FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
Monday, 17 October 2022
MEDIA FREEDOM IN SOUTH AFRICA IS CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM AND PRIDE
Dear Fellow South African,
A free press is among the most significant dividends of our democracy, yet it is one that we perhaps take the most for granted.
On Wednesday, we will observe Media Freedom Day in South Africa, marking the events of 19 October 1977 and what became known as Black Wednesday.
This was when the apartheid regime banned The World, Weekend World and The Voice newspapers, arrested the legendary The World editor Percy Qoboza and scores of activists, and outlawed several Black Consciousness organisations.
In South Africa barely 45 years ago, the very practice of journalism was seen as a threat to the stability of the state.
In reflecting on how things have changed since the advent of democracy the real-time barometer on global press freedom published by Reporters without Borders (RSF) is instructive.
At the bottom of each country report is an infographic detailing abuses of journalists.
One considers for example that this year alone 45 journalists and 4 media workers have been killed in various parts of the globe in circumstances relating to their work. Also, this year, 207 journalists and 7 media workers have been imprisoned.
In South Africa, no journalists were killed in 2022 in circumstances relating to their journalistic activity and none were imprisoned. This was also the case last year, the year before and in the years preceding them.
This is an indicator of the robust health of not just our media but of democracy itself.
That journalists are free to ply their trade without fear of retribution is something we can be extremely proud of. In South Africa, media can publish and broadcast freely, and the media regulates itself through various mechanisms such as the Press Code.
Tabloid style journalism exists alongside serious reportage. Serious, informed critique exists alongside gossip-mongering and broadsides against public personalities, celebrities and politicians.
As the head of state, I am the subject of different media products on a near daily basis. That the President should be consistently in the media’s crosshairs is to be expected and I will continue to take it in my stride.
Media freedom is a fruit of democracy and one we must all jealously safeguard and strive to uphold.
This is particularly the case when there are attempts to intimidate, threaten or silence journalists using online and other platforms. This was particularly witnessed during the state capture era.
What was most disturbing were the attacks directed at female political journalists on social media platforms, using misogynistic terminology and even accompanied by threats of sexual violence.
Given this regrettable period in our not-too-distant past, it is of concern that we are seeing a resurgence of online and other forms of abuse directed against journalists in our national life.
The ill-treatment of journalists that is happening in so many parts of the world is something that should not be allowed to happen in South Africa. The media plays an unparalleled role in ensuring there is accountability in our democratic order, so we must all stand firm against any attempts to intimidate or silence journalists.
Despite our gains around press freedom, this year South Africa’s ranking in the RSF World Press Freedom Index dropped three notches since 2021.
There are multiple facets to media freedom. Journalists’ safety is just one indicator; the others are political and economic context, legal framework and sociocultural context. The index cites accessing quality journalism via paywalls as an economic barrier for citizens, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on funding for small and independent media to operate and online smear campaigns by political parties directed at journalists.
Another factor that is heavily impacting the state of journalism not just in South Africa but around the world is the threat posed by disinformation.
The steady encroachment of disinformation being disseminated online and even by established media outlets is worrying. Its potential to cause harm extends way beyond the confines of an individual consumer of news.
We witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of this during the 2021 July unrest in several parts of the country, when false information disguised as reportage inflamed tensions between communities and was used to mobilise people to commit criminal acts and even to incite violence.
In the disinformation age, we need more media, not less.
The only counter to the proliferation of disinformation is the growth and expansion of credible news media outlets. The only counter to bad journalism rife with political agendas and ‘purging crusades’ is credible, well-trained journalists whose only interest is educating and informing the public.
Both government and the private sector are called upon to play their part in supporting the free press by ensuring its sustainability through advertising, content partnerships and other models.
We are fortunate indeed that we have come a long way since Black Wednesday.
As we commemorate Media Freedom Day, we salute our nation’s hardworking journalists, editors and other media workers who continue to fulfil their important role in the service of democracy.
