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.

President Macron's State Visit to South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts President Emmanuel Macron of the Republic of France on a State Visit (Elmond Jiyane/GCIS)

29 May 2021

President Cyril Ramaphosa and his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, have committed to strengthening relations between the two nations following bilateral talks at the Union Buildings on Friday.

President Ramaphosa, who hosted President Macron for a State Visit in Tshwane, said discussions spanned over a number of issues, including the COVID-19 response, climate change, global peace and security, and their relationship.

“It is on COVID-19 that we’re feeling France’s keen support and solidary, in that they’re prepared to take the lead in advocating Africa’s case. President Macron would like to see the whole continent succeed,” he said.

27 May 2021

Tshwane is ready to be a gracious MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) host once again, under health and safety protocols and Covid-19 pandemic guidelines, announced Cllr Randall Williams, Executive Mayor of Tshwane, the Capital city of South Africa. At the Africa Day event hosted by the City, which followed strict guidelines, attended by dignitaries and diplomats amongst others, the Mayor together with his economic development, tourism and marketing team, and the Diplomatic Society, set the ball rolling.

African leaders urged to support SMMEs

25 May 2021

South African Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, has called on leaders on the continent to create an environment that will allow innovative Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and entrepreneurs to flourish and access regional, as well as global opportunities.

“This will contribute to local economic development, with local innovation often creating solutions that are relevant for our local circumstances and challenges. Often, such solutions can resonate globally too,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said.

Connecting Continents: Africa Day 

by Dr Srimal Fernando, Inter Regional Advisor

25 May 2021

Africa Day holds a special place in the hearts of many Africans and Asians. The historical day formerly known as African Liberation Day held on 25 May every year since 1963 is celebrated in Africa and around the world. Today the African continent, made up of 55 contiguous nation states, accounts for almost one fifth of the world's population and has made significant strides, and it is all changing and changing fast.

Even before the proclamation of the formation of the African Union (AU), the Pan -African nationalist leaders from various member states of the African continent stressed upon the historical significance and their hopes that the launching of African Liberation Day would provide the much-needed thrust for accelerating cooperation among member nations, eventually paving the way for promotion of peace and stability on the continent.

The Africa we strive for is possible in unity and solidarity

By Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

25 May 2021

I would like congratulate all our African friends on May 25th Africa Day wholeheartedly.

We remember with appreciation the African countries coming together under the roof of the African Union (AU) on May 25th, 1963, predicating on independence and freedom, and displaying a common consciousness based on solidarity and unity. The success story reached in the following decades in this spirit and understanding gives us hope for the bright future of the Continent.

Without a colonial past and having attained its full independence with its struggle against the occupation forces during the War of Independence, Turkey is one of the countries that best grasps the meaning of this day. We are happy to share today this common joy, conscious of the importance of remembering the struggle for independence by the peoples of Africa, for freedom, equality and justice, and evoking the founding goals of the AU.

Argentine Right to identity: Help us to find you!

by María Florencia Segura, Chargé d´Affairs a.i, Embassy of Argentina

24 May 2021

Last year on March 24th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina, together with the human rights movement “Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo” and the National Commission for the Right to Identity (CONADI), launched an International Campaign in order to search for Argentine granddaughters or grandsons whose parents were kidnapped and disappeared during the dictatorship that occurred in Argentina between 1973 and 1983. During that period, the military implemented a systematic plan for the abduction of babies (girls and boys) who were separated from their disappeared parents. It is highlighted that their identities were falsified or they were given up for adoption and all traces of their biological families were removed.

31st Anniversary of the Yemen Unification Day

Ambassador Ahmed Hassan, Chargé D’ Affairs of the Republic of Yemen in Pretoria

22 May 2021

Statement of Chargé D’ Affairs of the Republic of Yemen in Pretoria, Ambassador Ahmed Hassan on the occasion of the 31st Anniversary of the Yemen Unification Day of 22 May 1990 - Yemen's National Day

Your Excellencies, Esteemed friends in South African Government and institutions, and honourable members of the Diplomatic Corps.
First of all, please accept my sincerest warm greetings to you all at the beginning of the winter season. I trust that you and your loved ones are in good health and spirit amid the dreadful Covid-19 pandemic. For this reason, I extend my statement to you this way.

On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of Yemeni unity on May 22, 1990, the country's national day, the embassy extends its warmest congratulations and blessings to the political leadership in our country, represented by His Excellency President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, President of the Republic, and the Yemeni people and their heroic army, who lay down epic acts of heroism and steadfastness in their noble battles against the Houthi coup group backed by a well-known regional power.