SA News

30 March 2016

South Africa wins global Diplomatic Service Award

The World Affairs Council in Washington, DC has named South Africa as the 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Diplomatic Service Award. 

The award was received last night (29 March 2016) by His Excellency Mninwa Mahlangu, Ambassador of South Africa to the United States, on behalf of the South African government.

South African is the first African country to receive this award.

The World Affairs Council Honors recognise organisations who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to global education, international affairs and global communications.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said: “South Africa is truly humbled to receive this prestigious award. This recognition will further inspire and encourage our diplomats who work 24/7 around the world to advance our country’s national interests”.

South Africa’s international engagements are driven by our foreign policy vision of a “united African continent that is peaceful, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous; and which contributes to a world that is just and equitable.” 

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane further said: “In pursuit of our foreign policy vision, South Africa’s diplomacy is informed and guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu; I am because you are. It speaks to our core humanity, inter-dependence and co-existence”. 

This award comes at a time when South African diplomats are focussed on achieving the goals set out in the National Development Plan. The pursuit of economic diplomacy, promotion of educationand skills development and other priorities of government as articulated in the 9-point plan as announced by President Jacob Zuma.

One of the areas where South Africa partners with the World Affairs Council is the Global Education Teacher Exchange program. This speaks to the commitment to the promotion of education and training as a tool of empowerment for individuals and society as a whole.

SA News

InvestSA wins the Global Investment Promotion Award for Excellence in Partnering for Investment Promotion at the UNCTAD Investment Promotion Awards 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya.  2016-07-19   The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies says investors recognise South Africa as a regional hub and gateway into the African Continent and government is strengthening its Investment strategy to provide a one stop service to all investors. The Minister said this when he was receiving the Global Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) Award at the World Investment Forum and the UNCTAD 14 Conference on behalf of InvestSA. The award seeks to recognise best practice in IPAs or association of IPAs in forging partnerships to promote FDI that contributes to sustainable development. Since 2002, UNCTAD has been presenting Investment Promotion Awards, recognising best practices and achievements of IPAs. The 2016 award was in terms of excellence in partnering for investment promotion. Minister Davies said that with the establishment of InvestSA, Government has enhanced Intergovernmental Coordination and Facilitation to fast track, unblock and reduce red tape.  InvestSA is supported by an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Investment and this approach is beginning to yield results. This is a proud moment for South Africa and significant achievement for InvestSA to be declared the winner from 51 Investment Promotion Agencies. Minister Davies commented that InvestSA is now leading the investment promotion and facilitation efforts in government. “This Global Award follows similar accolades that InvestSA has garnered in a short time. The InvestSA approach is a public private sector initiative of President Zuma that allows for business and the public sector to work together in facilitating increased investment. InvestSA is leading the overall coordination and facilitation of unblocking, fast tracking and reducing red tape in government,” added Minister. The award recognised the efforts of InvestSA to provide focussed support in attracing investment projects in the green economy and sustainable development. InvestSA partnered and facilitated with a number of government departments, agencies, regulatory bodies, DFIs, banks, investors, industry associations and communities to facilitate investments in this sector. These include amongst others the facillitatiion of  investment projects of ACWA Power Concentrated Solar Plant in Bokpoort, Northern Cape, DCD Wind Towers in COEGA, Eastern Cape to GRI Blade Component facility in Atlantis, Western Cape. InvestSA was instrumental in providing support, coordinating across the levels of government and in nuturing parnerships in rolling out these investments. Minister Davies further stated that we continue to be able to attract major investment projects and facilitate them into South Africa. . Government is committed to improving our investor servicing and South Africa’s investment climate. The Global Award is a significant boost to our investment attraction efforts and making South Africa a destination of choice. InvestSA wins a global award for partnership and excellence in investment promotion

SA News

Invest SA scoops another international prize!

Invest SA has been recognised for its work in attracting investments to South Africa with the CFI.co Best Investment Promotion Agency Africa 2016 award.

CFI.co, a renowned journal and online resource reporting on business, economics and finance, annually seeks out individuals and organisations that contribute significantly to the convergence of economies. 

