Issue 267 | 24 March 2017

∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ SOUTH AFRICA CONDEMNS THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN THE UNITED KINGDOM The South African Government condemns in the strongest terms terrorist attacks in any form and from whichever quarter.

The South African Government joins the international community in strongly condemning the cowardly terrorist attack that took place at the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament in London on 22 March 2017, which resulted in the deaths of several people, leaving scores injured.

On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, President has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of the UK and other affected nations, in particular the families and loved ones of the deceased, and wished the injured speedy recoveries.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s Consular Services division is in contact with the South African Embassy in London following the attacks and has confirmed that no South African citizens have been affected. ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ PRESIDENT ZUMA HONOURS BIKO, TAMBO ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY President Jacob Zuma has paid tribute to South Africa’s national heroes who fought for the country’s liberation during the Human Rights Day celebrations, on 21 March.

Speaking in King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape where this year’s Human Rights Day was commemorated, President Zuma heaped praise on anti- activist Steve Biko and stalwart Oliver Tambo, among others, who he described as selfless leaders who fought for the human rights and dignity of all South Africans.

Other speakers at the event included the Minister of Arts and Culture, , as well as Eastern Cape Premier, Phumulo Masualle.

This year marks 40 years since Biko died while in detention in police cells in Pretoria in 1977. Tambo would have been 100 years this year, had he lived. He died in 1993 on the eve of South Africa’s free democratic elections. The theme of Human Rights Day this year was: “The Year of OR Tambo: Unity in Action in Advancing Human Rights”. “The marking of this day was born out of huge sacrifices made by brave men and women who fought for freedom in the face of extreme brutality by the apartheid regime,” President Zuma told thousands of people who attended the event.

“Our country now enjoys a stable constitutional democracy where everyone is entitled to equal human rights because of the sacrifices of the people of Sharpeville, Langa, , KwaMashu, Tzaneen, Zeerust, Giyani and many other parts of our country,” said President Zuma.

Earlier in the day, the President, accompanied by Deputy President , visited the Steve Biko Garden of Remembrance where President Zuma laid wreaths at Biko’s grave.

In an emotional ceremony, President Zuma, joined by Nontsikelelo Biko, the widow of Steve Biko, unveiled and handed over the Biko monument to the family. The handover marks the launch of the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Black Consciousness Movement leader’s death.

President Zuma also announced that in September, the month of Biko’s tragic death, government would join the family, AZAPO and the Black Consciousness Movement in commemorating his life and contribution to South Africa’s liberation. Source: – SAnews.gov.za ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ PRESIDENT ZUMA ATTENDS SADC EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT IN SWAZILAND

The summit discussed, among other things, the Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration: Industrialisation and Regional Economic Integration.

President Jacob Zuma attended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government that took place on 18 March 2017, in Swaziland. The summit further discussed, among other things, food security following the armyworm outbreak currently affecting crop production and food security in the region. The regional bloc leaders also discussed the request from the Union of Comoros and the Republic of Burundi to join the SADC.

President Zuma also, on 17 March 2017, participated in the SADC Double Troika Summit, which was convened to receive and discuss a progress report on the implementation of SADC decisions in relation to the political situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho as well as an update on the political and security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In his capacity as SADC Facilitator in Lesotho, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa gave a report to the summit on the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The extraordinary summit was preceded by the SADC Council of Ministers’ Meeting and the SADC Ministerial Retreat under the theme “The SADC We Want”. On the SADC Ministerial Retreat, deliberations focussed on three thematic areas: SADC Vision progress, challenges and prospects; SADC’s institutional capacity to deliver on its mandate; and resource mobilisation. ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ PRESIDENT ZUMA LAUNCHES INVEST SOUTH AFRICA ONE STOP SHOP The President formally announced InvestSA in the State of the Nation Address and also informed business leaders in February 2016.

