Ubuntu Magazine Issue#21

www.dirco.gov.za DIRCOza @theDIRCOza thedircoza DIRCO flickr Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action A better South Africa * A better Africa * A better world

LIFESTYLE | South Africa boasts some of the finest, unspoiled and exotic beaches in the world – from the warm East Coast (stretching north of Durban down to East London in the Eastern Cape) to the cold Benguela stream around Cape Town and the West Coast. 102 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| LIFESTYLE 103Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU

UBUNTU magazine – issue 21 creditsSouth Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Publisher Advertising Clayson Monyela Nthabiseng Makuwa - [email protected] UBUNTU Tel: +27 12 351 0388 Editor-in-Chief a Nguni word meaning humanity Michelle Greeff – [email protected] Distribution The Department of International Relations Tel: +27 12 351 1743 Olwethu Koli – [email protected] Tel: +27 12 351 0006 and Cooperation’s quarterly magazine Editor Delien Burger - [email protected] ON THE COVER Tel: +27 12 351 0948 “Africa Day, celebrated annually on 25 May, was Photographers this year marked in the shadow of the Coronavirus Jacoline Schoonees, Yandisa Monakali, Katlholo Maifadi and Yolande Snyman, Department of International Relations and pandemic, which has swept across the world Cooperation; Government Communication and Information System; SA Tourism; UN Photo; Pixaby; CREDO MUTWA and left no part of our continent untouched. Foundation Facebook; Wall of Great Africans Facebook; Tim Forssman, Senior Lecturer, Anthropology and Archaeology The pandemic will have a lasting impact on Department, University of Pretoria; Richard Smith, OceanRealmImages.com; Justin Bradfield and Sarah Wurz; Werner our ability to meet the aspiration of the African Forman/Universal Images Group/Getty Images; Yves Picq/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International; Union’s Agenda 2063 of a peaceful, united and Dr Charles Helm; Michael Portmann; Burj Khalifa Twitter; Mi Casa | J'Something; Table Mountain Aerial Cableway prosperous continent. The virus has exposed the deep inequalities that continue to exist on Facebook; and Valley Instagram at jasonjed.photo. our continent and across the world. It has shown how far we are from realising our developmental Acknowledgements goals and our responsibilities to the citizens of President Cyril Ramaphosa; Dr GNM Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Ambassador Anil our continent. Sooklal, Deputy Director-General: Asia and the Middle East, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO); Jamail Anand, Branch: Asia and the Middle East, DIRCO; Nicholas Wolpe, CEO: Liliesleaf Foundation; “But at the same time, this global crisis Bhaso Ndzendze, Research Director, Centre for Africa-China Studies Lecturer, Tech Dynamics in International Relations should enable a new Africa to come to the fore. (Department of Politics and International Relations), University of Johannesburg (UJ); and Profesor Tshilidzi Marwala, It should be an Africa of heroic acts of solidarity, an UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal; www.indiawrites.org; Sinethemba Makanya, Doctoral Fellow, University of the Africa of cross-border collaboration and sharing Witwatersrand (Wits); Alet Law, News24; Patricia Hayes, DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Visual History and Theory, of knowledge and resources, an Africa that is University of the Western Cape; Tim Forssman, Senior Lecturer, University of Pretoria (UP); www.todayinaviation. united by a common goal. The challenge of this com and http://www.scotlandswar.co.uk/dunning.html; Tarila Marclint Ebiede, Research Fellow, KU Leuven; Faizel pandemic has shown how Africa is able to work Ismail, Director of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town (UCT); Carlos Lopes, together to solve its own problems. Professor, Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, UCT; Salome Maswime, Head of Global Surgery, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, UCT; Collet Dandara, Professor, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, UCT; and “Let us fix our eyes firmly to the future that Sudesh Sivarasu, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Head of Medical Devices Lab, UCT; Professor Justine burns bright on the horizon. If we remain united, Olawande Daramola, Cape Peninsula University of Technology; Justin Bradfield, Senior Lecturer, UJ; Jerome Reynard, we will overcome this pandemic. We will recover Lecturer in Osteoarchaeology, Wits; Marlize Lombard, Professor with Research Focus in Stone Age Archaeology, Palaeo- and restore our economies. We will uplift the Research Institute, UJ; and Sarah Wurz, Professor, Wits; Shadreck Chirikure, Professor in Archaeology, UCT; Charles conditions of our people and we will be worthy Helm, Research Associate, African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience, Nelson Mandela University; Maarten De Brauwer, inheritors of the legacy of the great Africans who Research Fellow, University of Leeds; David Harasti, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Southern Cross University; Graham met in Addis Ababa in 1963 to form the OAU. If we Short, Research Associate, Australian Museum; and Louw Claassens, Research Associate of Zoology and Entomology, draw from the deepest depths of African unity and Director of the Knysna Basin Project, Rhodes University; Kira Erwin, Senior Researcher, Durban University of Technology; solidarity, we shall prevail. United Nations Environment Programme; Johan Swart, Lecturer, UP; Isabel Hofmeyr, Professor of African Literature, “May God Bless Africa and protect her people.” Wits; Aretha Phiri, Senior Lecturer, Department of Literary Studies in English, Rhodes University; Grace Musila, Associate Professor, Department of African Literature, Wits; Manosa Nthunya, PhD candidate in Literature, Wits; Nedine Moonsamy, - Mr Cyril Ramaphosa Senior Lecturer, UP; Sam Naidu, Professor, Department of Literary Studies in English, Rhodes University; Sarah Nuttall, President of the Republic of South Africa and Professor of Literature, Wits; Susan Kiguli, Associate Professor of Literature, Makerere University; and Tom Odhiambo, Chairperson of the African Union Senior Lecturer in Literature, University of Nairobi; Tyler Leigh, Goodthingsguy; Brent Lindeque, Goodthingsguy; and www.thesouthafrican.com. No portion of this magazine may be produced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. DIRCO is not responsible Advertisers for unsolicited material and reserves the right to amend and to African Union, Ubuntu Radio, Old Mutual, Standard Bank, World Food Programme, Freedom Park, Iziko Museum, alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary. Copyright is City of Cape Town, MTN, Department of Environmental Affairs and Brand South Africa. reserved. Views in Ubuntu are not necessarily those of DIRCO or those of the South African Government. They can accept no liability To subscribe of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with the contents Send an e-mail with the words SUBSCRIBE UBUNTU in the subject line, your organisation, e-mail address and delivery of this publication. address in the body to [email protected] Back-issue enquiries [email protected] The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) ©2012 Tel: +27 12 351 1000, www.dirco.gov.za Private Bag X152, PRETORIA, 0001, Republic of South Africa 460 Soutpansberg Road, Rietondale, Pretoria, 0084, Republic of South Africa



UBUNTU magazine – issue 21 c o n t e n t sSouth Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action In every issue 6 Letter from the Minister 8 Publisher’s note Diplomacy 18 The future of 10 COVID-19 must enable a new Africa international 14 Africa and Asia solidarity in the era of COVID-19 cooperation 18 The future of international cooperation in times of in times of existentialist crises existentialist crises 18 International relations after COVID-19 22 Has the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a return of human solidarity and progressive internationalism? 26 India, Africa should accelerate UNSC reforms: South Africa’s BRICS Sherpa Feature 26 India, Africa should 30 Liberation heritage: Denis Goldberg accelerate UNSC 32 Liberation heritage: Credo Mutwa reforms: South 34 John Liebenberg: Masterful photographer of life and war Africa’s BRICS Sherpa in southern Africa 36 A “graffiti” wall reveals women’s stories from the South African War 40 1917: First landing on a moving warship by Edwin Harris Dunning – a South African 42 How to ensure that the Coronavirus doesn’t stop peace efforts in Africa 44 How a post-COVID-19 revival could kickstart Africa’s free trade area 48 Europe and African relations post COVID-19: Time to add size, scale and speed

Lifestyle 66 How an underwater photo led to the 86 discovery of a tiny new seahorse species The story of a remarkable Hindu temple in Pretoria’s 50 Coronavirus: Never been a more compelling time for African inner city scientists to work together The history of an iconic 54 Africa’s health systems should use AI technology in their fight landmark, the Table Mountain Cableway against COVID-19 96 56 What a bone arrowhead from South Africa reveals about ancient human cognition 58 COVID-19 and the nature trade-off paradigm 60 Archaeology shows how ancient African societies managed pandemics 64 Fossil track sites tell the story of ancient crocodiles in southern Africa 66 How an underwater photo led to the discovery of a tiny new seahorse species 70 My cattle, your rhinos: South Africa’s poverty-and-wildlife conundrum 72 A theatre project explores collective solutions to saving the ocean 76 Flying the flag LIFESTYLE 86 The story of a remarkable Hindu temple in Pretoria’s inner city 88 “Blood Lions” win award for “Most Compelling Digital Story” 90 Eight must-read African novels 94 SA artists join collective and raise R2 million for relief fund by auctioning lockdown art 96 The history of an iconic landmark, the Table Mountain Cableway 98 #SAWillTravelAgain: The places South Africans want to travel to after lockdown

LETTER FROM THE MINISTER \"Silencing the Guns\" in Africa: Challenges and opportunities The African Union (AU) has taken very deliberate steps to respond to the scourge. We have developed a comprehensive AU COVID-19 Strategy, established an AU COVID-19 Response Fund, embarked upon a fundraising drive to enhance the capacity of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and appointed special envoys to mobilise support for the AU Strategy against COVID-19. T he African Union’s (AU) theme public health crisis, created uncertainty in By 20 May 2020, with over four million cases for the year 2020: “Silencing communities and put a stop to productive confirmed worldwide, reported infections in the Guns: Creating Conducive economic activity. For many African countries, Africa remained comparatively low. Yet, with Conditions for Africa’s the virus poses a new unconventional and the number of confirmed cases rising every Development” is not only a existential threat. day, it was clear that the continent would rallying call, it is a fundamental face a serious health crisis. Figures started precondition for achieving Agenda 2063. The socio-economic and humanitarian rapidly rising in late April 2020, when Africa As we were intensifying efforts at “Silencing impact of COVID-19 threatens the gains we experienced a jump of more than 40% in just the Guns”, we have had to shift our focus to have achieved on the continent. Moreover, over a week. In May 2020, the World Health developing a comprehensive response to the the impact is likely to be felt months, if not Organisation (WHO) further warned of mass outbreak and the spread of the COVID-19 years, after the pandemic, even as we casualties and overwhelmed health systems pandemic. This deadly virus has caused a implement social and economic measures to over a longer period of time, if countries fail to mitigate the epidemiological risks. take a proactive approach to the crisis. 6 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