Invest SA works with provincial investment promotion agencies to source opportunities for investors that meet local and national development goals. 

Since its inception earlier this year Invest SA has made strides in promoting packaged investment projects and facilitating direct foreign investment.

The CFI.co award follows the UNCTAD Investment Award for success in attracting investment which Invest SA received in July 2016.

• Trade Invest Africa

SA News

Tourism on tourism awards

21 Sep 2016

Tourism awards keep world focus on SA

Tourism in South Africa is maintaining its winning streak, as the country continues to attract international awards and welcome tourists from around the world in growing numbers.

In the latest accolade bestowed on South Africa, the entire country, its cities and tourism attractions featured prominently in the Condé Nast Traveller's Readers' Travel Awards for 2016.

South Africa was ranked fourth on Condé Nast’s list of the Top 20 countries in the world to visit, ahead of destinations like France, Spain, Thailand, Morocco and Australia, which have been favoured by the world’s tourists in the past.

Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom said all South Africans should be proud of this achievement, considering the stiff competition we faced.

“It takes a huge collaborative effort by the public and private sector to provide a great experience for tourists, and it cannot be done without the support of host communities and the people of South Africa,” he said.

“These awards prove that we are succeeding in keeping our country globally competitive.

“The number of international arrivals are growing remarkably. These awards reinforce our position as a very attractive global destination. Tourism is well-placed to continue playing a meaningful role in the economy and in the lives of our people. The sector is striving to do even better in the future, so that we make full use of every opportunity presented by tourism,” said Minister Hanekom.

South Africa also featured several times in the Condé Nast list for "The Ultimate Travel Top 60", which identifies the best of the best tourism attractions and facilities around the world.

Cape Town was named the culinary capital of the world. The Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat was placed 20th on the list, with South Africa as a country destination at number 21, Cape Town at 53 and Singita Sabi Sands at 54.

The Readers' Travel Awards also named South Africa as a fantastic destination when it comes to value for money, putting it among the most affordable destinations in the world.

The Awards focused individually on Franschhoek, Johannesburg, the Kruger National Park, Londolozi private game reserve, Plettenberg Bay, the Garden Route and the Great Karoo as key attractions.

At its recent Travel Week conference in Las Vegas, Virtuoso recognised & Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal for Sustainable Tourism Leadership at its annual Best of the Best Awards. Phinda was hailed as a conservation leader that is now one of the world's most successful ecotourism projects.

At this year’s African Responsible Tourism Awards, Shark Spotters was a Gold Winner in Innovation for its pioneering work in keeping swimmers at Cape Town’s beaches safe, while protecting sharks and creating employment. The Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve won a Gold Award for conserving over 130 unique San rock art sites. Sani Lodge Backpackers and Drakensberg Adventures were awarded for their contribution to local livelihoods and poverty reduction.

The National Department of Tourism won the Best Public Policy award, for recognising that tourism has a responsibility to make a significant contribution to making South Africa a better place to live in.

SA News

Minister Aaron Motsoaledi wins International USAID-TB award

18 Mar 2016

Motsoaledi scoops International USAID-TB award

Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has received the USAID-TB international award in recognition of his leadership in the global fight against Tuberculosis (TB) as well as championing bold South Africa's and regional initiatives in the screening, treatment and prevention of TB; TB/HIV co-infection and MDR-TB.

In his acceptance speech, the Minister of Health and the Chair of the Stop TB Partnership, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi challenged all countries to intensify the fight against TB saying, “it is time for the world to treat tuberculosis with the same urgency it demonstrated in responding to major new health threats like Ebola and the Zika virus." 

He lamented that although TB accounts for many deaths in the world, it however, "do not evoke the emotions, passion, urgency and requisite activism that the world has seen in all other epidemics. TB as a disease in the last 200 years killed more people than the major epidemics, Ebola, malaria, HIV itself, small pox, bubonic plaque, influenza and cholera all added together." Motsoaledi said.