President Jacob Zuma on Friday, on 17 March 2017, officially launched the Invest South Africa One Stop Shop (Invest SA OSS) at the offices of the Department of Trade and Industry in Pretoria, which has been established to improve the ease of doing business in South Africa.

Businesspeople had informed government on many occasions of the difficulties and delays they incurred when having to move from one department or institution to another to obtain licences and other services.

The groundbreaking and enabling programme will enable investors to use one centre to obtain services and to shorten and simplify administrative procedures and guidelines for the issuance of business approvals, permits and licences. This should help remove bottlenecks faced by investors in establishing and running businesses in the country.

The Invest SA OSS will further serve to coordinate provincial OSS investment centres, incorporating the special economic zones, provincial investment agencies, local authorities and the relevant government departments involved in regulatory, registration, permits and licensing matters. Last year, the President established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Investment where the President, Deputy President and ministers whose departments provided enabling services for investors, came together to discuss ways of improving the way the services are provided so as to ease delays and frustrations for investors. ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ AMBASSADOR SETLHAPELO’S PASSING A LOSS TO THE COUNTRY

The passing of South Africa's Ambassador to Eritrea, Roy Setlhapelo, has been described as a great loss to the country. These are the sentiments shared by his family and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

The 62-year-old Ambassador Setlhapelo died at a Pretoria hospital on 20 March, after a succumbing to a brain tumour.

Oabilwe Roy “Tiny” Setlhapelo was born on 20 March 1955 in Alexandra Township. He was the seventh-born child of Isaac Mocuminyane and Jerminah Dijeng Setlhapelo. He completed his Matric at Orlando West High School, Soweto.

He was part of the 16 June 1976 Soweto Student Uprising and subsequently went into exile, where he joined the African National Congress and uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and assumed the nom de guerre, Maxwell Ganya. As a section commander in Platoon 1 of Company 2 in MK’s June 16 Detachment, he underwent military training in Angola, Odessa (Ukraine), the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and Zambia.

During his time in exile, he completed his Bachelors and Master’s of Arts degrees in History from the JATE University in Szeged, Hungary, in 1992.

Shortly after his return to South Africa, he joined the then Department of Foreign Affairs in 1995, and completed, among others, a Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham, Graduate School, United Kingdom. He also completed special courses at the South African Institute of Foreign Service, the Institute of Public Administration of Dublin, Ireland, and the Executive Development Programme of the Bangalore Institute of Management in India.

His diplomatic career at DIRCO included Deputy Director of the European Union (EU) Desk; Counsellor at the South African Mission to the EU in Brussels, Belgium; Director of the South African Pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hannover, Germany, where he was awarded a Category A Merit Award for excellent service rendered; Counsellor and Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the South African Embassy in Havana, Cuba; Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the South African Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay; and Chargé d’Affaires and Head of Mission at the South African Embassy in the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. In 2011, he was appointed Director for the Levant in the Middle East Branch.

In June 2016, he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the South African Embassy to the State of Eritrea. He met his untimely death on 20 March 2017, after a short illness.

He is survived by his wife, Eva; sons, Kgomotso and Karabo; and grandson, Kitso; as well as five siblings, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

DIRCO’s spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, says they're devastated by his death.

"We are all devastated, and his Excellency Ambassador Setlhapelo has served this country with distinction. We would likely firstly to convey our sincere heartfelt condolences to the Ambassador's family, his loved once and relatives, and to the whole country." ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ DEPUTY PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA OPENS GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONGRESS (GEC)

South Africa hosted the 2017 GEC from 13 to 16 March 2017 in . This was the first time this prestigious international event for entrepreneurs was held on the African continent.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened the GEC on 14 March 2017, at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The GEC is attended by global thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and policymakers. GEC 2017 provided South Africa an opportunity to showcase its entrepreneurial prowess to the world.

The Deputy President launched the 2016 South African Chapter of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW2016) in November of 2016.

∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ DIRCO AND PARLIAMENT CO-HOST PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON WESTERN SAHARA The Public Dialogue was held under the theme: “The Role of South Africa in Mobilising the International Community in Pursuit of the Independence of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)”.

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Luwellyn Landers, in collaboration with Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on International Relations co-hosted a public dialogue on the current situation and South Africa’s position on the SADR on 15 March 2017 in Cape Town.

The Deputy Minister outlined the role South Africa was playing in pursuit of a negotiated consensus for the attainment of the sovereignty of the SADR and the latest developments in the multilateral arena. ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ FREEDOM PARK HOSTS CEREMONY TO MEMORIALISE SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY Human Rights Day is a significant day to South Africans for remembering not only the 69 people, who were killed during the Sharpeville Massacre, but all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for South Africa’s freedom, says Freedom Park Chief Executive Officer, Jane Mufamadi.

“Our struggle was waged under the four arms, one being international solidarity, and therefore, in honouring those who sacrificed, we also pay tribute to the international communities that made the sacrifices and supported us,” Mufamadi said on 21 March.

Speaking at a ceremony to memorialise the Swedish International Solidarity to people of South Africa during the liberation struggle, Mufamadi said it was an open secret that the Swedish people contributed greatly for the attainment of freedom and that they also continued to support South Africa even in preparing the country for the first democratic elections.

“We are also aware that Sweden has been supporting efforts aimed at ensuring that we do not forget links forged during the liberation struggle,” Mufamadi said.

Mufamadi said documentaries, books and even archival material in institutions like the Nordic Africa Institute bore testimony to that. Freedom Park has been involved in the project of the Memorialisation of Swedish Solidarity during the liberation struggle since 2014.

According to Mufamadi, the project resulted in a number of activities which included, among others, meetings in South Africa with the former Swedish Ambassador, Anders Hagelburg, as well as having meetings in Sweden.

“We signed the MoU with Kalmar lans Museum and we are already implementing some of the programmes.”

Swedish Ambassador, Cecilia Julin, said she was excited to be in South Africa representing Sweden, a country that supported South Africans during the struggle for democracy.

“It is pertinent to be here at Salvokop honouring the people that fought the battle, some of whom paid the ultimate price,” Ambassador Julin said.

Ambassador Julin said Sweden was proud to have contributed to the downfall of the apartheid regime.

As part of the event, a wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at Freedom Park and a moment of silence was observed in remembrance of those people who died during the struggle against the apartheid regime.

Also at the event, the Freedom Park CEO was presented with a list of Swedish names of people who died during the struggle to liberate South Africa from the apartheid regime.

In total, the list contains 55 names and according to Mufamadi, the Swedish Government will bring more names to be inscribed at the Wall of Names at the Freedom Park.

In 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called the Sharpeville Massacre the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. – Source: SAnews.gov.za ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙

G20 FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR CONVENE IN BADEN- BADEN, GERMANY The ministers and governors discussed the outlook for the global economy; framework for a strong, sustainable and balanced growth; G20 Compact with Africa; international financial architecture; financial sector development and regulation; international tax; and other global governance topics.

The Minister of Finance, , and Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, attended the first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting under the German Presidency in Baden- Baden, Germany, from 17 to 18 March 2017.

Resilience of economies was identified as a pillar of sustainable economic growth. Ministers and governors reaffirmed their previous exchange rate commitments, including that they would refrain from competitive devaluation.

Consensus was reached on addressing and reducing excessive global imbalances while promoting greater inclusiveness and reduce inequality in pursuit of economic growth.

Ministers and central bank governors met at a time of improving business and consumer confidence where they agreed that the global economic recovery was moderate and continued to be weaker than desirable with downside risks for the global economy around political uncertainty.

