September 2008 dfa NowYour voice to be heard

MinisterMinister Dr Dr Nkosazana Nkosazana Dlamini Dlamini Zuma’s Zuma’s addressaddress toto thethe UNUN GeneralGeneral AssemblyAssembly

Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma with UN Secretery-General Ban Ki-moon Editorial Note International Relations

Dear Colleagues The dfa Now is an internal newsletter September was one of the most important months on the international dip- of the Department of Foreign Affairs lomatic calendar with the customary United Nations General Assembly Session published by the Directorate: taking place. Every year world leaders gather at the UN Headquarters to de- Content Development. bate and contemplate over the state of world affairs. This year specific focus was placed on climate change and development, both issues that are close to Editor-in-Chief: Ronnie Mamoepa South ’s heart. ’s delegation was led by Minister Dr Nkosazana Editor: Paseka Mokhethea Dlamini Zuma and we include her Address to the 63rd Session as our lead story for this month. Compilation, Sub-Editing and Proofreading: In this edition we also cover the Minister’s visit to Cuba to attend the Region- Elion Von Wielligh and Annelie Kirstein al Heads of Mission Conference and her meeting with her Cuban counterpart as well as the media briefing by former Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad. Design and Layout: Shaune van Wyk, Zimele Ngxongo and September saw South Africans celebrate Heritage Day and this year the Kedibone Phiri focus was on South Africa’s dance heritage. We bring you an overview of the essence of Heritage Day celebrations and why it is important for us to celebrate Pictures: Jacoline Prinsloo, Sanjay and preserve our diverse cultures. Since the DFA is represented throughout the Singh and Unathi Ngamntwini world by our various missions, the dfa Now launched a feature article where we conduct interviews with various employees at missions to give us some insight The views expressed in this newsletter into life in a foreign country. This month we focus on Belguim. do not necessarily reflect those of the DFA or the editors. With summer all around we report back on the Winter Games and hope it will serve as motivation for more employees to get out there and participate in the The deadline for contributions is various sporting activities within the Department. 31 October 2008. Complimentary to an active body is an active mind, and the Directorate: Contributions may be sent to cbe000 or Generic Skills Development has a report from the Literacy Week that was held [email protected] in September in the Department. All enquiries: Paseka @ Tel: (012) 351-1569 Happy reading! Fax: (012) 342-1192

South African Ambassador presents his credentials

The South African Ambassador to Germany, Mr SE Funde, presented his credentials to President Koehler on 27 August in Schloss Bellevue. He was accredited along with the ambassadors from Bahrain, Libia and Estonia.

During his welcoming speech in the Embassy in Berlin, Mr Funde emphasised the importance of NEPAD, South Africa’s mission to eradicate poverty and underdevelopment, as well as the strengthening of South African-German partnerships. Ambassador Funde and German President Koehler.

2 DFA Now • September 2008 International Relations

Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s address to the UN General Assembly

My delegation and I join in expressing our congratulations to Your Excellency Father Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann on your election as the President of the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly, and hope you have a very successful and rewarding term at the helm of this body. We express our gratitude to His Excellency Dr Srgjan Kerim for the excellent work done during his tenure as the President of the 62nd Session of the General Assembly.