TB is killing more than 1.5 million and infecting 9 million people globally. He appealed to all leaders of the world, heads of state and governments, heads of major institutions, religious leaders, activists, academics, major world blocs like the BRICS, EU, G7, G20 and the AU and indeed the UN General Assembly itself to put TB on the agenda like they did with all the major pandemics that have beset the world thus far. 

"First and foremost we want them to work together with urgency to find an effective vaccine against TB to ensure that no one contracts TB in the first place. In the meantime we must be able to diagnose TB with a rapid diagnostic test much like we have for HIV. We must have an effective treatment that cures TB and MDR-TB in weeks, rather than months, without the debilitating side effects of current treatments."

He said South Africa will intensify the fight against TB in Lephalale, Limpopo province as part of the World TB Day. The Mass TB screening campaign will dominate this year's World TB Day activities.

South African Coaching Framework News

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa

South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and Sport Recreation South Africa (SRSA) have big plans to develop coaching in South Africa.

SASCOC and SRSA are increasing showing that they don't lack committed when it comes to the implementation of the South African Coaching Framework up to 2018 and beyond. 

The Framework was formally launched at the SASCOC Coaching Conference in November 2011.

At this conference the following declaration were adapted, i) This conference formally endorses the South African Coaching Framework as the official reference point and action plan for the development of the South African coaching system up to 2018;

ii) The conference formally supports the commencement of the implementation of the Framework with immediate effect, with a status report to be provided to the 2012 SASCOC Coaching conference.

In addition, iii) the South African Coaching Framework seeks to establish an effective, inclusive, cohesive and ethical coaching system that promotes transformation and excellence at all levels of sport.

 

iv) The Framework will be coordinated by SASCOC and delivered through National Federations (NFs) who will work closely with the education sector, provinces, municipalities and districts. 

v) The primary objective will be to increase the number of skilled coaches in South Africa to guide the improvement of children, youth, talented athletes and high performance athletes at all stages of their development.

In order to achieve this, an extensive programme of coach education and development is now planned. In the first instance, this will focus on educators and coaches working in the school environment and in support of the joint Department of Basic Education (DBE) and SRSA programme to enhance the experience of school-going children and youth."

And, in order to progress this initiative, applications are now invited from suitably experienced and/or qualified individuals for the 3 categories of developer (Coach, Technical official and Administrator).

South African Sports News

President Jacob Zuma’s soccer tournament

President Jacob Zuma participated in the tournament which he hopes will keep the youth disciplined and engaged in healthy activity.

“The idea behind this event is to keep the youth, especially in rural areas engaged in healthy activity while at the same time unearthing the great talent that is hidden in these areas,” Zuma said in a statement.

“I am a firm believer in the role of sport in keeping youngsters disciplined.”

The sixth annual JG Soccer Contest, also known as the Msholozi Soccer Tournament, was held at Eshowe High School in KwaZulu Natal and featured teams from across the province.

Zuma founded the event in line with his vision of using sport to achieve peace, social cohesion and youth development, especially in South Africa’s rural areas.

South African Sports News

Boxing Is Back!

What is it: This program aims to aid the development and promotion of boxing, in particular through television.

With the assistance of SRSA, a boxing tournament is staged once a month, each time in a different province and locattion.

Normally takes place in: Throughout the year

Venue: Different venues in each province

Links: Boxing is Back!

SRSA contact: Mickey Modisane

 

SA Youth

President Zuma launches JG Zuma Marathon

March 18, 2016Nkanyiso NxumaloSports

This past weekend at the Greytown Civic Hall, saw His Excellency President
Jacob Zuma officially launch the second year of the upcoming 42.2km JG Zuma
Marathon, which will take place between Albert Falls & Greytown on Sunday,
April 17.

Addressing members of the provincial government, dignitaries from key
municipalities around the province as well as members of the media, the
President said that this sporting event, which has been named in his honour,
is now becoming a major event on the province’s sporting calendar.

“Community leaders should be praised for recognising that a sporting event
of this nature can improve the quality of life of local people through
recreation and sport whilst also entrenching and promoting integrity,
tenacity and self-motivation within disadvantaged rural communities,” he
said. He added that key research had proven that sport can play a meaningful
role in social transformation as well as inspiring individuals to reach
their goals. He wrapped up by thanking the organizers, the community leaders
within the respective districts as well as the various municipalities in
making this sporting event a success.

