Minister Nkoana-Mashabane’s public programme for Friday, 01 August 2014

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to deliver a paper on SA’s tenure as Chair of BRICS

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is scheduled to deliver a paper at an event jointly organised by the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) focussing on “South Africa’s Chairpersonship of BRICS: From Durban to Fortaleza”.

Deputy President Ramaphosa travels to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for Presidential inauguration. The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, will depart South Africa on Friday, 01 August 2014, to represent His Excellency President Jacob Zuma at the inauguration ceremony of the President-Elect, Mahomed Ould Abdel Aziz, of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, scheduled for Saturday 02 August 2014 in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Presidential Envoys to brief the media on their visit to Israel and Palestine

The team of envoys appointed by President Jacob Zuma, which includes former Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad and former Minister and High Commissioner Zola Skweyiya, has returned from their visit to Israel and Palestine and will brief the media on the outcomes of the visit.

SA condemns terrorist attack in the People’s Republic of China. The South African Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks which took place in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in Northwest China on 29 July 2014. The South Africa Government condemns all forms and manner of terrorism.

Statement by the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on the situation in Gaza, Palestinian Territory, 26 July 2014. The SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (MCO) meeting in Swakopmund, Namibia, noted with grave concern the blatant and disproportionate attacks against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, by the State of Israel which has resulted in the deaths and suffering of defenseless Palestinian civilians, mostly women, children and the elderly.

President Zuma to undertake a Working Visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho. The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Zuma, is scheduled to undertake a Working Visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho on 29 July 2014. The visit takes place within the context of strengthening bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.

President Zuma sends a message of condolences following AH5017 crash. On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma has conveyed a message of condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all the victims of the Air Algerie Airlines plane that crashed over northern Mali on 24 July 2014.

Presidential Envoys to travel to the Middle East. President Jacob Zuma has appointed two envoys to the Middle East, namely, former Minister Zola Skweyiya and former Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad.  The envoys will leave for Israel and Palestine today (Friday, 25 July 2014), carrying the President’s messages to both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Mahmoud Abbas. The envoys will make a special appeal for an immediate ceasefire and call for calm and restraint by all parties to the conflict.

Statement by Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers at the Symposium “G77 and China at 50: South Africa / Africa and the changing Multilateral Diplomacy of the South”, Pretoria, 25 July 2014. I would like to thank the organizers for inviting me to address you on the “G77 and China at 50: South Africa / Africa and the changing multilateral diplomacy of the South”.

Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers to address IGD symposium on the 50th anniversary of the G77 + China

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Luwellyn Landers, will deliver a keynote address at an international symposium hosted by the Institute of Global Dialogue (IGD), associated with UNISA, in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). 

Deputy Minister Mfeketo to attend the 16th SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) in Namibia. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Nomaindia Mfeketo, will undertake a working visit to Swakopmund, Namibia, to attend the 16th meeting of the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, scheduled for 24-25 July 2014.

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 23 July 2014. Cabinet’s position on current issues - Cabinet welcomes the launch by President Jacob Zuma of Operation Phakisa, which fast-tracks delivery through detailed implementation plans, problem-solving and practical actions to drive growth. The Department of Environmental Affairs will be the first department to lead collaboration with the industry, labour, civil society and academia to work together to unlock the economic potential of our oceans.

Budget Vote Speech by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Luwellyn Landers MP, National Assembly, Cape Town, 22 July 2014. It is an honour and privilege to stand before this esteemed house to present my first budget vote speech as Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. Let me begin by paying tribute to my predecessors, former Deputy Ministers Hon. Ebrahim Ebrahim and Hon. Marius Fransman, for the formidable legacy that they have left behind. I am humbled to follow in their footsteps.

Media Remarks by H.E. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Imbizo Media Centre, Parliament, 22 July 2014. Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the media. Today we will be presenting the Budget Vote Speech of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to Parliament.

Australian G20 Sherpa to visit South Africa. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will be hosting Australia’s G20 Sherpa, Dr Heather Smith, in Pretoria from 23-24 July 2014, where she will meet with her counterpart, South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko.

DIRCO Discussion Forum to be held with Former Foreign Minister of the German Democratic Republic

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will present a discussion forum with Mr. Markus Meckel, Former Foreign Minister of the German Democratic Republic and Member of Parliament after German Unification, to discuss the “The Fall of the Berlin Wall and its impact on current events in Europe, Eastern Europe and Germany’s role globally”.

President Zuma sends a message of condolences following MH17 crash. On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma has conveyed a message of condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all the victims of the Malaysian Airlines plane that crashed in Ukraine on 17 July 2014.

Minister, Deputy Minister and the Diplomatic Corps to do 67 minutes on Mandela Day

To mark International Nelson Mandela Day, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Deputy Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo and members of the Diplomatic Community will take part in the clean-up of the City of Tshwane’s Bloed Street Taxi Rank.

President Zuma concludes a successful Working Visit to Brazil. President Jacob Zuma has this morning 17 July 2014, returned from the 6th BRICS Summit in Brazil, hailing the establishment of the first BRICS Development Bank as "an everlasting legacy that will change the face of global economics and the face of all the developing world for better."

