Pretoria

4 January 2024

Christmas donation from the Bulgarian Embassy in Pretoria to marginalised community members in the village of Mbuzini, Republic of South Africa

Location: News

Republic of Bulgaria - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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On the 23rd of December 2023, the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria donated food parcels to families in need in the village of Mbuzini, situated on the South Africa-Mozambique border. An invitation for taking part in the donation initiative was received from the Office of the Deputy Minister of Tourism Mr Fish Mahlalela. The funds for compiling the food parcels were collected from Embassy staff members on a voluntary basis. A local Bulgarian firm for meat and meat products - "Rodopa Meat" contributed with own products. Mr. Kaloyan Georgiev, attaché, took part in the initiative on behalf of the Bulgarian Embassy.

The donation was presented during a ceremony in one of the schools in the village of Mbuzini. The Embassy's representative was welcomed by Deputy Minister Mahlalela and fifteen vulnerable families identified in advance. Deputy Minister Mahlalela expressed gratitude to the Embassy for joining the initiative to support the marginalised families. He also recalled the support provided by Bulgaria to the South African people during the years of their fight against the apartheid, which had had financial, educational and humanitarian dimensions. In response, Mr Georgiev said that he was glad to represent the Embassy in this Christmas charity event. After greeting the attendees and wishing them joyful festive season, he expressed hope that the donation will create friendship and warmth in their homes and will help the families to enjoy a brighter Christmas.

The villagers met warmly and with gratitude the donation of the Bulgarian Embassy, consisting of 15 food parcels, which were distributed among the families in need.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Bulgaria - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3 January 2024

Kodwa to visit Magubane family

Location: News

Kodwa to visit Magubane family

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Zizi Kodwa, is expected to visit the family of legendary photographer and anti-apartheid activist, Dr Peter Magubane, to pay his respects.

Wednesday’s visit follows the passing of Magubane on Monday.

The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture said the Minister will be joined by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Morakane Mosupyoe.

The Minister, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mosupyoe are among those who have expressed their condolences following the passing of the 91-year-old icon.

“I have learned with great sadness of the passing of… Peter Magubane. On behalf of government and the nation, I offer my deep condolences to the Magubane family, our veteran’s friends and his countless associates around the country and globally,” said President Ramaphosa.

The President said Magubane created “iconic visual records of our struggle for freedom and of the full range of life in our country".

Kodwa wrote on social media: “South Africa has lost a freedom fighter, a masterful storyteller and lensman. Recognised in the ‘Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series’, Dr Peter Magubane fearlessly documented apartheid’s injustices. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr Magubane’s family.”

Meanwhile, Lesufi mourned the passing of the acclaimed photographer and anti-apartheid activist, saying Magubane documented the raw images of the horrific Sharpeville massacre and other crimes committed by the apartheid regime, which helped to change public sentiment against the system throughout the world.

“Dr Magubane was a gift to South Africa. With his camera lens, he shaped and changed South Africa’s destiny. He was a national treasure who will be remembered for his contribution to the field of photography and respected for his courage in the face of oppression.

“He never wavered in his resolve to record the truth, even in the face of attempts by the apartheid regime to intimidate and silence him. He leaves behind a rich legacy of having changed South Africa for the better,” said the Premier in a statement on Tuesday.

The life and times of an icon

Magubane was born on 18 January 1932 Vrededorp (now Pageview, a suburb of Johannesburg), and grew up in Sophiatown. He began taking photographs as a schoolboy.

In 1954, he read a copy of Drum magazine, which detailed the effects of apartheid. He decided he wanted to be part of the magazine.

Magubane started employment at Drum as a driver. After six months of odd jobs, he was given a photography assignment under the mentorship of Jürgen Schadeberg, the chief photographer. He covered the 1955 African National Congress (ANC) convention.

Magubane photographed most of South Africa's historic moments, such as Sharpeville in 1960 and Nelson Mandela's Rivonia trial in 1964.

He was arrested in June 1969 while photographing protesters outside Pretoria Central Prison, where Winnie Madikizela Mandela was jailed. Magubane was later held in solitary confinement for 586 days.

Magubane has worked for Rand Daily Mail and has worked on assignments for Time magazine, the United Nations and Sports Illustrated photographing a series about the South African teenage runner, Zola Budd.

