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The transformation of South Africa from an apartheid state to a free democracy is what makes it one of the most exciting countries in the world today.
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Obama visit to highlight South Africa, U.S. ties
18 June 2013
South Africa's growing importance in regional and international affairs as well as its relations with the United States will come under the spotlight when U.S. President Barack Obama visits the country later in June.
Obama is scheduled to make his first trip to South Africa as U.S. president when he and his wife Michelle travel to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania from 26 June to 3 July. Read full story.
SA takes lion’s share of convention industry
18 June 2013
South Africa had secured 88 international association meetings over the next five years to 2017, according to a report to Parliament on Tuesday by the National Convention Bureau.
These meetings would have an estimated economic impact of R2.6bn and draw about 198,900 delegates to the country, the bureau’s executive manager, Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, told the tourism portfolio committee. Read full story.
South African actor Fana Mokoena in New York City
18 June 2013
Fana Mokoena, appearing on the movie World War Z starring Brad Pitt, paid a courtesy call at the South African Consulate General on Tuesday, 18 June 2013. He has been featured in a number of international movies including Hotel Rwanda, Machine Gun Preacher, Safe House and South African-produced Man on Ground. World War Z premiered in New York’s Times Square on Monday, 17 June 2013 and will be in theaters from Friday, 21 June 2013.
Africa Straight Up on the Africa Channel
19 June 2013
Africa Straight Up, the 30 minute film written and produced by Teresa Clarke will air on television in the U.S. on Wednesday evening, 19 June 2013 on The Africa Channel.
Please see below for channels and times in various U.S. cities.
- New York City, NY -- channel 87 at 8pm, 8:30pm
- Chicago, IL -- channel 133 at 7pm, 7:30 pm, 8pm and 8:30pm
- Atlanta, GA -- channel 182 at 8pm, 8:30pm
- Los Angeles, CA -- channel 176 at 5pm, 5:30pm, 9pm, 9:30pm
- Washington, DC -- channel 188 at 8pm, 8:30 pm
Burger King Takes on McDonald's, KFC in South African Push
14 June 2013
Burger King Worldwide Inc. (BKW) plans to ramp up expansion in South Africa after opening its first restaurant in the country and enter other parts of the continent to take advantage of a growing middle class.
The maker of the Whopper burger has partnered with Johannesburg-based Grand Parade Investments Ltd. to set up Burger King South Africa and opened its first local outlet in Cape Town last month. That was 18 years after McDonald’s Corp. (MCD) started operating in Africa’s biggest economy and 42 years after YUM! Brands Inc. (YUM)’s fried chicken chain KFC. Read full story.
Statement on Cabinet meeting of 12 June 2013
13 June 2013
Cabinet’s position on prominent issues in the current environment. Read full statement.
Issued by Government Communications (GCIS)
Enquiries:
Phumla Williams (Acting Cabinet Spokesperson)
Contact: 083 501 0139
Warren Adams wins the 2013 Fred Astaire Award for Best Choreographer on Broadway for MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL
White House concerned about ailing Mandela’s health, wishes him a ‘speedy recovery’
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is wishing for a “speedy recovery” for ailing former South African President Nelson Mandela. The 94-year-old Mandela is currently in a Johannesburg hospital, receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection. Read full story.
South Africa's Low-Dose X-Ray Makes Its Mark
12 June 2013
South African X-ray system manufacturer Lodox Systems is making its mark on the international medical scene with a low radiation dose X-ray system that takes a full-body scan in just 13 seconds. It's even got the attention of the makers of popular American television drama Grey's Anatomy. The Xmplar-dr X-ray system, the company's latest product, featured in the 18th episode of season nine of the TV drama series for its functions in medical trauma and forensic pathology. Read full story.
South Africa's Triggerfish Animation Developing "Sea Monster" Film
10 June 2013
LONDON -- South African animation house Triggerfish Animation Studios is developing a new project under the working title Sea Monster.
The movie will be written by Raffaella Delle Donne, who already worked on the company's first two releases -- Adventures in Zambezia and Khumba. It will be produced by the Triggerfish producers who produced those two films, led by Triggerfish CEO and producer Stuart Forrest. Read full story.