With kind regards,
SOUTH AFRICA AT SIAL 2022
SOUTH AFRICA AT SIAL 2022
15-19 October 2022
Villepinte-Parc des Expositions
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Platinum Foods Pty Ltd t/a Fatima Favourite Food (Ready made samosa Pies, Springroll, Puff pastry, sausage rolls) ● Spicy Bulldog (Pty) Ltd (Wholegrain Mustard, Chillie Sauce, Chutney) ● Inverness Beverages CC T/A Nature Zone (Herbal Tea Fitness water) ● Cape Hot House Vegetables CC t/a Fynbos Fine Foods (Sauces) ●Bergendal Rooibos (Pty) Ltd t/a Carmien Tea (Rooibos) ●Rhodes Foods Group (Pty) Ltd (Canned Fruits) ●Southern Right Food Pty Ltd t/a Walkerbay Spice (Spices, Herbs Himalayan salts) ●Vest Active Four Pty Ltd t/a Rio Largo (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) ● House of Natural Butter Pty Ltd t/a Eden of Africa (Peanut butter, Almond butter, Macademia Butter, Jam) ● Rozendal Farm CC (Vinegar) ● Taste Africa Foods Pty Ltd (Dried Fruits) ● Terrisano Holdings (Pty) Ltd t/a Phyto Pro (Energy Sports drink, Collagen Booster, Vegab Protein)● Langeberg & Ashton Food a Division of Tiger Brands Limited (Canned Fruits) ● Energy Supplements CC (Meal replacements, High protein shakes, Protein Cereal, Nutritional crunchy) ● Zazi's Production CC ( Biltong, Dried Fruits, Juice) ● Funky Ouma Gourmet (Pty) Ltd (Olive Oil, Himilaya Salt, Chilli Oil) ● South African Vegetables and Canner's Export Council (SAVCEC)- Export Council ● Blue Shirt Baketry Pty Ltd (Wraps & Tortillas, Waffles, Pitas)● Miante Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd (Caricas nuts, oyoyo nuts, trail mix, cashew nuts, peanut butter, roasted nuts)● Cape Honeybush Tea CC (Rooibos Tea, Honeybush Tea)● AH Vest Ltd t/a All Joy Foods (Pty) Ltd (Spices & Sauces) ● Incasa Foods (Pty) Ltd (Periperi Sauce) ● Kaukou (Pty) Ltd (Honeybush Tea) ●Greenway Farms (Pty) Ltd- Roska Group Pty Ltd t/a Roska Artisan (vegan Ice Cream, ice cream cakes, reduced sugar ice creams)●Gudgu (Pty) Ltd (sugar free cordial)
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
Monday, 10 October 2022
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT HOLDS THE KEY TO OUR FUTURE
There are few presidential activities more fulfilling than spending a morning in the company of small children. Last week, I attended the opening of the Little Flower early childhood development (ECD) centre in Bizana in the Eastern Cape, where I got to spend time with some of the future leaders of our country, reading to them and listening to them.
The centre was recently built by the development organisation Impande South Africa through the support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
I was deeply touched by the dedication of the centre’s staff to supporting the community and its children. They told me how in the centre’s earliest days, staff struggled to get paid and yet still came to work. They also told me that even if families are not able to pay the R20 fee for their child, the children are not turned away.
The commitment of the ECD centre staff is so important because early childhood development centres play a pivotal role in our nation’s development. These centres can be found in every village, town and city in the country. Most were started by women in the community to support parents who need their children to be cared for when they are at work. Many of these centres began as creches and day-care facilities. Many have subsequently grown and expanded to incorporate a basic learning curriculum into their services.
As government, we have taken up the task to improve the standards of care and make resources available for ECD centres to run suitable activities for young children to prepare them for formal education. In April this year, we completed the move of the ECD function from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education. This is to link early childhood development to the formal school curriculum and to provide training, education and development to staff in ECD centres around the country.
Because this foundational learning is key to a child’s success in later years, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill that is currently before Parliament proposes that it be compulsory for all children to receive two years of ECD before they enter Grade 1. It is at this stage that children should be taught, learn through play and receive at least one meal a day.
Early childhood development centres don’t just prepare our country’s youngest citizens to succeed in school; they are also an important source of entrepreneurship and job creation. These centres are an important part of the care economy. They sustain livelihoods, especially for women, which contributes to job creation in many communities.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, ECD centres were hard hit. Facilities that rely on school fees to keep running were unable to pay their staff and many parents who lost their jobs were unable to keep their children enrolled.
In response, government established the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund to help ECD centres that had lost income as a result of the pandemic and to enable them to recover.
Preparing our youngest citizens with the tools they need to succeed in life is a responsibility we must collectively shoulder. We must continue to do all we can, as government, the private sector and development organisations, to support early childhood development.
With the many valuable services it provides, whether it is educating our children, providing childcare for working parents or creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, ECD makes a huge contribution to the achievement of many of our developmental goals.
Since the care economy is mainly driven by women, such support goes a long way towards helping women, especially in disadvantaged communities, to become financially secure and independent.
The young children in these centres are the next generation of South Africans who must be able to live up to their full potential as responsible, capable and outstanding citizens.
They must be able to pursue their dreams so that we all may achieve our shared dream of a free, prosperous and happy nation.
With best regards,
SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM WEBINAR
SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM WEBINAR
Come as you are. Leave as you'll never be again. Live Again!
