Political and business leaders from the continent and its diaspora will meet in South Africa next week for the Global African Diaspora Summit, which will explore ways of involving the diaspora in Africa's development.

With less than a week to the start of the summit, host country South Africa says preparations are at an advanced stage.

Confirmations for attendance are pouring in, ranging from heads of state to Africans in the diaspora across the Atlantic, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane told reporters in Pretoria on Tuesday.

The summit will be hosted by the African Union in Sandton, Johannesburg from 23 to 25 May.

"The continent values the significant role the African diaspora played in the struggles against colonialism and apartheid," Nkoana-Mashabane said. "We continue to perceive the diaspora as vital in the pursuit for a peaceful and prosperous Africa."

The summit will consider issues such as the possible inclusion of the diaspora as a sixth region of the African Union, the creation of partnerships between the diaspora and the continent, and the promotion of South-South cooperation for the betterment of the continent and its diaspora.

The summit is expected to endorse an AU Diaspora Volunteer Programme, which would associate the diaspora directly with the development efforts on the continent and give concrete meaning to concept of one African family.

It will also look at the development of a skills database of diaspora professionals; an African Diaspora Development Fund; and the model of a "development marketplace for an African diaspora" as a framework to facilitate innovation and develop entrepreneurship both on the continent and within the diaspora.

Source: BuaNews

African agriculture is undergoing a transformation, creating a new era of opportunity for both farmers and investors, according to African and global leaders at the World Economic Forum on Africa.

The Grow Africa Investment Forum, convened jointly by the African Union, Nepad and the World Economic Forum (WEF), engaged over 270 leaders at the gathering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Thursday.

These included heads of state and government from Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania, as well as leaders of African and global business, international and donor agencies and farmer organizations.

Huge investment potential

Forum participants noted that African agriculture offers tremendous growth potential to investors, which in turn promised to strengthen food security and economic opportunity on the continent.

Greater private-sector investment and improvements to the business enabling environment were needed to capture this potential, delegates were told.

The leaders noted that much of the continent's agricultural potential remains untapped. "We have scratched the surface, but we haven't yet broken the mould," said Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. "When we do that, you will see the explosion of development in Africa."

During Thurday's session, seven countries showcased specific investment and partnership opportunities aligned to their national priorities for agricultural transformation.

'We are ready to do business'

"We are ready to do business; that's why we came to this meeting," said Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, noting that Tanzania's agriculture investment strategy prioritized groups that could most benefit from new market opportunities.

"When we bring in the private sector, it is to benefit the smallholder farmers," Kikwete said. "We need to modernize agriculture and make it more attractive to youth."

President Kikwete added that governments had an important role to play in providing support in areas of irrigation, inputs and building commodity markets. However, private sector investment was also essential in order to avoid over-dependence on subsidies.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame said that African countries could "mobilize farmers into an entrepreneurial mindset and create new opportunities for women, youth and rural entrepreneurs."

'New ways of leveraging the agriculture sector'

The Grow Africa partnership has developed significant momentum since it was launched at the 2011 World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.

A total of 116 companies participated in the Grow Africa Investment Forum, including 49 African and 47 multinational companies, plus 20 from other regions such as Asia and the Middle East.

"Much of the investment in Africa can come from Africa if we provide the right financing mechanisms and policy environment," said African Export-Import Bank president Jean-Louis Ekra.

According to Unilever executive vice-president Frank Braeken, African leaders "are defining new ways to leverage the agriculture sector as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth. This offers new agribusiness opportunities that are increasingly attractive to investors."

Empowering African farmers 'crucial'

Participants agreed that empowering African farmers would be central to the future of agriculture on the continent.

"Smallholder farmers are a sleeping giant in Africa," said Dyborn Chibonga, CEO of the National Smallholder Farmers' Association of Malawi. "That sleeping giant needs to be mobilized into collective action groups."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the way to realize this was through increasing the productivity of small farmers and having them well organized and collaborative in order to take advantage of supply chains and investments

Ethiopia has achieved significant gains in agricultural productivity using this model in recent years, setting aside 16% of its national budget for agriculture - well above the 10% to which all African governments have committed themselves.