Your Excellencies and Distinguished Despite the great strides it is clear Guests that many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa will not meet the Millennium De- Once again Mr President, we have velopment Goals. come to this august body to reiterate what we have always called for – “the Part of the reason is that the glo- need to implement all the promises bal partnership for development, on and all the pledges we have made be- which the achievement of the MDGs fore”. The focus of this the 63rd Ses- was also predicated, has not been sion of the General Assembly is on the fully implemented. That despite the global food crisis, climate change as various and lofty ideals we made at well as the reform of the UN. previous assemblies, we still fall short in meeting the commitments we made The confluence of the food, fuel in implementing this partnership – in and financial crisis as well as the particular, trade, aid and debt relief. effects of climate change pose a real threat of undermining the progress We express the fervent hope that made by developing countries in the the High-Level meetings organised by struggle against poverty and under- yourself, Mr President and the Secre- Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma development. tary-General on Africa’s development addressing the United Nations General needs, as well as on the MDGs, have Assembly, Monday 29 September 2008, New York. During the Millennium Summit served not only as important remind- Declaration held in 2000, our Heads ers of the challenges that we face, but the empowerment of women. Women of State and Government adopted as a catalyst to spur the world into a need to be at the centre of develop- a declaration that communicated a greater sense of urgency. ment as agents of change both social- message of hope and vision of a better ly, economically and politically. world, among which is an important The necessary resources exist in section on the Special Needs of the world to achieve the MDGs. We Mr President, bllions of the peoples Africa in which leaders declared that need to summon the necessary politi- of the world, that we are privileged to they “will spare no effort to promote cal will and compassion. We join the represent in this Assembly, have cast democracy and strengthen the rule sister countries of our continent in their eyes on this gathering of leaders. of law, as well as respect for all the calling for massive resource transfers They do so because they have hope internationally recognised human through development assistance, in- in this leadership to take the required rights and fundamental freedoms, vestment, trade, technology transfers measures in order to address poverty including the right of development” and human resource development. and underdevelopment. We dare not These will ensure that Africa achieves fail them. Africa and many other developing the development goals and success- countries have indeed taken respon- fully adapts to the devastating impact The food crisis has to be ad- sibility in promoting democracy, good of climate change. dressed in the short and medium term. governance, peace and stability and The Green Revolution that has been human rights. They are also hard at In order to accelerate the achieve- launched by the AU needs partner- work in rolling back the frontiers of ment of all the MDGs, a lot more atten- ships in order to succeed. Support for poverty and underdevelopment. tion needs to be focused on MDG 3 on Continue on pg 4...

DFA Now • September 2008 3 International Relations

South Africa commits itself to ap- as a young democracy. In this capacity Continue from pg 3... proach the preparations for Copenha- we were indeed honoured to contribute NEPAD will be a major contributor to gen constructively and with a view to meaningfully to global efforts to create the struggle against poverty and un- reaching an agreement that is ambi- peace and stability in all regions of the derdevelopment. tious, balanced and inclusive. world. Accordingly, we express the humble gratitude of the people of our In this context, allow me Mr Mr President, we join the many country to the general membership President, to quote from your statement leaders of the world who have ex- of the UN for the trust placed on us to the General Assembly with regard to pressed their support for the funda- in helping the world discharge this this socio-economic programme as mental reform to the system of global mandate. well as the role of our immediate former governance including the United Na- President, . “During his tions as well as the Bretton Woods During our tenure, the Security presidency of the rainbow nation, Institutions. Council also focused on the important spanning nearly a decade, he, along question of the enhancement of the other African leaders, championed the It is important to understand that relationship between the UN and regional vision of NEPAD we still pursue today. the critical issues facing the world to- organisations, in particular the African When the affluent listen to Africa and day – the current financial, food and Union. We were honoured to be able to partner with it, that vision is within energy crises – cannot be addressed contribute to this work. We congratulate reach”. To quote NEPAD’s founding effectively when so many other coun- the Secretary-General for appointing document: “In fulfilling its promise, this tries and regions of the world are left the AU/UN panel of distinguished agenda must give hope to the out of the key decision making proc- personalities whose mandate is to emaciated African child that the 21st esses of important institutions of glo- explore financing modalities for AU-led century is indeed Africa’s century”. bal governance. South Africa stands peacekeeping missions. ready to work with other members Excellencies, Ladies and Gentle- of the United Nations to advance the Mr President, peace continues to men, the Doha development round goal of reform. elude the Middle East. As South Africa, has stalled despite seven years of we participated in the Annapolis Con- negotiations. We are convinced that Equally, the reform of the UN ference in 2007 with great expectation trade and increased market access Security Council need not be re-em- and hope that progress would indeed will make a major contribution to the phasised. We reiterate our view that be made to advance the goal of peace achievement of the MDGs. In this re- a reformed Security Council would in that region. We will continue to gard it is our submission that the Doha have more legitimacy and its deci- support all international efforts to help round of trade negotiations should not sions would have more credibility. We the people of Palestine and Israel in be allowed to die, but must remain welcome the recent decision to launch their endeavour to find a lasting peace focused on “development” as it was in the General Assembly the inter- to their challenges, leading to the originally envisaged. We must rededi- governmental negotiations on Secu- establishment of a viable Palestinian cate our efforts to ensure the success- rity Council reform, to discuss plans state, co-existing side by side with the ful completion of the Doha Develop- for expanding the Security Council on state of Israel existing within secure ment Round. both the non-permanent and perma- borders. We understand fully well nent categories. the pain, suffering and agony that Mr President, in recent years we conflict brings to bear on the lives of have all witnessed the devastating It remains a travesty of justice ordinary people: particularly women effects of climate change especially that Africa, which constitutes a large and children. These ordinary souls on the Island States. The hurricanes portion of the work of the Council, is continue to cry out to this assembly have become more frequent and more not represented in the permanent of the world as they have done in the vicious, so are droughts, floods or un- category. Unless the ideals of freedom, past, to help bring about an end to the predictable extreme weather patterns justice and equality become the conflict. in the rest of the world. character of the UN, the dominant will continue to dictate to the dominated Mr President, South Africa will con- Climate change needs an urgent while the dream of the dominated will tinue to work with the sister peoples of response. Having agreed in Bali last forever be deferred. DRC, Burundi and Cote D’Ivoire in ef- year on a roadmap for negotiations, forts to consolidate peace and democ- it is our hope that the negotiations to Mr President, my country will, racy in their respective countries. With be completed in Copenhagen in 2009, in December this year, complete its regard to Zimbabwe, you most cer- will necessarily set the stage for more tenure as a non-permanent member tainly are aware of the recent devel- concerted actions by all countries to of the UN Security Council. We are opments, led by our former President address climate change and all its indeed privileged to serve the peoples Thabo Mbeki in his capacity as the manifestations, with the developed of Africa and the world in this capacity. SADC-Facilitator, which culminated in countries taking the lead. This was indeed a historic first for us the signing of an agreement between

