30/06/2017 VOL,Vol, 5, 4, 312017 March 2021

Message from the Chargé ď Affaires of Health, Dr , assured that the betterment of the lives of Tanzanians; Dear Readers country aimed at vaccinating 1.1 Million people by President Magufuli’s Swahili Language the end of March 2021. The second phase of Diplomacy and again to thank Tanzania I hope you enjoyed our last quarter Edition of ’s vaccine rollout programme is and its people for assistance rendered to the Newsletter. envisaged to start on 17 May 2021. South African liberation movements.

As is the norm, President There are hurdles in realising this plan. The rich During the preparation of this Edition, we delivered virtually the State of the Nation and developed nations have ordered for their celebrated important dates of international Address (SONA) on 11 February 2021 citizens in advance. Although, the EU vaccination and national significance which included before a joint sitting of the two houses of campaign lags behind other countries due to amongst others, Valentine’s Day, 14 Parliament under the theme: “Following up problems with the drugmaker, Astra, in fulfilling its February, International Women’s Day, 8 on our commitments: Making your future delivery obligations to the 27-Nation Bloc, as March and the Human Rights Day, 21 work better”. The intention of the SONA is COVID-19 cases rise on that continent. March. The Month of March is regarded to report back on progress achieved, as the Human Right Month in South Africa challenges and crafting the future path. This Access to vaccines for developing countries has and 21 March the Human Rights Day. year President Ramaphosa outlined the become frightening. To this end, our Government The latter is important in the political following priorities that government should be has secured 11 million doses of the Johnson & calendar of South Africa as it is always concentrating on: Johnson vaccine, which is said to be effective celebrated in remembrance of Sixty-nine against the dominant variants in our country. The (69) people who were murdered by the • First, we must defeat the coronavirus Aspen manufacturing plant in the Eastern Cape is apartheid police on 21 March 1960. This pandemic, involved in producing the Johnson & Johnson commemoration also provides the country • Second, we must accelerate our vaccines. The Government is also at various with an opportunity to reflect on progress economic recovery, stages of negotiations with the manufacturers of made in the promotion and protection of • Third, we must implement economic other vaccines such as Pfizer, Sinovac, human rights. This year’s Human Right reforms to create sustainable jobs and Sinopharm and Sputnik V. Month was commemorated under the drive inclusive growth, and theme: “The year of Charlotte Maxeke: • And finally, we must fight corruption and Whilst dealing with the pandemic, President promoting human rights in the Age th strengthen the state. Ramaphosa chaired the 30th African Peer Review of COVID-19” and coincides with the 25 Forum of Heads of State and Government on 25 anniversary of the adoption of the Indeed South Africa has been adversely March 2021. Member states that participated at Constitution. affected by the coronavirus and impacted this virtual meeting included South Africa, negatively on the economy, businesses, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, The High Commission also wishes to health, education and generally the well- Mauritius, Nigeria, Djibouti and Egypt. announce that our Freedom Day on the 27 being of our people. Many people lost their of April 2021 will also not take place due to lives. Last year, the government declared a President Ramaphosa also undertook a visit to prevailing health conditions. National State of Disaster in response to the Tanzania to attend the funeral of late President COVID-19 pandemic and had to introduce John Pombe Magufuli who succumbed to heart Let’s enjoy reading this newsletter. measures to contain its spread. As of 6 April conditions on 17 March 2021. President 2021, 1 552 853 cases were registered, 53 Ramaphosa in his tribute to the late President Ms SV Dhlomo-Imieka, Chargè ď 032 deaths and 1 478 820 recoveries. 272 Magufuli recognised Tanzania’s assistance during Affaires 438 health care workers vaccinated. The the struggle against apartheid colonialism in South

government has embarked on a vaccination Africa until the attainment of freedom in 1994; program with the view to vaccinate the President Magufuli’s strong believe in Pan- 1 elderly with comorbidities. Addressing Africanism; economic development and the Parliament on 25 February 2021, the Minister

News from South Africa

President Ramaphosa chaired African Peer Review Mechanism Meeting of Heads of State.