The Grow Africa partnership, coordinated by the African Union, Nepad and the WEF, aims to "galvanize sustainable investment into African agriculture based on country-led priorities," the WEF said on Thursday.

According to the WEF, Grow Africa builds upon the CAADP, which works to boost African agricultural productivity through sector development plans. Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia are the first countries to engage with Grow Africa.

"The Grow Africa platform is open to all countries, and can accelerate the implementation of national investment plans developed through the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme," said African Union chairperson Jean Ping.

The potential seen in African agriculture presents a transformational opportunity, according to WEF vice-chairman Josette Sheeran. "Working together, we can ensure that when we meet in 10 years, it will be in an Africa that is not only feeding itself, but helping to feed the world."

SAinfo reporter and World Economic Forum

Open for business

First-world infrastructure plus a vibrant emerging market equals huge investment potential!

Brad Morgan

Former Proteas wicketkeeper Dave Richardson has been selected by the International Cricket Council (ICC) board to succeed fellow South African Haroon Lorgat as chief executive. Richardson's name will be recommended at the ICC's annual conference in June.

There were four candidates for the position, but it came down to a choice between Richardson and England and Wales Cricket Board CEO David Collier, with Richardson cracking the nod after a meeting of the ICC nominations committee in Mumbai, India this past weekend. He will become the first former test cricketer to hold the position.

On hearing of his nomination, Richardson told the ICC: "It is a great honour to be nominated to be chief executive of the ICC. I am delighted with this opportunity and thank the ICC board for their approval.

'A privilege'

"It has been a privilege to serve as ICC general manager of cricket, and that work will continue until such time as the ICC annual conference ratifies my nomination," Richardson said. "I am looking forward to working closely with all the membership and stakeholders in the game.

"It is an honour to be following a fellow South African, Haroon Lorgat, in this role. I have learnt a lot under his leadership and thank him for his support in the last four years."

Richardson, a qualified lawyer, has served as the ICC's general manager for the past decade, and that experience played a big role in his selection to the post of CEO.

'The most important thing'

ICC president Sharad Pawar told ESPN Cricinfo: "What made Richardson the most suitable candidate was his knowledge of the ICC, and that was the most important thing.

"He was an internal candidate. He is a former test player and brings a lot of international cricket experience to the table," Pawar said.

"In addition, he has been working with the ICC for quite long and is completely aware about the ICC operations and the members. All this only made it a unanimous decision."

Cricket career

Richardson played 42 tests for South Africa, claiming 150 catches and two stumpings.

He scored 1 359 runs at an average of 24.26, including one test century, 109, against New Zealand in Cape Town in January 1995, when he was named man of the match and man of the series. He had missed out on a century in the first test by only seven runs.

Richardson also played in 122 one-day internationals in which he made 148 catches and 17 stumpings. He scored 868 runs at 19.72.

His son, Michael, is also a wicketkeeper and plays for English county Durham.

International models on how to boost the development of the ICT sector in Africa will come under the spotlight during the inaugural ICT Indaba taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 4 to 7 June.

The event, organised by the Department of Communications and endorsed by the International Telecommunications Union, aims to formulate an African Agenda to promote ICT as a catalyst for social and economic development on the continent.

According to the department, hundreds of delegates from Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America, including ICT executives and government representatives, will take part in the 2012 ICT Indaba, while ICT regulators from more than 50 countries on the continent have also been invited.

One of the keynote speakers at the Indaba will be ITU deputy secretary-general Houlin Zhao, who will present a paper on the role of ICTs in socio-economic development.

Tech gurus peer into Africa's crystal ball

One of the highlights of the Indaba will be a "crystal ball exercise" in which eight international experts will discuss strategies for entrepreneurs and predict the future of technology in Africa and the world over the next 15-20 years.