South Africa's national oil company to explore with Sasol
10 June 2013
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's national oil company, PetroSA, has signed an agreement with petrochemicals group Sasol to explore for oil and gas in the country's offshore Orange Basin. Read full story.
SAA among six airlines to pass environmental assessment
10 June 2013
Pretoria - South African Airways (SAA) has become one of the first six airlines in the world to achieve IATA (International Air Transport Association) Environmental Assessment Stage 1 status.
"We are very proud of being one of six global airlines to achieve IEnVA Stage 1 status. As part of SAA's Group Environment Strategy and in SAA's continuous effort to become one of the world's greenest airlines, our customers can fly SAA assured that we are taking great steps to establish ourselves as a market leader when it comes to environmentally friendly operations, efficient aircraft, green buildings and environmentally conscious employees," SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said on Sunday. Read full story.
Hilton launches South African youth training plan
10 June 2013
Hilton Worldwide has launched a training programme to help create sustainable careers in the industry for young South Africans, as part of its global Youth in Hospitality initiative.
It was launched last week in partnership with South Africa's Department of Tourism, the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa and the International Youth Foundation.
Education is one of the key elements of the initiative, and Hilton Worldwide has partnered with various schools in the southern African region, where students will learn about university-level development and training programmes open to them as part of Hilton's global network organization. Read full story.
Global Design Award for South African project
10 June 2013
An early childhood development centre and teacher training facility in Johannesburg, designed and built by US student volunteers in partnership with South African engineers and contractors, has been named "best small project" in Engineering News-Record's (ENR's) inaugural Global Best Projects competition.
The winners, selected by an independent jury of industry leaders in design and construction, were announced during ENR's Global Construction Summit in New York on Friday night, 7 June 2013.
South Africa, Ethiopia race hots up
8 June 2013
Ethiopia won 2-1 in Botswana Saturday to stay two points ahead of fancied South Africa in a thrilling Group A race for FIFA World Cup™ survival. A couple of first-half goals for leading scorers Getaneh Kebede and Saladin Ahmed put bottom seeds Ethiopia in control before Tebogo Sembowa pulled one back in Lobatse. Read full story.
Fordham, University of Pretoria, Deepen Exchange
3 June 2013
University of Pretoria and Fordham University graduate students with Prof. Booi Themeli, Consul General George Monyemangene and Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool.
Fordham and the University of Pretoria formalized their relationship with a memorandum of understanding that allows for the exchange of students and faculty, joint research, and the exchange of scientific and educational literature, the universities have announced.
Stephen Freedman, Ph.D., provost and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Fordham, and Cheryl de La Rey, vice chancellor and principal of the University of Pretoria, signed the agreement between the two universities on March 12 at a ceremony at the University of Pretoria. Read more.
President Obama to visit South Africa
United States President Barack Obama will visit South Africa as part of his Africa tour.
The visit, which will also take him to Senegal and Tanzania, is scheduled from 26 June 2013 to 3 July 2013. Read full article.
Microsoft partners with South Africa's Jobs Fund
7 June 2013
Microsoft South Africa has partnered with the government's Jobs Fund to train more than 3,000 unemployed graduates to enable them to get permanent jobs in the country's technology sector over the next three years.
The students will sign 12-month internship contracts under the Jobs Fund banner, with a target of having at least 75% of them employed in full-time jobs by the end of their training. Read full article.
Recording Artists Kenny Lattimore and MC Lyte Team Up with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to Launch a Youth Empowerment Initiative in South Africa
WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - June 06, 2013) - The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), in collaboration with Valiant Innovative Creations, will launch its newest program, iLEAD - South Africa, June 10-16, 2013 in Johannesburg. International singer, Kenny Lattimore and Hip Hop Artist and Youth Activist, MC Lyte are amongst an impressive list of American and South Africa corporate and community leaders and celebrity talent who will participate in this week-long program. Read full article.
Blackberry opens third Apps Lab in South Africa
6 June 2013
BlackBerry has opened a new training and business centre for BlackBerry app developers in South Africa.
