Rules based multilateralism

President Cyril Ramaphosa with newly accredited Heads of Mission and their partners/colleagues in Pretoria, Tshwane (photo: GCIS)

On Thursday, 11 August 2022, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa received credentials from 14 Heads of Mission to South Africa. He said that South Africa aims to maintain friendly relations with all countries and that he was pleased that all the continents were represented at the ceremony. “We share a belief in the indivisible unity of humankind and in the centrality of international diplomacy as an instrument of progress, world peace and mutual prosperity.”

 

The city nation of Singapore draws its strength, charm, charisma and inspiration from the diversity of its people. On August 9th Singaporeans celebrated their 57th national day. It marks the establishment of an independent sovereign state as it separated from Malaysia in 1965.
Singapore High Commissioner Zainal Arif Mantaha and spouse Jennifer Cheng hosted a reception to celebrate this special occasion at Baba House at the High Commission in Pretoria, City of Tshwane, South Africa on August 11th, as August 9th is celebrated as Women’s Day in South Africa. Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini of International Relations for South Africa (DIRCO) was chief guest at the event.

By Ambassador Andre William Anguile of Gabon to South Africa

Gabon and South Africa have been enjoying excellent and ever increasing relations since Presidents Nelson Mandela and Omar Bongo Ondimba decided to make of this fraternal bilateral link an example for the rest of the continent. Today, South Africa is a reliable partner for the Gabonese Republic, but of course more needs to be accomplished in the near future, most notably in the quest for green energy solutions, climate change, ecotourism and sustainable mining.
Gabon firmly hopes that the restoration of a direct flight between Johannesburg and Libreville that was stopped in January 2018, will reboot exchanges between all these sectors and reinstate the trade and travel links between SADC and CEMAC. This would represent the beginning of a milestone for the African Continental Free Trade Platform.

 

On August 10th 1809 a rebellion against Spanish rule began in Quito, Ecuador and was the first step towards independence, which only occurred after the Battle of Pichincha on 24 May 1822. Education is one of the key priorities of the government of President Guillermo Lasso of the Republic of Ecuador, and to which he has dedicated great effort since the beginning of his administration in May 2021 when he was elected, said Ambassador Juan Larrea of the Republic of Ecuador to South Africa. He was speaking at the celebration of Ecuador’s Independence in Pretoria on 10 August 2022.

Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire Sakaria Koné and Mariam Koné pictured with Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu

Bringing the people of Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa closer, in less than eight hours, is the introduction of direct flights by Air Côte d'Ivoire between Joburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and Abidjan's Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport. Trade between the two countries is on an ascending trajectory, said Ambassador Sakaria Koné of Côte d'Ivoire to South Africa at the celebration of the 62nd Anniversary of Independence of Côte d'Ivoire.
The country has enjoyed economic stability, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%, said Koné. This is enabled by the country’s stand as, amongst others, the world’s largest cocoa producer, the world’s largest producer of cashew nuts, the world's largest producer of kola nuts, Africa's largest producer of latex and the 2nd most competitive industry in West Africa.

Ambassador Jorge Félix Rubio Correa and Lt. General Peter Anthony Jacobs, Divisional Commissioner Inspectorate raising a toast

Peru and South Africa have much in common said Ambassador Jorge Félix Rubio Correa of Peru at the celebration of the 201st anniversary of the independence of Peru which took place in Pretoria, South Africa on 28 July.
Peru and South Africa are both multicultural, multiracial, multilingual, mega-diverse countries affected by climate change. They are mining countries which have great potential for agricultural exports. They also share cold sea currents from Antarctica such as the Humboldt and Benguela currents, which make their oceans rich in fish. Taking all of this into account Rubio Correa said, “We have to develop our affinities, share our knowledge and enrich ourselves with our experiences to apply what is adaptable to our development and the well-being of our populations.”

 

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South African Consul General in Mumbai commemorates Women at Model UN

 

Consul General Andrea Kühn with students of the HFS Model United Nations 2022 program

 

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SADC elects new leadership at 42nd Ordinary Summit

 

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government in a family photo at SADC’s 42nd Ordinary Summit held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (photo: Elmond Jiyane)

The 42nd Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has elected the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, as chairperson of SADC.
Meanwhile, the President of the Republic of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, has been elected as the incoming chairperson of SADC.

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