The crystal ball "gurus" will include Dimension Data chairman Andile Ngcaba, Japan Science Agency director Shig Okaya, Global Innovation Summit (Silicon Valley) executive chairman Alfred Watkins, Intel Capital Africa director Sam Mensah, and Microsoft Middle East and Africa regional head Zaki Khoury.

Vijay Tharumartnam of Multi Development Corporation will speak on the Malaysian "Silicon Valley experience" during a session devoted to "developing smart cities in the African context", in which there will also be presentations on Bangalore, Indian's Silicon Valley, Mexico's Guadalajara, and Egypt.

Developing country models for skills development

Speakers from Rwanda, China, India, and Cuba will discuss developing country models for building and retaining the necessary skills base for a robust ICT industry. These will include Miche Bezy, associate director of Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda, who will look at how Rwanda is producing a competitive ICT skills base.

Dr Jun Xia of the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications will discuss the Chinese model of advancing rural development through ICTs, the Indian model will look at conceptualising e-skills development programmes, while the Cuban model will share experiences on producing industry-ready graduates.

Other sessions will focus on broadband connnectivity and policies for advancing the knowledge-based economy in Africa, while speakers from the World Bank and African Development Bank will address a key session looking at infrastructure development as a basis for integrated ICT initiatives.

Communications Minister Dina Pule said the ICT Indaba sought to ensure that ICT fulfilled its potential as an enabler of economic growth and job creation, not only in South Africa but throughout the continent.

"I take pleasure in inviting our compatriots across the Diaspora to our country to partner with us, the ICT industry, labour and civil society as we enter a bold partnership that seeks to shape the development of the continent," Pule said in a statement on Tuesday.

SAinfo reporter

South African President Jacob Zuma has joined international leaders in congratulating Francois Hollande following the socialist party leader's victory in France's presidential runoff elections on Sunday.

Hollande won an estimated 51.05 percent of the votes, beating Sarkozy's 48.95 percent, according to initial results.

"We would like to take this opportunity to extend our congratulations to Mr Hollande and the people of France for a successful election," Zuma said in a statement on Sunday evening.

He said South Africa and France enjoyed strong bilateral political and trade relations, and hoped that the two countries would continue to build on them under the new leadership.

Swing to the left

The win ends 17 years of conservative leadership in France and marks a swing to the left that will mean key policy changes at the heart of Europe.

Sarkozy, swamped by voters' anger at his failure to rein in rife unemployment, became Europe's 11th leader to be swept out by the eurozone debt crisis.

He conceded defeat minutes after the polls closed, and addressed his supporters at the headquarters of his party.

"France has a new president; it's a democratic, republican choice," Sarkozy said. "Francois Hollande is the president of France and must be respected. I just spoke to him on the telephone, and I want to wish him good luck amid the ordeals.

"It will be difficult, but I wish with all my heart that France, our country which brings us together, manages to get through these ordeals, because there is something much bigger than us; it's our country, it's our homeland," Sarkozy said.

'Heavy challenges await us'

Hollande, who will be France's first socialist president since Francois Mitterrand left office in 1995, spoke of bringing hope and change to France.

"The first duty of the President of the Republic is to bring together and link all citizens to communal action so as to face up to the challenges awaiting us, and there are many and they are heavy," Hollande said.

"First of all, to increase production in order to get the country out of the crisis, reducing our deficit in order to control debt, the preservation of our social model to ensure to all the same equal access to public services."

Hollande vowed to rework a deal that called on European governments to cut their debt.

He also promised to raise taxes on big corporations and people earning more than a million euros a year.

France plays an important role in various multilateral forums, including the European Union, United Nations Security Council, G20, and the International Monetary Fund.

Source: BuaNews-Xinhua

The South African Navy played a key role in a major multi-national operation that saw 12 suspected pirates captured and six Sri Lankan hostages rescued off the coast of Tanzania last week.

