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Japan showers UP with Cherry Blossoms
 The Embassy of Japan in South Africa donated Cherry Blossom trees to the University of Pretoria (UP). Ambassador Toshiro Ozawa of Japan to South Africa and Prof. Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UP hosted a Cherry Tree planting ceremony on 6 October 2011. The trees were planted in the Japanese Commemorative Garden at the University. The cherry blossom (sakura) is Japan's unofficial national flower. It has been celebrated for many centuries and holds a very prominent position in Japanese culture.
There are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties in Japan, most of which bloom for just a couple of days in spring. The Japanese celebrate that time of the year with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the blooming trees.
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21 Years of a United Germany
The Charge d'Affaires of the Federal Republic of Germany in South Africa, Mr Ingo Herbert hosted a celebration in Pretoria on 4 October 2011 to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of German Unification. Speaking at the function, recently arrived German Ambassador designate Dr Horst Freitag and guest of honour South African Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies spoke of the relations between South Africa and Germany.
Germany is one of the most important trading partners of South Africa, ranking 2nd in total trading volume behind China and ahead of the USA.
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Managing change Cuban Style
Ambassador Angel Villa of Cuba to South Africa hosted a media breakfast briefing themed 'Cuba: Fifty years on and new challenges for the future'. He outlined the planned transformation of Cuba's socialist model. Complete information on social and economic policy guidelines as well as the effects of the USA blockade on Cuba are available on www.the diplomaticsociety.co.za. Also view the video clip.
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SA Embassy in Uruguay participates in Conferences
 The South African Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay participated in the International Conference on Human Rights Dimension in Countries in Transition. The conference "Accepting the past in Shaping the Present - Learning from Experiences of other countries included seven countries. South Africa was represented by Verne Harris and Sello Satang of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Ambassador Dawie Jacobs (Charge D’Affaires, SA Embassy in Uruguay) also participated in the Launch of the Anti-Racism campaign in Uruguay in the Year of the Afro-Descendents. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ernest Cole Photographer
On 29 September 2011 the University of Pretoria, The Hasselblad Foundation, The Embassy of Sweden to South Africa and The Embassy of the United States of America in South Africa jointly hosted an exhibition of photographs by renowned South African photographer Ernest Cole. The exhibition was opened by Mr Peter Tejler, Ambassador of Sweden to South Africa. Ernest Cole was born in 1940 in Eersterust. In 1960 his family was moved to Mamelodi under the Group Areas Act. Ernest was a determined young man who at an early age decided to become a photographer. He was exiled and in 1990 died in New York, of cancer, one week after Mandela was released from prison. Despite his very short photographic career, Ernest Cole is one of the most influential and important photographers in South Africa.
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- September 2011 issue now available online.
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