Category: Uncategorized

13 September 2022

The tourism sector recovery has gained incredible momentum, and this is visible in South Africa’s tourism performance in the first half of 2022.

Speaking at the launch of Tourism Month, at !Khwa ttu, in the Western Cape on 4 September, the Minister of Tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu, once again lauded the sector for the incredible 2022 tourism performance thus far. This performance is testament to the strides South Africa’s tourism sector has made to reinvent itself and to once again draw visitors into the country.

In the first half of the year, 15.2 million domestic trips were taken, marking a 114% increase when compared to the same period in 2021. This is way above the same period in 2019, which saw 8.6 million domestic trips taken.

“This year’s Tourism Month celebrations are incredibly special because we are recognising how far we have come as a sector, in spite of everything we have been through in the last few years,” said Minister Sisulu.

Minister Sisulu said the sector was also seeing a steady rebound of business events, with South African Tourism having successfully hosted their flagship shows; Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba in person this year.

Tourism Month is in line with South Africa’s vision to ignite inclusive economic growth, sustainable job creation and transformation, which are all critical for the industry. Tourism Month is a time when the tourism industry places a focussed approach on domestic tourism, engaging and collaborating as the greater tourism sector to grow domestic tourism.

Tourism Month is celebrated in the same month that the United Nations World Tourism Organisation celebrates World Tourism Day, which falls on 27 September each year. The theme for this year is “Rethinking Tourism”, compelling the sector to reimagine itself, following the pandemic.

“This theme is fitting, as the world over, the tourism sector is being reimagined, following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This theme is also symbolic because as a sector, the pandemic required us to step back, relook the industry as we know it, and ultimately, see how we rebuild it,” Minister Sisulu continued.

Annually, Tourism Month celebrations are held in a different province, to make a contribution to the local economy of the host province.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said he was honoured that the Western Cape had been chosen as the host province for this year’s Tourism Month celebrations.

“Tourism is a major economic driver in the Western Cape, which we have optimally harnessed to continue fuelling economic growth and job creation and the sustained recovery in this sector since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions has shown just how important tourism is to the Western Cape, and the rest of the country,” said Premier Winde.

Premier Winde added that tourist arrivals into Cape Town continued to show impressive recovery. “July 2022’s performance showed that passengers arriving through the CTIA’s international terminal reached a recovery rate of 87% when compared to the same period in 2019. This is the highest recovery rate over the last five months. This is very promising and bodes well for peak tourist periods such as the festive season,” he added.

September is also the month when South African Tourism’s Sho’t Left Travel Week takes place, from 5-11 September 2022. During this week, participating tourism businesses offer travellers up to 50% off tour packages and tourism-related products and services. These deals must be bought during this week but can be redeemed at any other time depending on the partner’s terms and conditions.

13 September 2021

We have convened this briefing today to inform you about South Africa’s participation in the High-Level segment of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York City from 20-27 September 2022 under the theme: “A watershed moment: Unlocking transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.”

Much of the focus of the high-level and side-meetings to be held at UNGA will focus on development matters, specifically health, education and the broader implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year’s UNGA theme resonates with South Africa’s philosophy of working together as a global community to find solutions to challenges which affect us collectively. Inherent in collective solutions in the international relations context is multilateralism, which South Africa is an ardent proponent of in its foreign policy engagements.

UNGA77 is being held at a time when the world is characterised by geopolitical tensions, concerns around the proliferation of mini-lateral security pacts which, in part, replicate the work that should ordinarily be undertaken by the UN Security Council. Also, the world economy is under strain, and its ramifications on food, energy and finances require a united global response.

For the global South, the economic and socio-economic impact of COVID-19 has been disproportionate in relation to recovery in the developed North. The pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges including fuelling root causes of conflict, such as competition for scarce resources, while in the developed world, there has been recovery, but not at the pace that was anticipated.

Preceding the General Debate, the UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, will convene a summit on “Transforming Education”. On the margins of the General Debate, the Secretary-General will also host a high-level meeting focussing on the Sustainable Development Goals. It is expected that this SDGs meeting will explore ways in which to regain momentum and accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.

Additionally, there will be several climate-related engagements focussing on the urgency of working together for climate action. The impact of climate change is unquestionable. For the developing world, climate impacts are significantly more pronounced. This is impacting directly on an already resource-constrained world, and it is imperative that we start building resilience immediately. These discussions will be a precursor to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting that is scheduled to take place in November in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Another equally important meeting that will take place will be one focussing on the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. There should be no illusion that the threat of nuclear weapons constitutes a threat to humanity. The recent failure of State Parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to adopt an outcome following a Review Conference of the Treaty, is of huge concern, specifically the failure of nuclear weapons states to keep to their commitments to disarm.

