Cuba

19 January 2024

Immediate and comprehensive ceasefire required in Gaza – President Ramaphosa

Location: News

Immediate and comprehensive ceasefire required in Gaza - President Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated South Africa’s unequivocal call for an “immediate and comprehensive ceasefire” in Gaza, Palestine.

The President on Friday delivered the country statement of South Africa during the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit being held in Uganda.

The Israeli-Palestinian war erupted in October 2023 when militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel – killing at least 1200 people.

The Israeli retaliation on Palestine has been far greater with estimates that more than 20 000 Palestinians have been killed with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reporting the internal displacement of some 1.9 million people in Gaza.

“South Africa calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza. We call for the release of all hostages and the resumption of talks on a just solution that will end the suffering of the Palestinian people. We further call for unhindered and expanded humanitarian access to allow for vital aid and basic services to meet the needs of everyone living in Gaza.

“As a consequence of the ever-worsening situation of the people of Gaza, South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice to issue provisional measures ordering Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza. This is necessary to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the ongoing conflict lays bare the “inadequacy” of global governance organisations such as the United Nations (UN).

“South Africa recently made financial contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency and the UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] to support their humanitarian operations in Gaza and the broader Palestinian refugees. In addition, many ordinary South Africans and NGOs have mobilised resources to assist the people of Gaza.

“The conflict has again illustrated the inadequacy of the United Nations, in particular the UN Security Council, in maintaining international peace and security. We should establish a system of global governance that is fair and equitable, and has the capacity to respond to the needs of all persons in situations of threat and harm,” he said.

World challenges

Fixing attention on the Summit, President Ramaphosa said the gathering takes place at a time when international challenges – “exacerbated by geopolitical dynamics and conflicts in various regions of the world” – are abound.

“The wars taking place in Ukraine and Palestine are causing grave humanitarian and health crises and contributing to international instability. The supremacy of multilateralism as embodied by the United Nations Charter and international law is being undermined exactly when it is needed most.

“At a time when the world appears to be once again divided between east and west, the Non-Aligned Movement should continue to assert its independence based on our common values.

“South Africa remains steadfast in advancing its non-aligned approach in the maintenance of international peace and security and advocating for inclusive dialogue and the peaceful political settlement of disputes,” he said.

President Ramaphosa called on the NAM to work together in pursuance of:

the right to self-determination of the peoples of Palestine and Western Sahara;
the lifting of the economic blockade against Cuba and unilateral sanctions against Iran, Venezuela and Zimbabwe;
reaffirmation of the inalienable right of access to nuclear materials, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes;
upholding the centrality of the UN Charter and international law in the peaceful resolution of conflict;
defeating the scourge of terrorism and its root causes; and,
the alleviation and eradication of poverty and underdevelopment.

“This interconnected world calls for a collective determination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to address the economic, social, health and environmental challenges that every country faces.

“We need to give dedicated attention to the reform of global governance institutions, including the United Nations. We must give meaning to the principle of sovereign equality of nations and ensure that the voice of the African Continent and the Global South is strengthened in the broader multilateral system,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 01/19/2024 - 13:03

108 views

2 December 2023

SA commends Cuba’s support in water sector

Location: News

SA commends Cuba’s support in water sector

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has commended the Cuban government for its continued solidarity with the people of South Africa, particularly in the field of water and sanitation.

“The unwavering support that we receive from the Cuban government has been amazing and we will forever be grateful for their commitment in ensuring that South Africa is developed into a better state and achieve a great life for its people,” Mahlobo said.

He was speaking during the 7th South Africa-Cuba High Level Panel meeting with Cuba’s Institute of National Hydraulic Resources first Vice President, Bladimir Matos Moya, and a contingent of Cuban engineers deployed to South Africa as part of a long-standing cooperation between the two states.

During the meeting held in Pretoria this week, South Africa and Cuba reviewed the existing cooperation agreement between the two States in the areas of geo-hydrology and engineering services.

The two also committed to continue working together and strengthening the existing relations.

“The expertise from Cuban engineers has assisted our country and our department a great deal in improving our technical capacity to manage our water infrastructure,” Mahlobo said.

The Deputy Minister commended the experienced engineers from Cuba for imparting their vast knowledge into up-and-coming engineers at the department.