The AU has taken very deliberate steps to revealed several critical challenges. Firstly, peace. Attacks on medical facilities, including respond to the scourge. We have developed the preoccupation with conflict in some of hospitals and clinics, are condemned under all a comprehensive AU COVID-19 Strategy, our countries has detracted from a deliberate circumstances. At this time, it is of paramount established an AU COVID-19 Response focus on our development goals. importance that healthcare facilities in Fund, embarked upon a fundraising drive to conflict areas are allowed to operate enhance the capacity of the Africa Centres Secondly, public services and public without hindrance. for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa institutions are in need of significant support CDC) and appointed special envoys to in order to develop the capacity to respond The importance of gender equality and mobilise support for the AU Strategy against to unexpected challenges such as this global women empowerment in achieving “Silencing COVID-19. By 20 May 2020, we had raised emergency. When we reach our peak of the the Guns” is central. This year coincides with US$61 million for both the fund and the Africa Coronavirus, our public health systems will a number of milestones on the continent and CDC. These pan-African initiatives, taken be overwhelmed and when vaccines and globally, including the end of the Decade of by the Bureau of the Assembly of the AU, treatments are developed, we will remain last African Women, the 25th anniversary of the have been endorsed by all the regions of the in line. We must do more to invest in quality Fourth World Conference on Women as well AU, and also enjoy the support of African public services, research and innovation. as the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and business leaders. Platform for Action, the fifth anniversary of Thirdly, our populations, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals and the During the Jubilee Summit, the 2013 women and the poor, are far too dependent 20th anniversary of Resolution 1325 on Solemn Declaration marking the 50th on survivalist economic activities and thus Women, Peace and Security. anniversary of the Organisation of African severely vulnerable to global threats of Unity/AU was adopted. This was a renewed pandemics, food insecurity and climate- The COVID-19 pandemic again poses resolve and commitment by African leaders change effects. All of these must be tackled additional threats to the achievement of to tackle peace and security challenges as timely reminders in the post-pandemic gender equality and women empowerment. confronting the continent, through the recovery phase. In all our efforts to address this global crisis, AU’s Master Roadmap of Practical Steps we must ensure that the rights of women and for Silencing the Guns in Africa by the Africa has begun to reorient its girls in Africa are protected and that women’s Year 2020, one of the flagship projects economic development toward increased empowerment and gender equality are and programmes of Agenda 2063. Agenda industrialisation, manufacturing and intra- advanced. 2063 remains Africa’s blueprint for its African trade through implementation of the long-term socio-economic and integrative Free Trade Area Agreement. This ambition In this context, the AU calls for increased transformation. has been paused by the pandemic but it must international humanitarian relief efforts to not be lost. assist affected communities in conflict areas, in Since the adoption of the AU Master particular vulnerable groups such as women, Roadmap, the AU has made significant The challenges to achieve peace on the children, refugees and displaced persons. strides in reducing violent and armed conflicts African continent are complex and immense, throughout the continent. The concluded involving multiple cross-cutting issues. These Reliable and sustainable funding for the peace agreements in South Sudan and the include, among others, socio-economic AU has been a persistent challenge over Central African Republic, the successful development and resilience; promoting access the past two decades, with an over-reliance democratic elections in Madagascar and in to resources and economic opportunity; and on funding from international donors, which the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well promoting and entrenching democracy and has historically resulted in a very strong as the historic positive developments in the good governance. The scale and magnitude interdependence and subordinate role for Horn of Africa, are all generating optimism of the challenges involved and their inter- Africa in decision-making, particularly in the about a continent emerging from the sectionality, require not only the availability domain of peace and security. The newly shadows and moving steadily to restore and allocation of significant resources, but established Peace Fund is pivotal to efforts peace and stability and make a decisive move also, the establishment of strong, sustainable aimed at ensuring that the AU achieves towards integration. and vibrant partnerships at national, regional, greater autonomy, ownership and self- continental and international levels. reliance in addressing its peace, security and The AU and its regional mechanisms have developmental challenges. also enhanced their capacity for dealing with The AU Master Roadmap identifies a conflict and crisis situations on the continent. number of obstacles such as the persistence Timely and vigorous actions by all our In so doing, the AU continues to strengthen its of illicit flows, illegal arms transactions, leaders will not only lead to addressing the Architectures on Peace and Security as well financing of terrorism and external political challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as on Governance, which include a powerful interference, climate change, environmental but will also contribute to strengthening set of instruments and practices. This has degradation and others, as constituting the foundation for lasting cooperation and indeed helped the AU and the international serious threats to the African peace and solidarity among African countries, in order community to enhance their collaboration security agenda. We therefore call upon to achieve durable peace, security and and partnership to the extent that, today, the international community, in particular development in Africa. consultation and coordination between the members of the Security Council, to AU, the regional economic communities/ support the AU and its members to address Only through united, global action, can regional mechanisms, the United Nations and these concerns. we overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, other partners to harmonise strategies and and achieve success in our efforts interventions, have become the rule, rather The AU supports the call by Secretary- towards “Silencing the Guns” on the African than the exception. General António Guterres for a global continent. ceasefire in the midst of the COVID-19 Despite the laudable progress evident pandemic. It is against this background that By Dr GNM Pandor on the continent, the pandemic has starkly we call on all parties to conflict in Africa, Minister of International Relations and notably in Libya, to lay down their arms and Cooperation to commence negotiations aimed at lasting Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 7

Publisher’s Note | Let’s talk foreign policy... T here is no denying that the South Africa was supposed to host a mid- Much as it has caused death and disruption, COVID-19 pandemic has had year summit of the AU, at which the matter the COVID-19 pandemic has also been a an immeasurable negative of silencing the guns on the continent was catalyst for the more effective utilisation impact on public health and to take centre stage. As the readers of this of existing technologies. We have seen global trade. Not spared magazine would recall, in its vision document, international organisations such as the from the worst effects of the Agenda 2063, the AU had designated 2020 World Health Organisation making use of pandemic, has been one of the world’s oldest as the year in which Africa was to make technology to coordinate a global response professions: diplomacy. a paradigm shift from decades of political to the disease. We have also seen how the and security conflicts in some parts of the UNSC is able to remain seized with some From the point of view of South Africa’s continent to a future characterised by the of the world’s persisting violent conflicts. international relations endeavours, the spread prevalence of peace, stability and prosperity. Closer to home, we have seen President Cyril of the pandemic could not have come at a Ramaphosa continuing in his role as Chair of worse time as the country chairs the African South Africa’s current term as Chair of the AU to convene online meetings with his Union (AU) for the year and, at the end of the AU came at a time when the organisation counterparts as a way not only of responding December 2020, completes its two-year term was moving with speed to launch and to COVID-19, but also implementing as an elected member of the United Nations implement the African Continental Free Trade those decisions of the AU Summit that are Security Council (UNSC). Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. Readying the ripe for operation. continent for action, the AU Summit, held in February 2020, appointed South African Thanks to technological advancements, citizen, Wamkele Mene, as the first Secretary- South Africa is able to continue fulfilling General responsible for the AfCFTA. its international obligations in the AU, UNSC, World Trade Organisation and other Among other things, the AfCFTA aims to international bodies. create a single African market, deepening the economic integration of the continent; Significantly, South Africa is an active establish a liberalised market through multiple participant in global efforts to find a vaccine rounds of negotiations; aid the movement of for COVID-19. Our country is working with its capital and people; facilitate investment; African and global partners in the search for and move towards the establishment of a solutions to the pandemic. continental customs union. As President Ramaphosa has said, For the AfCTA to be hit in its infancy by South Africa is “integrally involved in forging such disruption as that caused by COVID-19 a common approach across the continent, is unfortunate. One hopes, however, that the ensuring that we mobilise resources and pandemic may only have delayed Africa’s develop strategies to ensure that no country impending new era, and that the continent – is left behind”. with its vast resources and a young and eager population – will soon take its rightful place in the world. 8 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

SOUTH AFRICA’S RADIO PUBLIC DIPLOMACY Since its launch in 2013, South Africa’s first, IN ACTION 24-hour online radio station has been setting in motion dialogue on South Africa’s foreign policy. In celebration of its first anniversary in 2014, UbuntuRadio launched on DSTV’s audio bouquet, increasing its reach to over 45 African countries and over 10 million potential listeners. In addition to the mobile application accessible globally, the UbuntuRadio Mxit Application is also available to a potential 80 million users. Follow the award winning station on Twitter and listen live on www.ubunturadio.com. APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE ON SMARTPHONES UbuntuRadioZA @UbuntuRadioZA Ubuntu Radio Android App Ubuntu Radio BlackBerry App Ubuntu Radio Iphone/Ipad App Ubuntu Radio mxit App UbuntuRadioZA Listen Live STUDIO NUMBER +27 (0) 12 329 2239 www.ubunturadio.com Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 9

DIPLOMACY | UBUNTU AWARDS CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE IN DIPLOMACY COVID-19 must enable a new Africa This global crisis should enable a new Africa to come to the fore. It should be an Africa of heroic acts of solidarity, an Africa of cross-border collaboration and sharing of knowledge and resources, an Africa that is united by a common goal. By President Cyril Ramaphosa 10 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