The various engagements at UNGA will provide South Africa with an opportunity to highlight issues of national, regional and international importance. South Africa’s participation in the General Debate of the UNGA77 is a strategic opportunity for the promotion of our national and foreign policy objectives as espoused in Chapter 7 of the NDP, Positioning South Africa in the World.

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit Washington DC. The visit to Washington DC follows the invitation by His Excellency President Joe Biden, delivered by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his recent visit to South Africa. President Ramaphosa accepted the invitation to the White House where he will hold talks with President Biden on 16 September 2022.

The two leaders will discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment, climate change, food security, energy, and peace and security. President Ramaphosa will reaffirm the importance of the strategic and mutually beneficial relations between South Africa and the United States. The President will further emphasise the need for enhanced multilateralism and dialogue as the means through which the challenges facing humanity can be addressed. These include the urgent need to stimulate economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whilst in Washington DC, President Ramaphosa and his delegation will meet Congressional leaders and the veterans of the Civil Rights Movement who were instrumental in lobbying the American public against apartheid and who remain loyal to the cause of anti-racism in both the United States and South Africa.

South Africa and the United States enjoy historic and cordial relations. The US is a major export market for South Africa, a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI), technology transfer, development assistance and tourism. Trade and investment relations take place under the auspices of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty-free and quota-free access to the US market for value-added products. AGOA has created jobs in both South Africa and the US and is thus mutually beneficial.

Over the years, two-way trade between South Africa and the United States has been on the increase. The United States is South Africa’s third largest trading partner (after China and the European Union), with more than 600 United States companies operating within our borders. In 2021, the United States ranked as the second largest destination for South Africa’s exports globally.

South African firms have also become significant foreign investors in the United States. Investments from South Africa into the United States are on the increase, with the United States accounting for 17.4% of total South African outward FDI to the world, according to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).

Let me conclude by emphasizing that South Africa’s foreign policy remains inspired by its history – and the country, working with others, strives for the attainment of a just, humane and equitable world. In conducting our international relations, we attach the utmost importance to the promotion of human rights, democracy, equitable justice and the rule of international law. The said principles place multilateral institutions, specifically the United Nations, at the centre of our foreign policy engagements and objectives.

The President’s visit to the United States provides us an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States though the engagement with President Biden and to deepen multilateralism through the United Nations, which remains the primary vehicle through which the international community must confront the myriad challenges facing the world today.

Image Credit: Dirco

10 September 2022

Buckingham Palace has announced that the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place on Monday, September 19, at Westminster Abbey in London.

“The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September. Prior to the State Funeral, The Queen will Lie-in-State in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects,” the palace statement said.

Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96 on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after reigning for 70 years.

His Majesty King Charles III has confirmed the day of Queen’s funeral will be a bank holiday across the four UK nations. It will also be declared a Day of National Mourning

#UKin South Africa

#Commonwealth

#statefuneralQueenElizabeth

9 September 2022

In the ground control room of a copper mine in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, technicians from Zambia and China are busy remotely maneuvering the unmanned underground mining machinery.

The mine is operated by the South East Ore Body, a project undertaken by the NFC Africa Mining PLC (NFCA) in Zambia. Founded in 1998, the NFCA is a joint venture between China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC), a centrally-administered state-owned enterprise (SOE), and a local Zambian company.

An investment from the Chinese side has injected a new lease of life into the mine, which was closed years ago.

With the digital transformation of mining at the heart of the company’s development plan, NFCA is making every effort to build the first digital mine in Africa by introducing smart equipment and management system. After reaching the relevant standards and production goals, it will serve as a vital boost for Zambia in accelerating the development of the country’s mining industry.

Besides NFCA, an economic and trade cooperation zone operated by CNMC has attracted dozens of enterprises to settle in, creating more than 10,000 local job opportunities.

Based on the economic and social development needs of African countries, Chinese SOEs have also provided vocational education and technical training support to address talent shortages, a perennial challenge in the development of the continent.

Chinese Embassy in South Africa

9 September 2022

By: Susan Novela

The President of Kazakhstan His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced early elections. Presidential elections will be held in

December 2022 instead of 2024, while parliamentary ones will take place in the first half of 2023 instead of 2025.

President Tokayev proposed a new electoral cycle during his State of the Nation Address on 1 September 2022, in which he outlined specific areas of reforms such as new economic policy, development of the real sector, strategic investment in the country’s future, resetting the public administration, law and order.

The Head of State presented a new electoral schedule to ensure successful implementation of a radical and comprehensive reforms package aimed at building a ‘Fair Kazakhstan’.

Tokayev was elected President in 2019 for a five-year term. He would have been eligible to run again in 2024 for another five years, a total of 10 years in the office up to 2029.

