AELC - Consolidating trade in Africa

Co-founders of AELC - Percy Koji and Heinrich Hafeni

11 May 2022

AELC - Africa Economic Leadership Council launched in Botswana, Gaborone on 3 May 2022, after a successful launch in South Africa. AELC aims to consolidate trade by increasing capacity of entrepreneurs through facilitated incubation, capacity building, expo's and trade fairs and also to help create jobs in a consolidated manner, throughout the continent.

A Fertile Base

Young African living in the Greater Bay Area upbeat on the prospects of the area

By Hu Fan

12 May 2022

Lineo Kobeli speaks during an experience-sharing event in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, on June 19, 2021

Lineo Kobeli’s first impression about China was low-priced Chinese goods brought back to Lesotho by her father from his first trip to China in 2005 when she was 16. At that time, she didn’t know anything else about this country where she will later study and live for years. She now works as an international public relations specialist at the Africa Guangdong Business Association (AGBA) based in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, for the fourth year. She is also an assistant to the secretary general of the association.

A Classical Indian Music Soiree

Pictured (l-r) Avesh Ramsunkar, Ketan Parshotam, Arundhati Date, High Commissioner of India Jaideep Sarkar, Harendra Tanna and Vevek Ram

9 May 2022

An atmosphere of musical bliss filled the serene landscape of India house located in the lofty hills of Waterkloof in Pretoria in South Africa’s capital city of Tshwane. An Indian Classical Soiree was hosted by High Commissioner Jaideep Sarkar of India to South Africa and Mrs. Minako Sarkar on Saturday afternoon where the elements seemed to align to create ideal conditions that deepened the effects of the profoundness of classical Indian rhythm and sound.

Clean Transition

9 May 2022

Chinese electric vehicle maker powers Rwanda’s green push while imparting fresh skills to local engineers
by Arafat Mugabo

TAILG scooters on display at an expo in China. TAILG is one of the major scooter manufacturers in China (VCG)

Ladislas Iyambere, a 26-year-old, is one of 20 Rwandan fresh graduates doing an apprenticeship at the newly established Chinese TAILG Electric Vehicle Assembly Plant in the Gahanga Industrial Zone, Kicukiro District in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

“I am grateful to be among a few lucky young Rwandans who are learning at work in the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) plant, an opportunity that is hard to get in other locally established similar plants,” he said.

The Eternal Fire Will Burn Forever

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

9 May 2022

By Alexander Arefiev, Press Attaché, Embassy of Russia in South Africa

There is one very special monument in Moscow. It is called the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – a memorial complex dedicated to all the heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect our Motherland, the Soviet Union, and defeat Nazism. It’s located in Alexander Garden, right next to the Kremlin Wall – in the very heart of Russia. Part of this memorial complex is the Eternal Fire – a bronze star with flames coming out of its centre. This fire is one of the symbols of Victory alongside the red star, Georgian black and orange ribbon and cranes. The Eternal Fire never dies out regardless of weather conditions. It is a symbol of our nations’ everlasting memory of the courage and devotion to duty displayed by, as President Vladimir Putin said, a Generation of Victors. It is a symbol of our people’s unbreakable will. And this will, just as our memory and our gratitude to our ancestors, will never die out.

Greater economic prosperity for SA and Guinea Bissau

28 April 2022

Trade and investment relationships between South Africa and Guinea Bissau are being deepened, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. “Greater economic prosperity should underpin everything that we do and this is what we intend to focus on as we deepen our relations between our two countries. Our goal for this State Visit has been to deepen trade and investment between South Africa and Guinea Bissau,“ said the President.

The President was speaking to the media following a state visit by Guinea Bissau President General Umaro Sissoco Embaló and a delegation of his Ministers.

SA, Botswana conclude successful Bi-National Commission

26 April 2022

The Republic of South Africa and Botswana have concluded a successful 5th session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the two countries, aimed at renewing and strengthening bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation.

At the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Botswana President, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi, paid a working visit to South Africa on Friday on the occasion of the 5th Session of the Bi-National Commission.

Iftar brings ASEAN and South Africa closer

26 April 2022

Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) for South Africa graced Iftar, the Muslim custom of breaking fast during the holy month of Ramaadaan, hosted by High Commissioner Mohamad Nizan Mohamad of Malaysia on behalf of the ASEAN Pretoria Committee (APC) held on 23 April 2022.

The occasion at the Malaysian Residence in Pretoria was attended by the Heads of Mission of the APC namely Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar is the current chair of the seven of the 10 countries of the ASEAN regional block represented here in South Africa.

Zimbabwe at 42 – No one and no place left behind

Pictured at Zimbabwe's Independence Day celebrations are (l-r) Dr Jessica Hamadziripi, Ambassador David Hamadziripi and Dr Zane Dangor

26 April 2022

“We call on those countries that continue to maintain sanctions against our country to heed the calls to reason and remove these sanctions which impact the people of Zimbabwe to have full enjoyment of their rights as was aptly observed by the UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights,” said Ambassador David Hamadziripi of Zimbabwe to South Africa. He was addressing guests at the celebration of Zimbabwe’s 42 years of independence from Britain on 19 April 1980.

Ancestral relations underpin the ties between Zimbabwe and South Africa. These neighbouring countries are joined at the hip, akin to Siamese twins is how South African President Cyril Ramaphosa describes the cooperation between the two countries. Common language, custom and tradition have created bonds of marriage and family and a shared knowledge of Africa.

Opening A New Chapter

China, Mauritius celebrate 50th anniversary of bilateral ties
By Zhu Liying

Zhu Liying, Chinese Ambassador to Mauritius (Supplied)

The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Mauritius formally established diplomatic relations on April 15, 1972, making China one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Mauritius. Over the past half a century, both countries have persisted with developing the bilateral ties based on mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual support, equality, and mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation. Mutual trust between the governments and peoples of the two countries has been consolidated, with fruitful trade and economic cooperation and prosperous people-to-people exchange. The bilateral relationship has become an exemplary example of South-South cooperation.

Unlocking the potential of the oceans economy

Photo: Durban Harbour

20 April 2022

As part of efforts to unlock the potential of the oceans economy and drive transformation in an aggressive way, government has prioritised the acceleration of interventions in the maritime sector. Among these is the establishment of a national shipping carrier as a means of building the strategic national shipping capacity and capability.

“Enhancing our ship registration framework remains at the centre of our efforts not only to grow our shipping industry, but to transform the sector such that it makes a meaningful contribution to broadening economic participation,” Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, said on Wednesday.