and socioeconomic development processes Zone during this phase is expected to be

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his among member states. allocated to small, medium and micro capacity as Chairperson of the African The mechanism uses a holistic review process enterprises ; an amount equal to R1.7

Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), chaired that distinguishes it from other institutions billion in procurement opportunities. the 30th African Peer Review (APR) Forum through inclusive dialogue, independent and of Heads of State and Government objective reviews, peer learning and compliance Furthermore, the President reiterated meeting on Thursday, 25 March 2021. monitoring. – Source: SAnews.gov.za Toyota's investment in its KwaZulu-Natal

facility to start production of the first

AfCFTA: Alive with Possibilities generation of hybrid electric vehicles to President Ramaphosa assumed the Chair of the APRM in February 2020. come off a South African assembly line. The South African Government says it will The APR Forum is a Committee of maximise the opportunities presented by the “This follows investment announcements Participating Heads of State and Government African Continental Free Trade Area by Nissan, Mercedes Benz and Isuzu in of the member states of the African Union (AfCFTA), which came into operation on 1 expanded production facilities, all of which (AU) who have voluntarily chosen to accede January 2021, following the adoption of the cement South Africa’s position as a global to the APRM. This authority is the highest Johannesburg Declaration by the African player in auto manufacturing. decision-making body in the APRM. Union. “This year, our focus will be on getting the The APR Forum has ultimate responsibility industry back to full production, for oversight of the APRM organisation and implementing the Black Industrialists Fund processes,Date Month for mutualYear learning and capacity- and working on a new platform for building and for exercising constructive peer expanded auto trade with the rest of the dialogue and persuasion. These continent. programmes are in place to make the APRM effective, credible and acceptable. “This will be part of our concerted effort to boost the manufacturing sector,” the The 30th Summit of the forum, among others, President said. Source: SAnews.gov.za welcomed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the newest member State to accede to the APRM.

President Cyril Ramaphosa

The AfCFTA is set to create a massive market and demand for locally-produced machinery, clothes and food; provide a platform for South African businesses to expand into markets across the continent; and for South Africa to position itself as a gateway to the continent.

“The Summit was expected to conduct the Delivering the 2021 State of the Nation Address peer review of Liberia; discuss reports on on Thursday, 11 February 2021, President Cyril targeted reviews of Sierra Leone and Zambia; Ramaphosa said South Africa was already at receive a briefing on Sudan’s governance work to reindustrialise the economy. gap analysis; and receive an update on progress in Nigeria’s second review process. This, the President said, was being done through initiatives such as the Ford Motor Company’s “Kenya and Mozambique will also make investment in the economy. The company presentations on implementation of their recently announced a R16-billion investment in national programmes of action. President the South African market, which is expected to Ramaphosa will also use the opportunity of majorly bump up jobs and local production. the 30th Summit of the APR Forum to apprise Ford Motor Company announced a R16-billion his counterparts about the progress of the investment to expand their manufacturing facility 2nd Generation Review in South Africa,” The in Tshwane for the next generation Ford Ranger Presidency said in a statement. bakkie. The APRM was established in 2003 as a specialised agency of the AU that serves as a “This investment will support the growth of platform for sharing experiences and around 12 small and medium enterprises in reinforcing best practices towards political automotive component manufacturing,” the stability, accelerated economic growth and President said. regional and continental integration as well as

Nearly half of the procurement spend on sustainable development. 2 It further seeks to foster change in underlying construction of the bulk earthworks and top deficiencies in governance structure at the Tshwane Special Economic

The First COVID-19 Vaccine Developed in News from South Africa Africa

A group of South African Scientists has President Ramaphosa addressed the this capacity,” said Deputy President designed and developed the first COVID-19 Mining Indaba Mabuza. vaccine of African origin, called Shantivax