The Johannesburg hub, launched on Wednesday, 5 June 2013, will be the third of its Apps Labs based in the country, following the creation of others in Cape Town and Pretoria last year.
Members of the new Apps Lab will be able to use the shared workspace, which will be equipped with BlackBerry kit, get help and training, and attend events aimed at BlackBerry World developers.
The Johannesburg Apps Lab will be based at JoziHub, a shared workspace and tech hub in the city centre. BlackBerry's managing director for South Africa and Southern Africa, Alexandra Zagury, said JoziHub was chosen both for its existing community of startups and developers as well as its proximity to the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Wittswaterrand. Read full article.
South Africa Leads Continent's Cartoon Boom
by Christopher Vourlias
5 June 2013
When the South African delegation arrives at the Annecy toon fest, members will be looking to cement their growing reputation for world-class animation.
“For South Africa, it’s a great year,” says Veronique Encrenaz, head of projects at Annecy’s film market, noting that the country has a feature in competition for the first time, a special territory focus, and a case study for the animated feature “Khumba” as part of the fest’s conference program.
The country’s emergence reflects a broader trend across the continent, as animators from Morocco to Madagascar are showing increasing sophistication in a range of animation, from traditional cel animation to CG, stop-motion and 3D.
Johannesburg - Africa's most visited city for 2013
5 June 2013
Johannesburg will be Africa’s most visited city this year with an expected 2.5 million visitors this year and a growth rate of 5.5%. This is according to MasterCard’s third annual Global Destination Cities Index.
The MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities ranks cities in terms of the number of their total international visitor arrivals and the cross-border spending by these same visitors in the destination cities, and gives visitor and passenger growth forecasts for 2013. This Index and the accompanying reports are not based on MasterCard volumes or transactional data. Read full article.
Grant Thornton announces expansion in South Africa, Indonesia and Senegal
4 June 2013
Grant Thornton has doubled the size of its Johannesburg office through a merger with PKF, significantly expanded its presence in Indonesia through a strategic alliance with PT GNV Consulting Services and increased the size of Senegal operations through a merger with Excellence Consulting Group. This follows earlier 2013 mergers in Italy and South Africa. Read full story.
Claude Moshiywa wins Comrades
3 June 2013
Claude Moshiywa became the first South African winner of the Comrades Marathon's "up run" in 21 years when he claimed victory in the 88th running of the world famous ultra-marathon in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 2 June 2013.
The last South African winner of the Durban to Pietermaritzburg version of the Comrades had been Jetman Msuthu in 1992.
South African ambassador urges closer business ties
with Charlotte
By Caitlin McCabe
Thursday, 30 May 2013
South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool addressed a room of local businesspeople on Thursday, 30 May 2013, asking them to do just one thing: a simple craft project.
“Find an old map you have to waste, cut out the USA and put it on top of Africa,” the ambassador of South Africa to the U.S. said.
“What you will find is that all of the USA only fits into the Sahara Desert,” he said. “That’s how big Africa is. That’s how big its opportunity is.”
Rasool spoke at a luncheon hosted by the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, imploring local leaders to consider the economic opportunities in South Africa. Read full story.
Google invests R103m in South African solar project
2 June 2013
Search engine giant Google has invested R103-million in the Jasper power project, a 96 megawatt solar photovoltaic plant near Upington in South Africa's Northern Cape province, the organization announced on Thursday.
The project will be developed and funded by US solar energy project development firm SolarReserve, wind and solar farm developer Intikon Energy and empowerment investment company the Kensani Group. Read full story.
Danny Glover, President Zuma catch up
30 May 2013
American actor and activist Danny Glover paid a visit to South African President Jacob Zuma in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Glover is in the country as part of a delegation of the United Automobile Workers Union of America, led by its president, Bob King.
Walking down the steps of the President's Cape Town residence, Tuynhuys on Wednesday, the two men, who referred to one another as "my brother", chatted before stopping and smiling at the waiting bevy of journalists and television cameras. Read full story.
South African scientist elected to US academy
30 May 2013
South African botanist William Bond from the University of Cape Town has been elected as a foreign associate of the independent United States National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of his achievements in original research.