They reaffirmed the leverage of all policy tools – monetary, fiscal and structural – individually and collectively to achieving strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

Ministers and governors agreed to work to strengthen the contribution of trade to economies as well as to strive to reduce excessive global imbalances, promote greater inclusiveness and fairness and reduce inequality in pursuit of economic growth.

A key deliverable for the Germany G20 Presidency is broadening international economic and financial cooperation with African countries to foster sustainable and inclusive growth in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The G20 Compact with Africa for Resilience and Growth (CwA), a framework for regional economic and financial stability in Africa, received substantial backing from G20 ministers and governors.

African Ministers from, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal and Tunisia, which had previously signalled interest in the CwA were invited to the G20 where they presented on their countries’ macro-economic environment, reform initiatives and investment projects. G20 finance ministers and central bank governors will next meet at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in April 2017 in Washington, DC. ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ UN WORLD WATER DAY SUMMIT KICKS OFF IN DURBAN

Every year, the world observes World Water Day on 22 March, a day officially designated by the United Nations (UN) in 1993 to highlight issues relating to water.

The World Water Day Summit and Expo kicked off in Durban on Wednesday, 22 March where the UN and the Department of Water and Sanitation hosted local and international dignitaries for a three-day gathering.

Among the main events on Wednesday was the launch of the UN World Water Development Report 2017, titled: “Wastewater: The Untapped Resource”.

In the background of the conference was a three-day exhibition of products and initiatives about water by companies, non-governmental organisations and government departments.

President Jacob Zuma delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony. President Zuma is a member of the UN High Panel on Water.

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, , was the opening ceremony’s programme director.

The opening ceremony saw representatives from internationally recognised bodies, including the UN; UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; the World Bank and African Ministers’ Council on Water.

The event also hosted focussed discussions and debates about the importance of water, sanitation and how it affects the world. – Source: sabc.co.za ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ MISSION TO DEEPEN BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN SA AND GHANA

The trade and investment mission to Ghana was a continued effort to consolidate bilateral relations between the two African countries on political and economic levels, said the South African High Commissioner to Ghana, , on 21 March.

“The importance of Ghana to South Africa as an anchor partner country within the West Africa region is in a way being recognised and affirmed by the continuous presence of South African delegations in the country,” says High Commissioner Xingwana.

“We also salute the pioneering South African companies that have expanded their businesses to Ghana and contributed more than US$170 million in capital investment. These include Stanbic, Group Five, MTN, Multichoice, Shoprite, Game, Edcon, Trellidor, Bigen Africa, WBHO, Mr Price, Old Mutual and Broll, to name just a few.”

High Commissioner Xingwana addressed an investment seminar, hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry and attended by South African businesspeople and their Ghanaian counterparts.

She said relations between the two countries were historic and demonstrated a collective resolve to alter underdevelopment and set the two countries on a historic path to economic partnership based on solid bilateral trade.

"The mission was not only an affirmation of our warm and strong bond, but equally a demonstration of an evolving economic partnership between the two countries.

"South Africa’s attitude towards the rest of Africa was that of being a development partner and the net effect of trade and investment was economic development and poverty alleviation that fundamentally contribute towards realising intra-Africa trade," said High Commissioner Xingwana.

"The active economic roles that the two countries play in their respective regions, in a way contribute to the collective lifting of economies of the immediate neighbours thereby consolidating the agenda of regional integration." – Source: www.sabc.co.za ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ SA PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL BROADBAND MEETING

Minister Cwele was one of 52 global broadband commissioners who are drawn from leaders in government, business, academia, policy-makers and international agencies.

The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Siyabonga Cwele, recently attended the 2017 United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development Meeting in Hong Kong. “The commission discusses strategies of connecting the four billion people, who are presently not connected to broadband or fast Internet in a cost-efficient manner.

“This year’s meeting will discuss strategies to connect more women to the Internet,” the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services said in a statement.

