Mexico - Africa Water Diplomacy
The Embassy of Mexico in South Africa hosted the Mexico-Africa Experience Workshop in Water Technologies from the 29th of July to the 2nd of August.
Throughout the workshop, experts from the Mexican Institute of Water Technology (IMTA) shared information with participants from South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Namibia on issues such as waste water treatment, purification, irrigation, drainage as well as water - related social issues.
Both Mexican and Southern African experts made presentations on water priority areas and the challenges they face in their respective countries. Presentations by the experts from IMTA on their institute and its activities; irrigation systems in rural areas, the water purification technologies (also in rural areas); toxicological instruments to monitor water quality in developing countries and the use of wastewater to irrigate fields, among others, generated a lot of interest.
ROK - A Groundbreaking moment
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea held a groundbreaking ceremony on 12 August 2013 for the Korean Embassy's new chancery in Pretoria. In his congratulatory remarks H.E. Deputy Minister Lee Kyung-Soo of the Republic of Korea said that the construction of a Korean Embassy building in South Africa is long overdue, considering the two countries'political and economic relations. He said, "Since President Park Geun-hye took office in February this year, her new administration has been reviewing its foreign policy on Africa in order to enhance and upgrade political, economic, developmental and institutional co-operation with the continent. The Presidents of Uganda and Mozambique were the first heads of state to pay an official visit to Korea since President Park took office. These visits symbolize my government’s renewed commitments to enhance its relationship with African countries.
"The policy change is in line with the growing importance of Africa in the global arena thanks to its relatively stable political situation and plentiful resources. It is frequently mentioned that Africa will become a new growth engine for the world economy. Korea currently has 17 embassies in Africa with a recent addition in Mozambique. The Korean government is considering opening more embassies in other African countries within the near future in order to expand its institutional base on the continent."
67th Independence Day of India
Pictured in Pretoria at the celebration of the 67th Independence Day of India are (l-r) Minister Cwele, State Security Agency of South Africa; Mr. Terence Nombembe, Auditor-General of South Africa; Mr Collins Chabane, Minister in the Presidency of South Africa and Mr Virendra Gupta, High Commissioner of India in South Africa.
In his speech Minister Cwele said, "The relationship between South Africa and India goes back more than 4 billion years! Yes, you heard me, 4 billion years - when the subcontinent of what is India today was part and parcel of what is Africa today. The historical connection between the people of South Africa and the people of India – and hence the special relationship between the two countries - is best captured by the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela when he said:
“The indentured labourers also served to establish an umbilical cord that ties together the peoples of our respective countries. As much as India is a particle of our country, so are we too a particle of India. History has condemned us to seek each other out, to deal with each other as members of the same family. It is that history which makes it possible for each one of us to claim the immortal Mahatma Gandhi as our national hero.”
The relations between our two countries have been forged through a long, shared history of the struggle for freedom, dignity, justice and equality. This year, South Africa celebrated 19 years of freedom. And I can say without any hesitation whatsoever that we owe our freedom to the support and selfless sacrifice of many people across the world. The sterling role played by India in the struggle against apartheid is exemplary."
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UNGA and the African Agenda
 South African International Relations & Cooperation Minister Nkoana-Mashabane meeting the 67th UNGA President HE Vuk Jeremic in Pretoria
Remarks by the Minister of International Relations & Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, on the occasion of the Joint Press Conference following the conclusion of the Bilateral Meeting with Mr Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly,Pretoria, 12 August 2013
During our discussions, I thanked Mr Jeremić for the significant focus that he placed on the African Agenda throughout his term in office. He was the first PGA to arrange a special thematic debate of the General Assembly on the “Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts in Africa”, which took place on 23 April 2013 and resulted in the adoption of a Political Declaration. This initiative placed the cooperation between the General Assembly and the African Union on a sound footing. As such, the Declaration also complements the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2033 that South Africa initiated during our Presidency of the Security Council in January 2012.
Photo and story: DIRCO
Message of love to Mandela
 SM Aura Premier Mall Manager Mr. Carlos Vilchez, SM Vice President for Marketing Ms. Millie Dizon, Ambassador Agnes Nyamande-Pitso and UN Country Representative a.i. Mr. Praveen Agrawal during the opening ceremony at the SM Aura Premier Mall.
The Nelson Mandela travelling exhibition was hosted by the Senate of the Philippines on 7 August 2013 and by the SM Premier Mall on 10-13 August 2013. The Senate project was a vibrant collaboration by the Senate with the UNESCO Dream, United Nations Representative Office, Philippine Centre of International Theatre Institute, the Rotary Club of Makati Business and the South African Embassy whilst the Exhibition at the SM Premier mall was a collaboration between SM, UN country representative office and the South African Embassy in Philippines.
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