n 25 May 2020, 57 years | DIPLOMACYCOVID-19 MUST ENABLE A NEW AFRICA ago, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was We salute the latter-day standard-bearers We must not under any circumstances allow of pan-African unity: the healthcare workers this global health emergency to derail our Oborn. From the beginning, and medical personnel, the scientists and efforts to \"Silence the Guns\" on the continent. it was dedicated to the epidemiologists. We salute the Africa Centres idea that only through unity for Disease Control and Prevention for leading The tragic conflicts that are breeding could Africa safeguard its independence and our continent’s response to the pandemic. We instability in a number of countries on our unlock its potential. also pay tribute to the community workers and continent are exacting a heavy toll on human NGOs, and the leaders of government and life and must end. On that day, we paid tribute to our business who have lent their full support to forebears, the founders of the OAU, whose Africa’s Coronavirus response. We must continue to affirm the supremacy dream of greater African integration and unity of dialogue over military intervention. has endured. The AU and its various organs have shown leadership and acted with speed to address As Africans, we will continue to stand on We also honoured the legions of this crisis. the side of justice and support the people of revolutionary leaders of Africa who took Western Sahara in their enduring struggle for up the mantle of pan-Africanism and who We thank our brother, Dr Tedros freedom and self-determination. fought for the economic and political Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the integration of Africa. World Health Organisation, for demonstrating We also call for the end of the oppression strong and foresightful leadership to the world of the Palestinian people and the occupation They have left a formidable legacy for our during this crisis. of their homeland. continent and all its peoples. They continue to inspire us and the generations who will come We thank all the patriots on our continent Africa has known much turmoil and after us. and our friends in the international community hardship throughout history. for showing solidarity in this difficult time. It was the mission of the founders of the We have endured the worst excesses of OAU to liberate the continent from the clutches We know that no country can overcome humankind, from slavery to colonialism, to of colonial oppression, and to restore Africa’s this challenge alone. apartheid, and to prolonged military conflict. fortunes and the dignity of every African man, woman and child. We call on developed countries, multilateral But just as our ancestors were able to institutions and the donor community to overcome the horrors of their time, so too will We are reminded of the difficulties they provide vulnerable countries across the our faith, courage and resilience as Africans had to overcome and the resistance they world, especially on our continent, with the see us through this time of difficulty. encountered from foreign powers that had necessary support in the form of diagnostic much to gain from exploiting divisions on and therapeutic medical supplies as well as And so, in the words of Africa’s first Nobel the continent. necessary financial support to sustain the Peace Laureate, Chief Albert Luthuli, let us livelihoods of vulnerable people. cast our eyes beyond the past. Yet, they taught us the power of perseverance and sacrifice, of dedication We repeat our call for a comprehensive, Let us fix our eyes firmly to the future that to an ideal, and that an Africa united can robust economic stimulus package for Africa burns bright on the horizon. If we remain overcome even the greatest of challenges. that includes debt relief and other support united, we will overcome this pandemic. measures for the continent’s immediate We marked this Africa Day in the shadow humanitarian needs and necessary economic We will recover and restore our economies. of the Coronavirus pandemic, which had recovery. As we deal with the impact of We will uplift the conditions of our people swept across the world and left no part of our this pandemic, we repeat our call for the and we will be worthy inheritors of the legacy continent untouched. unconditional lifting of sanctions that have of the great Africans who met in Addis Ababa been imposed on Zimbabwe and Sudan. in 1963 to form the OAU. This COVID-19 pandemic will have a If we draw from the deepest depths lasting impact on our ability to meet the As Africans, we have taken firm charge of of African unity and solidarity, we shall aspiration of the African Union’s (AU) Agenda managing this pandemic. prevail. May God Bless Africa and protect her 2063 of a peaceful, united and prosperous people. continent. We have a comprehensive strategy formulated by the AU, and have appointed We salute the latter-day The virus has exposed the deep special envoys to mobilise the financial standard-bearers of pan- inequalities that continue to exist on our and other resources necessary for its African unity: the healthcare continent and across the world. implementation. workers and medical It has shown how far we are from COVID-19 knows no borders, nationality personnel, the scientists realising our developmental goals and our or skin colour. and epidemiologists. We responsibilities to the citizens of our continent. salute the Africa Centres To address the escalating humanitarian for Disease Control and But at the same time, this global crisis crisis, we need to deepen our solidarity. Prevention for leading our should enable a new Africa to come to continent’s response to the the fore. It should be an Africa of heroic We must ensure the pandemic does not pandemic. We also pay acts of solidarity, an Africa of cross-border reverse our developmental gains. We must tribute to the community collaboration and sharing of knowledge forge ahead with meeting the aspirations of workers and NGOs, and and resources, an Africa that is united by a Agenda 2063. the leaders of government common goal. and business who have lent We must move ahead with the most their full support to Africa’s The challenge of this pandemic has shown ambitious step towards pan-African how Africa is able to work together to solve its integration to date, the creation of the African Coronavirus response. own problems. Continental Free Trade Area, and ensure that it is operational soon. Day by day, across our continent, we are seeing the unity that is our strength being put We must not let up on our efforts to drive to the service of saving lives and supporting the African Agenda of security, peace and the vulnerable. stability, of democracy and human rights, of women’s emancipation and the protection of the environment. Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 11

DIPLOMACY | 10502 COLLABORATING TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE CHANGE Every conversation held at the World Eco- to go to the deadline for achieving both the nomic Forum’s annual meeting represents Sustainable Development Goals and South an opportunity for stakeholders to recommit Africa’s National Development Plan, greater to working together to solve pressing global collaboration between stakeholders to challenges. achieve actual outcomes that result in real change is critical. As we start a new decade, the imperative to align on common issues like poverty, “At Old Mutual, we’re figuring out how to inequality, inclusion and the environment is scale-up the work we are already doing with more urgent than ever. With just a decade a wide range of stakeholders, so that it creates DO GREAT THINGS EVERY DAY 12 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| DIPLOMACY growth for our business, while at the same challenge of those considered “too rich” to time helping to solve the socio-economic receive free-government subsidised houses, challenges we face as a continent,” says Iain yet “too poor” to fall within the normal Williamson, Interim CEO. mortgage lending stream with financial institutions. Old Mutual strengthened its focus on Africa during mid-2018, a move that signalled US $ 2,4 billion has been committed to a renewed confidence in the growth clean energy projects across Africa, enough opportunities the continent holds. To unlock to sustainably power more than 800 000 its full potential, the business is committed to homes. working more closely with key stakeholders to better deliver shared value and growth. US $ 35 million committed to enterprise and supplier development projects that support The Group has already committed US $ 8,3 small, medium, youth, women and black- billion towards creating inclusive and owned business. Working in conjunction with sustainable economies on behalf of its key stakeholders in both government and clients and is working with its stakeholders business, the core focus is to create access across the continent to achieve SMART to funding, markets, as well as the technical objectives. Partnerships that are enhancing support necessary for these businesses to the lives of not only its customers, but also succeed. the communities across the 14 countries in which it operates, include: Despite persistent challenges, alignment between stakeholders around common goals US $ 92,3 million committed to providing makes it significantly easier to achieve progress. access to quality education in conjunction with National, Provincial and Local “We are as invested in driving change as all our Departments of Education. The Group’s partners are. We’re thinking about tomorrow Education Flagship Project in South Africa, by acting today and our stakeholders play an for example, forged strong partnerships integral part in this journey. We are inspired by with local education authorities across four the African proverb that says: If you want to go provinces over seven years to improve maths fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together,” and science skills among matric learners. concludes Iain. It also ran an extensive school leadership programme for teachers and principals which Over the next decade, the Old Mutual Group has further helped to improve performance will be demonstrating its strengthened in these pilot schools. resolve to activate actual outcomes to ensure our commitments bear fruit. Working with US $ 845 million committed to affordable stakeholders to achieve this remains a priority! housing projects across Africa, in conjunction with a range of partners, including More at www.oldmutual.com government. A core aspect of this approach is gap housing, which seeks to address the Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 13

DIPLOMACY | AFRICA AND ASIA SOLIDARITY IN THE ERA OF COVID-19 Africa and Asia solidarity in the era of COVID-19 The historical Africa-Asia solidarity must guide us at a time of this global crisis. The ideals of solidarity, peace, prosperity and development are widely touted. We must ensure that the post-COVID-19 era drives and deepens our cooperation as we are called upon to rebuild our economies and societies. By Ambassador Anil Sooklal Deputy Director-General: Asia and the Middle East Department of International Relations and Cooperation W e are passing through facing incredible strain with many on the This will unleash a market of almost a stage in human verge of collapse. US$3 trillion. According to the United Nations history that will be Conference on Trade and Development remembered as among Despite these realities, our leaders chose (UNCTAD) report on Economic Development the most challenging to ensure that the health, well-being and in Africa in June 2019, intra-African trade periods that humanity survival of their populations are prioritised. was at about 2% of total continental trade has endured. COVID-19 has globalised the These are humane decisions that come at during the period 2015 to 2017, while oldest and most significant threat to human a huge cost and we have accepted them. comparative figures for the Americas were existence. The threat has been so severe We are confident that we will survive this, at approximately 40%, Asia at 61%, Europe that we have taken to commit ourselves to and that humanity will emerge transformed, at 67% and Oceania at 7%. Despite the isolation. Living without social contact goes stronger and even more resilient than ever. weak numbers, since 2008, Africa along against the grain of the basic human need Our patience, trust and faith and proactive and with Asia, have been the only regions with a for social interaction and human contact, shared actions will lead us in that direction. growing trend in intra-regional trade. This is and as the virus becomes globalised, a massive investment opportunity and Africa human interaction is becoming insular, Africa and the future of cooperation looks forward to working with global partners, it is at this point that we are experiencing an as we collectively strive to rejuvenate and increasing need for cooperation and solidarity. On 9 February 2020, President Cyril diversify our key economic sectors. Ramaphosa accepted South Africa’s Chair The painful short-term scenarios will of the African Union (AU). In his opening The AU, under South Africa’s Chair, has be marked by illness and loss of life. Along statement, he drew on the collective strength reprioritised “Silencing the Guns”. One of the with these age-old enemies to humankind, of Africa’s leadership when he stated: main obstructions to economic development we are seeing a renewed upsurge in our “Our collective work to ensure political and and intra-regional trade is the absence of a dearest friend, human solidarity. There is no economic unity, good governance, and peaceful, secure and stable environment. disputing that we are at a historic crossroad peace should be strengthened by supporting Investment in infrastructure is critical, but if and the decisions we take now will have integration, industrialisation, economic conflict persists, the investments will yield lasting implications. Notably, having learned development, trade and investment.” little or no results. The AU’s prioritisation of difficult and tragic lessons from countries “Silencing the Guns” by 2020 is necessary to in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world, The notion of a new reality and the fractured ensure that investors feel secure, and South most nations have prioritised human life world that the World Economic Forum has Africa remains fully committed to ensuring and health. World economies have been used to describe 21st century events are that Africa is successful in securing peace decimated, security threats in vulnerable now moving from projections to becoming mechanisms and agreements that lead to regions are present and continue to creep part of our history. South Africa as Chair sustainable growth and development. Libya, while public health systems worldwide are of the AU has prioritised the strengthening South Sudan and Somalia on the African of intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 14 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| DIPLOMACYAFRICA AND ASIA SOLIDARITY IN THE ERA OF COVID-19 continent endure some of the most violent, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), threatened by what seems to be a reversal of bloody and vicious conflicts, as well as Yemen which links Africa, Asia and Oceania. IORA, globalisation. and Syria in Western Asia and the continued through its membership, is actively seeking to surges in violence and conflict in different create linkages through the Indo Pacific and Leading global powers have a meaningful parts of the world are fuelled by the easy Atlantic oceans in forging the concept of “one level of economic interdependence which availability of illicit weapons together with ocean” for the benefit of all humanity. remains central to their relations. This poverty, underdevelopment and inequality. interdependence has traditionally played a These historic fault lines must be addressed According to the United Nations significant role in containing possible military comprehensively in order to ensure a secure Development Programme, the current models skirmishes through balance of power that and stable environment conducive to growth of South-South cooperation offer a multitude is dynamic. However, the trade wars and and prosperity. of benefits when we consider the advantages 5G tensions have created both political, accrued from national and regional science, technological and commercial complexities, Apart from our regular public health technology and innovation plans; economic exposing the weaknesses and contradictions issues, the COVID-19 pandemic presents the and social planning; linkage of research inherent within the current global architecture. worst case scenarios on the impact of climate and development with economic growth; Travel and tourism is an example of a strategic change in Africa’s development. Africa only modern management and administration; and emerging sector in Africa and Asia that contributes 2% to 3% of the world’s carbon technical, scientific and administrative human we expect to change substantially. We need emissions yet Africa, in all likelihood, will resources; and accelerated professional to ensure the free flow of people but not the bear the brunt of climate-change trends on training at different levels. The global flow of the virus will continue albeit under a agriculture, water, agrarian development, landscape and our vision of socio-economic new paradigm. This challenge will keep us food insecurity, peace and security and social cooperation and inclusive development must busy for years to come and will also impact on stability, to name a few. However, Africa has be realised without compromise in the post- the nature of travel in the future. the largest percentage of the world’s arable COVID-19 era. land and burgeoning natural resources COVID-19 has provided us with an that some have described as being both a Among the most significant outcomes of opportunity to bring to the fore cooperation “blessing and a curse”. A further advantage this shift in the balance of global economic in the global health sector in order to create of both Africa and Asia is the demographic power has been the formation of Brazil, a global health architecture that leaves no dividend of the most youthful populations; Russia, India, China and South Africa one behind. As the President of the AU this most important asset must be maximised (BRICS). The New Development Bank and Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, noted at for the benefit and development of Africa the Africa Regional Centre have already the virtual Summit of the NAM held on 4 May and Asia. had a positive impact on the global financial 2020: “We must organise another chain, the architecture. We believe that when history is chain of solidarity to help, with equipment and Cooperation and solidarity for development written, it will describe this moment as one pharmaceutical products, (to) the poorest.” that contributed significantly to the reform As Africa, we need to utilise this opportunity The historical Africa-Asia solidarity must guide and creation of an inclusive global financial for joint ventures, for capacity-building, for a us at a time of this global crises. The ideals of architecture working in the interests of all the renewed focus on developing pharmaceutical solidarity, peace, prosperity and development peoples of the world. and medical supply industries, while are widely touted. We must ensure that the deepening collaboration with global partners. post-COVID-19 era drives and deepens our One could argue that the 21st century cooperation as we are called upon to rebuild context stifled the space for anything short of Several leaders have categorised the 21st our economies and societies. discourse outside of real politik and survivalist century as the Asian Century and in recent approaches to international relations. We times several leaders from Africa and Asia and In 2015, Indonesia hosted the 60th as nations of the South forged centuries-old scholars have categorised the 21st century anniversary of the Africa-Asia Conference bonds, both before, during and after the yolk as the African-Asian Century. We have seen in Jakarta, Indonesia, and co-hosted with of colonialism and the associated slave trade. momentous growth and development both South Africa. President Joko Widodo and his In the last two decades, Africa has forged in Africa and Asia in the first two decades of co-host, then deputy President Ramaphosa, notable partnerships with China, Japan, India, the century and this solid partnership forged hosted 33 heads of state and representatives Russia, the Arab world and the European in the history of common struggle must serve from 77 countries. The summit produced Union, to name a few. The challenges of a as the beacon of navigating a new win-win three documents: the Bandung Messages, post-COVID-19 era re-examine, redefine partnership for the benefit of all countries and the Declaration on Strengthening the and re-energise these formations as mutual its people as well as humanity at large. New Asian-African Strategic Partnership conduits of our collective development and the Declaration on Palestine. agenda. We are required to re-energise these We need to remind ourselves that the The summit reaffirmed the Bandung Spirit formations as further conduits of our collective African and Asian centuries have enjoyed and the need to energise Africa-Asia solidarity developmental agenda. increased momentum in the last decade of and cooperation. the century. This momentum arguably started The COVID-inspired landscape with the end of the Cold War and has been Our significant, albeit ongoing phenomenal. As we navigate this terrain, we achievements, are conceptualised through The COVID era is marked by online, virtual will learn with, and from each other, as each our multilateralism and our collective interaction. This demands secure and more country and region will continue to deal with commitment to formations such as the Non- efficient (cost and speed) cyber and ICT its own issues. The current global security Aligned Movement (NAM); G77 plus China; the services. Virtual platforms are proliferated situation is worrying, but that’s not necessarily India-Brazil-South Africa; the BASIC climate- with “intelligent and disruptive technologies” a bad thing. The fact that we are worried change coalition, consisting of Brazil, South and these have now converged to significantly suggests that we are taking steps toward Africa, India and China; and the G20 group reconfigure global economics, geopolitics solutions. of the world’s most influential economies. and security. It is not insignificant that these Our ocean space binds us as humanity. ongoing processes are gaining ground while Diplomatic Society of South Africa South Africa has being working assiduously to global trade and investment trends are build the apex Indian Ocean grouping, namely Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 15