The department has a Learning Academy which is tasked with unearthing young engineers to bridge the skills gap in the water sector.

“We offer bursaries and then absorb young engineers upon completion of their studies, and we capacitate to acquire the required skills in many ways. This is where the expertise of Cuban engineers come in, to equip our newly graduated engineers to become better,” Mahlobo said.

The Deputy Minister reiterated that water security is dependent on how the country manages its infrastructure and water resources, saying this can be achieved through cooperation with like-minded and developed countries.

The current cooperation agreement between the two States, which was entered into in 2020, is set to lapse in 2025 and upon which, a new agreement is expected to be entered into until 2030.

Mahlobo said the 25 engineers assisting South Africa have been involved in electrical and mechanical operations and maintenance of pump stations and systems, dams, reservoirs associated with the electricity generation, mining industries and food production.

“They have also been assisting with hydraulic and civil engineering work in regional bulk infrastructure project, control of expenses associated with infrastructure development in municipalities, drought relief programs, [including] COVID-19 projects and approval of water use licence applications. They have also involved in the development of Emergency Preparedness Plans for all dams according to the established regulations,” Mahlobo said.

The two States have agreed to begin the process of reviewing the cooperation going forward and to expand to other areas of cooperation, which includes infrastructure investment and planning, development of green energy including the development of hydropower, climate change and its impact on infrastructure and national disaster management.

The projects that the Cuban engineers have been involved in include, among others:
• Conditional assessment of Standerton water supply conduction, treatment, and disposal to the environment of the wastewater, Lekwa Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District Municipality;
• Technical audit of the hydraulic system of the Vaal basin in Johannesburg;
• Technical support and monitoring of the execution of RBIP projects;
• Upgrade of Maviljan Waste Water Treatment Works, Bushbuckridge;
• Upgrade of Eerstehoek Water Supply phases 1 and 2 Albert Luthuli Local Municipality;
• Upgrade of Bulk pipeline for Empuluzi Methula Water Scheme phase 5, 6, 7 Albert Luthuli Local Municipality; and
• Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme for Breyten (Cluster 2 phases 1 2 Msukaligwa Local Municipality. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 12/01/2023 - 12:24

432 views

14 November 2023

Health convenes primary health care conference

Location: News

Health convenes primary health care conference

The Department of Health will this week convene the South African Primary Health Care (SAPHC) conference in East London, in the Eastern Cape.

The conference, which will take place from 15 to 16 November 2023, will reflect on and review the country’s journey towards the ideals of primary health care (PHC) over the last 30 years of democracy.

According to the department, the platform is also expected to discuss the pivotal role of the PHC in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in South Africa by 2030.

PHC, the department said, is the most inclusive, equitable, cost-effective and efficient approach accessible to most individuals and families in the community to enhance their physical and mental health, as well as social wellbeing, hence almost 86% of the population depends on PHC in South Africa.

The two-day conference will be attended by almost 350 delegates representing all nine provinces, stakeholders in the sectors, and representatives from local and international organisations including the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This year’s theme will focus on the role of strong PHC in South Africa’s pursuit of UHC coverage through National Health Insurance (NHI).

The delegates will also draw lessons from international experiences such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cuba and Mauritius in the implementation of the PHC approach and delivery of services, particularly from countries in the global south with socio-economic conditions that are comparable to South Africa.

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, will deliver the keynote address.

There will also be contributions from the Deputy Minister, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, provincial Health MECs and WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti.

“Primary Health Care plays a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which relates to health to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for people of all ages,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 11/14/2023 - 10:06

338 views

20 September 2023

South Africa continues to advocate for dialogue

Location: News

South Africa continues to advocate for dialogue

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the international community to do everything within its means to enable meaningful dialogue between warring parties, while refraining from actions that fuel the conflict.

The President was delivering a statement to the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

“Democratic South Africa has consistently advocated for dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy to prevent and end conflict, and achieve lasting peace.

“It is these principles that inform South Africa’s participation in the African Peace Initiative, which seeks a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In this conflict, as in all conflicts, we have insisted that the UN Charter’s principle of respect for the territorial integrity of every country should be upheld,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa told the world leaders that SA’s participation in the African Peace Initiative is informed by a desire to see an end to the suffering of those most directly affected by the conflict and the millions on the continent and across the world who, as a result of the conflict, are now vulnerable to worsening hunger and deprivation.