4 DFA Now • September 2008 International Relations

the main political protagonists in the Rights. During the past six decades It is this understanding that has country. the Declaration has remained the key correctly informed the engagement of standard for human rights, justice and successive leaders of our democratic We hope that the leadership of dignity. state with this august body over the Zimbabwe will soon finalise aspects years. In this regard, we are touched of this agreement to enable the forma- We should therefore use the pe- and humbled by the kind comments tion of a new government that will help riod of this anniversary to strengthen made in this Assembly by the various lay the basis to address the political our resolve to defend human rights. Heads of State and Government and and economic challenges facing their South Africa has also had the honour Heads of delegations, directed at our country. SADC, the African Union and to be reviewed under the Universal immediate former President Thabo the Facilitator stand as guarantors of Peer Review Mechanism of the new Mbeki. We most certainly shall through this agreement. We call on the inter- Human Rights Council. We were also our government, convey these senti- national community to spare neither honoured with the appointment of our ments to that noble son of our people, strength nor effort in lending a hand to own Justice Navi Pillai to lead this very continent and citizen of the world. the people of Zimbabwe as they em- important international institution. bark on the difficult path of reconcilia- Accordingly, from this podium may tion and reconstruction. In conclusion, Mr President: I also express our sincere gratitude to the general membership of the UN for The situation in Sudan, especially We wish to reiterate our belief in the support former President Mbeki Darfur, remains a matter of great con- the centrality of the United Nations. and our country received over the past cern. South Africa will continue to do In the Millennium Declaration we nine and half years of his stewardship whatever it can both bilaterally and in reaffirmed that the United Nations “is of our country. As the leadership of our the context of the African Union and the indispensable common house of country passes on, we reaffirm that the United Nations, to help the people the entire human family, through which South Africa, under the leadership of of Sudan find peace among them- we will seek to realise our universal President , shall selves. aspirations for peace, co-operation indeed continue to be a trusted and and development”. Leading South dependable partner in the common We remain concerned about the Africa’s delegation to the Millennium endeavour to strengthen our institu- impasse on the question of Western Summit was our former President, tions of multilateralism, moving from Sahara. South Africa is committed to Thabo Mbeki, who reminded this the correct premise that multilateral- seeking a just, mutually acceptable very assembly that “billions among ism remains the only hope in address- and lasting solution to the problem. the living, struggle to survive in ing challenges facing humanity today, conditions of poverty, deprivation at the centre of which is the struggle Mr President, this year also marks and underdevelopment, as offensive against poverty and underdevelop- the 60th anniversary of the adoption of to everything human as anything we ment. the Universal Declaration on Human decry about the second millennium”. I thank you.