The marathon, will begin at 06h00 from Mpolweni, Albert Falls and finish off at the Greytown Lakhi Sports
Ground. Prize giving is earmarked for 12 noon on Sunday, April 17th with his
Excellency in attendance.

There will be cash prizes for the first ten runner’s home in the men &
ladies open category as well as prizes for the top three in the relevant age
groups as well as team cash prizes.

Race organisers said they would accept up to 10 000 entries for the event.
Runners can enter on www.jgzumamarathon.co.za at an entry fee of R150.

For further information, please contact Vincent Zuma 082 691 8381 / Celi
Makhoba on 0731758725 during office hours.

Runners World

Old Mutual Soweto Marathon

“The people’s race”.

One of Joburg’s most popular races is back and promises a memorable day for all runners. 

Considered as a bucket list run for South African’s, this marathon is in essence a historical tour of Soweto. 

The route passes the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Winnie-Madikizela Mandela’s house and Jabulani Mall. 

There is also a 10km race and a 5km Fun Run. This is a fun day for everyone with a great sense of community spirit.

Pre-entries, available on www.sowetomarathon.com

South African Sports News

Sport In The Struggle Exhibition

What is it: The Sport In The Struggle Exhibition is a sport history project that tells the stories of the forgotten heroes of sport who were denied the opportunity to excel on national and international levels of sport due to Apartheid. 

Normally takes place in: Year-round

Venue: Museums in all nine provinces

Links: Sport In The Struggle Exhibition page,

SRSA contact: Charl Durand

 

South African Sports News

Indigenous Games Festival

What is it: The Indigenous Games Festival, has grown exponentially as it has been re-positioned as a family festival with a vibrant carnival atmosphere in 2014. 

The Games form part of the heritage celebrations and are in celebration of South Africa’s cultural diversity. Teams from all nine provines participate in the event.

Normally takes place in: September

Venue: Varies

Links:

SRSA contact:  Simphiwe Mncube;  e-mail:  simphiwe@srsa.gov.za; Tel:  (012) 304-5173

 

South African Sports News

Big Walk

What is it: The Big Walk is staged on the first Sunday of October each year, and encourages participation in physical activity. 

The Big Walk took place in October 2014 to align it with TAFISA’s (Trim and Fitness International and Sport for All) world walking day. 

TAFISA encourages and lobbies countries to walk by creating advocacy and awareness during October.

Normally takes place in: October

Venue: Nine venues, one in each province, with a main event in Pretoria

Links: 2014 Big Walk

SRSA contact:

Daily Maverick

SPORT

Cricket: Temba Bavuma shatters another glass ceiling

• ANTOINETTE MULLER
 
• SPORT
 
• 26 SEP 2016 12:42 (SOUTH AFRICA)

In his short international career, Temba Bavuma has done more for transformation than Fikile Mbalula has ever done with his Tweets. Bavamu continues to shatter glass ceilings and is playing an invaluable role in shifting perceptions around transformation. By ANTOINETTE MULLER.

In the last year or so since making his international debut, Temba Bavuma has done more for transformation in cricket than Fikile Mbalula has ever managed with his tweets. Bavuma added more shards to the glass ceiling he smashed by becoming the first black African to score a Test century for South Africa earlier this year, by becoming the first black African to score an ODI century for his country.

For anyone who has kept an eye on Bavuma’s career, this has hardly been a surprise. Just a few weeks ago he scored a century in the Ekasi Challenge for the Lions and despite a modest List A average over the last few seasons, Bavuma has already proven that he has what it takes to cut it at international level.

The century was typically Bavuma: starting off cautiously, sometimes erring and eventually getting into a rhythm that is so irksome for bowlers who simply cannot adjust to his height. By the time he had reached triple figures, he was practically cruising.

It was a significant moment, both for Bavuma and in the current discourse of South African sport. And for all the bellowing that it was “only Ireland”, there are a few things to consider. Bavuma was on ODI debut and he had never opened the batting before. He was also only the second ever South African to manage the feat and the only batsman in the match to do so.

