'We Are One Humanity'

His Beatitude, Theodoros ll, Pope and Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria and All of Africa welcomed by Mr Antonis Mandritis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to South Africa

25 November 2021

“It is a great honor to welcome you today, since the Throne of Saint Marcus represents the Orthodox Christian faith in Africa. Furthermore, it is well known that you support every effort to promote the peaceful coexistence of religions and cultures in the Middle East and Africa. Your Beatitude has always been a beacon of reconciliation and peace for the faithful in the Orthodox world and beyond.” It is with these words that Mr Antonis Mandritis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to South Africa welcomed His Beatitude, Theodoros ll, Pope and Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria and All of Africa to a luncheon held in his honour in Sandton, Johannesburg. This is the first event hosted by the newly accredited High Commissioner of Cyprus since his arrival in South Africa.

To see Egypt driving Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want is an inspiration to all of us: Dlamini Zuma

25 November 2021

Egypt's Ambassador to South Africa, H.E. Ahmed El Fadly, chaired a session during the Egyptian Day component the Intra-African Trade Fair IATF2021 that took place from the 15th to the 21st of this month in Durban, entitled “Egypt’s Role in Achieving Integration in Africa: The Africa We Want”, during which Egypt’s vision of how to achieve integration on the African continent through industry and trade was showcased. That vision put forth how African countries can move from a stage of poverty management to one wealth creation.

Stenin Photo Contest Winners Exhibited

Grand Prix winner - Sebnem Coskun from Turkey titled New danger to life below water: COVID-19 waste

24 November 2021

Every year young photojournalists around the globe have the opportunity to uncover their potential and showcase their skill by entering the Stenin International Press Photo Contest. The Contest was started by Rossiya Segodnya news agency in 2014 in honour of Andrei Stenin, a Russian photographer who was killed covering the civil war in Ukraine.

A Yunus Emre Exhibition

Pictured (l-r) Abdülaziz Yiğit, Director at the Yunus Emre Institute, Nazli Sahinoglu, Ndileka Mandela, Zunaida Moosa-Wadiwala, Ambassador Ayşegül Kandaş, Alex Maswanganyi, Tasneem Chilwan and Swati Mandela

24 November 2021

'The person who comes to the world
He passes and goes.
Drinks from it
It is a bridge crossing.
The ignorant do not know it.'

This poem by Yunus Emre and many of his other writings are on display at an exhibition at the Yunus Emre Institute in Johannesburg.

A Sustainable Future for Fashion

by Dilon Bhana

23 November 2021

On the 20^th of November, Rewoven in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden to South Africa hosted their annual event, the Future of Fashion Indaba, highlighting the importance of sustainability in fashion and the future of fashion. The event was set-up at the Black Brick Club in Sandton and was also streamed live on the Rewoven Africa YouTube channel.

The event brought about some thought-provoking conversation, including the sustainability in the African fashion industry in comparison to that of the rest of the world, mostly Europe, with the help of their erudite guest speakers. This event was perfect for anyone who has a passion for fashion and sustainability and a deep interest in seeing the part that Africa has to play in it all.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Bogdanov visits South Africa

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov with South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa

22 November 2021

Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Mr Mikhail L. Bogdanov was on an official visit to South Africa. He had meetings with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, with officials of the Department of Trade and Industry as well as fruitful discussions with Deputy Minster of International Relations for South Africa Mr Alvin Botes. He also engaged Heads of Mission from the Middle East represented in South Africa.

China Africa

22 November 2021

If Africa lifted 800 million people out of poverty and became the manufacturing and industrial hub of the world, because all the resources are found here anyway; if it developed state of the art infrastructure and logistic capabilities; if it designed and produced advanced high technological and communication capacities and positioned itself central to the current industrial revolution; if it pronounced that its international relations policy is on the basis of shared prosperity and has made significant contributions to many countries of the developing world, would you present accolades to its unprecedented development? Would you recommend nations to try to emulate its success, or would you consider Africa’s impressive rise to the number one spot in economic development a threat?

A Webinar on the 6th Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee held in Beijing from 8 to 11 November was organized by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa on 18 November 2021. 

National Orders honour remarkable individuals

President Cyril Ramaphosa with recipients of the National Orders (photo: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS)

19 November 2021

Two years have passed since the last Presentation of National Orders were held and President Cyril Ramaphosa said that it is important to recognise and "honour those among us who have made outstanding contributions towards the betterment of our country and of the human condition."

"National Orders are the highest awards that our country bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

President Ramaphosa conferred with the Honour of the Mega Holy and Sacred Cross of Saint Savvas

19 November 2021

The President of the Republic of South Africa His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa is conferred with the Honour of the Mega Holy and Sacred Cross of Saint Savvas by His Beatitude, Theodoros ll, Pope and Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria and all of Africa for his outstanding and exemplary leadership on and humanitarian contribution to the continent of Africa. The honour is reserved exclusively for Heads of State by the Patriarchate.

Creating Communities of Excellence

Sello Motsei with Principals Ngwasheng and Kalayci

19 November 2021

Education is seen as a way out of poverty, yet in South Africa many of the previously disadvantaged schools remain under-resourced. There are many benefits to these schools partnering with well-resourced ones, exposing them to what is possible.

Kgwebong Consulting team led by Mr Sello Motsei facilitated a meeting between the principal of Iketleng Primary School, Ms S Ngwasheng and Star College (Turkish School) Principal, Mr Murat Kalayci. Iketleng Primary School is based in an informal settlement called Kanana in Hammanskraal and Star College is based in Pretoria East.

Yunus Emre and Es’kia Mphahlele – 'The Pen is Mightier than the Sword'

16 November 2021

The year 2021 has been declared as the “Year of Yunus Emre” by UNESCO commemorating the 700th anniversary of the celebrated poet.

The Yunus Emre Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa organised a tree planting ceremony at Seshegong Secondary School in Olievenhoutbosch, Tshwane and named it the 'Yunus Emre Friendly and Memorial Forest in South Africa.

“The Institute aims to create a healthy friendship between Turkey and South Africa in its activities. The forest was a gift from the people of Turkey tothe  people of South Africa,” said Abdülaziz Yiğit, Director at the Institute.