Revealing the operation on Wednesday, the navy said a suspected pirate mother ship had coincidentally been spotted off the Tanzanian coast during a search the previous weekend for the South African yacht Dandelion.

South African Navy ship the SAS Drakensberg, which is equipped for anti-piracy operations and was busy patrolling the Mozambican Channel at the time, was helping the French Navy when the pirate suspects were spotted last Monday.

"The pirate mother ship, with a skiff in tow, was identified as the Sri Lankan fishing vessel Nimesha Duwak which was captured by pirates on 9 November last year," the navy said in a statement.

Search and rescue becomes pirate hunt

Around midday on the Monday, Dandelion was found safe and sound off the coast of Mozambique, and the search and rescue operation shifted to a "piracy interdiction operation" involving the SAS Drakensberg, the Tanzanian Navy and European naval units busy operating off Somalia.

By the Monday afternoon, the Tanzanian Navy had given South Africa permission to conduct anti-piracy operations within its territorial waters, and the hunt was on.

Over next 24 hours, the SAS Drakensberg and its South African Air Force helicopter scoured the cluttered Tanzanian coast - applying the crucial pressure from the south that eventually drove the pirates into the hands of the European and Tanzanian vessels closing in from the north.

By midday last Wednesday, the pirates had been forced to split up, and the Tanzanian authorities subsequently found the skiff and arrested five suspected pirates on Songo Songo Island.

Teamwork rewarded

"Wednesday evening saw units from four different countries closing in on the estimated position of the pirate mother ship," the navy said.

"The Spanish warship got there first and managed to capture the vessel by 20:30. Seven suspected pirates were apprehended and the six long-suffering Sri Lankan crew members were finally freed."

The suspects were all handed over to the Tanzanian authorities, who would now start navigating "the legal minefield of prosecuting them for crimes committed in International waters".

The successful operation had sent out a clear message that the South African National Defence Force, as part of the armed forces of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), "will not allow illegal activities within SADC waters," the navy said.

"It is also clear that the tripartite agreement between South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania, and the subsequent deployment of SADC forces to safeguard our sea lanes, is paying dividends in ensuring the safety of our seafarers and their precious cargoes."

SAinfo reporter

Wilma den Hartigh

Ahead of Freedom Day on 27 April - this year marking the 18th anniversary of South Africa's first post-apartheid election - political activist and women's rights campaigner Amina Cachalia shares her memories of Nelson Mandela's inauguration as the country's first democratically elected president.

Memories of a special day

Cachalia has vivid memories of that day, 10 May 1994, when she saw a friend of many years become president of the country.

"It was a moment that I don't think I will ever forget - when Mandela stood up and took that oath," she says. "In my wildest dreams I never thought I would be party to that day."

Cachalia and her late husband Yusuf were invited to the inauguration as VIP veterans. Both were prominent political activists in the struggle against apartheid.

He was a leading figure in the South African Indian Congress in the 1940s and 1950s and played a key role in bringing about African-Indian cooperation during the 1952 Defiance Campaign.

Cachalia is well known for the role she played in promoting rights for women during apartheid.

In 1948, she was instrumental in launching the Women's Progressive Union, an organisation with the aim of making women financially independent. The union, which functioned for about six years, offered classes in literacy, shorthand and typing, baby care, dress-making and music.

In 1954, she also took the lead in launching the Federation of South African Women. The organisation's goal was to oppose the proposed extension of pass laws to black women, which culminated in the 1956 Women's March to the Union Buildings to protest against apartheid pass laws.

'Every Freedom Day, I cast my mind back'

Cachalia enjoys sharing her experiences of the inauguration ceremony. Eighteen years have passed since then, but she recalls the smallest details as if it happened just the other day.

When Cachalia talks about the inauguration, she shifts in her chair and leans forward, eager to tell a good story. "Every Freedom Day, I cast my mind back to relive the day," she says.

"We received a printed invitation for the ceremony and instructions about how to get there. It was all beautifully spelt out for us," she says.

