PHYSICAL ADDRESS 460 Soutpansberg Road Rietondale Pretoria 0084 it’s your voice POSTAL ADDRESS the Private Bag X152 Pretoria 0001 TELEPHONE NUMBER +27 12 351 1000 FAX NUMBER + 27 12 329 1000 Internal Newsletter of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Volume 8, 2014 E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] WEBSITE ADDRESS www.dirco.gov.za DIRCO VISION The Department of International Relations and VALUES Cooperation’s (DIRCO) vision is an African DIRCO adheres to the following values: DIRCOza continent which is prosperous, peaceful, • Patriotism democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united and which contributes to a world that is just • Loyalty and equitable. • Dedication @theDIRCOza MISSION • Ubuntu DIRCO is committed to promoting South Africa’s national interests and values, the • Equity African Renaissance and the creation of a • Integrity better world for all. • Batho Pele. thedircoza What’s inside: • South Africa chairs • Global action required • Heads of Mission • DIRCO’s first SADC Organ on to realise women’s Conference Women’s Dialogue Politics, Defence and empowerment and Security Cooperation gender equality [email protected], Vol. 8 2014 1 Women’s march 1956 IN THIS ISSUE 4 Letter from the Editor contents 5 Did you know? FEATURE contents 6 South Africa chairs SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation 8 Heads of Mission Conference 10 Global action required to realise women’s empowerment and gender equality 12 Remembering the voices of the women of 1956 14 DIRCO’s first Women’s Dialogue 15 SA economy intertwined with Africa 16 Interview with Amb Robina Marks NEWS FROM ABROAD 19 Africa Day celebrations in Zimbabwe 20 Relations strengthened in Switzerland 21 Côte d’Ivoire celebrates 20 Years of Freedom 22 Springboks in Argentina VOICES 23 Celebrating 20 years of democracy and women empowerment and emancipation NOTICE BOARD 24 Winter games 24 GEMS services and schedule for 2014 8 24 Start your day off safely 25 Announcements REBOOT 26 Word puzzle 6 12 16 26 Soduko 27 Learn a new language 2 [email protected], Vol. 8 2014 [email protected], Vol. 8 2014 3 the it’s your voice South Africa’s population is estimated In the 2013/14 financial year, to be at 54 million with life expectancy through science diplomacy the diplomat is an internal newsletter at 61 years of age, Statistics South and smart co-investments, the of the Department of International Relations Africa (Stats SA) announced recently. Department of Science and and Cooperation published by the 1 2 Branch: Public Diplomacy Stats SA released the Mid-Year Technology secured R253 million in Population Estimates, and stated that science, technology and innovation EDITOR-IN-CHIEF life expectancy had increased from an funds from international partners. Clayson Monyela estimated 52 years in 2005 to 61 years This included a substantial MANAGING EDITOR in 2014. The increased life expectancy partnership with the Bill & Melinda Michelle Greeff can be attributed to the fact that the Gates Foundation in the health, [email protected] Letter from number of AIDS-related deaths is water and sanitation domains, EDITOR the Editor estimated to have decreased from and a dedicated programme with Delien Burger 363 910 deaths in 2005 to 171 733 the European Union, harnessing [email protected] Dear Diplomats, deaths in 2014. innovation for poverty alleviation. DESIGNERS Tshepo Ndlovu [email protected] outh Africa’s Heads of Action and ratified the Convention on the PHOTOGRAPHERS Jacoline Schoonees, Unati Ngamntwini, Mission (HoM) descended on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Yolande Snyman and the Pretoria at the end of August Against Women. Government Communication for the HoM Conference. Unquestionably, advances have been made and Information System The conference reflected on [email protected] but many women still remain marginalised the commitments of the Fifth Administration S Did you know ? and vulnerable to social risks and many and South Africa’s National Development DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES challenges remain. On page 10, Minister Plan. The ambassadors were also treated to Thembakazi Zulu Maite Nkoana-Mashabane calls on global Tel: +27 12 351 1169 several events during the course of the week. action to realise women’s empowerment and In order to build the creative Chinese company Jinko Solar recently The South African Parliament in [email protected] For more, turn to page 8. gender equality. economy countrywide and foster open its R80-million, 120-MW solar Cape Town has been officially More than 20 000 women marched to the PUBLISHER The Minister also addressed the women photovoltaic (PV) module production declared as a National Heritage Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest social cohesion, the Department The Department of International Relations and of the department during the first DIRCO of Arts and Culture supports 22 facility in Cape Town, Trade and Industry Site by the South African Heritage Cooperation (DIRCO) ©2014 against the extension of pass laws to women. 