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by Kirtan Bhana
Trust, equality, justice are the values being revisited as the world shifts through an inflection point as the geo-politics of power and influence cries out for balance and solidarity. Around 70 heads of state have been invited to the BRICS summit being hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg from 20-22 August 2023. As a member of BRICS from its inauguration in 2010 after a meeting of BRIC in Yekateringburg, Russia on 16 June 2009, this will be the 3rd summit that South Africa will host.
Once again South Africa, this African country of 60 million people on the southernmost post of Africa, is poised to play its part in transforming an unjust, unfair, unbalanced global system. Having taken bold and courageous steps to put an end to its own brutal, oppressive regime of apartheid, which is listed as a crime against humanity, South Africa will again be the centre of profound changes taking place in the world today.
| Colombia is committed to Africa |
Pictured (far left to right) singing the national anthems are Ivan Mendoza Benitez, Commercial Attachè, Rirhandzu Mashava, DDG of Transport, South Africa, Ambassador-designate María del Rosario Mina-Rojas and Jose Ignacio Juliao Ali, Second Secretary
At the celebration of Colombia’s National Day in Pretoria, Jose Ignacio Juliao Ali, Second Secretary, delivering remarks on behalf of newly arrived Ambassador-designate María del Rosario Mina-Rojas said that Colombia’s commitment to South Africa and the African continent has grown with the leadership of President Gustavo Petro Urrego and Vice-President Francia Marquez Mina, invigorated by new perspectives and innovative policies, with the spirit of a Pan African perspective.
“For Colombia, the ties that bind us to our African partners go beyond mere geography. It is a relationship enriched by shared history, values, and a dynamic blend of cultures.”
| 71st Anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution of the 23rd of July 1952 |
Pictured cutting the celebratory cake are (l-r) Lieutenant General Fhurani Michael Ramantswana, Chief of Staff SANDF, Thabang Makwetla, Deputy Minister of Defence, Minister Azzam El Ahmad, Member of the PLO Executive Committee, Ronald Lamola, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ambassador Ahmed Elfadly of Egypt, his spouse Habiba Abdelrazek and Ambassador Salih Omar Abdu of Eritrea and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
On a cold winter’s day in Pretoria Ambassador Ahmed Elfadly of Egypt spoke about the warm, fraternal relations between Egypt and South Africa at the commemoration of the 71st Anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution of the 23rd of July 1952. Trade, investment and tourism are factors that will bring the people of the two countries closer together and there have been many developments in this regard over the past year.
“Trade and Investment have been at the core of these developments. Fully aware of the empowering potential of Intra-African Trade Fairs, Egypt intends to host the Third Fair in November, after successfully launching the First Fair in 2018 and after having the largest pavilion in the Second Fair that took place in Durban, November 2021,” said Ambassador Elfadly.
Pictured at the USA Independence celebration in Pretoria are (l-r) High Commissioner Catherine Mwangi of Kenya, Ambassador Ahmed Hassan of Yemen, Chief of State Protocol Nonceba Losi of Dirco, Ambassador Reuben Brigety II of USA, Ambassador Andre Nzapayeke of the Central African Republic, High Commissioner Maria dos Santos Lucas of Mozambique and Ambassador David Hamadziripi of Zimbabwe (photo: TDS)
The unfair, unjust and imperialist subjugation of its own settlers by the colonizers is an indication of the insidious and dubious practice of colonialism and imperialism. The American Revolution against an oppressive regime is significant and poignant in the history of revolutions around the world and its impact on the current geo-politic.
The unmistakable red, white and blue stars and stripes of the USA flag adorned the grounds of the Embassy of the United States of America in Pretoria, South Africa. Flags, balloons, flowers, vases, and even donuts, were decorated to celebrate the 4th of July on which the USA declared its independence from British imperialism in 1776, 247 years ago. Since then America, The States, US, the land of the free and home of the brave, are some of the many names of admiration for a nation that has been on the march to become the most developed and the wealthiest nation on the planet.
The Significance of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at 50
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Pictured (l-r) are representatives of CARICOM in South Africa: Mrs July and High Commissioner Forbes July of Guyana, Ambassador Jacques Baril of Haiti, Mrs Verlyn Williams-James of High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, High Commissioner Dr Lovell Francis of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Adeola Akinola, University of Johannesburg, Miss Justine Falmon, High Commission Jamaica, High Commissioner Joan Thomas-Edwards of Jamaica, Mr Andrew Francis, Deputy High Commissioner of Jamaica, Miss Akilah Seale, Head of Chancery High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago and Ms Nompumelelo Ndawonde, University of Johannesburg.
by Dr Lovell Francis, High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to South Africa
On 4 July 2023, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. To celebrate its Golden Jubilee, the Community will hold year-long commemorative activities which commenced with the return of the Heads of Government to Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of CARICOM, on 4th July 2023, for a flag raising ceremony and the interring of a time capsule to be opened upon the commemoration of the Community’s Centenary.
While CARICOM reflects on this significant milestone, some may lament that the Community has made insufficient progress and question whether its organs and institutions are still fit for purpose. Nevertheless, though progress towards regional integration has been slow it must be acknowledged that the Member countries and Associate Members of CARICOM are indeed stronger together and that the journey towards a fully integrated regional mechanism is worthy of pursuit.
Kicking off the FIFA Women’s World Cup
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Pictured (l-r) High Commissioner Joan Thomas-Edwards of Jamaica, Tshwane MMC for Sport Peggy de Bruin, Dirco Acting Chief Director Mmaiky Dube, High Commissioner Emma Dunlop-Bennet of New Zealand, Ambassador Reuben Brigety of the United States and Ambassador Gjermund Saether of Norway
The opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off on 20 July in New Zealand and Australia who are co-hosting the tournament. 32 national teams from five different confederations are competing for the title in the hope to be crowned world champions on 20 August 2023, at the finale. South Africa’s Banyana Banyana are contenders in the tournament and will face Sweden on 23 July.
On a cold winter morning in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital, this riveting opening match between New Zealand and Norway was livestreamed on a giant screen. The New Zealand and Norwegian missions in Pretoria welcomed young school children to the screening who were excited to watch World Cup football.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia becomes Dialogue Partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association - IORA
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Mr Sultan Al Angari, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of South Africa paid a courtesy call on Secretary-General Dr. Salman Al Farisi at the IORA Secretariat
Mr Sultan Al Angari, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of South Africa paid a courtesy call on Secretary-General Dr. Salman Al Farisi at the IORA Secretariat in Mauritius where H.E Mr Sultan Al Angari transmitted the Letter of Acceptance to become an IORA Dialogue Partner.
During the call, Secretary-General Al Farisi welcomed the KSA as the 11th Dialogue Partner of the Association and appreciated the commitment of the KSA to support IORA. The Secretary General and the KSA discussed possible areas of cooperation, including supporting research in IORA.
Russia and Africa: Joining Efforts for Peace, Progress and a Successful Future
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by Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation
On July 27-28, St Petersburg will host the second Russia-Africa Summit and Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum. On the eve of these large-scale representative events which will bring together heads of state and government, entrepreneurs, academia and public figures, I would like to share my vision of the development of Russia-Africa relations with the readers of the leading media on the African continent, outlining priority cooperation areas for the coming decades of the 21st century.
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