within the broad framework of advanc- Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma ing South-South relations. visits Cuba ribean Heads of Mission. The Confer- The discussions with both these ence took stock of developments in the Cuban Ministers reaffirmed the need region and received a political input to strengthen the existing relations and on Cuba’s regional perspective on the further expand the co-operation on all economic, social and political situation fronts and expressed satisfaction with in the region. the current relations between the two countries. Upon conclusion of the successful Regional Heads of Mission Confer- Key highlights in the official visit Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma with her Cuban counterpart Felipe Perez ence, Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini included a wreath-laying ceremony by Roque during a meeting at Cuba’s Foreign Zuma met both the Cuban Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Ministry in Havana 25 August 2008. Minister Felipe Perez Roque and the and delegation at the Jose Marti Me- Cuban Minister of Foreign Invest- morial in honour of all those who sacri- Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini ments and Economic Co-operation, ficed their lives for freedom. As part of Zuma on Wednesday, 27 August 2008 Ms Marta Lomas Morales, within the consolidating the African Agenda, Min- concluded her official visit to Cuba. context of South Africa’s priority to ister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma also During her visit, she presided over the consolidate and strengthen existing briefed the African Diplomats based in Regional Heads of Mission Confer- bilateral political and economic rela- Cuba on the political situation on the ence for the Latin American and Car- tions between South Africa and Cuba continent.

DFA Now • September 2008 5 South African Interests

Heritage Month

September marked the annual It is a day on which we recommit our- Heritage Month in South Africa. selves to nurturing the progress that Heritage Month recognises aspects humanity has made over time.” of South African culture which are both tangible and intangible: creative He further stated that we should expression such as music and per- ask ourselves some pertinent ques- formances; our historical inheritance; tions, including: language; the food we eat; and the • Are we doing enough to protect and popular memory. preserve the heritage bequeathed to us by our forebears? • Are we ourselves producing the kind The theme for Heritage Month of legacy that will be treasured and 2008 and Heritage Day, celebrated on cherished by future generations? 24 September, was: “Celebrating our • Will future generations pay homage Dance, our Heritage”. Dance is a ma- to our contributions and look back at jor means of artistic expression, and us with a smile? expanding and exploring new territory. • Or will they blame us for not Heritage Day celebrations was an ex- putting enough effort not only into pression of pride in multinational dance; preserving and protecting it, but also it promoted indigenous dance and in disseminating and popularising it? • Should we transmit all elements of encouraged new dancers, especially our Intangible Cultural Heritage to among the youth. This year’s Heritage our future generations? Day enhanced the values that define our humanity and mobilise communi- ties to act together in building a country He continued to talk about the united in diversity. heritage of the South African culture and the opportunity offered by Herit- South Africans around the country age Month to showcase our diverse celebrated Heritage Day in many dif- and unique dance heritage; as well as ferent ways, with the main event tak- our unique designs and costumes, our ing place at Maropeng in the Cradle regalia and other artefacts associated of Humankind. Here, the Minister of with our dance heritages. Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, said that “Heritage Day is an important South Africans also celebrated day on our calendar because it is not their common national heritage active- only the day on which all South Africans ly by braaiing on Heritage Day. The are given an opportunity to pause, re- founders of Braai4Heritage started flect and look back at all the good things this initiative as they believe braaiing that have been passed onto us by those is a deep-rooted tradition in South Af- who came before us; but it is also a day rica that cuts across all demographic to celebrate and relive the heritage that groups and will bring people together. was bequeathed to us by our ancestors. By Annelie Kirstein

6 DFA Now • September 2008 South African Interests International Mission activitiesrelations

A glimpse on THE WORLD

From September onwards, the dfa Now will be publishing features on our different missions. These features will give us an insight of how our colleagues live abroad and what their experiences are. We start this new feature with an article about our mission in Brussels, Belgium; the set Q+A was answered by Mr Mfenyana, Second Secretary Political at the Embassy.

