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The Diplomatic Society will reach a significant milestone of 25 years since it was launched in 1997. We reminisce about the Mandela years when Nelson Mandela was overwhelmingly elected as the first democratic President of the Republic of South Africa. We remember with a deep sense of gratitude our interactions with quintessential diplomats like Alfred Nzo, Ambassador Billy Modise, Ronnie Momepa, Lindiwe Mabuza, Ebrahim Ebrahim and the many others we have had the privilege to engage with, to glean from and share their experiences as we established the Diplomatic Society over the past quarter of a century.
As we welcome the Heads of Mission to South Africa through the necessary and well-practised protocol, the giant strides taken in drafting and charting a brand new course for South Africa away from a pariah state has certainly been realised. The constantly changing, and sometimes volatile geo-politic , has thrown a wrench in the works on occasion and has exposed the country’s inexperience and naivety in diplomacy at times. The ever consistent embrace of the global community has always been present even during the difficult periods of South Africa’s past history. As the reality of transformation and transition become apparent , the nation’s international partners remain supportive of South Africa’s constitutional democracy and its sturdy Chapter Nine Institutions, as the citizens find the importance and responsibility to engage in robust and open dialogue and debate about the wellbeing of its country and its people.
For 25 years we at the Diplomatic Society have been enriched beyond measure through introduction to the diversity of the people of the world and certainly of South Africans, the splendour of the arts, culture and traditions. We have celebrated the historic accolades and national anniversaries; we have also felt the pain and shared the disappointment when they faced failure. We have empathised with their loss and we have learned that no country, no region, no government, no nation is without flaw. It is the nature of being human and that things are always as they should be.
Kirtan Bhana
Founder and Editor
Celebrating the Year of the Tiger in Singapore
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 Zainal Arif Mantaha, High Commissioner of Singapore to South Africa pictured at BabaHouse@ZA
Ushering in the Lunar New Year, guests of High Commissioner Zainal Arif Mantaha were fortunate to experience a slice of Singapore in the middle of Pretoria, South Africa. The Annex building of the Singapore High Commission was transformed into the Baba House in South Africa (BabaHouse@ZA) after it was given the façade of a Peranakan Heritage House.The rains in Pretoria, synonymous with the daily rain phenomenon of Singapore, held off long enough for the duration of the celebrations.
This is the Year of the Tiger and the evening began with a ‘Lohei’ salad Prosperity Toss. A salad in the shape of a tiger’s face was brought out and a symbolic, auspicious phrase was exclaimed as each special ingredient was added. The salad was then tossed with chopsticks and guests were advised to toss the salad as high as possible to welcome greater prosperity and abundance. This they did this with great enthusiasm and glee ensuring a year of great fortune.
| Celebrating Australia and India Day |
In commemorating Australia and India's national days on 26 January, celebrations kicked off this week with a friendly cricket match between the two countries. Teams from the Australian and Indian High Commissions took on each other in a limited overs cricket game in Pretoria.Sport unites all and it was a fitting celebration playing a much loved national sport for both countries.
India Emerges as a Global Actor during the Pandemic Crisis
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By Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents his national statement as part of the World Leaders' Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow
The world had been witnessing a rapid flux in geo-politics and international relations over the past few years. These trends became much more pronounced in 2020 with the advent of the corona virus. At the beginning of 2021 the world was looking at the coming year with some hope and optimism. However, last year witnessed the eruption of the most devastating Delta variant in March 2021. Today the world is staring at the havoc being perpetrated by the new Omicron variant.
Sri Lanka celebrates National Independence Day amidst economic challenges
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By Kelum Bandara
Sri Lanka celebrates its National Independence Day today (February 4) on a grand scale as usual amidst unprecedented economic challenges confronting the nation. The Indian Ocean island nation gained Independence from colonial rule on February 4, 1948. Beaten by the pandemic, the country is grappling with the worst ever economic challenges in its post –independence era. The shortage of foreign exchange has compelled the country to reach out to the regional countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China for credit arrangements even to buy food, fuel and pharmaceuticals.
Nkosikazi Mhlauli elected Chairperson of NHTKL
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At a special sitting of the of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) convened in terms of section 33(3) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act No 3 of 2019) read with rule 17 of the Rules and Orders of the NHTKL, unanimously elected Nkosikazi Nomandla Dorothy Mhlauli as its Chairperson. Her election, makes her the 6th elected chairperson since the NHTKL establishment and the first woman elected to lead this important house. The election of Nkosikazi Mhlauli has great significance for the institution of traditional leadership and the broader national goal to ensure the recognition of woman rights in our democratic country.
| MAAC Building Bridges of Cooperation |
The Military Attaché and Advisory Corps (MAAC) held their Annual Ball in January 2022 after a two year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Brigadier General Mohamed Harb, Egyptian Defence Attaché and Dean of MAAC said that he was honoured to have SANDF leaders, including the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, as the guest of honour present at the Ball.
Expensive Poverty, Expansive Poverty?
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Africa has turned another corner and all indications are that young Africans are setting and driving the agenda. In his latest book ‘Expensive Poverty’ the prolific African writer Greg Mills exposes the business of Aid and its failure to arrest the poverty pandemic on the continent. In his remarks at the book launch which was appropriately held at the Holocaust Centre in Johannesburg, he thanked Bobi Wine for coining the title “Expensive Poverty’, his term for international aid assistance and grant funding.
Heads of Mission-Designate presented their letters of credence to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on 25 January 2022. They arrive in South Africa at a time when the impact of dealing with the Covid-19 global viral pandemic is being experienced. It is also a time of vibrant and robust discourse of South Africa's young democracy and a crucial moment in the changing dynamic of diplomacy and the geo-politic.
The Heads of Mission-Designate from Republic of Malawi, Argentine Republic, Romania, State of Israel, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Ecuador, Republic of Congo, Mexico, Hellenic Republic, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, New Zealand and the Republic of Cuba will serve at missions in South Africa with the aim of advancing diplomatic relations.
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