The Embassy of South Africa in Paris, in cooperation with South Africa Tourism, organised a webinar on post-Covid South African tourism on Thursday 6 October 2022. The event was attended by H.E. Tebogo Seokolo, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to France, Ms Roxane Vergught, Account Manager at Interface Tourism France, Professor Nellie Swart, Associate Professor of Tourism Management at the University of South Africa, Mr Ian Utermohlen: Regional General Manager, South African Tourism and Ms Mathilde Lamberdiere, Managing Director at Akilanga.
The aim of the seminar was to share optimism about the recovery of tourism activity in South Africa and to consider how the French tourism industry can participate in this recovery.
South Africa is the largest tourism destination in Sub-Saharan Africa, welcoming more than 10 million tourist arrivals annually over the pre-pandemic period. Prior to the pandemic, the majority of tourists coming from countries outside of Africa came from Europe at approximately 65.1%, with France being the fifth leading country providing over 160 000 tourist visits in 2019 and 12 509 in January 2020 before the pandemic.
Stats SA’s numbers reveal that by June this year, South Africa had received about 2.28 million international visitors, well on track towards surpassing 2021’s full-year total of just over 2.3 million. This is a positive indication that full recovery of the sector is within reach by the end of 2022, but this will require concerted effort towards its revival.
Over the past two years, the tourism industry was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which had many disastrous effects on the economy and employment. Today, tourism has become one of the priorities of the country's reconstruction and economic recovery plan.
South Africa’s ‘live again’ campaign
With this objective in mind, South African tourism has launched, among other initiatives, a global advocacy marketing campaign, which invites visitors to come and ‘Live Again’ in South Africa. This campaign has intensified targeted communication on digital platforms to sell South Africa as a destination of choice and to invite the world to come and “‘live again’ with us”. “The goal is simple, albeit daunting under the circumstances - restore the sector to its pre-COVID-19 pinnacle and take it even higher. The aim is to use this to catapult South Africa’s tourism sector to the forefront of the country’s economic recovery effort and position South Africa as safe and secure destination”, explained Minister of Tourism, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, on the day of the launching.
Thus, on 6 October, French players in the tourism industry were invited to contribute to the promotion of the South African destination. As we all know, South Africa is a country like no other. South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world and a destination with something for everyone: nature, landscapes, sport, culture, business.... As Mathilde Lamberdiere, Managing Director at Akilanga recalled, it is a country with modern, well-maintained infrastructure and despite inflation, the rand/euro exchange rate remains stable and favourable to Europe.
SOUTH AFRICA TO SHOWCASE ITS BOATBUILDING CAPABILITIES IN FRANCE
SOUTH AFRICA TO SHOWCASE ITS BOATBUILDING CAPABILITIES IN FRANCE
26 September, 2022
The Grand Pavois International Boat Show will take place in La Rochelle, France, from 27 September to 3 October 2022. South Africa will be participating as the incoming Guest Country of Honour for the year 2023. The annual boat show attracts boat builders and other stakeholders from all over the world, including South African boatbuilders and manufacturers.
The Grand Pavois International Boat Show is the one of the biggest boat shows in the world, with exhibitions covering an area of 100,000 m2 at Port des Minimes in La Rochelle. This includes a representation of 800 international brands and 35 nations, 200 accredited international journalists, 750 boats on show, 250 new products and an intake of approximately 80 000 visitors every year.
South Africa’s Ambassador to France, H.E. Tebogo Seokolo says: “The show presents an important opportunity for international trade in this field and increasing bilateral trade with France as South Africa has one of the leading boatbuilding industries in the world. Furthermore, since the boat show is mainly for leisure boats, it is inextricably linked to tourism promotion. As such, the event also serves as an important platform through which we can promote South Africa’s tourism value proposition to an international market.”
On this occasion, the Embassy of South Africa to France will be hosting a cocktail reception on 27 September 2022 for the official announcement of South Africa as the Guest Country of Honour in 2023, as well as an exhibition for promoting the South African brand and showcasing the country’s tourism offering and boatbuilding industry from 27 September to 3 October 2022. South Africa’s participation this year is a prelude to the main event of hosting a full country exhibition in a 700m2 pavilion at the Grand Pavois International Boat Show as the Guest Country of Honour in 2023.
Leading the South African delegation will be H.E. Tebogo Seokolo, South African Ambassador to France, Monaco and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. The delegation will include other South African government agencies, South African Tourism Hub in France, Brand South Africa, South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX) and the Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Agency (WESGRO).
For more enquiries, please contact:
Ms Lihle Mancoba
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Issued by Brand South Africa