Living in Brussels is a petite statue/fountain of a little boy overly generous rain. It rains a lot the urinating. There are several explana- whole year round, where when it rains You are stationed at the South Af- tions on the importance of the statue, for less than 150 days in the year, it is rican Embassy in Brussels, Belgium but the popular one is that it repre- considered a dry year. Tell us more about life in the city, its sents the cheekiness or boldness of people, the food and the culture. Belgium. The statue is situated in an What are the barriers/hurdles that area called the Grand Placé and is make day to day living as a foreigner The city is beautiful and well always surrounded by tourists fas- in Brussels difficult, e.g. language, preserved. The buildings are mostly cinated by the statue’s fame and its culture? very old, especially in the city centre, extensive wardrobe, which includes a surrounded by small coble-stoned Madiba outfit. Living in Brussels is not particularly streets. difficult, once one learns to tolerate Belgium is the country that colo- the weather – my supervisor advised The people keep to themselves nised the now Democratic Republic taking vitamin D tablets. Flemish and a lot and don’t go out of their way of Congo (DRC), under King Leopold. French are the two official languages to help people that they don’t know. As a result of King Leopold’s activities, of Brussels, but a large number of Brussels is not the kind of place where Brussels houses an African Museum people can also speak English, making people greet or make small talk with with a number of precious and rare communication less difficult. strangers; but this is more because artefacts from the DRC which are well the people concentrate a lot on their worth seeing. It is apparent that the It is worth noting that Flemish is family life and personal matters rather DRC government is content with the very similar to the language Afrikaans, than anything else. artefacts being kept in Belgium, as making it easy for Afrikaans speaking the DRC currently does not have an South Africans and Flemish speaking Brussels is well known for its fritz adequate place to keep and display Belgians to understand each other. (hot chips/french fries), its chocolate them. and its beer; the evil pleasures of The public transport system in the mouth and waistline. I am yet What were the biggest adjust- Belgium is also very convenient, to meet anyone here who doesn’t ments you had to overcome to live in making it possible for one to travel dabble in at least two of the above, Brussels most of Brussels without having to use but most Belgians happily immerse a car. Trams and the metro (subway) themselves into all of the above. As The weather; in South Africa the travel most of Brussels and there are an open-minded South African keen weather is usually a topic for small talk also buses as options. on understanding the local culture, but not something to worry about. In I unashamedly explore the foods Brussels, the weather is not just small What do you miss most of South and beverages of the country; in talk. Even in summer, sun is a rarity Africa? moderation of course. Belgium is also that is not taken for granted. When well known for its seafood, and as the the sun does come out, it also comes Many things, one of which has to city has become more cosmopolitan out on the peoples faces, where they be the weather. over the years, significantly due to the smile and look brighter, going on walks growth of the European Union, there and to the beach and almost talk to Chisa nyama has to be another are restaurants and shops that have strangers. The winter is a constant one – few things beat the smell of food from all over the world, including draining grey for weeks at a time. It is braaivleis on a Saturday afternoon. South Africa. cold every day with no relief, even on the one or two days of sunny surprise Petrol attendants is also something Describe a few of the major tourist in the month, it stays cold. In trying to I miss, not just because I am lazy to attractions in and around the city and find “silver lining” the Belgians take pour my own fuel, but because of their their significance, e.g. historical, archi- advantage of the cold by leaving their friendly conversation and willingness tectural, etc sealed beverages outside, reducing to assist in anything from directions the congestion in their fridges and to updates on how many goals Kaizer One of the most famous statues of keeping their drinks cold. To add to Chiefs is beating Orlando Pirates by. Brussels is the Manniken Piss, which Brussels’s terrible weather is the Continue on pg 8...

DFA Now •September 2008 7 Departmental Activities Departmental Activities

Continue from pg 7...

In all, I think I just miss the South African vibe! The spity-spity on a Fri- day afternoon, the eitha bra from a zealous car guard, the friendly neigh- bour that gets worried if you get home late, the aunt the reminds you to go to church and the dependable friend that knows when you get paid.

What do you do when you get homesick?

