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Tangled is the current word meme that is being used by the hipsters when describing relationships. Knotted, entwined, interlaced are other words that come to mind. Africanization was the outcome of the Future of Fashion Indaba held in Johannesburg advocating for indigenous knowledge in the pursuit of dress and design that is ecologically complimentary. It seems art, culture and sport diplomacy are central to bringing people together in a world where healing, wellness, comfort, solidarity and love for one another and the world we live in is much needed. The opening of the Korean Cultural Centre in the City of Tshwane aims to become a melting pot of cultural activity. His Beatitude and Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria and all of Africa put it succinctly when he stated ‘We are one Humanity’ during his visit to South Africa. The IFRC Southern African Cluster launched the 10 million trees Pan African Tree Planting Initiative in Johannesburg contributing to mitigating the effects of climate change. The Stenin Photo Competition Award winner depicted the plastic pollution in a most surreal way that at first it looks like a photo taken in outer space, and the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister paid an official visit to South Africa.
Kirtan Bhana
Founder and Publisher
A Sustainable Future for Fashion
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by Dilon Bhana
On the 20th of November, Rewoven in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden to South Africa hosted their annual event, the Future of Fashion Indaba, highlighting the importance of sustainability in fashion and the future of fashion. The event was set-up at the Black Brick Club in Sandton and was also streamed live on the Rewoven Africa YouTube channel.
The event brought about some thought-provoking conversation, including the sustainability in the African fashion industry in comparison to that of the rest of the world, mostly Europe, with the help of their erudite guest speakers. This event was perfect for anyone who has a passion for fashion and sustainability and a deep interest in seeing the part that Africa has to play in it all.
Stenin Photo Contest Winners Exhibited
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Grand Prix winner - Sebnem Coskun from Turkey titled New danger to life below water: COVID-19 waste
Every year young photojournalists around the globe have the opportunity to uncover their potential and showcase their skill by entering the Stenin International Press Photo Contest. The Contest was started by Rossiya Segodnya news agency in 2014 in honour of Andrei Stenin, a Russian photographer who was killed covering the civil war in Ukraine.Ambassador Ilya Rogachev said, “This Contest also allows us, its viewers, to see our world through the lens of a photojournalist’s camera. As Andrei Stenin himself said, ‘Journalists are the eyes of the citizens and the world’.”
The Diplomacy of Korean Culture
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Ancient Korean culture, art and tradition may be the inspiration for its phenomenal development and success after a devastating war over ideology between 1950 and 1953. Efforts to resolve the separation to unite the North and South under one Korean nation are continuing. The Republic of Korea (ROK), South Korea as it is, with Seoul as its capital, is now ranked in the Top 10 most developed countries in the world.
The opening of the 33rd Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) right here in the city of Tshwane in South Africa is a clear indication of the strengthening of relations between the countries. “It is a place of happiness where different cultures can melt into each other,’” said Ambassador Chull-joo Park of Korea in his welcoming address at the opening of the KCC. This Centre is the largest and the most high end facility in Africa, he said. The other two are hosted in Egypt and Nigeria on the continent.
 “It is a great honor to welcome you today, since the Throne of Saint Marcus represents the Orthodox Christian faith in Africa. Furthermore, it is well known that you support every effort to promote the peaceful coexistence of religions and cultures in the Middle East and Africa. Your Beatitude has always been a beacon of reconciliation and peace for the faithful in the Orthodox world and beyond.” It is with these words that Mr Antonis Mandritis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to South Africa welcomed His Beatitude, Theodoros ll, Pope and Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria and All of Africa to a luncheon held in his honour in Sandton, Johannesburg. This is the first event hosted by the newly accredited High Commissioner of Cyprus since his arrival in South Africa.
Planting trees to mitigate climate change
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The IFRC Southern Africa Cluster Delegation has officially launched the Pan African Tree Planting #IFRC10Million Initiative in the region. The Tree Planting Initiative aims to contribute to the protection, management, and restoration of forests while at the same time addressing the drivers of food insecurity in southern African Communities.
Southern Africa has experienced an increase in the frequency and severity of heatwaves over the years caused by changes in regional climate patterns. The number of people suffering from climate change induced food insecurity has increased by over 45% since 2012.
| Max Sisulu receives Hungarian Honour |
Ambassador Attila György Horváth of Hungary to South Africa presented the Hungarian States Merit Award to Max Sisulu. The former speaker of the South African Parliament was the African National Congress (ANC) representative in Budapest during the Liberation war of Freedom from the abhorrent apartheid regime in South Africa.
Sisulu, an activist and struggle veteran, bore the brunt of the brutal regime at the age of 17 when he was arrested and detained. He is the son of Walter Sisulu, an ANC stalwart who was unjustly incarcerated on the notorious Robben Island Prison off the coast of Cape Town with iconic freedom fighters like Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Dennis Goldberg and Andrew Mlangeni amongst others.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Bogdanov visits South Africa
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Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Mr Mikhail L. Bogdanov was on an official visit to South Africa. He had meetings with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, with officials of the Department of Trade and Industry as well as fruitful discussions with Deputy Minster of International Relations for South Africa Mr Alvin Botes. He also engaged Heads of Mission from the Middle East represented in South Africa.
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