MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / Archives for Continental

Continental

SA-Ghana strengthen relations

Location: News

SA-Ghana strengthen relations

President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Ghanaian counterpart, President Nana Akufo-Addo, have reaffirmed the importance of the continued nurturing of the existing historic relations and bonds of friendship between the two countries.

The two heads of state emphasised that these relations are based on mutual partnership and solidarity which date back to the struggle against apartheid and colonialism.

President Akufo-Addo is in South Africa on a Working Visit at the invitation of President Ramaphosa, to co-chair the 2nd Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the two countries.

 Tuesday’s BNC, which was held at the Department of International Relations offices in Pretoria, was preceded by the Ministerial Meeting on Monday,11 March 2024. Meanwhile, a senior officials meeting was held on Friday, 08 March 2024.

In a joint communique, the two Heads of State expressed appreciation regarding the broadening and sustained entrenchment of bilateral cooperation in a wide range of sectors.

They renewed their commitment to work closely to further enhance strategic cooperation and partnership for mutual benefit.

“In this context, the Heads of State noted with satisfaction that 46 decisions were taken during the BNC and directed respective Ministers to ensure full implementation of these decisions. Furthermore, the Heads of State directed respective Ministers to finalise modalities for enhanced cooperation on Cross Easy and Cross Border related matters,” read the communique. 

The Heads of State further acknowledged the existence of 24 legal instruments which were signed since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries as the additional five Agreements and/or Memorandums of Understanding which were signed during this session. 

Silencing the guns

The Heads of State, however, underscored that the current number of legal instruments is not a true reflection of the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, and urged the respective Ministers to leverage the existing potential to deepen cooperation.

On continental issues, the Heads of State took note of the ongoing peace and security challenges in some parts of the African continent and underscored the need to redouble efforts to realise the African Union Agenda 2063 aspiration to “Silence the Guns”.

Trade

“The Heads of State also underscored the need for a common approach in the operationalisation of the decisions of the African Union related to the implementation of Agenda 2063 in general and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement [AfCTA] to bolster intra-Africa trade, in particular.

“In this regard, the Heads of State expressed satisfaction that South Africa-Ghana Business Forum, which was held on the margins of the BNC, places the two countries at the cusp of increased bilateral trade and enhanced contribution to intra-Africa trade as envisaged by the AfCTA Agreement,” noted the communique.

 Furthermore, the Heads of State commended the first shipment of South African exports to Ghana in January 2024 in a ceremony which was witnessed by President Ramaphosa.

READ | SA sends first shipment under AfCFTA agreement

International developments

The Heads of State further exchanged views on international developments, particularly the ongoing carnage in the Palestinian territories as a result of the ongoing Israel and Hamas war. 

“The two Heads of State called for an immediate cease fire and the opening of space for medical supplies and related humanitarian assistance for the needy and the destitute.

“Similarly, the Heads of State agreed to intensify support for the cause of Western Sahara for self-determination, freedom, and justice.”

The two Heads of State further renewed their call for a responsive international system of governance through a reformed United Nations Security Council, respect for and promotion of universal human rights in a just and equitable world. 

At the end of the Second Session of the BNC, President Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude to President Ramaphosa for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation since their arrival in Pretoria. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Tue, 03/12/2024 - 14:00

795 views
Read moreSA-Ghana strengthen relations

Govt continues to support women-owned businesses

Location: News

Govt continues to support women-owned businesses

Government continues to provide targeted support for female-owned businesses to promote women’s sustainable participation in the economy, said Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa. 

“The ultimate goal is for women to develop sustainable enterprises that contribute to the country’s gross domestic product, employment, equity and economic transformation to enable women to have equal access to and control over economic resources,” she said. 

The Minister was delivering a keynote address at the 2024 Forbes Woman Africa Awards in Johannesburg on Friday.

She also touched on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s preferential procurement target announced in 2020 to accelerate the empowerment of women, youth and people with disabilities in business. 

“This a strategy mapped out by government to allocate 40% of all procurement spend in the public sector towards businesses owned by women,” Ramokgopa explained. 

“South Africa has set the precedence, now we need the rest of the continent to follow and lead in the capacitating of women-owned SMEs (small and medium enterprises).”

GBV

The Minister also used the platform to call on African leaders to take up the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

“Beyond the change-makers in this room, our call for gender equality is more pressing for working class and poor women,” she said. 

Ramokgopa believes that freedom and security remain significant aspects of gender equality. 

Gender equality

The Minister said she was honoured to be joined by women across the world in celebrating International Women’s Day under the ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’ theme. 