Bond, from UCT's Department of Biological Sciences, joins conservation biologist Richard Cowling from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth as the only two current South African foreign associates of the NAS, UCT announced last week. Read full story.
Stand-up man Trevor Noah mines South Africa for its comic gold
from The New York Post
By Frank Scheck
May 30, 2013
Not surprisingly, much of Noah’s act concerns race. Born 29 years ago during the apartheid era when mixed-race unions were prohibited — which provided the title of his show — what started out as a painful search for identity proved a source of much of his humor. Read full story.
SMA Solar Plans to Make Inverters in South Africa to Tap Market
29 May 2013
SMA Solar Technology AG (S92), Germany’s biggest solar-energy company by market value, plans to make products in South Africa as it targets growth there.
SMA, the biggest maker of inverters that convert power from solar panels for use on the grid, seeks to set up a factory in South Africa to meet local-content requirements and tap into the country’s growing energy market, the Niestetal-based company said in a statement. Read full story.
Buy Sell Invest and Visit (BSIV)
Johannesburg Conference 2013
The City of Johannesburg Conference
“Creating Competitive Advantage for the City and its Business Community”
1 – 3 July 2013
Sandton Convention Centre
Johannesburg, South Africa
The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Economic Development is hosting its first premier Trade and Investment Conference and Exhibition. This is the platform for Johannesburg to present its vision of development and to pitch investment projects in the Infrastructure, Resource, Services and Manufacturing sectors. With a R30 billion budget for infrastructure development over the next three years, The City of Johannesburg will be leading in Africa, linking transport development and creating sustainable and integrated communities.
The conference will provide an excellent platform for business-to-business networking, with high-level delegates from both international and local business expected to attend. In addition, key business influencers will be speaking throughout multiple sessions over the course of the event on the following strategic themes:
- Enhancing the Competitiveness of the City
- Drivers of Growth & Innovation
- Prioritizing Infrastructure, Resources, Services and Manufacturing Investment Opportunities
- The Role of Johannesburg in Regional Integration in Africa
More information.
21 May 2013
President Zuma sends condolences to the USA following devastating tornado
The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Jacob Zuma, has, on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, expressed condolences to the government and the people of the United States of America (USA) following a devastating tornado that has ripped through parts of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Said President Zuma: "We mourn with the Government and the people of the USA, particularly the affected families in Oklahoma City, as they come to terms with the effects of the devastating tornado that has ripped through parts of the city, leaving behind a trail of destruction and death."
President Zuma added: "The Government and the people of South Africa sympathize with and share the grief of those that have lost their loved ones as a result of this tragedy."
South Africa and the United States enjoy cordial diplomatic relations, characterized by frequent high-level visits and exchanges. In June 2013, President Jacob Zuma will host his USA counterpart, His Excellency President Barack Obama, who is expected to lead a high-level diplomatic and trade delegation to South Africa.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, +27 82 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
MTN makes global brands top 100
22 May 2013
South African mobile telecommunications operator MTN was the only African brand to be ranked in the Millward Brown BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2013 survey released on Tuesday, 21 May 2013.
MTN rose nine places to 79th in the eighth edition of the international research agency's annual survey, with its overall brand value increasing by 23% to US$11.40-billion. MTN made its debut on the list in 2012 in 88th spot. Read full story.
Team South Africa wins World Surfing Games
14 May 2013
The South African surfing team celebrated a superb double at the 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games in Panama on the weekend when they were crowned the ISA World Team Champions and captain Shaun Joubert clinched the ISA men's world champion title. Read full story.South African film industry adds R3.5bn to GDP
14 May 2013
The South African film industry contributes R3.5-billion annually to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), while providing employment for more than 25,000 people, according to a new impact study on the industry. Read full story.
South Africa scoops top accolade is is voted the number one dream destination in the world by WAYN members
14 May 2013
South Africa has taken the coveted top spot with more than 15,300 votes and joining them on the podium is Brazil, followed closely by Dubai. In total an incredible 78,000 votes were counted for all seven of the destinations, which also included Fiji, India, Turkey and Indonesia. Read full article
South Africa a "promising investment destination"
10 May 2013
South Africa is a promising investment destination, business executives from companies from around the world said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town this week.
