SA, Mozambique cement bilateral relations

15 January 2019

South Africa and Mozambique have committed to maximising areas of cooperation that are beneficial for the neighbouring countries’ bilateral relations.

At the invitation of Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday paid a working visit to the Republic of Mozambique.

Photo: President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting with his counterpart President Filipe Nyusi of the Republic of Mozambique (Elmond Jiyane, GCIS)

The visit was aimed at consolidating bilateral, political, economic and social cooperation between the two countries.

President Ramaphosa was accompanied by a ministerial delegation and government officials.

Victory for SA space science

14 January 2019

South Africa has been recognised as a leading player in the space science sector.

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has been selected by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to become the designated regional provider of space weather information to the entire aviation sector using African airspace.

(Photo credit: Pixabay)

This means that every aircraft flying in the continent's airspace will rely on SANSA for the space weather information as part of its flight plan, Department of Science and Technology said on Sunday.

SANSA, an entity of the department, underwent an extensive assessment to earn the distinction, becoming one of two ICAO-designated regional space weather centres. The other is the joint Russia-China centre.

Brand SA views World Bank 2018 report as call to action

14 January 2019

Brand South Africa says it has noted the areas of concern expressed in the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report, which indicates that South Africa’s real GDP growth will expand by 1.3% in 2019.

“While the South African GDP outlook has seen a downward revision, this happens in a global context where the World Bank indicates that international trade and investment are moderating. Additionally, the global economy and trading system is being challenged by trade tensions that remain elevated.

Russia honoured for liberation struggle

3 January 2019

The names of 67 Soviet/Russian soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for the liberation movements in Southern Africa, were inscribed into the Wall of Names at Freedom Park, a remembrance museum of the struggle for freedom in South Africa. A ceremony was held on 13 December 2018 where Ambassador Petrakov of the Russian Federation to South Africa and Minister Nathi Mthethwa of Arts and Culture unveiled the Soviet section of the Wall of Names.

The inscription of the 67 names is a symbolic significant gesture that shows that South Africa cares said Ambassador Petrakov. "It is an honour for me to be here at Freedom Park. It is a truly unique place where history and memories become palpable as they are preserved with great care and attention," said Ambassador Petrakov.

SWRD Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka: Commemorating the 120th birth anniversary of SLFP founder

11 January 2019

By Srimal Fernando  

The year 1951 was a turning point in Sri Lanka’s political history when a split happened within the United National Party (UNP).  In a stunning political move SWRD Bandaranaike resigned from his cabinet post and crossed the floor in the Parliament to the Opposition.   At the same time his popularity began to rise within the Sinhalese rural masses as Bandaranaike launched a centre-left political party called Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

This  is hardly the whole story however, since the political change, a slow but increasing tide of  blue wave  began  when the SLFP membership  increased compared  to  the centre right  United National Party (UNP) . This background paved the way for Sinhala nationalists such as S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, D.A. Rajapaksa and Philip Gunewardena to form an alliance in order to topple the UNP government that was ruling the nation from the time of independence.

Mhaule attends Raisina Dialogue in India

9 January 2019

South African International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule is on an official visit to India from 6 - 10 January 2019.

Mhaule is attending the Raisina Dialogue taking place in New Delhi from 8-10 January 2019.

Photo: President of the Observer Research Foundation Mr Samir Saran (middel) and Foreign Secretary Ministry of External Affairs Mr Vijay Gokhale greeting Deputy Minister (Jacoline Schoonees/DNS)
 
The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference of geopolitics and geo-economics and annually attracts high-level participants from all over the world.

The theme for the 2019 edition of the Conference will be: “A World Reorder: New Geometries, Fluid Partnerships, Uncertain Outcomes".

Shab-e Yalda: A golden opportunity to come together

20 December 2018

For Iranian families and friends, Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night), has long been a treasured time to come together and celebrate in honor of the longest night of the year!

On that graceful night, the winter chill is vanquished and the warmth of love embraces the entire family. Hearts move closer to one another in the company of loved ones on Yalda.
The event, which falls on December 21 this year, also presents an excellent opportunity for Iranians living abroad to include people from different nationalities and cultures. Sharing traditions and customs is a way to forge lasting connections and to foster better mutual understanding in our interconnected world.

Annual Iran Day Programme with a South African Focus

17 December 2018

On Sunday 9 December, the annual program "Together with the children of South Africa" with the presence of his Excellency, Mr. Movahedi Ghomi, the Ambassador of Iran in Pretoria, the auspicious gathering with the children was held in Johannesburg.

This annual event which takes place every December included the participation of the Iranian community with children of the same age as the more than 100 children orphans hosted from various orphanages within the Gauteng Province. The event took place at Iran House in Mountain View, Johannesburg with ECD trained counsellors.

62 Years of Diplomacy: India and Mongolia Turning a new page in ties

By Srimal Fernando

16 December 2018

Sixty two years ago India was in the forefront among nations in South Asia in establishing diplomatic relations with Mongolia. The relations between the two nations have traditionally been close and cordial.  India’s ties with Mongolia go back to thousands of years.  India has been consistent in its support to the evolution of the bilateral ties where the current diplomacy is at multiple layers. and in fact the Indian economy shows a very robust and consistent growth.  Expanding bilateral cooperation will be of great mutual benefit.  

Making history Hon Shri Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to have travelled to Mongolia. Despite having six decades of diplomatic relations it is a matter of deep satisfaction that there has been a revival of the ties after Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ulan Bator in May 2015.

Miraculous Altai

7 December 2018

Russia is a vast and diverse country that has everything: from stern and gorgeous arctic plains to scorching hot deserts, from rolling green lowlands and hills to snow-capped mountain ranges.

But even among these immense natural riches, the Altai is considered a very special land with a truly unique geographic location, breathtaking natural sights, remarkable culture and history.

It is so huge that it actually includes two regions of Russia: the Republic of Altai and the Altai Krai. No amount of verbose and colourful descriptions can truly relay the magnificence, but we hope a glimpse into what makes this place so special will encourage people to visit and see it with their own eyes.