Address by President JG Zuma to retreat between Heads of State of BRICS and South American States, 16 July 2014, Brasilia. I wish to extend to this esteemed gathering, cordial greetings on behalf of the Government and People of South Africa. We jointly celebrate the resounding success of our host country as well as its region in securing the hosting of another successful mega-sporting event by a developing country.

Speaking Notes by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma during the Second Closed Session of the VI (Sixth) BRICS Summit, 16 July 2014, Brasilia. Meeting between BRICS and South American Leaders - I wish to extend to this esteemed gathering, cordial greetings on behalf of the Government and People of South Africa. We jointly celebrate the resounding success of our host country as well as its region in securing the hosting of another successful mega-sporting event by a developing country.

Israeli Ambassador to South Africa summoned to DIRCO. The Ambassador of the State of Israel to South Africa, Mr Arthur Lenk, was summoned to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) today, 16 July 2014, where Deputy Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo expressed South Africa’s grave concern over the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestinian territories, which has resulted in the loss of civilian life and the destruction of property in Gaza.

President Zuma to attend a Retreat in Brasilia, Brazil. President Jacob Zuma will tomorrow, 16 July 2014, join BRICS leaders at a special retreat with the Heads of State and Government of South American states, organised on the sidelines of the sixth BRICS Summit in Brasilia, Brazil.

Sixth BRICS Summit – Fortaleza Declaration, July 15, 2014. We, the leaders of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, met in Fortaleza, Brazil, on 15 July 2014 at the Sixth BRICS Summit.

Address by President Jacob Zuma to the Sixth BRICS Summit Plenary Session, Fortaleza, Brazil, 15 July 2014. We, the BRICS Leaders met today at a historic and seminal moment which saw for the first time since the post-Bretton Woods Institutions era, the creation of a new and unique financing initiative.

President Zuma arrives in Fortaleza, Brazil for the BRICS Summit. President Jacob Zuma has today, 14 July 2014 arrived in Fortaleza, Brazil to attend the sixth BRICS Summit. Since its first Summit in 2009, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) has consolidated its position as a positive force for the democratisation of international relations. BRICS has also forged an impressive partnership carrying out cooperation initiatives in more than 30 areas between its members.

Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers and the President of the South African Youth Consultative Forum (SAYC), Mr Thulane Tshefuta, during the National Youth Consultative Forum on the AU’s Agenda 2063, Pretoria, South Africa, 11 July 2014.

Picture: Jacoline Schoonees

Keynote Address by H.E. Luwellyn Landers, Deputy Minister of  International Relations and Cooperation to the South African Youth Consultative Conference on AU AGENDA 2063. It gives me great pleasure to address this distinguished gathering.  I wish to thank you all for giving of your time to participate in this historic process to write a new African narrative for the next half century.

Statement on the escalating violence in Israel and Palestine. The South African Government notes with growing concern the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestinian territories. Of greater concern is the endless wanton killing of Palestinian civilians, especially the vulnerable groups - old men, women and children and the destruction of property.  Israeli bombardments have led to the destruction of homes in Gaza and innocent civilians being killed in these air strikes.

Deputy Minister Landers to address National Youth Consultative Forum on the AU’s Agenda 2063. International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers with deliver a keynote address at the National Youth Consultative Forum under the theme “Together Moving Africa Forward”.

President Zuma leads SA delegation to the BRICS Summit in Brazil. The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Zuma, will lead a South African delegation to the 6th Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Summit, to be hosted by the Federative Republic of Brazil on 15-16 July 2014 under the theme: “BRICS: Inclusive Growth, Sustainable Solutions".

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 9 July 2014. Cabinet’s position on current issues - Cabinet reminds all South Africans to honour and remember our beloved former President Nelson Mandela during this Mandela Month by actively participating in the “Clean South Africa” Campaign.

Statement by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on international developments, 08 July 2014, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria. In this briefing today, we would like to share information with you regarding our work, including our preparations for the Sixth BRICS Summit; the outcomes of the Joint Ministerial Meeting of the SADC/ICGLR; and reflect on recent developments in Kenya and Somalia.

Ubuntu Radio to introduce a fresh programming line-up in August. After eight months of broadcasting, Ubuntu Radio – South Africa’s first government-run, 24-hour, online radio station – is undergoing a review of its programming schedule and content based on feedback from listeners.For the duration of the review, a decision had been taken to scale down on the station’s operations, with internal volunteers from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation continuing to do their work and production daily as well as covering major events live; e.g. the State of the Nation Address on 17 June 2014 was covered live.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to brief the media on international developments. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is scheduled to brief the media on a number of foreign policy matters, including the outcomes of the recent Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the upcoming BRICS Summit to be held in Brazil.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Sri Lanka as a Special Envoy of the President. The Deputy President of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, has on Monday, 07 July 2014, arrived in Sri Lanka for an Official Visit scheduled for 7-8 July 2014 in his capacity as Special Envoy of the President. Deputy President Ramaphosa was appointed by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma as his Special Envoy to Sri Lanka and South Sudan during the First State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 13 February 2014.