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DIPLOMACY | THE FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN TIMES OF EXISTENTIALIST CRISES The future of international cooperation in times of existentialist crises The leadership of governments has been phenomenal in most cases; South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Cabinet prioritising human life over everything else was a bold and courageous move that may well prove successful. By Jaimal Anand Branch: Asia and Middle East, Department of International Relations and Cooperation A s the COVID-19 virus populations to voluntarily surrender certain of South Africans abroad, among other things. continues to spread globally, freedoms and liberties, without compromising This tells us that this area of diplomacy will the news and social media their rights. The leadership of governments be given more considerable attention and are flooded with the horrors has been phenomenal in most cases; South prominence in South Africa and many parts the deadly pandemic has African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his of the world. caused. We’ve seen mass Cabinet prioritising human life over everything graves in Europe, while China contained else was a bold and courageous move that Consular and political officers are over 50 million people in a single province, may well prove successful. increasingly expected to forge broader and India put 1.3 billion people and South Africa more relevant networks to manage crises, 58 million under lockdown. With all the World leaders and leading scientists are but they are also expected to maximise technology and predictive gadgets at our grappling with the realities that we confront. opportunities. Traditional diplomacy is disposal, something as medieval as a virus, It is a dangerous time in the journey of increasingly embracing non-traditional, with symptoms resembling the common cold COVID-19 where we may be tempted to non-state actors as part of its broader or seasonal influenza, has ravaged the world question the severity of the virus or assume network of engagement. Large multinational and forced humanity to its knees. that the worst is over. The truth is that we corporations, enterprises involved in niche still do not know the greatest threat that areas, civil-society actors in different parts of There was early praise for the exceptional COVID-19 will present. It preys on the natural the world, international fund managers, banks Chinese system of governance at the outset human instinct of social proximity, and this and mega foundations have significant amounts of the lockdown. As a result, there were invariably turns strength into humankind’s of global influence and reach. This may well be suggestions that only authoritarian states greatest weakness. the ideal infrastructure that is incorporated into would survive the pandemic. Interestingly, long-term consular operations. what we have learned is that liberal, Diplomacy, front and centre constitutional democracies like India and However, the darker side cannot be ignored. South Africa can effectively muster their In the diplomatic arena, consular officers Threats to the State are also incubated among and experts in migration are auditing and other kinds of non-traditional actors. These In the diplomatic arena, exchanging notes on the impact of COVID-19 are often sinister and opaque and include, but consular officers and on their work. The nexus between public are not limited to, transnational crime, violent experts in migration are health and national (and international) security extremism and organisations representing auditing and exchanging has never come so frighteningly close, at radical anarchic ideologies. notes on the impact least in the last century. While all of this was of COVID-19 on their going on, countries started to repatriate their These realities propel the consular official work. The nexus citizens. These realities have since become to the centre of multilateral and multinational between public health the most glaring example of the centrality of operations ranging from refugees, stranded and national (and a professional, crisis-ready consular corps citizens, conflict areas and victims of international) security for any foreign service in the 21st century. transnational crime. It is at this level that the has never come so The consular officer is required to function in a solidarity that we expect in international frighteningly close, at global environment where people travel more relations and interstate least in the last century. frequently, in higher numbers, and with more communication becomes risk across the globe. part of our existence. The Foreign Ministry In South Africa, the repatriation is being becomes the managed at the highest levels, where an space Inter-ministerial Command Council chaired by where the President was convened to take charge of the decision-making process on the plight 18 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| DIPLOMACYTHE FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN TIMES OF EXISTENTIALIST CRISES cooperation and solidarity are needed to protect stopping all domestic and international travel, advance of the COVID-19 virus might the State and advance its interests. This is halting all non-essential commercial activity, negatively impact globalisation. But the only non-comparative way to organise the and mass testing and screening – was in line recent acts demonstrate the inherent chaos of disruption in the global terrain. with WHO guidelines. The WHO has done will among most states to cooperate well to coordinate and guide South Africa and and collaborate. Human solidarity other countries on the science-backed do’s and don’ts to deal with the crisis. This capacity must Solidarity and cooperation, when History is crucial to navigate safely into the future. be strengthened and protected for now and in confronting an existentialist threat, are crucial But the current situation is without precedent, the future. to the survival of humankind. How foreign and so we do not have the privilege of hindsight. ministries organise their departments will be We have experienced mass pandemics through On 16 April 2020, members of the Alliance for central to shaping the international agenda. the centuries, but COVID-19 has emerged in a Multilateralism, convened in September 2019, The COVID-19 pandemic is teaching us that global scenario that is already challenged by signed a statement that called for “enhanced the narrow corridor between self-interest new realities, fractured institutions, complex international cooperation and worldwide and altruism lies in our will to work together. disruptions and unpredictability. The ongoing solidarity” while stressing that COVID-19 was We can define that work either in terms human solidarity initiatives that are being led a wake-up call for multilateralism. The alliance of solidarity or cooperation, or our by our governments, civil society and citizens highlighted five challenges that the pandemic narrow self-interest. Either way, our very in general, are critical to protect the most posed for the international community: health, survival and existence may well vulnerable in our communities from the virus, information (including misinformation and fake depend on our approach to hunger, grinding poverty, and in the end, contain news), financial, economic and prevention. reform and protect the its potential to damage. The increasing shift in favour of “network global architecture. diplomacy” within the United Nations system The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that may prove to be a necessary method to reignite we are incredibly vulnerable as a species. cooperation, solidarity and multilateralism to The relatively sudden disruption of travel, ensure its relevance in the 21st century. communication and individual lifestyles has brought to the fore the challenges that Cooperation is crucial humanity has grappled with since the end of the Second World War. The need for reform It is at times like this that our need in the global governance architecture has for multilateral and international never been so clear, while the global balance cooperation becomes of forces has become more dynamic and critical to our survival. increasingly unstable and unpredictable. Some might For the last decade, our multilateral and argue that global governance institutions have been the under considerable strain. The United States’ decision to withdraw funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) has demonstrated the vulnerability of our international institutions. South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic – declaring a disaster, enforcing a strict lockdown, Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 19

DIPLOMACY | Spectacular rock formation and art within the Cederberg Conservancy area in the Western Cape can be seen at Maltese Cross. This unique rock formation looms 30 m high and resembles a cross. 20 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