In comparison, the South African president is elected by the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, and is usually the leader of the largest party, which has been the African National Congress since the first democratic multiracial election held on 27 April 1994.

The South African Constitution limits the president’s time in office to two five-year terms. The first president, elected under the new Constitution, was Nelson Mandela. President Cyril Ramaphosa, was elected by the National Assembly on 15 February 2018, following the resignation of former President Jacob Zuma.

The President of Kazakhstan has proposed shortening the presidential tenure to a single seven-year term, instead of the current two five-year terms. This political innovation “will reduce the risks of monopolisation of power,” said President Tokayev.

The Kazakh President further proposed holding elections to the Majilis and Maslikhats (local parliaments) of all levels in the first half of 2023, and the expectation is that the easing of party registration rules will lead to the formation of a number of new parties, thereby broadening the composition of the parliament.

Tokayev also said, ‘The future of Kazakhstan is born today – in our words and deeds, intentions and actions. For the successful implementation of radical and comprehensive reforms aimed at building a Fair Kazakhstan, a new mandate of trust of the people is required.’

The president also unveiled social initiatives that will mitigate the mounting discomfort caused by inflation. These included raising the

minimum wage by 17 percent, as well as a 27 percent increase in the size of pensions by 2025.

The measures also include the lowering of the retirement age for women from 63 to 61.

He further proposed the channelling of half of the returns on investments made by the National Fund (a pot whose income is built on

tax revenues from oil and gas companies) to saving accounts for children that will be made available for their use once they reach the age of 18.

In June 2022, at the Constitutional amendments referendum, the overwhelming majority of citizens supported the course of political modernisation.

The constitutional reform was a fundamental step in the creation of a New Fair Kazakhstan. The intention is:

● to reduce presidential powers,

● to redistribute power in a more balanced manner among the various

branches of government,

● to enhance the parliament’s role in the running of the country,

● to increase public involvement in making policies, and

● to strengthen the civil liberties

The Second Republic commenced the construction of a Fair Kazakhstan. But it is just the beginning, and the Kazakhstani people are ready to support President Tokayev in this just process to ensure the country’s development as a dynamic, modern, prosperous, peaceful, safe and secure, stable, sustainable, and democratic nation.

We also fully support this course as a package of measures oriented towards building a better future for the current and future generations

of the friendly country in the heart of Eurasia, the Republic of Kazakhstan!

Also Published in the Pretoria News

#kazakhstan

#kazakhstanpresident

#kazakhelections

#Kazakh2022elections

Photo Credit: 24.kz

Photo Credit: Accord

9 September 2022

Africans of the Continent and the Diaspora, 9 September 1999, a date which recalls the critical questions raised by our Leaders, then meeting in Sirte, Libya, about the level of strategic relevance of the OAU in the face of the upheavals that occurred at that time in geopolitics on a global scale.

Refusing complacency despite the significant victories won over colonialism and the odious system of Apartheid in favour of the liberation of the Continent, our Heads of State and Government, under the impetus of unfailing determination, decided to chart a new path for an Africa open to the horizon of modernity and the collective well-being of the peoples. This was the operational action of the African Union in 2002.

I seize this opportunity to salute the memory of all the Leaders, who have now passed away and to pay tribute to those who are alive, for having ensured this fortunate change.

From the OAU to the AU, break and continuity go hand in hand in a relationship of efficient complementarity, built up to the expectations of the new ambitions of the Continent.

Break in the displacement of the centre of gravity on strategic objectives linked to our determination to speed up the process of Regional Integration.

This orientation is stated, through the design and execution of flagship projects, covering all areas of human activity: infrastructure, air transport, digitisation, industrialisation, energy, education and scientific research, university education, agriculture, health, trade, communication, culture, etc.

The inclusion of women and young people in the development process and more broadly in the management of public affairs is for the African Union more than a wish but an exigency.

All these sectors have been covered by the development of Continental strategies articulated in a coherent and dynamic whole project labelled Agenda 2063.

Break also in the reasoned choice of a new modus operandi centered on results-based management. In terms of results, the evaluation of the First Decade of the implementation of Agenda 2063 (2013-2022) highlights significant achievements, confirmed, among other things, by the very advanced operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the transformation of NEPAD into an African Development Agency, the effective functioning of the Pan African University, etc.

In the list of achievements there is also the integration of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) into the structures of the AU, the granting of the status of Specialised Agencies of the AU to the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and many others; the establishment of the Africa CDC, the Africa Medicines Agency (AMA) and its commitment to the fight against pandemics, particularly that of COVID-19, the establishment of the Africa Medicines Agency (AMA), the African Humanitarian Agency (AHA), progress in integration efforts, at the level of Regional Economic Communities, the institutional involvement of the private sector as a financial lever, the institutionalised practice of designating Heads of State and Government by the AU Assembly as Champions for themes deemed central to the development of the Continent, and actions carried out within the framework of the fight against all forms of insecurity: political, health, climate and food.

