethiopia to South Africa, Mr Mulugeta Wuletaw Wodajie at the 126th commemoration of the battle of Adwa.

“Ethiopia has stood for African freedom, African independence, African dignity and African self-respect.” His remarks were a reflection of the current geo politic and the need for unity among African nations by adopting complimentary and conciliatory policies for inter Africa relations.