Following Mandela’s release from prison, Magubane became his official photographer in 1990, until he became the country’s President.

Magubane received several prestigious awards and honours throughout his illustrious career. Some of the notable recognitions he received include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Press Photographers' Association (NPPA).

In 2017, Magubane was honoured with the Order of Luthuli in silver.

Other notable achievements include:

1958 – First black South African to win a photographic prize in the country – first and third prizes were awarded to him for Best Press pictures of the year.

1985 – Robert Capa Gold Medal.

1986 – Dr. Erich Salomon Award.

1992 – Special Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism.

1995 – Martin Luther King Luthuli Award.

1997 – Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mother Jones Foundation and Leica Cameras.

1997 – Fellowship by the Tom Hopkinson School of Journalism and Cultural Studies, University of Wales, Cardiff

1999 – Order for Meritorious Service Class II from President Mandela.

2003 – Honorary Doctorate degree from the University of South Africa.

2006 – Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Fort Hare.

2006 – Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the Tshwane University of Technology.

2006 – Doctor of Law (honoris causa) Rhodes University.

2008 – Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society, UK.

2010 – Cornell Capa Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography.

2010 – Honorary doctorate degree from Columbia College (Chicago).

2015 – Nat Nakasa Award for Media Integrity.

He published a total of 17 books, two of which were banned by the apartheid regime. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Wed, 01/03/2024 - 11:53

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2 January 2024

Tributes pour in for legendary photographer, Peter Magubane

Location: News

Tributes pour in for legendary photographer, Peter Magubane

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to veteran photographer and activist Peter Magubane, who passed away at the age of 91 on Monday.

“For most of his life, Peter Magubane created iconic visual records of our struggle for freedom and of the full range of life in our country.

“He documented our nation and the early years of freedom of President Nelson Mandela with a prosaic passion that was powered as much by what he felt from the heart as what he saw through his lens.

“He has sadly left us at the start of the year in which we are marking 30 years of freedom. As we revisit our journey to freedom and the progression of our democratic dispensation, Peter Magubane’s imagery will be an important part of our reflections.

“May his soul rest in peace,” said President Ramaphosa.

The life and times of an icon

Magubane was born on 18 January 1932 Vrededorp (now Pageview, a suburb of Johannesburg), and grew up in Sophiatown. He began taking photographs as a schoolboy.

In 1954, he read a copy of Drum magazine, which detailed the effects of apartheid. He decided he wanted to be part of the magazine.

Magubane photographed most of South Africa's historic moments, such as Sharpeville in 1960 and Nelson Mandela's Rivonia trial in 1964.

He was arrested in June 1969 while photographing protesters outside Pretoria Central Prison, where Winnie Madikizela Mandela was jailed. Magubane was later held in solitary confinement for 586 days.

Following Mandela’s release from prison, Magubane became his official photographer in 1990, until he became the country’s President.

In 2017, Magubane was honoured with the Order of Luthuli in silver.

Other notable achievements include:

1958 – First black South African to win a photographic prize in the country – first and third prizes were awarded to him for Best Press pictures of the year.

1985 – Robert Capa Gold Medal.

1986 – Dr. Erich Salomon Award.

1992 – Special Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism.

1995 – Martin Luther King Luthuli Award.

1997 – Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mother Jones Foundation and Leica Cameras.

1997 – Fellowship by the Tom Hopkinson School of Journalism and Cultural Studies, University of Wales, Cardiff

1999 – Order for Meritorious Service Class II from President Mandela.

2003 – Honorary Doctorate degree from the University of South Africa.

2006 – Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Fort Hare.

2006 – Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the Tshwane University of Technology.

2006 – Doctor of Law (honoris causa) Rhodes University.

2008 – Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society, UK.

2010 – Cornell Capa Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography.

2010 – Honorary doctorate degree from Columbia College (Chicago).

2015 – Nat Nakasa Award for Media Integrity.

He published a total of 17 books, two of which were banned by the apartheid regime.

Tributes

Morakane Mosupyoe, the Gauteng MEC of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation described the passing of Magubane as a heart wrenching loss.

“Magubane's photography became a vital tool in documenting the realities of apartheid and the struggles of black South Africans.

“Peter Magubane was a luminary, a visionary photographer whose lens captured the essence of an era, revealing truths, and telling stories that went beyond mere images. His commitment to documenting the struggles, triumphs and everyday lives of people during apartheid was unparalleled.