“As the international community, we must do everything within our means to enable meaningful dialogue, just as we should refrain from any actions that fuel the conflict.

“As we confront other conflicts in several parts of the world, including on our continent Africa, we need to be investing in prevention and peacebuilding,” he said.

The President said South Africa supports the call by the UN Secretary-General in the New Agenda for Peace for Member States to provide more sustainable and predictable financing to peacebuilding efforts.

He called on the global community to be concerned by recent incidents of unconstitutional changes of government in some parts of Africa.

He emphasised that the global community needs to work alongside the African Union to support peace efforts in the eastern DRC, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Mali, Central African Republic, South Sudan, northern Mozambique, the Great Lakes Region, the Sahel, Niger and the Horn of Africa.

The President highlighted that the African Union Peace and Security Council has declared that it stands ready to deepen its cooperation with the UN Security Council to silence the guns on the African continent and to achieve peace, stability and development.

“We are called upon to remain true to the founding principles of the United Nations, by recognising the inalienable right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination, in line with the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions.

“We must work for peace in the Middle East. For as long as the land of the Palestinians remains occupied, for as long as their rights are ignored and their dignity denied, such peace will remain elusive,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said that the actions of the Government of Israel have imperilled the possibility of a viable two-State solution.

“The principles of the UN Charter on territorial integrity and on the prohibition on the annexation of land through the use of force must be applied in this situation,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa continues to call for the lifting of the economic embargo against Cuba, which has caused untold damage to that country’s economy and people.

He said sanctions against Zimbabwe should also be lifted as they are imposing great suffering on ordinary Zimbabweans.

“As many people around the world are confronted by hunger and want, the essential human qualities of cooperation and solidarity must be evident in the actions we take to bridge the divide between wealthy and poor.

“We must summon the necessary will and resolve to regain the momentum towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

“This means that we must address the fundamental development challenges that have long characterised our unequal world,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Wed, 09/20/2023 - 09:59

502 views

17 September 2023

Science and technology are key to development

Location: News

Science and technology are key to development

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor has highlighted the importance of science, technology and innovation in the development of countries.

Speaking at the General Debate at the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the G77 + China, the Minister said that there “is no doubt science technology and innovation are strategic levers for development.”

“The struggle for the soul of the South and for unilateral global dominance has never been more intense and as the South, we must seize this historic moment to ensure we develop the ability to be free agents of a development agenda that will advance our battle against poverty inequality and unemployment,” she said.

Pandor was representing President Cyril Ramaphosa at the two-day Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of 77 (G77) + China in Havana, Cuba. The Summit began on Friday.

“Effective support for science research, innovation and digital technologies has the potential to advance these objectives but it must be buttressed by effective organisation, coordination and well-crafted G77 science diplomacy. South Africa confirmed the efficacy of science diplomacy in our collaboration in genomic sequencing research that assisted us in combatting COVID-19.

“Increased attention must be given to ensuring we have a science and innovation ecosystem that can support our ambition,” she said at the debate on Saturday.

She said investment in research universities, increased graduation of science and technology researchers at PhD level, centres of excellence and the building of robust science councils are needed.

She also spoke of ensuring equal access to science and innovation for women and girls.

“Since the achievement of freedom and democracy in 1994, South Africa has increased investment in research, development, and innovation. Funding to create ninety Centres of Excellence has been provided as well as support for thousands of young people to study for PhDs in science, engineering, economics, humanities, and technology. The support has included investment in young women scientists.”

Government has also funded over 200 Research Chairs and attracted local and international talent to these chairs.

She added that science partnerships between researchers and university systems must be formed drawing on the successes of Cuba, China and India.

“Greater focus must be given to Africa expanding its science and innovation ecosystem and to using science to resolve our most intractable challenges.”

“Mr President science and innovation will provide the means to grow a green economy in the South, to increase productive capacity and high value addition to our mineral wealth.