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DIPLOMACY | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AFTER COVID-19 International relations after COVID-19 Once the world reverts to a semblance of normalcy, there will no doubt be some irreversible changes like diplomacy, as well as trends in trade and security thinking that will also gather momentum. In short, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is going to change international relations. By Bhaso Ndzendze Research Director, Centre for Africa-China Studies Lecturer, Tech Dynamics in International Relations (Department of Politics and International Relations), University of Johannesburg (UJ); and Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal A post-pandemic world will for whom the distinctive trend of the 21st or not, that they could be made and hold some necessarily be different from century is the disintegration of borders and degree of believability shows the perceived the one that preceded it, the erosion of the concept of sovereignty. lack of responsive capacity of many African with implications for South Spurred by increases in trade, the mobility of embassies and consulates in China on Africa’s economic diplomacy capital and definitive steps towards deeper health-related developments. Thus, there is a and engagement. The “new integration in the European Union such as need to transform these institutions to include a common currency, the grouping seems to medical attachés. These medical attachés normal” will be all-encompassing, requiring bend decisively towards the elimination of are not uniformly present in all embassies borders over time. And yet, in recent months, and are in some cases temporarily present substantial alterations to the staffing of the world over, in the wake of the COVID-19 only for specific scientific negotiations. These epidemic, the State has reasserted itself, and will remodel embassies from being diplomatic embassies, the nature of global supply most countries have cordoned themselves outposts to active role players that can behind their borders. Indeed, so effective has contribute to the protection of citizens abroad chains, greater use of technology in travel the outbreak been in reasserting the State that from deteriorating health situations. one of the emblematic developments early regulations, and rethinking of indicators in the 2020 has been declarations of ceasefires by More importantly, embassies will be able several rebel groups in Cameroon, Colombia to expand their mandates to include useful development discourse. and the Philippines. health-related information. Applied effectively, this should manifest into a global network of There is a subset of international political The new normal on a global scale health-conscious embassies that play a role in early detection and warning systems as economists known as hyperglobalists, Once the world reverts to a semblance they will anticipate potential outbreaks before of normalcy, there will no doubt be some they materialise. In instances of epidemics, Diplomatic recruitment irreversible changes like diplomacy, as well as we could ensure swifter actions; more than processes will also trends in trade and security thinking that will we saw with COVID-19. With more focus on need to increasingly also gather momentum. In short, the ongoing health expertise in embassies, this could be a draw from medical COVID-19 pandemic is going to change standard reaction to epidemics. programmes, as well as international relations. What then, are the accrue graduates from repercussions of the measures put in place Article Seven of the Vienna Convention on the burgeoning field of now for a post-Coronavirus world, and how Diplomatic Relations partially makes provision biomedical sciences. will this change globalisation? for this, as it allows for each embassy to have Likewise, diplomatic various attachés as is deemed necessary. schools will need to There were some reports emerging in early This has allowed technology ambassadors introduce or bolster April 2020 that African residents in China had such as Denmark’s Casper Klynge and their medical and been ill-treated and discriminated against. the United Kingdom’s Nigel Sheinwald in scientific curricula. Whether these will ultimately be substantiated response to the growing centrality of tech companies, especially in Silicon Valley. 22 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| DIPLOMACYINTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AFTER COVID-19 Diplomatic recruitment processes will also likely to be more mindful of health. So far, this coincided with a recession (in Q4 in 2019) need to increasingly draw from medical has been the preserve of the United Nations’ programmes, as well as accrue graduates (UN) Human Development Index (HDI) and and a downgrading by Moody’s to junk status. from the burgeoning field of biomedical the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global sciences. Likewise, diplomatic schools will Competitiveness Index. The HDI focusses on Thus, some problematic choices lie ahead. need to introduce or bolster their medical and health expenditure per citizen, whereas the scientific curricula. WEF Global Competitiveness Index focusses The country will have to take advantage of on particular diseases, such as malaria, Global value chains tuberculosis and HIV. It will be a worthwhile the new changes or be taken over by them. exercise to evaluate whether there is any Global value chains will be transformed correlation in rankings on the HDI and proven Its economic recovery plan will need to because of the Coronavirus. This will resilience towards COVID-19. If this is not the encourage self-sufficiency or in the least case, the global development discourse as be cognisant of these shifts. Moreover, its a strategic reconsideration of the nature it has so far been manifest may yet be of economic interdependence by various another casualty of COVID-19. support for domestic industries will need to countries. More directly, many states will re-evaluate their exposure to China. They Is it possible that we will see a continuation be pursued in concert with the practitioners of will question whether the benefits the country of restrictions on movement after the offers, such as its special economic zones pandemic? Many countries have shut their its economic diplomacy in foreign affairs and its historically low-wage labour, which borders to curb the spread of the virus. has recently become increasingly expensive, This may entail stricter border controls once desks in various departments and in its outweigh the level of risk encountered by they re-open. For one, we could potentially being linked to China. This node of the value see the incorporation of digital identification hundreds of diplomatic posts around the chain is blamed by many for being the catalyst into visas. This, of course, would have been for the outbreak of the pandemic. a likely outcome of the Fourth Industrial globe. These should all play leading roles Revolution. Yet, the vital need to shut down We have already seen accelerations borders at this time may speed up this in identifying opportunities that are not in automation, and virtual modes of work, process. A digital identifier, which to some while some countries such as Japan have extent has already been enforced, includes engineered towards zero-sum gains, but recalled their companies. Fundamentally, biometric data as well as biographic and lockdowns in China have meant that travel history data. We foresee newer towards mutual recovery as far as possible. Japanese manufacturers have been unable regulations delving into more in-depth details to access critical equipment. Thus, according as tracking and tracing are implemented. Economic history is an indicator that any to a Bloomberg report: “imports from China The use of this information will allow slumped by almost half in February as the countries to have more control over risk- plan devised to improve one’s economic disease shuttered factories, in turn starving rating, verification and access of travellers. Japanese manufacturers of necessary Of course, the caveat is that there are myriad standing at the expense of other members components,” resulting in “renewed talk of risks and potential for misuse lingers. There Japanese firms reducing their reliance on will need to be built-in safeguards to ensure of the international community only leads China as a manufacturing base”. States are privacy and security. Travellers, through their already beginning to fundamentally relook at governments, will need to ensure that there to a race to the bottom when practises en what needs to be imported, especially if there is transparency regarding who has access to is scope to produce these goods domestically. this data. masse. South Africa is uniquely represented This could drastically alter the balance of trade for many states. Of course, much of On the other hand, while some may in numerous institutions – Brazil, Russia, this is speculative as economic activity has anticipate a more divisive post-Coronavirus mostly come to a halt. Yet, should restrictions world, there may be more opportunity for India, China and South Africa (BRICS), continue, and companies consolidate their multilateralism. For instance, the African procurement from local suppliers, this could Union (AU), which has long been criticised for the UN Security Council and the AU – become a permanent shift despite possibly its inability to mobilise collectively, has proven higher overheads. that in a crisis, it can act. The special envoys to advocate for mechanisms which can appointed to mobilise international support to For many in the developing world, this address the economic challenges resulting prevent precisely these potential beggar-thy- fracture in these hitherto resilient supply from the Coronavirus are indicative of the chains could be an opportunity to close the gap kind of collaboration possible. This may be a neighbour policies. by shoring up their comparative advantages, step in forging closer ties on the continent and while also signalling their health statuses. could potentially enhance the scope of the Contents of this article first appeared in the Daily Maverick They are also theoretically advantaged by African Continental Free Trade Area, while their younger populations, but that may only also showcasing which dangers to be on the in April 2020. be true of this particular virus, and there is no lookout for. telling what groups, if at all, will be relatively The special envoys safer from different outbreaks in the future. Implications for South African diplomacy appointed to mobilise This also highlights another significant For South Africa, the COVID-19 outbreak, and international support change in the global arena; international thus the lockdown which it necessitated, also to address the investors, and those who advise them, are economic challenges resulting from the Coronavirus are indicative of the kind of collaboration possible. This may be a step in forging closer ties on the continent and could potentially enhance the scope of the African Continental Free Trade Area, while also showcasing which dangers to be on the lookout for. Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 23

DIPLOMACY | HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TRIGGERED A RETURN OF HUMAN SOLIDARITY AND PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONALISM Has the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a return of human solidarity and progressive internationalism? The COVID pandemic is pushing nations to recognise and acknowledge the need for solidarity in tackling global pandemics, but simultaneously, it is driving many to become more inward-looking, insular, fearful and intolerant. By Nicholas Wolpe, CEO of Liliesleaf Foundation and Jaimal Anand, Branch: Asia and Middle East, Department of International Relations and Cooperation A s Ahmed Kathrada remarked, The essence of international solidarity lay in but by an inward looking, protectionist view, “it would be a wrong the singularity of purpose of countries. The defined by “I”, not “us”. Today, the world is an interpretation of history if fight against the injustices of apartheid was a increasingly unsafe place, starkly illustrated we ignored the role of the clear articulation of this singularity of purpose. by major flashpoints such as those in Libya, international community in It was much more than just unified political Syria and Palestine, to name a few. Anxieties our struggle”. This quote by beliefs, ideals, purpose and opposition to a around the ongoing tensions between the the late struggle icon vividly captures the repugnant ideology. It transcended politics and United States, Iran and China remain high. important role played by the international went into the realm of friendship, which was community in the struggle against apartheid most vividly exemplified by the relationship The reality is that in recent years, our and the pursuit to attain democracy and between African National Congress President responses to global conflicts, challenges, human rights in South Africa. OR Tambo and Swedish Prime Minister Olof threats and opportunities have not been Palme. The latter remarked, “there exists no shaped and defined by a common focus The momentum produced by the struggle they and we, only us. Solidarity is and has to and purpose, but by self-interest and self- against apartheid stimulated and harnessed be indivisible”. This notion has unfortunately preservation. international support that transcended faded with a resurgence of realpolitik in our geopolitical fault lines, which at the time were discourse. The political discourse now is The shift in sentiment away from “us” pronounced and rigid. As the world rose in increasingly about a return to preserving has seen a rise in global strife, which has unison against apartheid, we witnessed what borders and keeping the “other” out. manifested in various forms, exacerbated could be achieved when the world came by an inherent unwillingness to collectively together as one voice, bound together by a The geopolitical order is characterised not address and solve the growing conflicts that common bond and purpose. by the bonds that define and shape solidarity, have come to shape global relations. Now, in 2020, we seem to be on the verge of a new 24 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| DIPLOMACYHAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TRIGGERED A RETURN OF HUMAN SOLIDARITY AND PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONALISM story as we are battling to manage the effects with crises, international solidarity and We understand very of the COVID-19 virus ravaging the planet. cooperation. We understand very well that well that our sense our sense of Ubuntu will always come to Africa Day on 25 May 2020, represented the fore in times of crisis and once again it of Ubuntu will always a history that is bound to the values of has. Solidarity is reflected in our level of come to the fore in progressive internationalism and human concern of the plight of our fellow man. solidarity. The global discourse on the Under normal circumstances, millions in the times of crisis and once history of the post-colonial era is a mixed world are hungry, poor, victims of conflict and again it has. Solidarity is bag of praise, cynical commentary and violence, homeless, displaced and without criticism. On an individual basis, many of hope. COVID-19 has brought this shameful reflected in our level of us share views that straddle optimism and situation into stark relief – might the world concern of the plight of pessimism, depending on the issue at hand. pay attention? Internationalism demands that we express our fellow man. our views and formulate our analysis in order At this moment of significant change, surely to strengthen and build Africa, the world’s it is time to rekindle old notions of solidarity resource-rich Africa, to experience elements wealthiest continent, to enjoy its endowments between people and, importantly, between of recolonisation. Neo-colonialism did not through development, peace, stability and countries in southern Africa? How can we necessarily take the traditional form of importantly, an environment in which her control the “virus that knows no boundaries” invading armies; this time, it was a process sons and daughters will flourish and make to break down barriers and establish a new, of seizing control through proxy mechanisms maximum use of our inherent talent and progressive order based on social justice and that included global corporations with vested strength. equal opportunity? interests in Africa’s resource base. The global power elites were compelled to ensure that South Africa has assumed Chairship of We are undoubtedly in a time of severe governments and governance systems the African Union (AU) during this COVID-19 crisis. Climate change is threatening the reflected and also served such interests. pandemic, at a time when the world has to most vulnerable and the future of youth, confront this devastating public health threat. social inequality is on the rise, and right-wing With the Asian-African Conference in We have seen how COVID-19 has led to the movements are framing a political agenda Bandung in 1955, and the formation of the development of a duopoly; a contradictory predicated on “I” and intolerance. The crises Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Belgrade and controversial global approach. confronting us also offer us an opportunity to in 1961, it was clear that the newly liberated address and change the way we do things. states understood the need to organise The COVID pandemic is pushing nations In this regard, we cannot escape the reality themselves and prevent the emerging threat to recognise and acknowledge the need for that a post-COVID-19 world will be different of neo-imperialist forces, especially given the solidarity in tackling global pandemics, but not only in how we interact with each other but dynamics of the Cold War. simultaneously, it is driving many to become how we go about doing business. more inward-looking, insular, fearful and The Five Principles of Peaceful intolerant. The rise of traditional nationalist As Rudi Muhammad, in a 2010 report Coexistence were to represent the core values politics, anti-immigrant sentiments and the to the United Nations Human Rights of the NAM: mutual respect for each other's rising tide of self-preservation has seen Council stated: “International solidarity is a territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual unprecedented attacks on our multilateral precondition to human dignity, the basis of all non-aggression, mutual non-interference in institutions. The attack on the World Health human rights, and a human-centred approach domestic affairs, equality and mutual benefit, Organisation in the midst of a global pandemic to development, and has a bridge-building and peaceful co-existence. was disturbing, yet conversely, Africa’s function across all divides and distinctions. austere defence of the institution has It encompasses the values of social justice On 25 May 1963, the Organisation of demonstrated the resilience of our and equity; goodwill among peoples and African Unity (OAU) was formed, and the internationalism when we act as a collective. nations, and integrity of the international 32 liberated African states took a clear community; sovereignty and sovereign position on colonialism and apartheid in Encouragingly, this crisis has brought to equality of all States, and friendly relations South Africa. These developments reflected the fore our traditional approach to dealing among them.” the need to understand the implications of the 1884-85 Berlin Conference that created The crises confronting The 20th century was marked by two an Africa that was to serve the interests us also offer us an devastating world wars and the long and and needs of the colonial powers, not the opportunity to address protracted Cold War, which threatened a continent or her people. and change the way we superpower fall-out that would have left do things. In this regard, the planet in pieces. Creating a better life African leaders (increasingly world we cannot escape for all humanity was set to be a complex leaders) understood very well that the Berlin the reality that a post- and daunting task for the new millennium, Conference was the product of demigods COVID-19 world will be and indeed, the 21st century started on a who took it upon themselves to displace different not only in how somewhat surreal note with the attack on Africa’s centuries’ old indigenous histories, we interact with each the Twin Towers in New York. The events of territories and most of all dignity. With that, other but how we go 11 September 2001 were to launch a new, the OAU was determined to ensure that about doing business. more sinister global trajectory. Suddenly, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the dignity extremism, terrorism, fundamentalism – of Africa and her people would be restored. concepts which had existed for decades – were now set to occupy and dominate the Will the post-COVID era reaffirm our noble global discourse of the 2000s. virtues? As our former President Nelson Mandela would remind us, it is in your hands The 20th century was also marked by – on this affirmation we dare not falter. a period of decolonisation, but it did not take long for liberated states, especially in Diplomatic Society of South Africa Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 25