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the The company is the storage centre for Port Elizabeth-based immunotherapy company, opening remarks at the annual Investing in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is Genlab, together with Danish biotechnology African Mining Indaba on Tuesday, 2 currently reserved for healthcare workers company, Immunitrack, have created a “next February 2021 across the country following a decision . generation vaccine” that will elicit both an antibody by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) and T-cell response. The indaba, which was held virtually this on COVID-19 Vaccines. year, broadcast a pre-recorded address by “It will completely change the way the world the President. The Deputy President, who chairs the IMC, said after his visit to Biovac, that perceives Africa in terms of innovation. We have a vaccine by Africa, for Africa and the developing The indaba was hosted under the theme: government was determined to improve the country’s vaccine manufacturing world,” said CEO of Genlab, Kamsellin Chetty. “Resilience & Regrowth: Adopting the New Mindset for African Mining”. capabilities. “Next generation vaccines” are vaccines that have adapted and evolved from current vaccines to be It featured guest speakers, including the safer and more effective. President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi; the President of the “It’s the first time that the concept and design for a Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maado Bio; COVID-19 vaccine has come from South Africa,” and the President of the Republic of said Chetty. Botswana, .

The Shantivax prototype is currently undergoing The President’sDate Month addressYear set out South pre-clinical testing. Africa’s progress in responding to the COVID-

19 pandemic and highlighted opportunities for The vaccine uses a live, but weakened strain of international investment and the critical role bacterium that is known to be safe and will of the mining industry in rebooting the continuously stimulate the immune system to economy. provide long-term protection against COVID-19.

“It has been designed to elicit a highly specialised respiratory immune response referred to as type I

and type III interferon responses. The bacterium platform will transport a vector that will produce a

small protein (peptides) called epitopes that are

used to target COVID-19.”

Deputy President Davis Mabuza Shantivax can be administered through the skin

into the bloodstream where it should elicit an The second batch of the single-dose antibody response and will use nanotechnology to South Africa determined to Ramp up Johnson & Johnson vaccine landed at travel from the bloodstream to the site of infection Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity OR Tambo International Airport from within the lung. Belgium on Saturday, 27 February 2021.

Deputy President has The vaccine can reside in the lung for a number of reiterated government’s stance to ramp up The Deputy President believes that the country will not need another storage years while it continuously provides stimuli for the efforts for the country to produce its own immune system to identify and neutralise COVID- lifesaving vaccines, as the world battles facility. 19 before it replicates intensively. COVID-19. Everything that will come in will be stored here, and will go straight to vaccination Once the Shantivax vaccine has passed clinical Deputy President Mabuza conducted an trials, Chetty says they are hoping to outsource oversight visit at the Biovac Institute in sites from here,” he said, speaking from production to the Serum Institute of India. “The Midrand, Gauteng, on Tuesday, 2 March outside the institute’s cold room. company has the capacity to produce a bacterial 2021. vaccine of this nature,” he said. Deputy President Mabuza said he had

Biovac is a bio-pharmaceutical company, in every confidence in Biovac to safely store According to Immunitrack CEO, Stephan partnership with government and the private the vaccine. He assured that he would Thorgrimsen: “This project presents a powerful sector. Established in 2003, with its get vaccinated when his turn comes. approach to address the challenge in generating a headquarters in Cape Town, the company lasting immune response against the emerging was set up to establish local vaccine The Deputy President will be visiting various sites once government effectively COVID-19 variants. Our in vitro HLA specific manufacturing capability for the provision of epitope mapping platform, NeoScreen, will enable vaccines for national health management and rolls out the inoculation programme in the country. Source: SAnews.gov.za Shantivax to address the urgent need for an security. effective, affordable and producible vaccine for the

African continent”. Source: www.iol.co.za “We do currently manufacture vaccines. Almost 80% of the vaccines we use are 3 manufactured in Cape Town, and then we distribute. But we want to increase

