A Centennial of Modern Egyptian Diplomacy: Reflections Amidst Uncertainty in our Global Village

by Ahmed El Fadly, Ambassador of Egypt to South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho

15 March 2022

Today, as we commemorate a centennial of modern Egyptian diplomacy, uncertainty appears to be the prevailing sentiment at this critical juncture of modern history in our “global village”. Overnight, the overwhelming and once alarming news of COVID-19 deadly infections, total lockdowns and lack of ventilators have been replaced by equally disturbing reports of military confrontations, economic sanctions and refugee crises. The specter of war is haunting millions in Europe with current developments in Ukraine. Its ramifications are preoccupying many more across the globe, while the destructive effects of climate change are flooding entire cities thousands of miles away in Australia and elsewhere.

Making a Difference
Using the experience gained in China, a Zimbabwean student has set up a shoe business with the aim to make lives better

By Mejury Chipato

15 March 2022

Eliminating poverty is a challenge for all countries. China has made remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation. It has carried forward the great tradition of working together and offering mutual support. It has accumulated valuable experience, which belongs both to China and to the rest of the world, and offers enlightenment to the international community in its battle to reduce poverty. As the world’s largest developing country, China has concentrated its efforts on the development of the economy.

SA, Mozambique commit to continued bilateral cooperation

11 March 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa and his counterpart Filipe Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique co-chairing the 3rd Session of the South Africa-Mozambique Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Pretoria.(Elmond Jiyane/GCIS)

President Cyril Ramaphosa says as the world strives to emerge from the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, neighbouring countries like Mozambique and South Africa must continue to deepen and strengthen the already existing ties between them.

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.