“Alongside pursuing this important agenda let us also reinforce our commitment to effective reform of the United Nations mechanisms, especially the Security Council and also actively jointly advance the fundamental reform of international development finance institutions,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Sun, 09/17/2023 - 12:54

118 views

30 August 2023

Lottery looter is living the jet set life

Location: News

“When life gives you lemons, buy a freaking jet” - Lesley Ramulifho

23 August 2023

Three dynamic women shaking up the SA bar industry

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

On Women’s Month ANGOSTURA® celebrates the pioneering women bartenders carving out a groove for themselves in bars throughout South Africa. Behind every successful bar there’s a strong woman… if that’s not quite true yet of every bar in South Africa it’s getting closer, as more women are finding fulfilling careers in mixology, and challenging the …

15 August 2023

It is all systems depart for the start of the 15th BRICS Summit

Location: News

It is all systems go for the start of the 15th BRICS Summit

By Michael Currin

It is Women’s Month and Government is delighted to be hosting an important group of leading emerging markets and developing countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa for the 15th edition of the BRICS Summit. Together BRICS has around 42% of the world's population, 27% of global GDP and around 20% of international trade.

It is our third time hosting this important event as a country and South Africa is privileged to be the chair of BRICS this year.

Our theme is "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism." This theme reflects our vision of BRICS providing global leadership in addressing the needs and concerns of the majority of the world, namely beneficial economic growth, sustainable development and inclusion of the global South in multilateral systems.

This theme also reflects our belief in the benefits a partnership with Africa can bring to BRICS, with our partners eager to explore opportunities to support, and benefit from, operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Since January 2023, we have held a large number of meetings across all three pillars of cooperation, namely:

1. Political and security,

2. Economic and financial; and

3. Social and people-to-people cooperation.

GCIS has supported various Ministerial meetings held to precede BRICS across all provinces. Our Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni hosted a Friends of BRICS National Security Advisors Meeting with her BRICS Security counterparts, in Sandton, on 24 July 2023.

The Friends of BRICS is a combination of countries who have expressed an interest in joining BRICS, those who chair prominent institutions of the Global South and those invited as per the Chair’s prerogative and henceforth invited as per the consensus reached between the host and fellow BRICS members. The Friends of BRICS countries who attended this meeting are Belarus, Burundi, Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Various other meetings took place headed by various Ministers such as the BRICS Foreign Ministers, the BRICS Civil Forum, BRICS Ministers of Communication, the BRICS Youth Forum, the BRICS Urbanisation, BRICS Ministers of Health, and BRICS Ministers of Science and Innovation have all concluded their meetings.

Cabinet has encouraged BRICS meetings to be held in different towns and cities so that our guests have a wide range of experience of our beautiful country. It is also important that the tangible economic benefits of hosting our BRICS partners are experienced in a variety of communities.

All these activities build up to the XVth BRICS Summit which will provide an opportunity for BRICS Leaders to reflect on all the elements of BRICS cooperation. The XVth BRICS Summit will also provide an opportunity to amplify the voices of our friends in Africa and the global South with the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogues.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africa’s readiness to host the XVth BRICS Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg and we are running a countdown to hype the upcoming activities of the Summit. South Africa Chairs BRICS in a dynamic global environment where the eyes of the world are on us.

Leading up to the Summit, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the BRICS Business Council will be hosting a content-rich BRICS Business Programme from 19 to 23 August which seeks to foster economic growth, promote collaboration, attract investment, and showcase opportunities within South Africa, Africa and BRICS countries.

All the BRICS Business Councils are bringing large business delegations to South Africa. As an outcome of South Africa's Chairing of BRICS in 2013, the BRICS Business Council celebrates its 10th Anniversary in 2023 and we look forward to the celebrations as well as the outcomes of the review of the work of the Council in its first ten years.

The BRICS Summit programme

The first event on the BRICS Leaders' programme is the BRICS Business Forum Leaders Dialogue on the afternoon of Tuesday 22 August. The Leaders will get a report on the outcomes of the deliberations during the BRICS Business Forum and will deliver statements reflecting on BRICS economic relations.

Following the Business Forum, the Leaders move to a quieter venue for the BRICS Leaders Retreat. This is a signature event of South Africa as BRICS Chair. Leaders meet in a comfortable setting in a private venue for an unscripted discussion of contemporary issues of importance. There is no set agenda and Leaders can initiate a discussion on issues of choice such as BRICS membership expansion, reform of global governance, or use of local currencies.

