In the Spirit of Ubuntu
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In the spirit of Ubuntu Situated within easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria, Maropeng is the official visitor centre of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Maropeng, which is a Setswana word meaning “returning to the place of our origins”, takes visitors on a fun and informative journey of discovery using spectacular methods to tell stories of the evolution of life and the origins of humankind. It denotes the universal relevance of the Cradle of Humankind as the ancestral home of all. 1 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 14 Issue 14 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 2 UBUNTU magazine – issue 14 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Publisher cClayson Monyelaredits UBUNTU Editor-in-Chief a Nguni word meaning humanity Michelle Greeff – [email protected] The Department of International Relations Tel: +27 12 351 1743 and Cooperation’s quarterly magazine Editor Delien Burger Creative Directors Pumeza Albert Shaune van Wyk Advertising Zengeziwe Msimang – [email protected] Tel: +27 12 351 0919 Distribution Thembakazi Zulu – [email protected] Tel: +27 12 351 1169 Photographers Jacoline Schoonees; Yandisa Monakali; Yolande Snyman; Katlholo Maifadi; SA Tourism; Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation; IDASA/Mayibuye; World Food Programme; Government Communications; Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit Pool; Spc. Tadow McDonald, United States Army; Captain Matthew de Jager, South African National Defence Force; Media Club South Africa; Francois Odendaal Productions; Che Overmeyer; Obie Oberholzer; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; SA Mint; United Nations Photo; Matthew Lewis – IDI; FINA; and Bill Harrop’s Baloon Safaris. Acknowledgements Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Nomaindiya ON THE COVER Mfeketo, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Luwellyn Landers, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental The United Nations Educational, Scientific Affairs; Tokozile Xasa, Minister of Tourism; Ayanda Dlodlo, Minister of Home Affairs; Ambassador and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Mxolisi Nkosi, Deputy Director-General: Global Governance and Continental Affairs, Department Heritage Committee has inscribed South Africa’s of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO); Dr Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General: ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape in the Northern Asia and the Middle East, DIRCO; Xolisa Makaya, Deputy Director-General: Africa, DIRCO; Cape as a world heritage site. Masimba Tafirenyika, Director: United Nations Information Centre; Peter Shivute, World Food The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape is located Programme; Patric Tariq Mellet, South Africa-Thailand Heritage Reflection Centre; and Mary at South Africa’s border with Botswana and Na- Alexander, Brand South Africa. mibia in the northern part of the country. It falls within the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Advertisers The landscape covers an area of 959 100 ha South African Airways, Transnet, Standard Bank, World Food Programme, Brand SA, Old Mutual, and has changed minimally since the Stone Apartheid Museum and Wines of South Africa. Age. The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape had been home to people who learned to survive in To subscribe the extreme desert because of their knowledge Send an e-mail with the words SUBSCRIBE UBUNTU in the subject line, your organisation, of the land. e-mail address and delivery address in the body to [email protected] “They [the ǂKhomani San] developed a specific ethnobotanical knowledge, cultural Back-issue enquiries practices and a worldview related to the geo- [email protected] graphical features of their environment,” said The Department of International Relations and UNESCO. “The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape Cooperation (DIRCO) ©2012 bears testimony to the way of life that prevailed Tel: +27 12 351 1000, www.dirco.gov.za in the region and shaped the site over thou- Private Bag X152, PRETORIA, 0001, Republic of South Africa sands of years.” South Africa now has nine heritage sites. 460 Soutpansberg Road, Rietondale, Pretoria, 0084 Republic of South Africa No portion of this magazine may be produced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. DIRCO is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to amend and to alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary. Copyright is reserved. Views in Ubuntu are not necessarily those of DIRCO or those of the South African Government. They can accept no liability of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of this publication. 2 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 14 Issue 14 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 3 UBUNTU magazine – issue 14 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Madiba's story is conte6 Lettern from the Ministert sIn every issue a journey across 10 Publisher’s note our land . 78 Diplomacy 12 South Africa commits to implementation of the SADC Lifestyle Strategy as Chair 120 64 SA and USA combine forces 16 Building a better Africa and a better world Sensational international 66 Thailand and South Africa share 400 years of ties that bind us 18 South Africa and Africa are open for business galas for ballet lovers 68 DIRCO hosts SA’s young leaders 22 Salient perspectives in respect of the core utcomes of 70 Using diplomatic relations to create opportunities for the youth the Ninth BRICS Summit Feature 26 BRICS Bank places developmental agenda as priority 72 Liberation Heritage: Steve Biko for nations of the South 74 Mandela and Tambo: A lifetime as comrades 28 South Africa takes IORA reigns, makes donation 78 Madiba's story is a journey across our land towards Africa’s maritime development 82 South Africa welcomes another world heritage site 32 SA seeks bigger benefits for Africa in global economy 86 Put Foot is putting African children on the road to success with new shoes 34 How to finance the sustainable development goals? 88 Attracting investors and tourists to South Africa 92 Mapangubwe: South Africa’s lost city of gold 12South Africa commits to implementation of the SADC Strategy as Chair 94 Vredefort Dome – the world’s biggest meteor crater 36 Our oceans, our future: Partnering for the 130 98 SA Mint celebrates SA’s marine protected areas implementation of SDG14 20 thrilling adventures for 100 From Big Five to Little Five 40 The G20: A strategic platform for South Africa and adrenaline junkies 102 Discover small-town South Africa Africa 106 Durban International Film Festival: Longest running in Africa 44 50 years of peace, progress and stability 108 Flying the SA flag 46 SA shines in Astana 114 #a good story to tell 48 30th anniversary of 1987 Dakar Conference 52 South Africa and Ghana celebrate success of African LIFESTYLE network of telescopes 120 Sensational international galas for ballet lovers 56 South Africa’s international engagements in a rapidly 124 “King Kong” back on South African stages changing world 126 Team South Africa shines at IAAF World Athletics Championships 62 From South African smallholder farmers to children in 128 Kearsney Choir scores gold in Singapore Swaziland 130 20 thrilling adventures for adrenaline junkies 4 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 14 Issue 14 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 5 26 Letter from the Minister followed by India, Brazil and Russia. The South Africa is one of the founding members sought to ensure that the decisions taken by Africa remains convinced now more than same pattern is also evident in imports, with of the IAEA, which is a multilateral body with the board were adopted by consensus in ever, that the IAEA has an important role to China remaining the biggest source of South the responsibility to promote the safe and order to create an opportunity for all IAEA play in global efforts to promote international African imports. secure use of nuclear science and technology member states, from across all regions of the peace, security and development. It is in this The Ninth BRICS Summit was held in for peace, security and development. world, to participate on an equal footing when context that South Africa used its leadership Xiamen, China, from 3 to 5 September The Board of Governors is the major deliberating on matters of global significance. of the board to promote a balanced approach 2017 under the theme: “BRICS: Stronger policy-making organ of the IAEA between This principled approach resonates with in implementing the IAEA’s legal mandate Partnership for a Brighter Future”, setting an its annual general conferences. It is made South Africa’s call for the transformation and in line with its motto “Atoms for Peace and important milestone towards building stronger up of 35 member states, with South Africa reform of the global system of governance Development”. solidarity and cooperation among emerging serving as one of its designated members. and is at the core of our identity as a nation. South Africa’s bilateral relations with markets. South Africa presided over the IAEA Board of During its tenure, South Africa was also countries of the North continue to grow and South Africa’s partnership in BRICS is Governors at a time when the global peace pleased that the IAEA Board of Governors strengthen within the difficult economic premised on advancing the country’s national and security environment was characterised emphasised the developmental role of the climate. Our bilateral relations have served interests,