This year marks 47 years since the United Nations (UN) officially recognised 8 March to celebrate the significant strides achieved by women and the broader women’s movement. 

“This year is no exception as we amplify our global call for gender equality. We must be bold in our articulation that the empowerment of women requires the necessary financial, political, social, and institutional commitments from all sectors of society,” she stated.  

This, she said, includes development financing, and creating an enabling legislative environment that supports gender equality. 

She told delegates that the continent carries a rich history of women’s contributions to liberation and development such as Charlotte Maxeke, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Wangari Maathai, Graça Machel and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. 

“In 2024, the women of Africa enjoy hard-earned gains. However, more still needs to be done to accelerate the progress in advancing and protecting fundamental human rights. We dare not lower our voices.” 

Women’s rights

Ramokgopa said South Africa has signed and ratified several treaties and instruments aimed at advancing women’s rights in several multilateral fora including the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa of 2003, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. 

“Although the agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment in South Africa is advanced in comparison with many other countries, we remain committed to ensuring that the rest of Africa increases efforts to achieve gender equality.”

Ramokgopa also paid tribute to the women who have been brave in their pursuit of equality by occupying strategic positions across the continent and diaspora. 

She mentioned the likes of 2019 Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi and those who are flying the African flag high including the Grammy-award winner singer and performer Tyla Seethal, Kenyan comedian Elsa Majimbo, local media personality Bonang Matheba and Nigerian award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. 

“As the African continent joins in celebrating South Africa’s 30 years of democracy and freedom, may we never trivialise the hard-earned gains of women under this dispensation.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Sun, 03/10/2024 - 12:53

58 views
Read moreGovt continues to support women-owned businesses

Patel completes working visit to China

Location: News

Patel completes working visit to China

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel and a high-level delegation have completed a four-day working visit to Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing to meet with government officials, investors and a number of Chinese electric vehicles and battery manufacturers.

Patel was hosted by his Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao, the Chinese Minister of Commerce, at a bilateral meeting and working dinner during the visit.

The discussion reviewed trade relations and considered steps taken to implement agreements signed during President Xi Jinping’s State Visit in August 2023. New opportunities were also identified to strengthen economic ties. The leaders also discussed a possible Memorandum of Understanding on the automotive industry.

During his visit, Patel held bilateral meetings with eight Chinese companies, met six South African companies operating in China and undertook two factory site visits.

The SA delegation met with six potential Chinese investors in the electric vehicle value chain. Four are vehicle manufacturers, namely the Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC), BYD Auto Manufacturers (the world’s largest electric vehicle producer), Foton Group and Beijing Automotive Industrial Group (BAIC).

The meetings were held with two battery producers: CATL - the world’s largest battery producer, and Gotion Hi-Tech International, who have a partnership with Volkswagen.

“The investors we met were very interested in the market particularly with commencement of trade by South Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (the AfCFTA).

“I found them knowledgeable about local market conditions and keen to explore investment partnerships. This builds on positive sentiment we found in September last year in New York among American investors too,” Patel said.

China is the world’s leading producer of electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries. The visit provided Patel with an opportunity to present the South African automotive value proposition and government policy support to companies looking to invest in the South African automotive industry, particularly in EV manufacturing.

The SA automotive industry is supported by stable long-term policies, such as the South African Automotive Master Plan (SAAM) 2035 and a government support package for capital investment, and vehicle and component production.

The South African government released the Electric Vehicle White Paper in December last year. The paper outlines the country’s approach to supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicle production for the export and domestic market.

As part of the support for the transition, government has improved the automotive industry incentive package for electric vehicle production in South Africa. This includes increased investment support through a recently-announced tax measure.

The support from government ensures South Africa can compete in attracting vital investment into the industry that will facilitate the transition of this well-established sector to new energy vehicles. Access to export markets makes South Africa a more attractive investment destination.

Minister Patel also met investors in the steel and energy sectors and discussed their plans for the SA market.

The Minister was accompanied by senior officials from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the dtic.

China is currently South Africa’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade estimated at $34 billion (R556 billion) in 2022. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 03/08/2024 - 09:08

303 views
Read morePatel completes working visit to China

Where Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, BYD and Geely Source Tyres From

Location: Business

“Our customers attach particular importance to tyres with low rolling resistance for greater range and quiet rolling noise for high driving comfort,” says Manja Greimeier, Head of Original Equipment at Continental Tires. In 2023 Continental supplied tyres to all ten of the world’s highest-volume manufacturers of fully electric vehicles for the first time. In the …

Read moreWhere Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, BYD and Geely Source Tyres From