The 2017 Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development’s Working Group on the Digital Gender Divide identified that the global Internet user gender widened from 11% in 2013 to 12% in 2016. The gap in Africa is 23%. “The United Nations has identified information and communications technologies (ICTs) as a key facilitator in socio-economic development and poverty reduction,” the department said.

The 17 sustainable development goals include four that relate to ICTs. The attainment of these goals is linked to the universal and affordable access to broadband.

“South Africa has developed policies that are aimed at ensuring that nobody is left behind in the move to the digital information society. These policies provide a framework for providing access to affordable, reliable and secure internet,” the department said. – Source: SAnews.gov.za ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL VOTED BEST IN AFRICA

The awards, held in Amsterdam recently, are among the most prestigious accolades in the aviation industry, seeing Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) clinching 19th spot in The World’s Top 100 Airports - 2017.

CTIA has not only been voted the best in Africa at the 2017 Skytrax World Airport Awards, but the airport, which recently facilitated its highest volume of passengers in 2016, in excess of 10 million passengers, has managed to climb three spots higher than last year from 22nd to 19th in the top 100 list.

Durban's King Shaka retained the same ranking at 35th spot in the top 100 Airports list, and was also voted the best Regional Airport in Africa.

King Shaka, which also saw recordbreaking arrivals in 2016, was voted the sixth best Regional Airport for 2017, with Japan’s Centrair Nagoya clinching Top Regional Airport spot. Three of South Africa's other regional airports also featured in the list, with East London ranked second, Port Elizabeth ranked third and Bloemfontein ranked fourth – boding well for domestic travel all round.

Johannesburg come in at 37th position in the top 100 airports list overall, slipping some seven spots when compared to last year’s ranking. But it ranks considerably better than the United States’ equally busy JFK Airport, which came in at 67th position in this year's list.

These awards are significant because they are based on customer satisfaction, as voted by travelers. The 2017 Awards are based on 13,82 million airport survey questionnaires completed by 105 different nationalities of airline customers during the survey period. – Source: www.news24.co.za ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ BEACH HOLIDAY ON CARDS IN PRETORIA

A multinational water innovation company is planning to bring beach life to Gauteng. Swimming‚ kayaking‚ paddle boarding and sailing will be on offer at the new development.

Crystal Lagoons has partnered with JSE-listed Balwin Properties for the construction and operation of a R4,2-billion residential development‚ The Blyde at Riverwalk Estate‚ located in Pretoria East‚ Gauteng.

The development is on 1,5 hectares‚ which is equivalent to just over two rugby fields. The company says it operates in over 60 countries.

“By bringing the beach to Pretoria we are taking apartment living to the next level by making resort lifestyle living a reality‚" said Steve Brookes‚ CEO of Balwin Properties‚ adding the development will also have a fully equipped gym‚ squash court‚ restaurant‚ concierge‚ laundromat‚ cinema room and a function room as well as state-of-the-art security.

"The continuous promenade around the lagoon is perfect for sunset strolls and it will connect the different amenities around the lagoon‚" Brookes said.

"A typical Crystal Lagoons uses 30 times less water than a standard golf course‚ and in many cases rainwater is all that is needed to replenish the water‚ thanks in part to the patented anti-evaporation film which restricts the amount of water lost via evaporation‚" the international company said.

The company says its technology innovations to allow the lagoon to be filled with fresh‚ brackish‚ or even salt water and uses 2% of the energy of standard pool filtration technologies‚ and 100 times less additives. – Source: www.timeslive.co.za ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR ACTING LEGEND MAFELA

The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) have joined South Africans in mourning the passing of legendary actor and filmmaker, Joe Mafela, who passed away in a car accident recently.

“We are shocked and saddened by the news of the death of this great South African, a wonderful human being and a committed voice of the arts,” Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang, said.

Hatang described Mafela as an incredible actor in both film and television, a writer, producer and potent singer who occupied a special place in the hearts of African audiences.

