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The political parties involved in negotiating a pre-election agreement to inaugurate a new government following next year’s election have, under the guidance of independent Chairperson William Gumede, made solid progress on the first day of talks. Deliberations have been robust yet constructive, and we are pleased to announce the following. We have agreed that the …
President Ramaphosa arrives in Luanda for 43rd Ordinary SADC Summit
President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Luanda, in the Republic of Angola, to participate in a summit of Southern African leaders who will focus on sustainable industrialisation of the region.
The President is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, and the Minister in the Presidency responsible for State Security, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The 43rd Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is held under the theme, 'Human and financial capital: The key drivers for sustainable industrialisation of the SADC Region'.
The Summit will be preceded by the Troika Summit of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation today. President Ramaphosa, as the outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ, will also attend the Troika Summit.
“The Organ Troika Summit, will discuss the political and security situation in the region with particular focus on the Kingdom of Lesotho, Kingdom of Eswatini, Mozambique (SADC Mission in Mozambique) and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The Organ Troika Summit will also reflect on consolidation of democracy in SADC and deliberate the socio-economic outlook for the Community,” the Presidency said in a statement.
Other activities of the Summit will include the announcement of the 2022 SADC Secondary School Essay Competition, the Media Awards and the presentation of the Medal of Honour to one of the SADC Founders – the late and first President of the Republic of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 08/16/2023 - 14:39
President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a working visit to Luanda, in the Republic of Angola, on 16 and 17 August 2023, to participate in a summit of Southern African leaders who will focus on sustainable industrialisation of the region.
The 43rd Ordinary Summit of the Head of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community is themed “Human and financial capital: The key drivers for sustainable industrialisation of the SADC Region”.
The Summit will be preceded by the Troika Summit of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on 16 August 2023.
President Ramaphosa, as the outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ, will also attend the Troika Summit.
The Organ Troika Summit, will discuss the political and security situation in the region with particular focus on the Kingdom of Lesotho, Kingdom of Eswatini, Mozambique (SADC Mission in Mozambique) and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Organ Troika Summit will also reflect on consolidation of democracy in SADC and deliberate the socio-economic outlook for the Community.
Other activities of the Summit include the announcement of the 2022 SADC Secondary School Essay Competition, the Media Awards and the presentation of the Medal of Honour to one of the SADC Founders – the late and first President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency, Sir Seretse Khama.
The two Summits will be preceded by the SADC Council of Ministers meeting on 13 – 14 August 2023, and a Ministerial Committee of the Organ on 16 August 2023.
President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Thandi Modise, and the Minister in Presidency responsible for State Security, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.
President Ramaphosa to attend SADC Summit
Southern African leaders are expected to gather at Luanda in Angola for the 43rd Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ, is expected to attend the summit.
It will be held on Thursday under the theme “Human and financial capital: The key drivers for sustainable industrialisation of the SADC Region.” It will be preceded on Wednesday by the Troika Summit of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
“The Organ Troika Summit, will discuss the political and security situation in the region with particular focus on the Kingdom of Lesotho, Kingdom of Eswatini, Mozambique (SADC Mission in Mozambique) and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The Organ Troika Summit will also reflect on consolidation of democracy in SADC and deliberate the socio-economic outlook for the Community.
“Other activities of the Summit include the announcement of the 2022 SADC Secondary School Essay Competition, the Media Awards and the presentation of the Medal of Honour to one of the SADC Founders – the late and first President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency, Sir Seretse Khama,” the Presidency said on Tuesday.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, and Minister in Presidency responsible for State Security Khumbudzo Ntshavheni will accompany the President. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 08/15/2023 - 09:18
SA ready to host BRICS Summit
It's all systems go for the 15th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit, which will be held in Johannesburg later this month.
Taking place from 22 to 24 August, government has indicated that it has concluded the BRICS outreach programmes for various sectors and communities.
“Cabinet was apprised that it is all systems go in terms of South Africa’s readiness to host the 15th BRICS Summit. The last of the BRICS Ministerial Meetings – the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture Meeting – is currently underway, while the Ministerial Meetings of Foreign Affairs, Security, Trade, Industry, Education, Science, Labour, Communications, Health, and Urbanisation Forum have concluded their reports for the Leaders’ Summit.
“These engagements provided governments, organisations, experts and academics from the BRICS nations an opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest that will enable informed decision-making during the BRICS Summit,” Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said on Thursday.
She was addressing a media briefing in Pretoria on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday.
Russia-Africa Summit
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently held a bilateral meeting and discussed opportunities to increase trade between the two countries, and for the Russian Federation to increase investments in South Africa.
This meeting took place during the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, on 27 and 28 July 2023. Ramaphosa was amongst other African leaders who attended the summit.
“This summit adopted the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan, which focuses on strengthening cooperation in areas of politics and security, economics, humanitarian matters, and interests of mutual benefit and prosperity.
“On the sidelines of the summit, African Heads of State and Government, who are part of the African Peace Initiative on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, held follow-up talks with President Putin on the previously discussed confidence-building measures that will create conditions for a negotiated settlement to ending the war,” Ntshavheni said.
