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| The stars shine on Africa, IAU GA Cape Town 2024 |
The South African delegation (right) handing the IAU flag over to the Italian delegation (left) (photo: Jayde Bhana)
by Jayde Bhana
The 32nd International Astronomy Union General Assembly (IAU GA) was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa from the 6th to the 15th of August 2024. As it was emphasized many times during the conference, this was the first time in its 105 year history that the IAU GA was hosted on the African continent.
The hybrid event (another first for the IAU GA) was attended in person by over 2000 participants from all over the world (including over 800 participants from Africa) and hundreds more attended and tuned in online via virtual platforms. South Africa is an apt host as its role in the international astronomy community has been strengthened by the recent commencement of the construction of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), which is set to be the largest radio telescopes in the world.
South Africa Welcomes New Heads of Mission
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Newly accredited Heads of Mission pictured with Acting President Paul Mashatile and Directors General of the Presidency Phindile Baleni and of Dirco Zane Dangor (photo: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS)
Acting President of South Africa Paul Mashatile, on 22 August 2024, received Letters of Credence from newly accredited Heads of Mission to South Africa. In a ceremony at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria, the Heads of Mission reflected on their countries’ relationship with South Africa. They also pledged to forge closer ties and strengthen mutually beneficial relations. South Africa was congratulated for holding successful elections this year and subsequently forming a Government of National Unity (GNU).
The China-Africa Pivot, a Game Changer
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A model of the port in Chongqing, China on the Yangtze River (photo: Kirtan Bhana - TDS)
EAs Beijing prepares to host the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Heads of State Summit, the significance of this gathering cannot be overstated. The FOCAC platform, which has been instrumental in shaping China-Africa relations since its inception in 2000, now faces the challenge of remaining relevant in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
For the Communist Party of China (CPC), the summit presents a crucial opportunity to implement deep reforms that will not only strengthen Sino-African ties, but also facilitate the transformation of African nations into modern catalysts for global advancement. The outcomes and expectation is for strategic reforms to the current cooperation, which has been ongoing for 24 years, to ensure the Forum’s continued success.
The Ninth Annual Meeting of the New Development Bank to be held in Cape Town
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The New Development Bank (“NDB” or “the Bank”) and the Government of the Republic of South Africa will host the Ninth Annual Meeting of the NDB Board of Governors to be held on August 29-31, 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa.
This year 2024 marks a significant milestone in the history of the NDB, the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on the New Development Bank. Over the past decade, the NDB has achieved important strategic objectives. It has opened four regional offices and centres in all founding member countries. The Bank has expanded its membership – with the addition of Bangladesh, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. It has approved over USD 30 billion in project financing in its member countries.
Minister Ronald Lamola hails economic diplomacy milestones in the South Africa-Japan relations
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South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, attending the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting, Tokyo, Japan. ( Photo: Katlholo Maifadi/DIRCO)
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola successfully concluded his working visit to Japan, which coincided with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting on 24-25 August 2024 in Tokyo.
Launched in 1993, TICAD is the first international developmental partnership with Africa. It advocates for Africa’s development agenda and strengthens economic cooperation between Africa and Japan.
The Minister led South Africa’s delegation at the Ministerial Meeting, held under the theme, ‘Realising a Sustainable Future'.
Cabinet welcomes outcomes of the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit
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Cabinet has welcomed the outcomes of the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 17 August 2024.
The Summit had amongst others, urged Member States to implement the SADC Regional Humanitarian Appeal to the El Niño-induced drought and floods, and to continue monitoring weather and climate risks, including the forecasted La Niña event, and develop contingency measures to mitigate the impact of disasters.
The Summit also took note of the coming into effect of the Agreement establishing the Tripartite Free Trade Area among the COMESA, the East African Community and SADC which will provide opportunities for SADC members to tap into an expanded market of 26 countries with a population of about 700 million and a gross domestic product of US$1 trillion.
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