She smiles as she recalls how she went about deciding what to wear for the important occasion. "I looked for a sari with the colours of the ANC, but I couldn't find one.

"I settled for another one in my cupboard, it was a deep reddish colour."

Fidel Castro, Benazir Bhutto

It was a beautiful sunny morning and the couple was seated in the amphitheatre, two or three rows behind Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Among the many prominent dignitaries she saw at the ceremony, two stood out: Cuban politician Fidel Castro and Benazir Bhutto, who served as the 11th prime minister of Pakistan from 1988 until 1990, and 1993 until 1996. "She was quite a striking woman," she adds.

Cachalia pauses for a while. A myriad of thoughts came to mind when she arrived at the Union Buildings.

"I had been at the Union Buildings before, for the Women's March and about my banning orders - usually to demonstrate or show my disapproval about something," she says. But this time was different.

"I was here on a different wicket altogether. I could see that everything we fought for was not in vain," she says.

Appreciating freedom

For Cachalia, the inauguration gave new meaning to all the years she lived under banning orders.

After the 1956 Treason Trial, activists were all regarded as threats to the government and in 1963 a number were banned. Cachalia wasn't exempt and in November 1963 she was banned for a period of five years.

She remembers the day she was handed her first banning order. "I was on the phone to Helen Joseph when the police delivered the order," she says.

And this was just the first of three banning orders - when her first ban was about to expire, she was served with another, and then another. She remained under banning orders for fifteen years.

The banning orders restricted her movements, her ability to associate freely with people and put a stop to her political work.

She couldn't attend social and political gatherings, couldn't leave the magisterial district of Johannesburg, and couldn't enter any publishing house or educational premises.

"It was a disgusting restriction on one's life in general," she says.

Amid the hardships of apartheid, Cachalia says that they had to create their own fun. She laughs when she remembers the many parties that took place. "We carried on with life and we made the best of what we had," she says.

She picks up a photograph displayed on the bookshelf in her lounge, taken many years ago at a party hosted by Madikizela-Mandela at her home for friends and comrades.

"This is the only photo of me and Chris Hani together," she says. It was taken just before he was assassinated in 1993.

Telling South Africa's story

Her life today is a world apart from what she experienced for so many years under apartheid, but although things have changed, some things are forever with her.

Sometimes she still gets that strange feeling that someone is listening in on her conversations, or that her phone is tapped.

After years of living under banning orders, "freedom" took on a different meaning for Cachalia - it is a sacred treasure.

"I can do as I please and read what I want to. I am enjoying my freedom, I am enjoying my life," she says.

She often thinks back to the struggle years. "It was such unbelievable times we lived through," she says.

Cachalia says it is important to ensure that the memories of the struggle years are kept alive, otherwise future generations won't understand South Africa's hard-won freedom.

"The inauguration was a special time for South Africa and the world," she says. "It was absolute euphoria, and the excitement never left us."

First published by MediaClubSouthAfrica.com - get free high-resolution photos and professional feature articles from Brand South Africa's media service.

South Africa is a culturally diverse country, one nation made up of many peoples.

The BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has called on the G20 to strengthen its coordination and find ways to improve the multilateral trading system in order to address current global economic uncertainties.

The call was made at a G20 ministerial meeting in Mexico over the weekend.

South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said the BRICS trade ministers had called upon their fellow G20 trade ministers to identify ways to improve the multilateral trading system.

"We have made this call, so that all economies may pursue a sustainable and 'development-friendly' integration in global trade, including adjustment strategies for their industries and workforce, as well as the appropriate social and sectoral policies to respond to existing structural vulnerabilities," Davies said in a statement released on Monday.

Conclusion of Doha Round 'vital'

The BRICS ministers had re-emphased their commitment to the Doha Development Round, saying the conclusion of the Doha would be a significant step in this direction and urging the G20 to work towards this.

According to BRICS ministers, while global value chains were playing an increasing role in trade, many sectors, industries and even countries were not participating in global value chains as fully as others.