DIPLOMACY | INDIA, AFRICA SHOULD ACCELERATE UNSC REFORMS: SOUTH AFRICA’S BRICS SHERPA India, Africa should accelerate UNSC reforms: South Africa’s BRICS Sherpa “The fault lines exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the global supply chain offer an opportunity for India and Africa to build a robust system based on shared values that would withstand any future difficult situations.” I ndiaandAfricashouldrenewtheirjointefforts In his welcome remarks, Manish Chand, At the 2015 India-Africa Forum Summit, Prime to accelerate reform and expansion of the Founder-CEO of India Writes Network and Minister Modi outlined the guiding principles United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India and the World, set out key themes of of this partnership, which he reaffirmed during said Ambassador Anil Sooklal, South the conference. “Taking a long-range view, his State Visit to Uganda in an address to Africa’s Sherpa for BRICS and G20, at a the virtual seminar will help map the future Parliament. “What is needed now is to unpack virtual conference held to mark the 2020 trajectory of the India-Africa partnership in these guiding principles and synergise it for Africa Day. accordance with 10 principles of the India- Agenda 2063,” he said. “The attempts at the UNSC to put a halt Africa partnership outlined by Prime Minister to global conflicts during the pandemic Narendra Modi in his defining speech to the “The primary focus should be on how have been unsuccessful. It shows how Ugandan Parliament in July 2018.” both can jointly produce for mutual benefit. paralysed the UN system is. What is it that There are tremendous opportunities but we are celebrating on its 75th anniversary Global supply chains both sides have to look at the niche areas of the UN?,” Ambassador Sooklal said while where they can add value to this relationship. responding to a question on what India and Ambassador Sooklal, also South Africa’s Sectors such as pharmaceuticals, Information Africa could do to intensify reform of global BRICS Sherpa, G20 Sherpa and IBSA (India- and Communications Technology, capacity governance institutions. Brazil-South Africa) Sherpa and the IORA and skill development, and agriculture “You still have an Africa that is marginalised (Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional could be significant areas for collaboration,” in the Security Council. How much did we Cooperation), also called for enhanced Ambassador Sooklal said. “We need to relook progress in the UN reform process since collaboration in shaping post-COVID global the millennia model of value chain supply, of it began some 20 years ago? So, Africa supply chains. “The fault lines exposed by producing, using and discarding. We need and India must push the reform agenda the COVID-19 pandemic in the global supply to collaborate and see how we can create of the multilateral institutions, especially chain offer an opportunity for India and Africa a more inclusive global society that does the UNSC, through their BRICS and IBSA to build a robust system based on shared not marginalise Africa and other parts of the platforms,” said Ambassdor Sooklal. “We values that would withstand any future difficult world,” he added. need to collaborate and see how we create situations,” he said. a more inclusive global society that does Moderated by Manish Chand, the webinar not marginalise Africa and other parts of the “The current global slowdown offers an was addressed by eminent diplomats and world,” said Ambassador Sooklal, Deputy opportunity for us to overcome the challenges, experts. These included: Dr Anil Sooklal, Director-General responsible for Asia and the and it is fortuitous that we have put forward Deputy Director-General, DIRCO, South Middle East in the Department of International this template of the Continental Free Trade Africa; Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam, Relations and Cooperation. Agreement,” Ambassador Sooklal said. Ambassador of Eritrea in India and Dean To mark the 2020 Africa Day, an He was referring to the historic continent- of African Group Heads of Mission in international webinar, entitled: Mapping Next wide deal that was scheduled to come into India; David Rasquinha, MD, EXIM Bank; Steps in India-Africa Partnership: Pandemic force on 1 July but was postponed due to the Ambassador of Uganda to India, Grace & Beyond, was organised by the Delhi pandemic. Akello; Morocco’s Ambassador to India, headquartered India Writes Network, a Mohammed Maliki; Ambassador of Ethiopia leading publishing and research organisation Both India and Africa account for almost to India, Tizita Mulugeta; Sékou KASSÉ, focussed on global affairs and India and one-third of the global population, but in Ambassador of Mali; Ambassador Virendra the World magazine. The webinar brought contrast, the combined share of global trade Gupta, India’s former High Commissioner to together eminent diplomats, experts and is less than 10%. “In this day and age, it is South Africa; Prof. Rajan Harshe, academic thought leaders from India, African and inconceivable, and so, we need to look at it and author; and Pranav Kumar, Head, several European countries. again to ensure that Africa and India become International Trade. part of the mainstream,” he said. www.indiawrites.org 26 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

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DIPLOMACY | The Twelve Apostles Mountain Range forms the back of Table Mountain, where one can find one of the most scenic stretches of coast in the world. 28 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

