Mobile robot lends a hand at Steve Biko Academic Hospital

Dr Mathabo Mathebula, CEO Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH); Prof Tiaan de Jager, Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences at UP; Prof Robin Green, Chairperson of the School of Medicine at UP; and Prof Fathima Paruk, Academic and Clinical Head, of the Department of Critical Care at UP and SBAH.

6 July 2021

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria (UP) and Steve Biko Academic Hospital have welcomed a mobile robot called Stevie to help improve the treatment of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Named after Steve Biko - one of the most prominent leaders during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle – Stevie works at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and will be vital in allowing for a bedside ward round attended by ICU teams across the globe.

SABDF - Continental socio-economic integration is a multi-sectoral effort

Dr Srimal Fernando, Diplomatic Society's Inter Regional Advisor meeting with Theuns Wessels and Jabu Mabobo of the Southern African Business Forum during his visit to South Africa in October 2018

6 July 2021

Jambo Africa Online’s Publisher, SAUL MOLOBI, profiles the Southern African Business Development Forum (SABDF) that rallies the business community to drive regional economic integration.

The Southern African Business Development Forum (SABDF) is a not-for-profit which initially had its headquarters at the CSIR complex in Pretoria, South-Africa. Due to it signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Zambia on 16 October 2019, the organisation made an informed decision to relocate its headquarters to Lusaka. This has also led to the registration of the SABDF as a corporate citizen in the country too.

Despite Covid we give back

Dr. Pavel Řezáč, Ambassador of the Czech Republic in South Africa and Percy Koji handing over a donation to Bophelo Impilo Community School

5 July 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit South Africa hard with many livelihoods compromised with imposed lockdowns. Almost a year and a half after the first case was detected, the country is in the throes of a third wave which looks to be much worse than the first two. The country has also gone into a further lockdown.

As a business person, Percy Koji of FML- Friends of Morokweng, a registered NPO, says that despite Covid he has been able to give back. He has partnered with the Czech Embassy in Pretoria to make a donation to Bophelo Impilo Community School.

Slow food, good company, stimulating conversation Japanese Style

Anisha Pemjee, The Diplomatic Society, Chef Jun Suzuki, Kirtan Bhana, The Diplomatic Society and Ambassador Norio Maruyama of Japan

2 July 2021

The ascension to the throne of the new Emperor of Japan, Naruhito, in 2019 ushered in the Reiwa era, or beautiful harmony. The Emperor’s birthday is normally a big celebration, but this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, Ambassador Norio Maruyama opted for intimate meals with fewer guests at a time. This way, said Maruyama, he was able to spend quality time with each guest.

Upon coming to South Africa, Maruyama convinced a young, very talented chef to accompany him on his posting.  Chef Jun Suzuki was in the process of opening a restaurant in Tokyo but obliged Ambassador Maruyama’s request.  Suzuki and his wife were the creative artists responsible for the tantalising, magnificently presented dishes we had the pleasure of indulging in.

South Africa and Czech Republic strengthen bilateral relations

Pictured (l-r) Mr Martin Tlapa, Deputy Foreign Minister for non-European Countries and Economic Diplomacy of Czech Republic, Ms Naomi Ribbon Mosholi, Ambassador of South Africa to the Czech Republic, Dr. Pavel Řezáč, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to South Africa and Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa (Photo Jacoline Schoonees)

2 July 2021

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mr Alvin Botes, held virtual Political Consultations with the Deputy Foreign Minister for non-European Countries and Economic Diplomacy of Czech Republic, Mr Martin Tlapa.

The Political Consultations took place as countries across the world are forging means of re-engaging internationally following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa is also looking at re-engaging international partners in pursuit of the priorities of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, which seeks to inject much-needed growth in our country’s economy.

Vaccine manufacturing hub will enhance SA’s local manufacturing capabilities

1 July 2021

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande says the establishment of Africa’s first messenger RNA (mRNA) technology transfer hub for COVID-19 vaccines will ensure that South Africa’s local manufacturing capabilities of vaccines will be enhanced.

“This means that South Africa will move beyond just fill/finishing of vaccines, into the manufacturing of the active component or drug substance of vaccine. South Africa’s local manufacturing will be ready to move into commercial scale manufacturing of the drug substance, with relevant equipment, facility preparation, staff training, and doing validation runs,” Nzimande said.

Join the South African Royal Princess Network for Webinars on Gender Based Violence

28 June 2021

Tackling Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the times of Covid-19: Global traditional, academic and government stakeholders to participate on the South African Royal Princess Network webinars on Gender Based Violence

South African Royal Princess Network an association of Royal Princesses from various parts of South Africa who are committed to playing their part to uplift and make a difference to their communities, broader South Africa and the world at large will host two webinars on the 29 June 2021. The first webinar at 14h30 to 16h00 will focus on GBV with specific focus on child trafficking, child pornography, child prostitution, child marriages, ukuthwala, child abuse, child labour, cyber safety, bullying and GBV in the times of covid.

Commemorating 200 years of the Battle of Carabobo

Pictured (l-r) Ambassador Ilya Rogachev of Russia, Ambassador Mehdi Agha Jafari of Iran, Ambassador André William Anguile of Gabon, Ambassador Mairin Moreno Mérida of Venezuela, Ambassador Rodolfo Benitez Verson of Cuba, Ambassador Mohamed Yeslem Beisat of Saharawi and Ambassador Salih Omar Abdu of Eritrea at the bust of Simón Bolívar at the Pretoria Art Museum

25 June 2021

The Battle of Carabobo, on 24 June 1821, was fought between independence fighters, led by Venezuelan General Simón Bolívar, and the Royalist forces, led by Spanish Field Marshal Miguel de la Torre. Bolívar's decisive victory at Carabobo led to the independence of Venezuela and establishment of the Republic of Gran Colombia.

In South Africa Mrs Mairin Moreno Mérida, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela held a wreath-laying ceremony at the bust of Simón Bolívar at the Pretoria Art Museum on 24 June 2021 to commemorate the Bicentennial of the Battle of Carabobo. Ambassador Moreno Mérida said that Venezuelans and people throughout the world celebrate this day with with great pride, as this Battle led by Liberator Simón Bolívar sealed the independence process for Venezuela, the consolidation of La Gran Colombia and also led to the liberation of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

South Africa in solidarity with Cuba

22 June 2021

Organisations in solidarity with Cuba held car caravans across different cities around the world on June 20. The goal was to demand the end of the United States blockade against Cuba on the eve of the vote of the Cuban resolution against the blockade at the United Nations on June 23.

In South Africa political organizations of the South African government alliance made up of the African National Congress, the South African Communist Party and the Confederation of South African Trade Unions organized a car caravan in the city of Pretoria. Friends of Cuba Society (FOCUS), the Cuban Alumni Association of South Africa (CAASA), the Association of Cuban Residents in South Africa (ACRSA) and friends of Cuba participated in the motorcade.

Words of Farewell to the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey

Elif Çomoğlu Ülgen, Ambassador of Turkey to South Africa with Ambassador Ahmed Hassan, Charge de Affairs of Yemen in South Africa during pre-covid times

21 June 2021

Ambassador Ahmed Hassan, Charge de Affairs of Yemen in South Africa recalls the good relations between Yemen and Turkey as Ambassador Elif Çomoğlu Ülgen ends her term in South Africa. Hassan and Ülgen worked together in Geneva more than 20 years ago, him as a seasoned diplomat and Ülgen at the beginning of her career when she served as Second Secretary at the Turkish Permanent Representation to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland between 1997-2000.