Walking in the footsteps of giants

 

 

Two foreign policy organs, the South African Council on International Relations (SACOIR), and the Association of Former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives were launched on July 16 2015 at the OR Tambo Building, Pretoria – The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). "Mo go gatelego hlako ya pele, le ya bobedi e a gata (the second hoof steps where the first has stepped)," said Dirco Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane referring to struggle stalwarts, like Oliver Tambo, Johnny Makatini, Dulce September, Eddie Funde and George Nene, the current chair of the Association of Ambassadors. As Chief Representatives of the struggle movement they courageously exposed the injustice and brutality of apartheid to the world.

 

 

 

The African Union Commission (AUC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to support a range of critical activities and programmes for the Department of Trade and Industry. H.E. Mrs Fatima Haram Acyl, Commissioner for Trade and Industry and Ms. Arancha González, the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC). The purpose of this MoU is to provide the framework for cooperation between the Commission and the ITC for developing and implementing programmes that support the priorities of the Commission as enunciated in the AUC Strategic Plan 2014-2017. Also, the Commission and ITC have a shared vision and mutual interest in sustainable economic and trade development through continued improvements in business practice, cross border partnership, and the creation of a supportive enabling environment in developing countries.

 

 

 

The African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson, H.E Erastus Mwencha has met with a high delegation from the Republic of Croatia led by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, H.E Dr. Vesna Pusic. The meeting aimed at exploring possible sectors of cooperation between African Union and Croatia. H.E Erastus Mwencha welcomed the delegation and commended the increasing interest of the Republic of Croatia in closer cooperation with Africa. The Deputy Chairperson recalled the spirit of sharing and collaboration that Africa had once had with Croatia, formerly part of Yogoslavia, through the non-alignment movement. He also took advantage of the visit to introduce Agenda 2063, the new Pan-African development framework for the next 50 years. Moreover, the Deputy Chairperson pointed out the fact that the cooperation with Croatia could be a window of opportunity for the structural transformation of the African economies.

 

 

 

 

Ambassador of France to South Africa, Her Excellency Elisabeth Barbier, bestowed on Mr Ahmed Kathrada the signet of Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur (or Knighthood in the Legion of Honour) on behalf of the French President during the French National Day celebrations at the French Residence in Pretoria. Pictured with them is former South African President Mr Kgalema Motlanthe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toasting to Canada Day are (l-r) Mr. Andries Nel, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs of South Africa, Mr, Gaston Barban, High Commissioner of Canada and Mrs. Jane Barban. Canada is 148 years old having been founded on July 1, 1867.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Royal Australian Navy’s helicopter frigate HMAS Anzac has arrived in Cape Town, as part of her NORTHERN TRIDENT 2015 deployment.Anzac departed Sydney in March and has transited the Southern Ocean, Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, Suez Canal, the Mediterranean Sea and the North and South Atlantic en route to Cape Town. Anzac’s visit to Cape Town will provide an important opportunity to work with the South African Navy, a fellow member of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium. Together with the Australian High Commission in Pretoria, Anzac co-hosted an official reception, and the ship will also exercise with the South African Navy following the visit to Cape Town.

 

 

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Pictured at the screening of the movie Mr Kaplan are (l-r) Mrs Castillos Gómez, Mr Daniel Ruben Castillos Gómez, Ambassador of Uruguay, Mr Alvaro Brechner, Film Director and Mr Pluto Panoussis, Director of the Open Window School of Film Arts. The Embassy of Uruguay in Pretoria held a screening of Alvaro Brechner’s award winning film, Mr. Kaplan at the Open Window School of Film Arts in Centurion, Tshwane. The film was introduced by Uruguayan born Director Alvaro Brechner who gave the audience an insight into the making of the movie.

 

 

 

 

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