Listen to my favourite South Afri- can music and dance with my wife and son. The walls of all the houses here are pretty thick and the windows are double glazed to keep the heat in, they also work well in limiting the noise that goes out of the house, so DJ Fresh, Winter Games 2008 Glenzito, Bongz and Mafikizolo are played at high volume with no com- The DFA Sports Council takes The dam was a bit selfish, but plaints from our elderly neighbours. pride in congratulating departmental like a voice from the grave a reel sportsmen and -women on their sterling started screaming at 3:00 in the morn- How many people work at the performance during the 2008 Winter ing, bringing in a mirror carp of 2,25 South African consulate? Games held on Friday 29 August at the kg which made the owner, Mr van Rhulani Sport Grounds. Participants Straten, proud. This was unfortunately The Mission has about fifty peo- included South African Police Service, also the only fish caught by the DFA ple, of which thirty are locally recruited South African National Defence Force, team. Nevertheless, DFA came third in personnel and the rest are transferred NIA/SASS, Independent Complaints the event with this carp. The competi- staff. This number includes colleagues Directorate, National Prosecuting tion was won by the SAPS followed by from the Departments of Agriculture, Authority, Financial Intelligence Centre, the SANDF. Defence, Science and Technology, Special Investigation Unit and the South African Revenue Services (Cus- DFA. During this event it was also de- toms) and Trade and Industry. cided that an official DFA anglers’ club This year, a record number of DFA should be established as soon as pos- What characteristic or attribute of employees registered to participate sible to have events like this more of- the Belgium people do you think we as in sports like aerobics, angling, ten. It would serve as preparation for South African can learn from? chess, fun walk, athletics, snooker, the annual Winter Games, and per- pool, tennis, netball, volleyball, golf, haps also foreign diplomats in South Belgians are community-orientated motorcycling, soccer and squash. Africa could be invited to compete in people, where people get involved in events. community projects. South Africans DFA teams were crowned the could learn from that and get involved 2008 Winter Games champions in The DFA Sports Council in collab- in drives to improve their local the netball and volleyball events. The oration with the Employee Wellbeing communities. two teams performed outstandingly Centre (EWC) wishes to call on em- against very tough competition. ployees to become actively involved Belgians also value their own in the sport and recreation activities products, such as their chocolate, The Department also enrolled an of the Department. Employees are chips, beer and bicycles, with no angling team who competed at Baja reminded that the objectives of the need for the government to convince Dam in Bronkhorstspruit. The team Sports Council are to: Belgians to support or buy local consisted of four DFA officials; some products; that culture and spirit could family members and friends also joined • bring about unity and solidarity help South Africa grow financially and the event, bringing the DFA team to a among DFA employees through also improve community. total of nine anglers. Although some participation in sport and recreation; were more experienced than others, • create healthy relations between all were more than willing to learn. the Department and other national

8 DFA Now • September 2008 Departmental Activities Departmental Activities

Literacy is the best remedy

Literacy is a cause for celebration book and artefact displays, poetry, since there are now close to four bil- street theatre, cultural dancing and lion literate people in the world. How- music. ever, literacy for all – children, youth and adults – is still an unaccomplished Dr John Tibane, a leadership con- goal and an ever moving target. One sultant and professional speaker, held in five adults is still not literate (two- a motivational talk which was the high- Winter Games 2008 thirds of them women) while 72 million light for many. Adult Basic Education children are out-of-school. and Training (ABET) learners’ high- light was an enriching and fun day at The DFA, being a knowledge-based the Museum and Constitu- organisation, is largely dependent on tion Hill in Johannesburg, ending with its employees’ ability to read widely, a scrumptious lunch at Moyos. analyse, interpret information and write meaningful reports on issues in Hundreds of books have been Diplomacy and International Relations. donated by generous colleagues, who At the other end of the spectrum is are saluted in appreciation of their the challenge of providing education, caring and sharing. The books will be training and life skills at ABET level donated to a primary school in Klipgat for employees who did not receive and a high school in Winterveld at a any education or received very little date to be decided by the Director- education. General of Foreign Affairs.

The United Nations General Assem- Cherish the Turbo Think book that bly proclaimed a ten-year period, start- was given to you, read the words of ing 1 January 2003, namely the United wisdom of Dr Tibane, absorb it and Nations Literacy Decade. Annually, 1-7 live it. He said “Enrich your thinking; September is declared Literacy Week enlarge your territory; and improve the and 8 September International Literacy quality of your life.” Day. The Diplomatic Academy intro- government departments through duced the local celebrations thereof, These celebrations mark the sport and recreation; and during the mentioned week, halfway beginning of a journey towards building • promote, through sport and through the UN Literacy Decade. DFA as a learning organisation. recreation, bonds of friendship and co-operation between the DFA The week was filled with learning, Contributed by Directorate Generic and the international diplomatic reading, seminars, educational visuals, Skills Development community in SA.

Employees are encouraged to contact the Sports Council if they are interested in taking up the challenge and becoming involved in sport.

Contributed by DFA Sports Council and Chris van Straten (Angling Team)

DFA Now • September 2008 9 Ministry’s corner Ministry’s corner

Former Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad’s Briefing on International Developments, 18 September 2008

November 2008. During the third phase of the Project, some of the training will be undertaken in Southern Sudan in order to train large numbers and to assist with institution building.