"In order for global value chains to serve as instruments of growth and development, it would be important to develop a deeper understanding of their developmental impact and the conditions under which they can be used to achieve long term socio-economic gains," Davies said.

At the same time, Davies cautioned that obstacles should not be placed in the way of the development and effective functioning of global value chains "for protectionist reasons".

"In this context, it would be useful to have a member-driven process, in the WTO, Unctad and other intergovernmental agencies, to examine this issue, including the identification of more accurate statistical methods to assess value addition."

SAinfo reporter

20 April 2012

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has assured Ghana of South Africa's loyal support, saying he hopes the two countries can work together in tackling the challenges facing the continent.

Motlanthe is in Ghana for a working visit which could see the two countries cooperating in the energy sector, among others.

Relations between South Africa and Ghana, one of the most stable multi-party democracies in West Africa, are very good, with both countries maintaining residential diplomatic missions in each other's capitals.

'Shining example of democracy'

Speaking at a gala dinner held on his behalf in Accra on Thursday, Motlanthe congratulated Ghana on celebrating its 55th anniversary of independence in March.

"As one of the African countries holding elections this year, we look up to your excellent track record and good governance in holding free and fair elections. We hope your country will once again serve as a shining example of democratic change."

Motlanthe added that he was pleased that Ghana, like South Africa, continued to play a critical role in peacekeeping and upholding good governance in Africa.

While in Ghana, Motlanthe will hold talks with his counterpart, Dramani Mahama, as well as pay a courtesy call on President John Evans Atta Mills.

On the agenda, according to the Presidency, will be cooperation in areas such as energy and energy-related technology, security, and environmental issues, including the management of national parks.

Trade volumes on the increase

According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Ghana represents a the biggest export market for South African goods in West Africa after Nigeria.

In recent years, trade between the two countries has grown significantly, with South African exports increasing from less than R1-billion in 1998 to over R3-billion in 2009, while imports from Ghana have increased over the same period.

Exports have included vehicles, machinery, mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, base metals, aircraft, vessels and associated products.

"While total trade volumes are still relatively low in global terms, it is expected that these figures will grow," the department said.

There are more than 80 South African companies registered in Ghana.

Motlanthe is being accompanied on his trip by Energy Minister Dipuo Peters, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, and Deputy International Relations Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim.

BuaNews

The BRICS grouping of influential emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - have taken another step towards establishing a development bank that could one day rival the World Bank.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a statement issued after the 4th BRICS summit in New Delhi on Thursday, said the leaders of the five countries had considered a proposal to set up a BRICS-led South-South Development Bank, funded and managed by the BRICS and other developing countries.

Such a bank could help its member countries pool resources for infrastructure development and to lend among themselves during difficult global times.

"We have directed our finance ministers to examine the proposal and report back at the next summit," Singh said.

At the same time, the BRICS leaders put pressure on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to speed up changes to its governance structure in order to better represent the developing world.

The rapid recovery of the BRICS economies from the 2008-09 global financial crisis had "highlighted their role as growth drivers of the global economy," Singh said.

BRICS push for trade in local currencies

Also on Thursday, the export-import banks of the five BRICS countries signed two pacts aimed at promoting trade in local currencies among BRICS members - a move seen as replacing the US dollar as the main unite of intra-BRICS trade.

The "Master Agreement In Extending Credit Facility" in local currencies, and the "BRICS Multilateral Letter Of Credit Confirmation Facility Agreement" were signed by the Brazilian Development Bank, Russia's State Corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs, India's Exim Bank, the China Development Bank Corporation and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

The agreements would "boost trade among us by offering credit in our local currencies", Singh said, adding that the BRICS trade ministers, meeting at the BRICS Business Forum on Wednesday, had agreed to strengthen intra-BRICS trade and investment linkages.

Intra-BRICS trade, currently standing at about US$230-billion, has the potential of surging to $500-billion by 2015.

SAinfo reporter