3 5 Women’s Dialogue, held on 22 August 4 Tel: +27 12 351 1000, www.dirco.gov.za In commemoration of this event, South national and regional festivals in all Minister Rob Davies announced. Within Resources Agency (SAHRA). The 2014. The dialogue is one of the activities Private Bag X152, PRETORIA, 0001 Africa annually celebrates Women’s Month provinces, including the Diamonds the space of three years, the REIPPP mandate of SAHRA is to identify, Republic of South Africa undertaken by the Chief Directorate: in August, with Women’s Day on 9 August. (Renewable Energy Independent Power protect and promote heritage Gender to focus on issues relating to gender and Dorings Festival in Kimberley, In this edition, the diplomat remembers the Producer Procurement Programme) resources in South Africa and it 460 Soutpansberg Road, Rietondale, mainstreaming mechanisms and measures the Macufe Festival in Bloemfontein, voices from 1956 such as Helen Joseph, Pretoria, 0084, Republic of South Africa and women empowerment in the department. the Calabash Festival in Mahikeng, model is fast developing into a new is the only mandated organistion Tel: +27 12 351 1000 Rahima Moosa, Sophie Williams and Lilian See page 14. the National Arts Festival in industry sector. Jinko Solar had opened tasked with grading and declaring Ngoyi. See page 12. the facility in response to the roll-out of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT South Africa was recently elected as Grahamstown and the Sixties heritage sites in accordance with 2014 is also the year in which we Directorate: Language Training Chair of the Southern African Development Festival in Mpumalanga, creating the REIPPP, where 148 MW of solar the National Resources Act, 1999. celebrate: Community Organ on Politics, Defence and significant platforms to promote local PV projects had been procured. Since • 60 years after the adoption of the Women’s Security Cooperation. Read more about talent. the beginning of the undertaking, it had Charter of 1954 the Organ’s challenges in promoting peace, deployed 300 MW of solar PV panels, security and stability in the region on page 6. • 20 years after the adoption of the Women’s reaching around 30% of market share. Charter for Effective Equality of 1994 No portion of this magazine may be produced • 19 years after the country signed the in any form without the written permission of Beijing Declaration and Platform for the publishers. DIRCO is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to Happy reading! amend and alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary. Copyright is reserved. Views in the Diplomat are not necessary those of DIRCO or the South African Government. They can accept no liability arising out of or in connection with the contents of this publication. 4 [email protected], Vol. 8 2014 [email protected], Vol. 8 2014 5 South Africa will persist in encouraging the FDLR and other negative forces to fully surrender within the given timeframe of six months and also making them aware of the military consequences should they fail to FEATURE South Africa chairs SADC Or gan on Politics, comply with the agreed timeframe. Furthermore, South Africa will mobilise the international community and state Defence and Security Coope ration signatories to the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework on the DRC and the region to support the process in the By Janice Strachan, Deputy Director: SADC, Sub-directorate: Stability, Peace And Security Great Lakes Region by assuming their full responsibilities. With regard to Madagascar, the SADC Organ will continue to support efforts towards national reconciliation, nation-building, socio- economic reconstruction and depoliticisation of the military. Work will be intensified towards encouraging the full implementation of the SADC Road Map on Madagascar to ensure lasting peace. Regarding Lesotho, South Africa will support the process to facilitate negotiations between the leaders of Lesotho’s governing coalition parties in an effort to finding a lasting political solution to the current impasse. South Africa remains committed to assist Lesotho return to normalcy. Finally, South Africa will lead SADC election observer missions to Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia to continue to consolidate democratic practices in the region. A major challenge that SADC faces, relates to its budget. Approximately 70% of the budget is contributed by international cooperating partners. This challenge would need to be addressed if we are to effectively