DROUGHT IN THE CAPE REGION: OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM
Official statement from South African Tourism
Cape Town and the Western Cape are open for business in-spite of the current drought. To counter the short-term effects of the drought the city has put in place a number of initiatives to increase the supply of water and make provision for water shortages for locals and visitors.
There will be water for tourists’ essential daily needs including access to drinking water and for personal hygiene. At present, tourists will be able to shower and maintain daily hygiene. Guidelines suggest a shower of no longer than 2 minutes. The use of baths is discouraged. Some swimming pools at hotels have been converted to salt (ocean) water.
Tourists will still be able to visit the region and access and enjoy primary tourism attractions such as Table Mountain, Cape Point and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Although specific river-based experiences may be impacted. There are still many places across the Western Cape that are not as severely affected by the drought such as the Garden Route and the Cape Overberg.
OR TAMBO CENTENARY CELEBRATION CONFERENCE IN PARIS
OR TAMBO CENTENARY CELEBRATION CONFERENCE IN PARIS
In the context of OR Tambo Centenary Celebration, the South African Embassy in Paris organises on 16 November 2017 a conference on Oliver Tambo whose main speakers are Ms Jacqueline Derens, anti-apartheid activist and author of the book “Dulcie September”, and Ms Euzhan Palcy, filmmaker, director and producer of “A White Dry Season”, rewarded with the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Silver. The two speeches will be followed by a video in OR Tambo.
Oliver Tambo (1917-1993) was the president of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1967 to 1991. He spent more than 30 years in exile.
Oliver Tambo was born on October 27 1917 in the village of Kantolo in Bizana, Pondoland. He was a bright student and leader from the start. He wanted to study medicine after school, but was not allowed to because of apartheid laws that prevented black people from studying medicine. He then opted to study a BSc degree in physics and mathematics at the then College of Fort Hare. Around this time, Tambo served as secretary-general of the student representative council, which led a policy of non-cooperation with university authorities that saw him being expelled. Tambo and his family went into exile at the request of the leadership of the ANC. It was during this time that he went around the world to drum up support and solidarity for the fight against apartheid. For most of the time he spent in exile, he served as an ANC leader. After the ANC was unbanned in 1990, Tambo and his family returned to South Africa. At the 1991 conference of the ANC, in true Tambo fashion, he declined to stand for any position, although he could have done so using his struggle credentials. The conference resolved to create the position of national chairperson in his honour. He died on April 23 1993 without having the honour of tasting the fruits of the freedom for which he fought. He was honoured with a state funeral.
The speakers:
Jacqueline Derens is a French writer and translator. Former English teacher, she became an anti-apartheid activist in the 70s. In 1979, she met with Dulcie September who became a close friend of her’s. From 1986 to 1994 she was secretary general of Rencontre Nationale contre l’apartheid. In1994, Jacqueline Derens founded the association RENAPAS, (Rencontre avec le Peuple d’Afrique du Sud). In 2012, she published a book on the ANC representative to France assassinated in Paris on March 29th1988. Jacqueline Derens often met South African leaders and among them Nelson Mandela with whom she had discussions on several occasions.
Euzhan Palcy is a French film director, writer and producer. She raised awareness about South African social injustices by converting the anti-apartheid novel of Andre Brink: “A Dry White Season” into film (1989). At that time, she travelled to South Africa defying the special section of the apartheid regime. Last Avril, she was bestowed the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Silver for "her excellent contribution to the liberation struggle by exposing South African social injustices through an international film that strengthened the revolution against apartheid."
Thursday 16 November 2017 at 18:00, Club Confair, 54, rue Laffitte 75009 Paris
President Zuma congratulates President-elect Macron on his victory
President Jacob Zuma has congratulated Mr Emmanuel Macron, President-elect of the Republic of France, following his victory on 08 May 2017 of the French presidential elections.
President Zuma said: "South Africa looks forward to working with the French government under the leadership of Mr Macron to consolidate the already strong political, economic and trade ties between South Africa and France."
France is an important source of foreign direct investment and also one of the highest sources of onward tourism for South Africa.
Relations between South Africa and France are structured through a Strategic Partnership encompassing political, economic, social and defence matters. The two countries cooperate in a wide variety of fields, especially in education and training, environment, health, transport, energy, science and research, as well as arts and culture.
President Zuma said: "South Africa will continue to work with the French government under Mr Macron to implement existing agreements and explore new areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of the South African and French people."
08 May 2017
FRENCH FILMMAKER EUZHAN PALCY HONORED IN SOUTH AFRICA
On Friday 28 April, as part of the 2017 National Orders Awards, President Jacob Zuma bestowed the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Silver on French film director Euzhan Palcy. This order is the highest honour in South Africa for a foreign dignitary. It recognises eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to South Africa.
Ms Euzhan Palcy was awarded “for her excellent contribution to the liberation struggle by exposing South African social injustices through an international film that strengthened the revolution against apartheid. Ms Euzhan Palcy raised awareness about South African social injustices by converting the anti-apartheid novel of Andre Brink: A Dry White Season (1989) into film. She travelled to South Africa defying the special section of the apartheid regime with the help of Dr Nthato Motlana, Nelson Mandela’s personal physician and friend, who smuggled her into Soweto undercover.
She risked her life to accurately portray apartheid in A Dry White Season and to give a voice to the oppressed South Africans. She convinced the studio to hire an all-South African black cast (rather than African-Americans) for the role of blacks. She made a revolution and made history in Hollywood”.
Palcy became the first black female director produced by a major Hollywood studio (MGM) and the only woman who succeeded in directing an anti-apartheid narrative feature film during the apartheid era.
Palcy is a Knight in the National Order of the French Legion of Honour since 2004; Officer in the National Order of Merit 2011, Knight of “Les Arts et des Lettres” since 1984. She was awarded the Medal of the city of Bordeaux in 2013. She received the Gold Medal of Martinique in 1990. She is Citizen of Honour of New York City, New Orleans, Sarasota and Atlanta.
President Jacob Zuma bestows the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Silver on French film director Euzhan Palcy.