"The [African] continent and particularly South Africa is a very promising, interesting destination for investments," said Pedro Pereira da Silva, chief operating officer and country manager Poland and Portugal for Jeronimo Martins Dystrybucja.
Pereira da Silva is one of over 600 business leaders attending the two-day forum, which ends on Friday, 10 May 2013.
He said with Europe's continuing gloomy outlook, the Portuguese food distribution and manufacturing group was looking at growing markets like Africa and South America to expand. Read full article.
SA heritage on show at Tourism Indaba
9 May 2013
South Africa's heritage and cultural stories will take the spotlight with the debut of the South Africa Heritage and Culture Pavilion at the 2013 Tourism Indaba, taking place in Durban from 11 - 14 May 2013.
The pavilion is a collaboration between South African Tourism, the Department of Tourism, and natural, historical and cultural attraction guide the Moja Heritage Collection, to make the country's tourism experiences more accessible to global travellers. Read full article.
South Africa signs agreements with bidders in REIPPP
9 May 2013
Pretoria - South Africa on Thursday, 9 May 2013 signed agreements with preferred bidders in Window 2 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP) that will contribute to the country’s energy mix and job creation. Read full article.
South African Tourism Ubuntu Award-Winner Africa Adventure Consultants Recommend Top Ways to See South Africa
7 May 2013
Honored by South African Tourism with its Ubuntu Award for Creative Destination Marketing, safari company Africa Adventure Consultants (AAC) suggests five ways to visit South Africa. AAC won the “outstanding trade partner” award by promoting South Africa family safaris. Read full article.
Visit by Mr. ES Reddy
7 May 2013
Left to right: Ambassador Jeremiah Mamabolo, Mr. ES Reddy, Consul General George Monyemangene.
Mr. Enuga S. Reddy is a former UN Assistant Secretary-General in charge of the Center against Apartheid, which he directed from 1976 to 1984. He was also the first Principal Secretary of the Special Committee against Apartheid. Mr. Reddy has written extensively on the struggle for liberation in South Africa and on international solidarity with the struggle.
Meeting with Mystic Aquarium Officials
1 May 2013
Left to right: Sea Research Foundation Vice President Kelly Matis, Sea Research Foundation Executive Vice President Dr. Tracy Romano, Consul General George Monyemangene, Mystic Aquarium Veterinarian Dr. Allison Tuttle and Consul Bernard Legodi.
Left to right: Consul Bernard Legodi, Sea Research Foundation President & CEO Dr. Stephen Coan, Sea Research Foundation Trustee Susette Tibus, Sea Research Foundation Executive Vice President Peter Glankoff, Consul General George Monyemangene, Mystic Aquarium Supervisor of Penguins Laurie Macha, Mystic Aquarium Penguin Trainer Tracy Camp, Mystic Aquarium Penguin Trainer Josh Davis.
Freedom Day 2013
26 April 2013
Left to right: Fr. Michael Lapsley, Consul General George Monyemangene, Justice Albie Sachs and South African Ambassador to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Jeremiah Mamabolo.
Born in the RSA - and big in the USA
They make up but a handful of the immigrant population to the US, but an impressive number of South Africans have risen to the top of their fields.
Most say the same thing. They came to the United States either to avoid army conscription or apartheid itself in the late 1980s. They planned to stay for just a few years, but they stayed on.
A quarter century later, this small generation of South African immigrants has risen to break through, en masse, into such key leadership roles that they're changing the US. Read full article.
Join South Africans in North America at Google+
The group, Global South Africans in North America, is hosted by Brand South Africa and allows you to post events you'd like to draw community members' attention to. You can also have discussions on any topics relating to our country or whatever affects South Africans in North America. But what is truly unique about the group is that we're working towards hosting hangouts (similar to what President Barack Obama has done) with Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and the various Consuls-General to chat with South Africans in North America from time to time and answer any questions you may have.
Please also encourage other South Africans in North America in your circles to join this community!