News from South Africa that are being implemented and operationalised by the SADC Secretariat based in Gaborone, South Africa Looks to Asian Markets to Botswana. Revive Economic Growth. important milestone of R1 trillion, for the first time, in 2019 and is set to grow The Council of Ministers reflected on SADC’s on- International Relations and Cooperation further.” going programmes of work, monitored Minister, Dr , says implementation of activities and recommend future government has created a significant Many companies from the Asian region projects for the organisation for approval by the footprint in Asian markets as part of have made significant investment SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government. efforts to return the country to pre-COVID- pledges during the President’s 19 economic growth Investment Summits and State Visits. Among key issues tabled before the Council was an update on the COVID-19 pandemic situation in The Minister said this when she participated Companies such as Toyota, Isuzu, Tata the region; the implementation plan of the recently in the debate on the State of the Nation Motors, Mahindra and Motherson Sumi approved Regional Indicative Strategic Address on Wednesday, 17 February 2021. have expanded their investments in the Development Plan 2020 – 2030; a progress report country. on the implementation of the SADC “We will identify new opportunities and Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap; expand those that have benefit for South China has pledged to invest US$14 transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum Africa. In pursuit of this objective, South billion, and Saudi Arabia and the United into a regional Parliament; the recruitment process Africa has created a significant footprint in Arab Emirates US$10 billion each. of the Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Asia, which is the continent showing the most Secretary for Regional Integration; and reports of promise of a speedy return to pre-COVID-19 “We aim to build on these successes by the Human Resources and Administration levels of economic growth. ensuring growing global trade, which is Committee. one of the best ways to fight poverty, The Council of Ministers was preceded by the “Last year, South Africa acceded to the inequality and unemployment in our Treaty of Amity and Cooperation to take up country and our continent,” said Minister meetings of the Standing Committee of Senior significant trade and development Officials and Finance Committee Date Month Year Pandor. Source: SAnews.gov.za opportunities available in this region. We will also benefit from the Regional Minister Pandor Delivered Opening Address for Comprehensive Economic Partnership of the African Union Development Agency th these countries. This partnership created the (AUDA) NEPAD 6 Annual Programme for world’s biggest trading bloc, estimated to Infrastructure Development (PIDA) IN Africa. account for about US$26 trillion or 30% of global gross domestic product, and 28% of The Minister of International Relations and global trade,” Minister Pandor said. Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, on Tuesday, 19 January 2021, virtually delivered the opening The Minister said in response to the address of the Sixth Annual PIDA Week. President’s call of intensifying efforts to stimulate growth, government was working The PIDA Week is held annually in different AU tirelessly to raise South Africa’s global member states to assess and accelerate the visibility by also “promoting [South Africa] as implementation of the infrastructure programmes. the best place to be, to do business, to visit, to work, to study and to live”. PIDA is the AU’s strategic framework for regional and continental infrastructure development, “We are also responding to new opportunities guiding the continental infrastructure development and harnessing the collective capabilities of Minister of International Relations and agenda, policies and investment priorities. DIRCO’s resources both at home and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor abroad,” Minister Pandor said. It provides a framework for engagement with Minister Pandor led the South African Africa’s development partners on the provision of South Africa, the Minister said, would delegation to a Virtual Meeting of regional and continental infrastructure and leverage engagement with the Association of SADC Council of Ministers facilitates the physical, economic and social Southeast Asian Nations to enhance mutually integration of the continent in support of the African beneficial trade, investment and tourism ties, The Minister of International Relations Continental Free Trade Area. and to support skills development and and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, training for South Africans. participated in the virtual Southern PIDA brings together continental infrastructure African Development Community initiatives and regional master plans into one Minister Pandor said South Africa secured (SADC) Council of Ministers on 12 and coherent infrastructure investment programme with significant beef export opportunities to the 13 March 2021. an implementation strategy and portfolio of Malaysian market as of November 2020. projects for prioritised implementation, the PIDA Like all regional and intergovernmental Priority Action Plan (PIDA-PAP). PIDA-PAP covers “Market access was also obtained for fruits to bodies, SADC was also affected by the the four key infrastructure sectors of transport, Thailand. Product protocols are being outbreak of COVID-19, which forced it to energy, ICT and transboundary water resources, negotiated in the region and are at an conduct its meetings in this manner. and the first phase comprises more than 400 advanced stage. These include table grapes projects in 51 cross-border programmes for to Vietnam and South Korea, avocadoes to As customary, the statutory Council of implementation until the end of 2020