Zimbabwe: Latest Political Developments

Former President Thabo Mbeki meets his Sudanese counterpart, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir at Khartoum airport, 15 September 2008.

Sudan application to the Pre-trial Chamber of Implementation of the the ICC for an arrest warrant against Comprehensive Peace Agreement President El Bashir. President El Bashir’s indictment is related to the From 15-16 September 2008, ongoing crisis in Darfur, which has President TM Mbeki undertook a work- resulted in the death of over 300 000 ing visit to the Sudan. During the visit, people and the displacement of over President Mbeki held discussions with 2,5 million Darfurians. The AU has President Omer Hassan Ahmed El Ba- urged the UNSC to invoke article shir and Vice President Salva Kiir Ma- 16 of the ICC Statute and defer the yardit on the latest developments in the process initiated by the ICC in order Sudan, particularly the: i) indictment of to avoid jeopardising peace efforts in President El Bashir by the Internation- the Sudan. The AU has also called for al Criminal Court (ICC), ii) implemen- the establishment of an independent Former President Thabo Mbeki with tation of the Comprehensive Peace High-Level Panel to investigate and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai Agreement (CPA); iii) Darfur conflict recommend on how to address the after signing the power-sharing accord on with special emphasis on the opera- issues of accountability and combating 15 September 2008. tionalisation of UNIMED; and iv) South impunity, on the one hand, and recon- Africa-Sudan Bilateral relations. Let me ciliation and healing, on the other On Monday, 15 September, ZANU- say that from this visit we are quite hand. PF and the two MDC formations signed convinced that some good progress is in Harare the historic Agreement being made, for instance the Compre- South Africa-Sudan Bilateral Rela- ending a long process of negotiations hensive Peace Agreement, the Interim tions facilitated by South Africa on behalf Evaluation Report indicates that quite SADC and AU. In the Agreement, substantial progress has been made The implementation of the DFA- the Parties declare their commitment to implement the CPA. GOSS-UNISA Capacity and Institution to agree to work together to create a Building Project for Southern Sudan genuine, viable, permanent, sustainable The International Criminal Court is running optimally. To date, fifteen and nationally acceptable solution training programmes have been to the Zimbabwe situation, and in On 14 July 2008, the International implemented and over 800 GOSS particular, to implement the Agreement Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, officials have been trained. The Project with the aims of resolving once and for Luis Moreno-Ocampo made an will be entering the third phase in all the current political and economic

10 DFA Now • September 2008 Ministry’s corner

situations and charting a new political direction for the country. Let me once again take this opportunity to say that this Agreement is indeed a historic agreement, indeed it is a milestone in the context of Africa taking the initiative, with the support of the international community, to find African solutions. We have consistently said that given the specific environment create which would enable the Zimbabweans to get together to solve their problems in a way that looks at national interests. It is our view that this has laid a solid foundation to dealing with other

Angolans queue outside electoral tents on 5 September 2008 in Luanda.

5-6 September 2008: Legislative Elections in Angola

Political events in Angola over the past period took a positive turn when legislative elections were held on 5-6 September 2008. A contingent of 10 South Africans, including members of Parliament and representatives of civil society, formed part of 80 SADC Observers of the legislative elections. The SADC Observers, led by Mr John Kunene of Swaziland, formed part of a bigger group of election observ- African problems, not in isolation, in ers, which included the AU and EU, order to ensure that we get an African ECOWAS and the USA. The final elec- solution supported by the international tion results still have to be published. community. The preliminary results indicate that the ruling MPLA has won a landslide The Burundi Peace Process victory obtaining 81,76% of the votes. UNITA, which has, together with the The Government of Burundi and other parties, accepted the results, the PALIPEHUTU-FNL have agreed was second with 10,36 % of the votes. to continue to hold regular meetings The Social Renewal Party (PRS) was aimed at addressing issues related third with 3,14 % and the other eleven to the implementation of the 2006 parties obtained 1% and less of the An Angolan woman casts her ballot Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement votes. It is not foreseen that the final on 5 September 2008 in the popular (CCA), following a series of meetings election results will differ much from neighborhood of Samba. on 19, 21 and 26 August 2008. these.

DFA Now • september 2008 11 Where were you..?