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FEATURE | LIBERATION HERITAGE DENIS GOLDBERG Liberation Heritage: Denis Goldberg The only white person convicted in the Rivonia Trial in the Pretoria Supreme Court along with Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and others, Goldberg spent more than a quarter of his life in jail before he was released in 1985. By Alet Law, News24 mother who was in court and couldn't hear … Denis Theodore Goldberg was born on and said it was life and life is wonderful.\" 11 April 1933 in Cape Town. His grandparents D enis Goldberg, one of the last had from fled Lithuania to England in the surviving Rivonia trialists, died The reality of prison, however, soon struck late 1800s to avoid the anti-Semitic threat in after a protracted battle with him and the realisation that apartheid was still eastern Europe at the time. His parents, Sam lung cancer at the end of April a long way from over eventually took his toll. and Annie, left London for the modest Cape 2020. He was 87. His time in Pretoria Central Prison, separated Town suburb of Observatory, where Annie The only white person from the other Rivonia trialists because of worked in a factory and Sam worked at a convicted in the Rivonia Trial in the Pretoria the colour of his skin, was a depressing and small transport company. Sam also worked Supreme Court along with Nelson Mandela, lonely time, filled with longing for his family for the Communist Party, stirring his son's Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and others, and wife, Esme. political consciousness from an early age. Goldberg spent more than a quarter of his life in jail before he was released in 1985. He was often ill and miserable and found When Goldberg was just 16, he wrote He was charged under the Sabotage little meaning in the menial tasks the prisoners his final school exam and went to study and Suppression of Communism acts for were given to do. Civil Engineering at the University of Cape \"campaigning to overthrow the Government Town. He joined the non-racial Modern Youth by violent revolution and for assisting an But it was also a time of self-discovery and Society, where he met Esme Bodenstein, who armed invasion of the country by foreign perhaps the source of his well-known sense he would marry in 1954. Goldberg eventually troops\" and was sentenced to four life terms of humour. joined the Congress of Democrats (COD), an on 12 June 1964. organisation of white people who worked with Goldberg recalled the moment he was He writes in his autobiography, The the African National Congress (ANC) and the sentenced in an interview with the SABC's Mission: A Life for Freedom in South Africa, South African Indian Congress (SAIC), who Morning Live on the 50-year anniversary of \"people often ask me how I remained as I am organised protest actions which eventually the Rivonia Trial: \"After the judge said in a through all the long years in prison. I can only led India to break ties with South Africa. case that is tantamount to high treason, he say that I did not remain unchanged. I became said 'the death penalty would be the ultimate far more introspective, far more aware of my On 26 June 1955, an alliance of the ANC, sentence, but…' That but meant he wasn't own strengths and weaknesses.\" SAIC, COD and others organised the People's going to impose the death penalty. We started Congress in Kliptown, near Johannesburg. smiling, just a little twitch, but then he said \"In prison you cannot ask for counselling Roughly 3 000 people attended and the that the only leniency was life imprisonment because you cannot put your mind in the widely heralded Freedom Charter was signed, on each of the counts on which we were found hands of the enemy. You have to be your demanding democracy and equal rights for guilty … And we laughed, and I called to my own therapist. My definition of sanity is that all South Africans. Goldberg was one of the you are able to bring your emotions into line with what you know, by clear thinking, is objectively right.\" 30 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| FEATURELIBERATION HERITAGE DENIS GOLDBERG organisers of the event, putting his excellent struggle as a white person. person among the former Rivonia prisoners, networking skills to work. He writes in his autobiography: \"I believed who sat in prison for 22 years of his life for the time was ripe for negotiations … I would the common struggle against apartheid. His Two years later, he joined the banned continue the political struggle in a non-violent life is the radical contradiction to the system Communist Party and after he was let go from way and not allow myself to be imprisoned of apartheid which despised human beings.\" his job at the state-owned railway, he started again.\" working for the party almost full time. On the first anniversary of the first After his release, he went into exile in democratic election on 26 April 1995, Then, after the Sharpeville massacre London where Esme was already staying Goldberg founded Community HEART (Health occurred in 1960, the ANC, Pan-Africanist after being subjected to solitary confinement Education And Reconstruction Training), a Congress and the South African Communist for her political activism. Goldberg continued London-based charity that has raised millions Party were banned and went underground working for the ANC from its London office of rand for the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust from where the ANC launched the armed until 1994 where he was spokesperson for the and to date, it has donated more than three struggle. Goldberg joined its military wing, organisation and represented it at the United million books for children, among other things. Umkhonto we Sizwe. One of his jobs as a Nations' Anti-Apartheid Committee. member was to find railways, power lines He spent the last few years of his life setting and telephone lines to damage. Officially, he In some ways, Goldberg's role, along up the Denis Goldberg Legacy Foundation was a logistics and technical officer for the with that of his fellow political inmate, lawyer Trust and building the House of Hope as an organisation. Bram Fischer, in the fight against apartheid art and culture education and training centre allowed the ANC to see the value of being a in Hout Bay, Cape Town, where he lived till When the police raided Liliesleaf non-racial, inclusive organisation. he died. Farm in Rivonia, the ANC's underground headquarters, on 11 July 1963, Goldberg was While the ANC was originally an exclusively In 2016, Goldberg received the Freedom among those arrested. black organisation, many non-white people of the City of London along with Ahmed worked for the organisation in risky ways Kathrada, Lord Joel Joffe, George Bizos and When he was finally released from prison and the Freedom Charter clearly stated that Andrew Mlangeni in recognition of their fight after 22 years of incarceration, it was not South Africa should be free of social and legal for freedom and racial equality. without controversy. With pressure from the inequalities based on the colour of people's international community increasing, South skins. Shortly after Goldberg's release from Esme died of a stroke in London in 2000. Africa became more and more isolated. In an prison, the ANC opened up to all races. Goldberg remarried Edelgard Nkobi, a attempt to soften the world's stance against it, German journalist, in 2002. She died in 2006 the apartheid regime in 1985 offered political In his essay, A Marvelous Life! Denis after a long battle with cancer. prisoners serving life sentences their freedom, Goldberg, South Africa and the World, in exchange for giving up the armed struggle. Eberhard Neugebohrn writes: \"Hardly anyone Goldberg's daughter, Hilary, also died at else can represent the ethos of living together 47 from a sudden blood clot. Nelson Mandela and the other prisoners in a non-racist way, based on the pure rejected the offer. Goldberg decided to accept principle of the equality of all human beings He is survived by his son, David, who is a it, believing that he could serve the struggle and the political wisdom of the Charter, fundraiser for the DGLF Trust in London, two better from outside prison. It was a difficult granddaughters and a grandson. decision, and he feared that he would be ibetter than Denis Goldberg, the only white rejected by his comrades for betraying the President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences following the passing of Rivonia trialist and Esteemed Member of the Order of Luthuli, Denis Theodore Goldberg. “My thoughts are with Denis Goldberg’s family and his comrades around the country and around the world. This is a sad moment for our nation and a moment for all of us to appreciate Denis Goldberg’s brave dedication to our struggle and his lifelong activism in the interest of – and in the physical presence of – poor and vulnerable communities around our country,” said the President. Goldberg, who lived in Hout Bay, Cape Town, passed away on 29 April 2020 at the age of 87. In his tribute, President Ramaphosa said Goldberg’s first experience of prison was alongside his mother, who had been detained for four months. “Such experiences failed to intimidate him. Instead, it fuelled his determination that the liberation movement should use all strategies at its disposal, including armed resistance, to end apartheid. “His commitment to ethical leadership was unflinching and even during his advanced age, he formed part of the movement of veterans of the struggle calling for the reassertion of the moral centre of society. He dedicated his life to achieving the better life we enjoy today and his revolutionary contribution reinforced the non-racial character of our struggle and of our democratic dispensation.” Goldberg received a National Order for his commitment to the struggle against apartheid and service to the people of South Africa. Upon receiving news of Mr Goldberg’s passing, the National Coronavirus Command Council observed a moment’s silence in honour of this special patriot. “We will hold him in our thoughts and prayers as we say farewell at a time when we are not allowed to gather in to say our goodbyes. May his soul rest in peace,” said President Ramaphosa. The Nelson Mandela Foundation also expressed sadness at Goldberg’s passing. “We have been deeply saddened to hear that Denis Goldberg has passed away and send condolences to his family, friends and comrades. South Africa has lost another true patriot, someone who was a friend of Nelson Mandela and a stalwart of struggle,” it said. The foundation said most of Goldberg’s life was dedicated to the struggle against apartheid and the building of democracy. “He was our friend. Always supportive, right to the end. We were delighted he was able to attend our events marking the 30th anniversary of Madiba’s release from prison. And always a constructive critic of our work, with insight and that characteristic naughty sense of humour,” said the foundation’s Chief Executive, Sello Hatang. SAnews.gov.za Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 31

FEATURE | LIBERATION HERITAGE CREDO MUTWA Liberation Heritage: Taken together, his life’s work proposed that knowledge was not finite and that the soul was able to traverse different times and dimensions to bring knowledge of the past and of the future into the present. By Sinethemba Makanya Doctoral Fellow, University of the Witwatersrand 32 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

khulu VusamaZulu Credo | FEATURELIBERATION HERITAGE CREDO MUTWA Mutwa’s name foretold the role that this towering Prolific artist With his work easily exploited by conspiracy South African healer, theorists, he was at times ridiculed as a uMkhulu was astonishingly prolific despite false prophet. He was largely neglected as M prophet and artist was to his many years, working across mediums a cultural figure by the South African State. play. VusamaZulu can be and forms as a teacher and healer. He was To maintain his safety, he retired to the small translated as either \"awaken the Zulu nation\" a storyteller of mythologies, the author of town of Kuruman in the North West province. or \"awaken the heavens\", aptly describing his five books, the best-known being Indaba, life’s work: asserting the humanity of aBantu – My Children (1964). He wrote a play called Revered sanusi people of African descent – globally. uNosilimela, worked on a graphic novel, and \"Mkhulu\" means \"grandfather\" and in this I created a website and two living museums uMkhulu was a revered sanusi, loosely acknowledge Mkhulu VusamaZulu as well as – KwaKhaya LeNdaba in Soweto and translated as “one who lifts us up”. Isanusi, the ancestors that walk with him as my elders. Lotlamoreng in Mahikeng. Here, visitors according uMkhulu VVO Mkhize of Umsamo uMkhulu passed away at the age of 98. He can see some of his countless sculptures Institute, is a healer who reveals that which is was born on 21 July 1921 in KwaZulu-Natal. and artworks. hidden, such as mysteries erased by history, After falling ill in his teenage years, he was and who tells us about the future. initiated to become a sangoma or traditional In many, there is a recurring figure of a healer. woman, whom he called Ma in Indaba, My As he filled in some of the blanks in Bantu The sangoma is a diviner and seer, using Children. This is the depiction of the goddess history, his predictions of significant global gifts of spiritual sight, mediation with the of creation, known to the Zulu people as events garnered international interest. ancestors and knowledge of herbal medicine \"Nomkhubulwane\". He frequently exalted and ritual to diagnose and heal disease. the spirit of women as life givers and spoke Many were expressed through his art. Traditional healers are often “called” to this against the abuse of women. His 1979 sculpture of King Khandakhulu path by their ancestors \"through dreams discussing his sexually transmitted diseases and other significant experiences\", including With no formal training, his art became an with the gods is seen to pre-empt HIV and illnesses and misfortune. expression of his wish to share the oral tales AIDS. A 1979 painting is said to predict Following this intensive initiation process, and symbols of traditional African spirituality. the 11 September attacks in the United States uMkhulu embarked on many journeys through of America. African countries, including Swaziland, Through these various works, he allowed Lesotho and Kenya. He wrote: us to trace our roots, philosophy and ubuntu Some of his many predictive utterances “I was not travelling for enjoyment, bethu; the humanity of aBantu. Ubuntu here – among them those related to the 1976 however, I was travelling for knowledge … refers to a specific humanity accessible only Soweto youth uprisings and the Marikana I came into contact with men and women to aBantu; an assertion that foregrounds the massacre – were told to visitors or made in of countries that I had not known before … African worldview. video recordings posted on the Credo Mutwa I found myself amongst men and women Foundation Facebook page. His prophecy possessing knowledge that was already At the time of his passing, uMkhulu had was embedded in South Africa’s popular ancient when the man Jesus Christ was born.” received little financial gain from his writings culture, especially through the mass print The pan-African nature of his training as his royalties were owned by others, media and YouTube. provided him with a vast knowledge of African according to the Credo Mutwa Trust. folklore, mythology and culture which, he Taken together, his life’s work proposed lamented, was dying. He became adamant This was not his only challenge. uMkhulu that knowledge was not finite and that the that he needed not only to preserve it, but to acknowledged that in his writing about African soul was able to traverse different times and educate South Africans about this heritage, spirituality, he was risking being called a dimensions to bring knowledge of the past which is not taught in schools. traitor by his people for sharing its secrets. and of the future into the present. In 1976, students burnt down parts of his New ways of knowing Soweto cultural village after he was misquoted on an Afrikaans radio station. It was burnt uMkhulu broadened the view of Africans. down again in 1980, his son murdered and In his work, we were exposed to a type wife raped, after being unjustly accused of of knowledge that had been oppressed. working with white men under apartheid. He taught us that South Africans’ history did not begin in 1652, when Jan Van Riebeeck hit our shores and the colonisation project began, but that we have a long legacy of philosophy and medicine, interrupted by this colonisation. Through his work, he gave us the voice, the agency and the tools with which to fight against a single story. One that placed the white man as the ideal and any other category of human as ‘other’ and lesser. We are now able to assert that the story is of multiple interpretations, dimensions and times. Lala ngoxolo Khehla lethu (rest in peace our old man); your prophecies are well heeded, and teachings continuously awaken uBuntu bethu (our humanity), thina aBantu beThonga laseAfrika (us children of the ancestor of Africa). This article was first published on The Conversation Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 33