He said Mafela was not one to keep silent while artists were not treated with dignity. “He spoke for the rights of many artists, including those who did not get the respect that he was afforded. As we deal with this loss, we should also remember the happy person Mafela was and the joy he brought into our homes, thus we should celebrate the impact he made in our lives during the toughest of times.”

Meanwhile, the SABC expressed sadness at Mafela’s passing, saying he was a giant in his field and had become a voice and face of the industry.

“The multi-talented Mr Mafela, who was also known as a singer/songwriter and producer and who recently appeared in the SABC 1 soapie, Generations: The Legacy, will be remembered for his memorable acting roles in TV shows such as the hugely popular Sgudi ‘Snaysi, where he portrayed the character Sdumo, a nickname which stuck with him through the years,” said the SABC in a statement.

Other notable SABC TV programmes where he starred in throughout the years are Udeliwe, Going Up, Kululeka, Madam and Eve and the drama series Stokvel, which he conceptualised.

President Zuma also sent his condolences on the passing of Mafela, describing him as one of the pioneers of television comedy that was loved by all South Africans, young and old.

“The arts and culture industry has been robbed of a bigger than life figure. We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Mafela family. May his soul rest in peace,” said President Zuma. – Source: SAnews.gov.za ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ SA SHOTS SHINE IN WORLD'S LARGEST PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

This year's Sony World Photography Awards, the world’s largest photography competition, gives a new perspective on our world.

In the recommended travel photos of 2017, images reflect the different cultures of our world gloriously.

And in the wildlife category, incredible shots of the Great Migration and our endangered rhino will not leave you unmoved.

South African photographer Mike Fell flies the flag for South Africa with his commended photograph of two rhino.

The photo is not only moving for its technical perfection, but for the message it shows the world – that these beautiful creatures are worth our attention and protection.

Fell says he is "horoured to get the “stamp of approval” and be commended at the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards.

"The photos were chosen out of over one million images, reinforcing its position as one of the most respected and influential photography competitions in existence," he wrote on his professional photography Facebook page.

Another photograph, shot by Andreas Hemb from Sweden, makes the shortlist of the Wildlife category. Hemb's photograph show a herd of buffaloes drinking at a watering hole at Zimanga Private Games Reserve in South Africa. The awards’ 10th anniversary saw record global participation. Photographers entered 227 596 images across the awards’ Professional, Open and Youth competitions. – Source: Traveller24 ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP LAUNCHES NEW TRACK AT CAPE'S KILLARNEY

The FIA World Rallycross Championship launched the new rallycross track at Killarney International Circuit recently as tickets for the season-closing World RX of South Africa went on sale to the general public for the first time. More than 75 key South African media and 70 guests gathered at the launch of the new South African rallycross venue, which was attended by double World RX Champion Petter Solberg, reigning RX2 Champion Cyril Raymond and deputy executive Mayor for the City of Cape Town, Alderman Ian Neilson.

Also in attendance was South African rally driver Jon Williams – the only South African to have contested a full WRC campaign – who announced that he would compete in front of his home crowd this November in an OMSE RX Supercar.

The 34-year-old commented: “This is a dream come true. I’ve come from track racing to rallying and now rallycross. It is the perfect combination for me. I can’t wait to compete in front of my home crowd and I hope the people of South Africa can fully get behind me”.

The Cape Town leg of World RX is the only new addition to the rallycross calendar in 2017 and marks the first time that the World Championship has visited the continent of Africa. Dating back to 1947, Killarney International Raceway has the magnificent backdrop of Table Mountain and is based a stone throw outside of Cape Town.

The Western Cape had its first taste of international Formula 1 racing when the non-championship Cape Grand Prix was held at Killarney back in 1960. Since then, the complex has grown and hosts several forms of main circuit racing as well as motocross, karting, stock cars and drag racing. – Source: wheels24.co.za ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ Editor: Delien Burger Stay connected with us Picture Editor: Yolande Snyman Design and layout: Delien Burger

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