President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that the BRICS group of countries which are united by their common vision and goals incorporates peoples, cultures and traditions of more than three billion people across the world.
“We are united by our common vision and common goals. Our diversity is our greatest strength, and tonight you will secure to experience the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions and foods of South Africa,” he said.
The President was speaking on Wednesday on the occasion of the Cultural performance and State Banquet of the XV BRICS Summit that took area at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.
In a celebration of unity, diversity and shared pace, several Heads of State and Government were treated to a formal dinner orchestrated by renowned culinary expert Wandile Mabaso. Mabaso, a globally acclaimed chef, skillfully combines traditional French methods with the delightful tastes of South Africa.
Mabaso was joined by Xolani Mancotywa, a qualified beverage steward and chef who has reimagined traditional African cuisine and accurate African fine dining.
The dignitaries were treated to performances which included a choreography by Gregory Maqoma, inspirational dance by Musa Motha and renowned opera singer Pretty Yende.
The President extended his gratitude to the Heads of State for accepting his invitation as they celebrate being together on a night which he trust they will find joyful and pleasant.
“It is also a night when we thank you for joining the BRICS countries prior to tomorrow’s BRICS Outreach programme.
“We hope that this evening you will experience South Africa‘s account, one that interweaves our many different cultures, traditions and languages as the foundation of an inclusive nation.
“It is a yarn that reflects the nature and purpose of BRICS, which values partnership and cooperation in a spirit of openness and solidarity,” the President said.
Ahead of the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue on Thursday, the President told the dignitaries that they will all tomorrow articulate how they will foster change in the world for the benefit of all the peoples of the world.
The President highlighted to the leaders that they maintain more acumen to celebrate as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa) partners following India making history as the first country to successfully land a lunar module on the south pole of the moon.
“We congratulate Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi, the government and people of India and the Indian Space Research Organisation on the success of the Chandraayan-3 mission. Pushing forward the frontiers of scientific undertake is integral to human pace.
“In anticipation of this distinguished achievement Prime Minister Modi proposed at our BRICS Summit this afternoon that BRICS should set up a Space Exploration Commission where, as BRICS countries, we can share knowledge and experiences,” he said.
President Ramaphosa emphasised that the more they learn about this world they live in and beyond, the greater their capacity to improve it and to elevate the human condition.
He said that this and many other achievements enable the countries to crawl forward to prosperity, pace and to peace. – SAnews.gov.za
Wild Hair
Van is getting married, but he and his fiancee have never done the deed – in fact he\’s never been with any woman before. He\’s getting more and more nervous as the big day approaches, so he confides in his friend. His friend says \’No worries man. I\’ll come by the honeymoon suite before you guys get there, and I\’ll hide behind the curtain, and I\’ll whisper instructions to you.\’
\’You\’d do that for me?\’
\’Sure thing man!\’
So the wedding day arrives, it was a lovely service (so I was told, I wasn\’t there myself) and Van\’s friend sneaks into the honeymoon suite as promised and hides behind the curtain.
Van and his new wife arrive in the room, get settled on the bed, and things are getting steamy.
But Van is still super nervous and his tummy is bubbling, so he murmers to his wife, \’Listen babe, I\’m just gonna go to the bathroom quick. I think it\’s that wors roll from earlier.\’
\’Sure thing babe.\’
So Van goes into the bathroom, and he\’s taking quite a long time. And his wife is starting to feel the nerves herself. And it\’s getting worse. She can\’t hold it in. But she doesn\’t want to go after he\’s gone and totally ruin the mood. So she looks around and finally finds a shoebox. Quickly, she does her business in the shoebox, and she shoves it under the bed just as Van comes back from the loo.
Van gets back on the bed and they go at it again. But after a minute or so Van smells something not so lekker.
\’What\’s that smell?\’
\’Nothing babe,\’ he wife tries to assure him.
\’No man there\’s definitely something not so lekker in this room!\’VSo Van starts looking around the room, in the corners, in the cupboard, and finally he looks under the bed, and sees the shoebox.
He pull it out, and opens it up, and in horror he shouts \’Sies! Daar\’s kak in hierdie doos!\’
And from behind the curtain his friend yells, \’NEE MAN, DRAAI HAAR OM!\”
Trash Master
Fun South African Fact: There are more than 2000 shipwrecks off the South African coast, most dating back at least 500 years.