India and Japan, and pears to China and Ministers deliberated on issues that India. contribute towards the consolidation of

regional cooperation and integration. The 4 “Total two-way trade with Asia and the Middle SADC region has several programmes East (inclusive of Oceania) breached the and policies for its integration agenda New from South Africa (continued)

Cabinet Approves UN ICERD Periodic Report security in respect to the Dutch children. The proposed amendment is Cabinet has approved the submission of to align the agreement to these nuclear weapons. South Africa’s ninth to 11th periodic changes,” said the Minister. country report on the United Nations (UN) Source: SAnews.gov.za The denuclearisation of South Africa is International Convention on the symbiotically linked to our democratisation. In Elimination of All Forms of Racial his last address to the UN General Assembly Discrimination (ICERD). in 1998, President Nelson Mandela posed a pertinent question in relation to nuclear This was in accordance with South Africa’s weapons as he said: “We must ask the commitment to the ICERD in 1994, which question, which might sound naive to those was ratified on 10 December 1998. who have elaborated sophisticated arguments to justify their refusal to eliminate This was confirmed by acting Minister in The these terrible and terrifying weapons of mass Presidency, , while destruction – why do they need them addressing the media on the outcomes of the anyway!” recent Cabinet meeting. Minister Pandor concluded: “Let me take this “The report outlines progress made by South South Africa Welcomes the Entry- opportunity to renew South Africa’s Africa in putting in place legislative, judicial into-force of the Treaty on the commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons as the only guarantee that nuclear andDate administrativeMonth Year measures to eliminate all Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons forms of racial discrimination,” said the weapons will never be used again by anyone Minister. On 22 January 2021, the United under any circumstances". Nations (UN) Treaty on the She said the periodic report focussed on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons South Africa to Host International progress made in advancing equality, fighting (TPNW) entered into force Philately Exhibition (IPEX) xenophobia and other related intolerance, prevention of hate crimes, and highlights Marking the event, International Cabinet recently approved the hosting of challenges that still remain. After its Relations and Cooperation Minister, the IPEX, also known as the stamps presentation to the relevant body, the report Dr Naledi Pandor, stated: “Today exhibition, in Cape Town from 9 to 19 will be made public. marks a turning point in humanity’s December 2021 under the theme: “Road to endeavour to rid the world of nuclear Democracy”. In the meeting, Cabinet also approved the weapons . It is the culmination of that tabling of the International Convention on the very first UN Generally Assembly The Federation of International de Philatelie Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Resolution in 1946, which sought to (FIP) initially planned to stage the event in Apartheid to Parliament for accession. deal with the elimination of nuclear Cape Town from 17 to 20 March 2021 but it weapons and other weapons was moved to the later date due to COVID- “This is done in terms of Section 231(2) of adaptable to mass destruction. It 19. the Constitution of the Republic of South cannot be overemphasised that the Africa of 1996. The convention, among TPNW is not the final word on nuclear The Department of Communications and others, declares apartheid as a crime against weapons, but a critical step in the Digital Technologies will organise and host humanity and that it posed a serious threat to evolution of the regime that would be the event in collaboration with the FIP international peace and security,” she said. required to achieve and eventually organising committee. maintain a world without nuclear Once approved by both houses of weapons. Its approach is consistent Stamps collected will display historic Parliament, the Department of International with the approach taken in the moments, individuals and events that Relations and Cooperation will deposit the elimination of other unacceptable contributed in enhancing democracy in South instrument of accession with the UN, said the weapons, where prohibition preceded Africa. The anticipated visitors will contribute Minister. elimination”. towards the country’s tourism, boost local economy and promote culture and social Also agreed to in the Cabinet meeting was South Africa is of the view that the the amendment of the agreement between TPNW represents one of the most South Africa and the Netherlands on social important developments in the area of security. nuclear disarmament since 1945. The TPNW not only complements the The cooperation agreement on social Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty security was signed in The Hague in May (NPT) but strengthens the NPT as the 2001. TPNW represents the highest non- proliferation standard that any state The agreement facilitates the export of social can commit to. It also provides the security benefits for the respective citizens. opportunity for those states that are not located in nuclear-weapon-free “The Netherland Social Security Policy has zones to join an instrument that 5 made amendments to its export social expresses their total opposition to New from Dar Es Salaam