“Through his lens, he not only captured moments but also echoed the aspirations and resilience of a nation. The legacy that Peter Magubane leaves behind is not solely within the frames of his photographs but in the hearts and minds of all who were touched by his work.

“His courage, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to his craft serve as an inspiration to generations of storytellers and activists. During this time of mourning, may the memories you shared with Peter bring you comfort and solace.

“His impact on the world will forever be remembered and cherished. Please accept my deepest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you, the Magubane family, and all those affected by this profound loss,” said Mosupyoe.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, wrote on social media: “South Africa has lost a freedom fighter, a masterful storyteller and lensman. Recognised in the ‘Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series’, Dr Peter Magubane fearlessly documented apartheid’s injustices. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr Magubane’s family.” – SAnews.gov.za

Matona
Tue, 01/02/2024 - 13:28

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19 December 2023

Hartbeespoort dam water hyacinth safety alert from the NSRI

Location: News

The NSRI urgently requests boaters to refrain from attempting to navigate through the water hyacinth mats at Hartbeespoort dam, which currently extend over roughly 30% of the dam. On Saturday night, 16 December, volunteers from the NSRI’s Station 25 at Hartbeespoort dam took 5 hours to extricate 30 recreational boaters from the water hyacinth mats. …

18 December 2023

Media practitioners urged to enter SADC media awards

Location: News

Media practitioners urged to enter SADC media awards

Government has called on media practitioners to submit their entries for the 2024 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Media Awards.

The SADC Media Awards are open to journalists from the SADC Member States for four categories: photo, print, television and radio journalism.

“To promote regional integration and cooperation (cross-border issues), the awards aim to recognise excellence in journalism in the area of print, photo, television, radio as well as to encourage media practitioners in member states to cover issues pertaining to the region,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Monday.

The SADC Media Awards were established in 1996 to recognise best media work in disseminating information on SADC to support the process of regional co-operation and integration in the region.

The awards were established following a decision by the SADC Council of Ministers to establish a sector that deals with matters relating to, amongst others, information, culture and sport.

These awards are one of the mechanisms to ensure a link, coordination and synchronisation between formal structures of SADC governments, civil society, academia, labour and the media.

Journalists who wish to enter the competition can access more information about the competition from the www.sadc.int and www.gcis.gov.za websites.

The entry form and the 2024 competition rules can be found on the links below:

Entry Form: Entry form-English.docx_0.pdf (gcis.gov.za).

Rules of the Competition: https://www.gcis.gov.za/sites/default/files/2024%20Rules%20of%20Competition%20-ENGLISH.pdf

Entries need to be posted or delivered to Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) or any GCIS office nationwide marked:

MDDA Offices GCIS Offices

SADC Media Awards Entry or SADC Media Awards Entry

GSM Building Government Communications

SABC Auckland Park Campus 1035 Francis Baard Street

Johannesburg Hatfield, Pretoria

2006 0028

No entries must be submitted later than 29 February 2024. –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Mon, 12/18/2023 - 14:14

85 views

14 December 2023

Top juniors invited to 2024 alignment camps

Location: Sport

Two groups of 23 players have been invited to attend Under-20 alignment camps in Stellenbosch and Pretoria in January to kickstart the preparations for the SA Rugby Academy and Junior Springbok season. The first camp, which includes Vodacom Bulls, Toyota Cheetahs, Sharks, and DHL Western Province players, will be hosted at the Stellenbosch Academy of …

14 December 2023

R45-million CSR Investment

Location: Business

PRETORIA, South Africa, 14 December 2023 – In a nation grappling with the challenges of poverty, high levels of unemployment and a lack of access to essential healthcare and education, Ford South Africa is driving positive social transformation through its impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. Ford’s unwavering commitment to creating lasting change in the country …

14 December 2023

Pandor pleased by growing trade with Austria

Location: News

Pandor pleased by growing trade with Austria

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has welcomed the growing overall trade between South Africa and Austria and the rising tourism numbers from the landlocked country in central Europe.

“We appreciate the valuable contribution that Austrian companies are making in South Africa, particularly in job creation, skills development and technology transfer,” she said on Thursday.