The fight against terrorism on the one hand and against the harmful effects of climate change on the other hand, has become high priorities as their impact on the other development sectors of the Continent is harmful.

One of the main effects of this vigilance is in the decision taken by our Leaders in January 2017 to engage all the organs of our Union in a process of institutional reform, whose implementation, still ongoing, promises in the final analysis, to project a new image of our Continental Organisation, while giving it a revised and corrected content.

The exercise of this capacity for self-criticism was recently brought to its summon by the Current Chairman of the Union, H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, in his speech at the 4th Coordination Meeting between the AU, the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms and Member States, held last July in Lusaka, Zambia.

After dwelling on the burden of external constraints that penalise Africa in its wish to build itself as a Continent of the future because of its immense potential, he refocused on “our shortcomings”.

As regards these shortcomings, H.E. Macky Sall mentioned first the compartmentalisation of the Continent due to a low possibility of mobility of people, goods and services between the Member States of the Union, our low agricultural production capacity and energy insecurity.

It is in the wake of this fact that the Second Implementation Decade of Agenda 2063, which starts in 2023, will unfold. It will revolve around three main objectives: to ensure greater physical connectivity of the Continent through the construction of roads and other communication infrastructures, to establish the conditions for sufficient domestic agricultural production to reduce imports of foodstuffs and build the technical capacities to make the energy transition a success. Mobilising all intellectual, financial and material resources, to attain this triple objective, is a collective challenge that calls upon everyone to be creative, inventive and above all bold.

It is in this respect that I would like to call upon all Africans, from the Continent and from the Diaspora, to join in the collective effort to build “the Africa we want”, through a permanent desire to transcend ourselves, which is expressed by the systematic exercise of critical thinking, as the ideal means of access to excellence, whatever the field of activity in which one exercises. With this firm conviction that it is the sum total of small rivers that make big rivers. #AU20

Moussa FAKI MAHAMAT

https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20220909/message-chairperson-celebration-9-september-2022

9 September 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, expressed his profound and sincere condolences to His Majesty, King Charles III on the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on 8 September 2022 at the age of 96 and was the longest-reigning monarch in the United Kingdom.

“Her Majesty was an extraordinary and world-renowned public figure who lived a remarkable life. Her life and legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world. The Queen’s commitment and dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a noble and virtuous example to the entire world”, says President Ramaphosa.

The President met Her Majesty at the last Commonwealth meeting which was held in London in 2018 where they spent some time looking at letters that Former President Mandela sent to the Queen, reminiscing about the great stateman that Her Majesty respected enormously.

President Ramaphosa says that South Africa’s thoughts and prayers are with The Royal Family, the Government and people of the United Kingdom as they mourn their immense loss.

9 September 2022

Condolence book for Her Late Majesty the Queen, opened at the High Commissioner’s Pretoria Residence 378 Aries Street, Waterkloof between 12pm-4pm & 10am-4pm from 12-16 Sept.

Following the announcement of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, flags at the British High Commission in Pretoria & Cape Town #ukinsouthafrica will fly at half mast in Her honour until Her State Funeral, in commemoration of Her lifetime of public service.

Messages can also be submitted online: https://royal.uk

#queenelizabeth

#UKinSouthAfrica

#HerMajestyQueenElizabeth

#BritishRoyal

8 September 2022

The world mourns the loss of the Extraordinary Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

Her family gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier on Thursday.

The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.

With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

“The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

All the Queen’s children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision.

Her grandson, Prince William, is also there, with his brother, Prince Harry, on his way.

Our deepest condolences to the royal family on the passing of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, she was an exceptional leader and will be missed by all.

#UKinSouthAfrica

#SouthAfricansintheUK

#wemournhermajestyqueenelizabethII

#longlivethespiritofqueenelizabethII

7 Sep 2022

President Cyril congratulates Prime Minister Liz Truss of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his sincere congratulations to Ms Liz Truss following her appointment by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

South Africa and the United Kingdom enjoy historically strong and friendly relations and the President expressed confidence that this strategic relationship will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Bilateral cooperation between South Africa and the United Kingdom covers a range of areas including, inter alia, trade and investment, science and innovation, health, energy, and the environment.

South Africa and the United Kingdom collaborate within the multilateral context to address global challenges such as peace and security, underdevelopment, poverty, economic growth, climate change and prevent future pandemics.

President Ramaphosa looks forward to working with Prime Minister Truss to further strengthen the bonds of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

#LizTruss