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Poverty is not a characteristic of socialism

23 June 2021 Issue 269 - Poverty is not a characteristic of socialism

‘Poverty is not a characteristic of Socialism’ Deng Xiaoping

A webinar commemorating 100 years of the CPC and SACP was hosted by ChinAfrica magazine and the Diplomatic Society on 15 June. The webinar can be viewed here https://bit.ly/3xlTt6J

By Kirtan Bhana

100 is a significant milestone, even though both China and Africa have histories that stretch back many millennia to ancient times. The period 1921 to 2021 is the century that could be considered an epoch in technological and societal transition and transformation. It is also the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).

The emergence of China under the stewardship of the CPC has been as profound as the communist doctrines. Only recently did President Xi announce that China has achieved its goal of lifting everyone in the country out of poverty, a goal many wealthy nations have not yet been able to achieve.

With over 91 million members, the CPC is in stark contrast to the SACP which was founded in the same year, CPC on 1 July and SACP on 30 July 1921. Was this just coincidence that two countries, with such a vast distance between them in different hemispheres not only geographically but in terms of history, politics and society among others, one hundred years ago, found a common ideology?

The webinar ‘Party Exchange: Prospects and Perspectives’ hosted jointly by ChinAfrica magazine and the Diplomatic Society on June 15 commemorated this significant milestone event. The panelist from both parties from South Africa and China presented dynamic and innovative narratives of a shared history and a shared future and the opportunity of the present moment.

South Africa in solidarity with Cuba

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.

The many protestors wore outfits with messages of solidarity with Cuba and their cars were decked out with colourful posters and flags. The car caravan ended at the United States Embassy where a document rejecting the blockade was read aloud over a speaker confirming South Africa’s solidarity and friendship with Cuba.

Colombia and Africa, hand in hand

Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD, Mrs Angela Ospina de Nicholls of the Presidential Agency for International Cooperation (APC - Colombia) and Mr Carlos Andres Barahona Niño, Ambassador of Colombia to South Africa

The President of Colombia Mr Ivan Duque Marquez sent his General Director, Mrs. Angela Ospina de Nicholls, of the Presidential Agency for International Cooperation (APC - Colombia) to enhance relations with the African continent. The envoy concluded an agreement between APC-Colombia and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) at a signing ceremony held at their headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Speaking with the Diplomatic Society Mrs Ospina de Nicholls and Mr Carlos Andres Barahona Niño, Colombia’s Ambassador to South Africa said the agreement is considered as a milestone in Colombia-Africa relations based on the principals of South-South Cooperation (SSC). Even though the geographic distances between the two are great they share a common history. As a matter of fact around one fifth of Colombians are Afro descendants.

From Soweto to Silwan, youth lead the struggle

By Hanan Jarrar, Ambassador of Palestine to South Africa

Today is Youth Day in South Africa. On June 16, 1976 South Africa’s shabab stood up to apartheid’s guns and resisted racism.

I feel the spirit of Soweto in Silwan, in Sheikh Jarrar, in Khan Younis and from Lydda to Akka. Palestinian youth – regardless of whether they are in Jerusalem, Jaffa, Jericho or Jenin – are leading the way in a united resistance against Israel’s attempts to erase Palestine and Palestinians. They are saying that all of historic Palestine is under some form of occupation, and that it must end.

Farewell to a true leader, a great son of Africa, Kenneth Kaunda

Thabiso Magodielo with President Kenneth Kaunda

A tribute by Thabiso Magodielo, Diplomatic Society’s Travel Specialist

18 June 2021

You fought the good fight and ran a good race.

I will always remember and cherish the warm welcome I received when visiting you at your home in Zambia. I will also remember your kindness, humility, energy and warmth. I will never forget how you prayed for me and entertained me with your musical talent, while we were planning the launch of the annual Kenneth Kaunda Golf Day.

You became a father figure to me when I discovered you shared the same birthday, date and year with my dad, bless his soul. So sentimental to think that you and my father would have been twins.

Words of Farewell to the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey

Elif Ulgen Ahmed Hassan

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

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.