The Minister was sharing her remarks during the joint media briefing with her Austrian counterpart, Minister Alexander Schallenberg, in Pretoria.

Pandor took the time to thank Schallenberg for honouring his invitation to come to South Africa for the meeting and engagements aimed at solidifying relations between the two countries.

South Africa’s bilateral relations with Austria, according to the Minister, are sound and on an upward trajectory.

This was evident when South Africa successfully hosted the third meeting of the South Africa-Austria Bilateral Consultations in Pretoria in 2022, after a two-year hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During our deliberations today, we discussed the status of our bilateral cooperation as well as regional developments on the continent, current international developments and our robust cooperation in the multilateral arena.”

The South Africa-Austria bilateral cooperation includes renewable energy; wastewater treatment, recycling and organic agriculture; innovation and digitalisation; and environmental technologies.

Schallenberg and his delegation will engage with South African business in a Business Forum arranged by the Department of Trade, Investment and Competition.

Austria, according to Pandor, is renowned for its vocational training and South Africa is keen to engage the Austrian government on the possibilities of establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of vocational training.

Schallenberg and Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa will also sign a MoU on arts and culture during the opening of the Austrian Cultural Forum tonight, which according to Pandor further illustrates the nations’ increased bilateral and people-to-people cooperation.

“South Africa appreciates Austria’s global standing, reputation, and advanced technological capability in the renewable energy space, which makes Austria a natural partner for South Africa.

“Minister, once again I welcome you and your delegation and wish you a successful and pleasant stay in South Africa,” she added. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 12/14/2023 - 13:24

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13 December 2023

SA, Zimbabwe gain a collective responsibility to prevent illegal activities at ports

Location: News

SA, Zimbabwe have a collective responsibility to prevent illegal activities at ports

Cooperation between South Africa and Zimbabwe in managing shared borders is critical for the protection of respective national interests.

“We have a collective responsibility to prevent illegal activities at our ports of entry and the border law enforcement areas such as illegal migration, any kind of smuggling, human trafficking, and all kinds of cross border crimes inclusive of the illegal movement of weapons, and or illicit goods between our countries,” Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Michael Masiapato said.

He was speaking during a visit by the Zimbabwe Border Ports Authority in Pretoria on Wednesday.

The Commissioner said the South Africa/Zimbabwe border has long been a symbol of the intricate web of connections between the two countries.

“It is a border that does not just demarcate land but also represents a bridge of cultural, economic, and historical exchanges that we enjoyed over the years.”

He said besides geographic proximity, the two countries have a common and long history of regional affiliation as well as great aspirations for the development of the two nations.

“Therefore, it is in our interest to ensure effective border management which is crucial for ensuring the ultimate prosperity of both South Africa and Zimbabwe.

“Although cooperation on border management matters commonly embraces the aspects of enforcing territorial sovereignties, it also streamlines efforts for fostering economic growth and improvement in trade relations between nations.

“As the two jurisdictions within this sub-region, we have the responsibility to drive the objective of regional economic integration as articulated in the many resolutions of our leadership within the SADC [Southern African Development Community] context,” Masiapato said.

Border management is not just a matter of policy but a reflection of the shared commitment to regional stability and development of which border authority has to ensure the realisation of such an objective.

“As the Border Management Authority, South Africa, we are encouraged by the processes undertaken by the government of Zimbabwe in the development of the country’s Border Ports Authority Bill.

“This is critical towards the establishment of the Zimbabwean Border Ports Authority which carry similar resemblance our Border Management Authority,” the Commissioner said.

Masiapato is hosting his Zimbabwean counterpart for a bilateral visit in South Africa from 13 to 16 December 2023.

The visit aims to showcase South Africa’s model of administration and border management coordination.

The two countries are in a process of developing a Border Ports Authority Bill to establish the Zimbabwe Border Ports Authority and to provide for its functions.

In October this year President Cyril Ramaphosa presided over the launch of the BMA in Musina, Limpopo.

The launch of the BMA follows its formal establishment and assumption of its status as a schedule 3 (A) public entity on 1 April 2023.

The establishment of the BMA means that South Africa now has an integrated border management platform, with a single command and control with which to support the attainment of secure borders, safe travel and trade.

The BMA has, since its inception, recorded successes, among them intercepting stolen vehicles.