SANDF Delegation Visits Dar es Salaam

A delegation from the South African National Defence (SANDF) paid an official working visit With regards the former, the Chair President Ramaphosa accompanied by the to Tanzania from 28 February – 4 March 2021. gave an exposition on salient points Minister of International Relations and The objective was to strengthen defence contained in the speech, which are: Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor attended the relations between the two countries with a view State Funeral in Dodoma. President to conclude a legal framework. . The state of COVID-19 in South Ramaphosa in his tribute to the late President Africa and interventions by the Magufuli recognised Tanzania’s assistance Tanzania and South Africa contribute to the government, during the struggle against apartheid peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of . An explanation on vaccine roll out colonialism in South Africa until the Congo (DRC) and wish to continue working and challenges confronted, attainment of freedom in 1994; President together to achieve peace and security in the . Economic Recovery Plan, Magufuli’s strong belief in Pan-Africanism; DRC. . Corruption and resultant economic development and the betterment of prosecution, the lives of Tanzanians; President Magufuli’s South African Business Forum held on 18 . Triple challenges of inequality, KiSwahili Language Diplomacy and again to February 2021 poverty, unemployment and how thank Tanzania and its people for assistance to address these challenges, and rendered to South African liberation The South African High Commission hosted the . Government Programme of Action movements. first South African Business Forum (SABF) for 2021 meeting of 2021 at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dar The Heads of State and Government from President Ramaphosa Attends the other countries also spoke eloquently and esDate Salaam Month. Year funeral of Late President Magufuli fondly of the late President Magufuli heaping Ms Stella Dhlomo-Imieka as the Chargé ď praise for being an outstanding Pan African Affaires chaired the meeting. The then Vice President of the United leader on the continent. In their respective Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Ms Samia address, they promised to support President The objective of the meeting was to interact Suluhu Hassan announced on 17 Ms in her new role. with the South African Business Community March 2021 the death of late and share experiences of business operations President John Pombe Magufuli due NOTICE and environment. Due to healthy situation in to heart complications at Muzena Dar es Salaam, the meeting was not well Hospital in Dar es Salaam. He is the Working Hours attended. Nevertheless, members felt to first Tanzania’s Head of State to have continue with the meeting as the quorum was died in Office aged 61. The High Commission’s working Hours are reached. Therefore, the objectives of the as follows: meeting were met. The State Funeral took place on 22 Mondays- Thursdays: 8h00 to 15h00 March 2021 at Jamhuri Stadium in Fridays: 8h00 to 13h00 An update on the registration of SABF as a Dodoma. The body of late President legal entity was presented and was indicated was viewed by the public in Dar es The High Commission wishes to announce that all legal processes have been completed; Salaam; Dodoma; Zanzibar Mwanza; the arrival of the new Third Secretary; therefore the forum is just waiting for Geita and lastly Chato, in Geita (Consular and Immigration), Ms Neo signatories. Only one signature is missing. Region, where the burial took place Moroeng pictured below: on 26 March 2021.

Thousands arrived in Dodoma to attend the funeral and it was a grieving mood at the stadium and the city as well. The State funeral was attended by approximately ten African Heads of States and Government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC). Furthermore, it was proposed that the SABF This inter alia included Kenya money has to be utilised for the development of President, Mr , South and betterment of the people of Tanzania African Mr President Cyril leaving behind a legacy of SABF and members. Ramaphosa, Botswana President, Mr This means projects should be identified and Mokgweetsi Masisi, President, the Committee should identify projects and Mr Lazarus Chakwera, President of present a plan for the year early in 2021. the Democratic Republic of Congo Mr Felix Tshisekedi, Comoros President, The Chair raised TWO issues to be shared with Mr AzaLli Assoumani, Zambia the group. One was the State of the Nation President Mr Edga Lungu, Zimbabwe Address (SONA) and COVID- 19 pandemic in President Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa, 6 South Africa and Mozambique President .