The batsmen who supported him deserve credit, too. Quinton de Kock was solid, JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien added useful half centuries to bolster South Africa’s total. The bowlers were never going to struggle to defend that total and, unsurprisingly, South Africa won by a canter.

But while this fixture will largely be seen as a slightly insignificant “warm-up” before South Africa and Australia clash in a five-match ODI series, insignificant it is not that the biggest contribution to South Africa’s victory on Sunday came from players of colour or that Bavuma is the first black African to score an ODI century for South Africa.

Now that Cricket South Africa has committed to transformation targets at national level,players of colour will be under ever increasing scrutiny from the keyboard pundits. Indeed, when Bavuma was included in the squad for the fixture against Ireland, the word “quota” was bandied about, despite the player in question having proven his international credentials in the toughest format of the game.

One-day cricket might not be Bavuma’s preferred format, but lest we forget, there was a time when Hashim Amla was not considered a one-day player either. And therein lies the rub. Transformation, as previously written on these pages, is not about taking the game away from white people, it’s simply about giving players of colour an equal opportunity to succeed.

And that is precisely why Bavuma’s achievement on Sunday is so significant. Not only did he make history, but he continues to play an integral role in helping shift the thinking around what transformation actually means.

Because of quota systems being haphazardly managed previously, the word transformation for some carries a stigma with it. Some automatically assume that it means a compromise on quality or “settling for mediocrity”. These attitudes are not helped by people like Mbalula banging the top-down transformation drum because from the outside looking in; it looks like a shallow solution to a deep-rooted problem. Yet, CSA’s grassroot systems are growing steadily and are perhaps some of the most robust of any sport in the country.

That is why the performances of Bavuma and newly capped Andile Phehlukwayo are so critical and so important. While we should celebrate their performances as individual sportsmen, they will effortlessly help shift the discourse around transformation and with continued excellence unburden future generations from the stigma created by poor administration in years gone by. And there will not be a single shallow, pompous tweet in sight. DM

Scorecard summary:

South Africa 354-5: Temba Bavuma 113 (123), Quinton de Kock 82 (66); Craig Young 10-0-81-3, Kevin O'Brien 10-0-66-2

Ireland 148 all out: Paul Stirling 40 (49), 41 (36); JP Dumiy 4.5-0-16-4, Aaron Phangiso 7-0-33-2

Photo: Temba Bavuma of South Africa celebrates his first century during Day 4 of the Sunfoil Test Series, 2nd Test match between South Africa and England at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town on 5 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

• ANTOINETTE MULLER
• SPORT

Siyadlala Community Mass Participation Programme

Community Mass Participation delivers sport promotion programmes such as the Golden Games, Indigenous Games and Siyadlala to communities.  

These programmes focus on increasing the number of participants in sport and recreation with the emphasis on the disadvantaged and marginalised groups, including women, children, the youth, the elderly, persons with a disability, and people living in rural areas. 

HIV and Aids awareness is highlighted during the annual Sport Heroes Walk which attracts substantial participants and spectators from various communities by involving sports heroes.  

This sub-programme also manages the transfer of the mass participation conditional grant to the provinces in order to promote mass participation within communities and schools through activities related to legacy, siyadlala and school sport. 

In addition, the sub-programme is responsible for initiating projects (in conjunction with the German technical cooperation, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GTZ]) that will sustain the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy.  

During the 2010-2013 MTEF period attention will be given to the status of recreation in South Africa.

SRSA

Basketball National League (BNL)

What is it: A top-end national and professional basketball league where a number of professional teams compete.
Normally takes place in: May-July
Venue: Wembley Indoor Stadium, Johannesburg
Links: http://www.bnlsa.com/
SRSA contact:

 

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SRSA

Andrew Mlangeni Green Jackets Program

What is it: An annual awards program that recognises unsung heroes of sport from the Apartheid era.  

Normally takes place in: October

Venue: Various

Links:

SRSA contact:  Bethuel Maake, e-mail:  bethuel@srsa.gov.za or Tel:  (012) 304-5040