Security in Niger
Cabinet also has noted the impact the security situation in Niger is having on air travel between South Africa/Southern Africa and Western Europe, with negative implications for business and individuals alike and the airline industry, which is just starting to recover from the devastating ravages of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Cabinet reiterated government’s condemnation of the coup in Niger and the call for the speedy restoration of a democratic order, and also noted the initiative to restore normality under the Economic Community of West African States,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 08/10/2023 - 11:47
Public opening of Past Disquiet, guest curated by curator-writers Kristine Khouri and Rasha Salti Public opening of Seismography of Struggle: Towards a Global History of Critical and Cultural Journals, guest curated by art historian Zahia Rahmani Symposium titled The Poetics and Politics of Archival Practice Launch of Zeitz MOCAA’s latest publication, Radical Solidarity: A Reader …
The Presidency invites all South Africans to use August, as the final month for nominations for National Orders, to identify persons nationally and globally who have served the nation or attained personal achievement in exceptional ways.
National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals.
The President as the fount (holder, cradle, main source) of honour in the country bestows these Orders and Decorations and is assisted by the Director-General in The Presidency, who is the Chancellor of National Orders and an Advisory Council on National Orders, in the execution of this responsibility.
The Chancellor of National Orders, Ms Phindile Baleni, calls on citizens to make nominations for National Orders as part of sustaining the integrity, inclusiveness and diversity of this institution of social cohesion and nation-building.
Ms Baleni said: “The National Orders are a platform for the recognition of fellow South Africans and persons globally who, in exceptional ways, have historically made or are currently making important or interesting contributions to all aspects of our national life.
“From politics to popular culture, as well as the recognition of bravery, the National Orders give us an opportunity annually to be inspired by and grateful for people who have done outstanding things to shape our past and our future.
“We therefore invite people from all walks of life and backgrounds – including the youth of our country - to identify from their communities and sectors persons who, on the basis of exceptional achievements or contributions, deserve the honour of a National Order.”
The birth of a non-racial and non-sexist democracy in South Africa in 1994 necessitated a review of the system of National Orders.
A review was conducted from May 1998 by the newly-instituted President's Advisory Council on National Orders and the Orders were progressively instituted in 2002 and 2003.
The Order of Mapungubwe is awarded to South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement.
The Order of the Baobab is awarded to South African citizens for distinguished service. The service awarded is well above and beyond the ordinary call of duty. It is an award for exceptional and distinguished contributions in the following categories: business and the economy: science, medicine and technological innovation, and community service.
The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo is awarded to foreign nationals (Heads of State and Government) and other foreign dignitaries. It is awarded for friendship shown to South Africa. It is therefore an order of peace, co-operation and active expression of solidarity and support. The Order constitutes an essential pillar of international and multilateral relations.
The Order of Luthuli is awarded to South Africans who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice and peace, and conflict resolution.
The Order of Ikhamanga is awarded to South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.
The Mendi Decoration for Bravery is awarded to South African citizens who have performed an extraordinary act of bravery that placed their lives in great danger, or who lost their own lives including in trying to save the life of another person, or by saving property, in or outside the Republic of South Africa.
Nomination forms that outline simple guidelines to proposers of nominees can be downloaded at https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/download/file/fid/2785
Submissions must include:
• an introductory paragraph with a summary of the nominee's achievements
• a list of exceptional milestones reached by the nominee in his/her career and/or international arena, and
• a description of the exceptional, outstanding, dedicated service or act of bravery rendered by the nominee.
The closing date for nominations: 31 August 2023.
Details of the annual National Orders Ceremony will be provided at a later date.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.
Call for nominations for National Orders
The Presidency has reminded South Africans to nominate candidates, either South African nationals or eminent foreign nationals, for National Orders, as the closing date for nominations approaches.
The closing date for nominations is 31 August 2023.
National Orders are the highest awards that an individual can receive in South Africa for serving the country or attaining personal achievement – both nationally and internationally – “in exceptional ways”.
Director General in the Presidency, Phindile Baleni, reflected on the importance of the awards.
“The National Orders are a platform for the recognition of fellow South Africans and persons globally who, in exceptional ways, have historically made or are currently making important or interesting contributions to all aspects of our national life.
“From politics to popular culture, as well as the recognition of bravery, the National Orders give us an opportunity annually to be inspired by and grateful for people who have done outstanding things to shape our past and our future.
“We therefore invite people from all walks of life and backgrounds – including the youth of our country - to identify from their communities and sectors persons who, on the basis of exceptional achievements or contributions, deserve the honour of a National Order,” Baleni said.
The Presidency explained the different orders that can be obtained:
“National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals.
“The President as the fount of honour in the country bestows these Orders and Decorations and is assisted by the Director-General in The Presidency, who is the Chancellor of National Orders and an Advisory Council on National Orders, in the execution of this responsibility,” the Presidency said.
Nomination forms can be obtained at https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/download/file/fid/2785 and submissions must include:
Nominations can be sent to:
NeoB
Mon, 08/07/2023 - 09:22
The government needs to act quickly and provide more money to recruit more judges
My Vote Counts has launched a tool to visualize political party funding disclosures
The political parties exploring a multi-party agreement (DA, IFP, FF Plus, ActionSA, UIM and SNP) are pleased to announce that Professor William Gumede has agreed to chair the National Convention that will sit on 16 and 17 August 2023 at Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park. Professor Gumede is an independent chairperson of the process and …
A feature of life as a youth is the tradition of pre-drinks before going on to a party or night out on the town. The theory behind this is that then getting drunk will be cheaper. We have yet to see if pre-coalition talks ahead of the 2024 elections WILL make life cheaper (better) for …