On 23 August, the XVth BRICS Summit continues with a closed plenary followed by an open plenary session.

The BRICS Leaders will deliver national statements which will be followed by reports by the President of the New Development Bank, the South African Chair of the BRICS Business Council and the South African Chair of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance.

It is befitting during Women’s month to re-emphasise my focus on the BRICS Women's Business (WBA) Alliance. This will be the first in-person engagement with BRICS Leaders as it was established in 2020 under the Chairship of Russia during the height of the pandemic. This Alliance aims to empower and advance women entrepreneurs in BRICS to create a vibrant network in partnership with others that facilitates knowledge-sharing, skills development, and business opportunities for women across diverse sectors and industries.

Their flagship meeting is the BRICS-Africa WBA Trade Conference to be held in Durban from 20 to 21 August which brings together over 500 women-owned businesses, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, from BRICS and Africa. The conference will include the first in-person joint meeting of BRICS WBA national chapters and develop recommendations to be presented to BRICS Leaders at the Summit.

Following the reports from the New Development Bank, BRICS Business Council and the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, the Summit is expected to adopt the eGoli Declaration as the main outcome document of the 2023 BRICS Leaders’ Summit.

South Africa is also pleased to welcome the first meeting of Ministers responsible for Women Affairs as an important step in mainstreaming women's issues across all areas of BRICS cooperation.

This is also a concrete step forward in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. As a partnership, BRICS operates on the principles of openness, solidarity, mutual respect and understanding as well as mutually beneficial cooperation that is seen to deliver tangible benefits.

The XVth BRICS Summit is the venue and occasion for the voices of BRICS, Africa and the global South to converge and be heard. We meet to reflect on the status of cooperation, to consider regional and global developments and to assess the status of global governance reform.

The Summit is not the final event of South Africa as Chair of BRICS. We continue our programme of mutually beneficial cooperation until the end of 2023.

We look forward to further meetings including the Ministers for Disaster Management, Ministers of Tourism, possible Ministers of Transport meeting, the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the Foreign Policy Dialogue, Young Diplomats and the first workshop on incident management later in the year. We particularly look forward to the return of the BRICS Games in October.

We are confident that we will leave 2023 having strengthened the BRICS partnership and having delivered benefits to the people of South Africa, BRICS, Africa and the global South.

Government calls on South Africans to continue to extend the warmest of South African welcomes to the many official delegates, businesspeople, media and civil society who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the world shortly for the Summit.

*Michael Currin is the Deputy Director-General of Intergovernmental Coordination and Stakeholder Management (ICSM) at Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

Janine
Tue, 08/15/2023 - 09:39

289 views

9 May 2023

49 Years of diplomatic relations

Location: News

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On lhis 9 May as we celebrate the 49th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republics of Cuba and Uganda, on thls occasion and after more than twenty years, we also celebrate the presence in Havana of a lady Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and the consequent opening of the Ugandan Diplomatic Mission in the Cuban capital.

The history of the political relations between both countries has been enriched over this past year by the strengthening of bilateral exchange between the Foreign Ministries, the ruling parties-the National Resistance Movement of Uganda and the Cuban Communist Party as well as the beginnings ot relations between youth and student movements from both countries.

Likewise, efforts are being made with regard to cooperation projects of Mutual benefit to both peoples namely: the necessary enhancement or bilateral trade, the renewal and expansion of sports cooperation, the establishment of academic exchange between Cuban and Ugandan university institutions, the development of projects in the educational sector, among others.

With the challenge leveraging our close cultural roots and our natural endowments, as the main weallh of cultural and tourist exchange belween the two nations, the launch of the programme for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations to be celebrated in 2024, will have as its main motivation the promotion and implementation of all the projects being crafted, together with the promotion of greater mutual understanding between the two peoples.

In this year in which Cuba serves as Chair of the Group of 77+ China and Uganda prepares to take over from her in 2024 and at the same time assume the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, the commitments of both governments transcend the bilateral sphere as they reaffirm their responsibilities in the defence of multilateralism and the right of the countries of tile South to development

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of Cuba in Uganda.