The authority is responsible for the execution of frontline border law enforcement functions related to, inter alia, port health, immigration control, access control, biosecurity, food safety and phyto-sanitary control, land border infrastructure development and maintenance, and border information and risk management. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Wed, 12/13/2023 - 14:45

379 views

12 December 2023

President establishes Presidential PhD Initiative to boost innovation

Location: News

President establishes Presidential PhD Initiative to boost innovation

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday that government has established the Presidential PhD Initiative through an initial R1 billion investment from the National Skills Fund in efforts to boost science and technology.

“The first phase aims to expose our country’s brightest young minds to cutting-edge thinking and research by negotiating opportunities at world-leading universities and research centres,” he explained.

President Ramaphosa announced the initiative during the inaugural Presidential Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Plenary in Pretoria.

The President told the attendees that the studies will be to large scale and established research programmes in public research facilities and industry.

The initiative will build critical skills in artificial intelligence research, advanced biotechnology, fuel cell development, battery storage, and next-generation mining.

The country’s first citizen has since called to extend a call to the private sector and international partners to assist in growing the investment for the Presidential PhD Initiative fund to R5 billion by 2030.

He said collaboration is needed to ensure synergy between programmes across the national innovation system.

“We must harness education, science and innovation to protect our natural environment, drive inclusive economic growth and enrich all areas of human endeavour.”

The country’s Commander-in-Chief described the first plenary as an important initiative that brings together government, academia, civil society and industry to collectively drive South Africa’s National System of Innovation (NSI).

In November 2022, the Cabinet adopted the STI Decadal Plan to guide the first 10 years of implementing the 2019 White Paper on STI.

“Science, technology and innovation are essential for economies to thrive and for societies to prosper.

“In the new world of work, in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, science, technology and innovation determine which countries move forward and which are left behind. Our country has several strengths.”

Citing the 2022 Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, he said South Africa ranked above the upper-middle-income group average in three areas.

These include market sophistication, knowledge and technology outputs, and creative outputs.

According to the index, South Africa also improved the number of patents by origin, citable documents, intellectual property receipts, high-tech manufacturing and high-tech exports.

“However, our performance is mixed for the factors that drive innovation, such as education expenditure, expenditure on research and development and access to information technology.”

The President also highlighted significant strides in higher education including the number of students graduating from public universities from about 60 000 in 1994 to around 230 000 by 2018.

“The share of graduates in science, engineering and technology fields has been increasing compared to graduates in the humanities.”

He also acknowledged that the State needed to significantly increase investment in research and development.

In 2021, gross expenditure on research and development (R&D) in South Africa was 0.6% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), far below the targeted 1.5%.

“By comparison, in 2022, the United States spent 2.6% and South Korea spent 5% of their respective GDPs on research and development.

“This is a situation that we are determined to turn around. Through greater cooperation between government and industry, we can reverse this trend.”

President Ramaphosa is of the view that the potential of science, technology and innovation to modernise and expand the productive sectors is vast.

He cited the Mandela Mining Precinct and the South African Mining Extraction Research, Development and Innovation initiative, which are aimed at revitalising our mining industry.

Shifting his focus on vaccines, he said Afrigen Biologics, a South African company part-owned by the Industrial Development Corporation, is working on a new tuberculosis vaccine using mRNA technology.

Meanwhile, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently allocated US$5 million to Biovac to develop mRNA vaccines using a local platform.

“This grant enables our researchers and scientists to strengthen the pharmaceutical research and vaccine production ecosystem so that we can address both current and future health challenges.”

He said he views innovation as the driver of sustainable job creation and small business development and tackles the realities of climate change.

“From these examples, it is clear that we are certainly progressing, but not at the pace we should be,” he admitted.

“For science, technology and innovation to serve South Africa’s economy and society effectively, we need to aggressively and strategically invest in education and skills development because this is the lifeblood of a modern economy.

“We know that nations such as Japan, South Korea and Germany have science, technology and innovation in the service of their societies, with commendable results.”

However, Nzimande qualified that when they talk about STI, they refer to both the natural and social sciences and humanities.

“For it is only possible to understand, let alone solve the major developmental and existential challenges of the 21st century through invoking the insights of trans-disciplinary knowledge.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 12/12/2023 - 13:58

521 views

12 December 2023

President establishes Presidential PhD Initiative to boost innovative