FEATURE | JOHN LIEBENBERG: MASTERFUL PHOTOGRAPHER OF LIFE AND WAR IN SOUTHERN AFRICA John Liebenberg: Masterful photographer of life and war in southern Africa Fellow journalists and friends describe a man with the capacity to jump fences, break down boundaries and disarm people as he moved around like a whirlwind taking photographs, sometimes slyly, but often being touched by people and touching them in turn. By Patricia Hayes DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Visual History and Theory, University of the Western Cape S outh African photojournalist John Liebenberg is best known for his remarkable body of work in Namibia, especially the period of the late 1980s when the country headed towards its United Nations-supervised transition to independence. Born in 1958 in Johannesburg, his childhood was not an easy one, part of it spent in an orphanage. He finished school at a time when white South African men were expected to complete compulsory military service and he was conscripted to Ondangwa in northern Namibia in 1976. It was illegal to take photographs in the army, but Liebenberg hid a small camera in the toilet block. After national service, Liebenberg returned to Namibia and worked in the Windhoek Post Office. He wanted to be a photographer. He also had a capacity to connect to people. He often spoke of the black migrant workers he came to know at the workplace, most of them from Namibia’s northern border area with Angola where the war was intensifying. Known as the “border war“ to South Africans and as the “war of liberation“ to Namibians, it drew Namibia, Angola and other countries into South Africa’s fight against armed liberation movements supported by socialist countries that echoed wider Cold War politics. “Endearment” was a term Liebenberg liked to use when talking about his relationship with people, getting to know their stories, and their harsh journeys of necessity to work in the south. One had the sense, many years later, that the stories still obsessed him. It was the same once he joined The Namibian newspaper and began covering the growing urban mobilisation of trade unions and 34 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| FEATUREJOHN LIEBENBERG: MASTERFUL PHOTOGRAPHER OF LIFE AND WAR IN SOUTHERN AFRICA students and, increasingly, the war zone on through central Angola to reconquer areas Hostel for migrant men in Katutura township the border with Angola. claimed by UNITA, including Huambo. in Windhoek in 1986. These are astonishing Following his personal code of covering both for the way the men presented their sheer Fellow journalists and friends describe sides of a struggle, he later photographed individuality to the camera. When some of a man with the capacity to jump fences, UNITA bases in southern Angola. these photos were exhibited in Windhoek break down boundaries and disarm people in 2011, as Weekends at the Okombone, as he moved around like a whirlwind taking Ghosts there were dramatic moments of recognition photographs, sometimes slyly, but often being by some of the descendants of the touched by people and touching them in turn. Liebenberg published his photographs of photographed men. the Namibian war against South African Enemy of the State colonial occupation in Bush of Ghosts (2010). Liebenberg used to talk about the He invited me, as a historian of northern unpredictable way people could enter the Namibia’s transition to independence started Namibia, to collaborate in the task. He was “chambers of the heart”. This was not just on 1 April 1989 and initially foundered with the always very clear that the narrative must about love. He was referring to the unexpected collapse of a ceasefire in the north. address all different parties in the struggle. emotional consequences of his life work. Hours before the conflict resumed, The book has three chapters. The first There are deep affective implications for Liebenberg’s car was riddled with bullets in an follows young white conscripts who are a photographer coming close to people’s assassination attempt. He learned years later pitched into the war zone of the Namibia- pain, death, mutilation, guilt, betrayal, from the amnesty hearings of South Africa’s Angola border. It unfolds into scenes where mourning, rage or cruelty. Perhaps it made Truth and Reconciliation Commission how white and black security forces confront local him determined and even reckless, throwing his would-be killers, the shadowy apartheid populations who face curfews and threats, things to the wind and keeping the camera death squad, the Civil Cooperation Bureau, who have their fields and homesteads rolling as he famously did during the second had been commissioned to get rid of him. destroyed by armoured vehicles and shellfire, plane crash he experienced in Huambo but who often stand with unreadable stillness province in the 1990s. It’s remarkable how he sustained the and dignity in the face of such impositions. intensity of dense photographic coverage This chapter acknowledges the vulnerability of And if you cannot reach or help the of ongoing protest and war in this period, young conscripts, but directly addresses them people who have come into the chambers of including breaking the difficult story of the and the military apparatus of the apartheid your heart, they can at least be brought into accounts of human rights abuses from state. No other photographer in southern the chambers of your camera. That is, the detainees who belonged to the South West Africa has documented war in this way. subject enters John’s visual world, where Africa People’s Organisation or SWAPO. unfathomable depths and surfaces cut many Their stories came to light after their release The second chapter in Bush of Ghosts ways. That is why there is no single way to from the dungeons in southern Angola is his homage to Namibians as they read any of his images, and probably why in 1989. mobilised against South African rule. The many remain so haunting. third is more meditative, exploring the After Namibian independence, Liebenberg aftermath of war in portraits and landscapes. And questions remain about the career moved on to cover the civil war in Angola, As Liebenberg’s co-author, I was astounded and final predicament of a pre-eminent which he called the “war of madness”. at the comprehensiveness of the subject photographer who died in hospital after The stakes were very high, the politics matter and the lack of waste in this an operation at age 61 without healthcare muddied, and human life frequently analogue archive. benefits. Who often spoke of the exploitation disrespected. of photographers by newspapers, agencies Chambers of the heart and networks. He said they were sometimes He photographed the conflict in Luanda careless and often demanding about the after the collapse of the agreement between As we worked, Liebenberg pulled out another copyright that would become the only means the Popular Movement for the Liberation body of work he had never shown, the of survival for an ageing photographer and of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union weekend studio portraits taken at the Ovambo his family. A photographer whose surviving for the Total Independence of Angola archive is unique, with the potential to open (UNITA) following the elections in 1992. up the historical memory of nations. He accompanied the MPLA forces moving Liebenberg used to talk about the unpredictable way people could enter the “chambers of the heart”. This was not just about love. He was referring to the unexpected emotional consequences of his life work. Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 35

FEATURE | A“graffiti wall reveals women’s stories from the South African War Stories like the kind stored in this place, known as the Telperion Shelter, provide history to a landscape and people. Women were important participants in the war through the contributions and support they provided to commandos, units of Boer fighters. This is seldom spoken of; their stories and experiences are neglected. Telperion confronts these hidden stories. By Tim Forssman years, made it a good place to shelter or hide. with the initials “A.M.H.A.E.” as well as “D.S.J.” Senior Lecturer, University of Pretoria But the rock shelter’s back wall contains a and “A.M.E.”. Other names and initials include remarkable piece of South African history. “J.D. van Schalkwyk” and “E(F?).B.J.V.V.”. A bout 80 km east of Pretoria in South Africa, near the town There you can see images of women This “graffiti” was made by Boer women of Bronkhorstspruit, there’s a in crinoline dresses, as well as names and hiding from British soldiers during the South rocky outcrop in a secluded initials, painted onto the rock. The surname African War, also known as the Boer War. ravine in the countryside. “Engelbrecht” is repeated in several places “Boer” is an Afrikaans word, which translates There’s nothing remarkable about this outcrop – which has, over the 36 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| FEATUREA “GRAFFITI” WALL REVEALS WOMEN’S STORIES FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR to “farmers” but also refers to the forebears of destroying crops and livestock. The other was The “graffiti” includes the names I’ve South Africa’s Afrikaans people. These women to intern the Boers in concentration camps. mentioned as well as images of two groups left their farm homes and lived outdoors in the of people. One group is five women wearing countryside to avoid being captured by British Women left without homes would often large crinoline dresses, which would have forces and sent to a concentration camp. be forced to subsist in the veld – the open, been worn at the time of this war, and holding uncultivated grasslands. It was a dangerous what look to be stalks, which could be maize My colleagues and I wanted to know more option: they faced capture, retribution, food or something yet to be identified. The second about the site’s occupants, their lives while in insecurity, disease and death. But it meant group is to the right and almost identically hiding and the “graffiti” they left behind. So, avoiding the concentratin camps, which resembles Sotho images of people, painted we analysed these painted images, as well were overcrowded, undersupplied and poorly by earlier Sotho communities using the site as others left there earlier by different groups maintained, with a constant threat of disease. for boys’ initiation. It is drawn in the same like indigenous hunter-gatherers, herders Nearly 50 000 people died in the camps. paint as the women. These two groups might and farmers. This helped us to understand reflect the two occupant communities using the site’s painted sequence and the context While in the veld, women were also able to the shelter. of its occupation over time. An examination give their husbands in the commandos supplies of family stories helped fill in the gaps in the and information about soldier movements. Our most important task was to find out women’s stories. This was often vital to a commando’s ability who used the site and what happened to to continue fighting. Going to the veld, in this them; if we could do so, we would be able to Stories like the kind stored in this place, sense, was about resilience, rebellion and assess whether the story we were told was known as the Telperion Shelter, provide defiance. Unfortunately, because most of accurate and perhaps add to it. Fortunately, history to a landscape and people. Women these stories, histories or experiences were all of the concentration camp records have were important participants in the war through never written down or recorded, they are been digitised and are available online. the contributions and support they provided poorly known. to commandos, units of Boer fighters. Poring through these records, we were This is seldom spoken of; their stories Stories on the stone eventually able to identify Alida Maria and experiences are neglected. Telperion Hendrika Aletta Engelbrecht (A.M.H.A.E) and confronts these hidden stories. When we first visited Telperion Shelter, the her husband and children, some of whom farm manager told us a story about those also have their names painted in the site. The South African War who had lived there. Black, Sotho-speaking According to the records, she and her children families and white Boer families hid there from were all captured on the farm Sterkfontein, The South African War was declared between patrolling British troops. They set up a small where Telperion Shelter is found. It appears the British and Boers in 1899 after a period of garden inside a poplar tree thicket nearby and as though we have found the people in the economic and political instability. even kept a pig. story and who used the site. The scattered Boer troops engaged in One day, the pig escaped and nearby These images do more than just verify the guerrilla tactics, crippling British resources, troops happened upon it; this led them to story we were told. They add layering to it. terrorising battalions and cutting off discover the families. All were captured and And they commemorate the experiences that supply lines. sent to a concentration camp. many women and children underwent and the difficulties of living in the veld. Ultimately, they Two of the strategies the British used had Nothing more is known. But we felt that are a different form of story telling. devastating effects on the Boers’ home life. the paintings inside the shelter might tell us One involved burning down farmsteads and more about the site’s occupants and their This article was first published on The Conversation. experiences. These images do more than just verify the story we were told. They add layering to it. And they commemorate the experiences that many women and children underwent and the difficulties of living in the veld. Ultimately, they are a different form of story telling. Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 37

FEATURE | CAPE TOWN WELCOMES YOU VISIT, LIVE, WORK, PLAY Cape Town is also a proud recipient of a number of Beaches awarded the prestigious status include: Bikini & INVEST IN ONE OF THE international awards and accolades. In 2018, the city Beach, Mnandi, Strandfontein, Llandudno, Camps Bay, MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES was named one of the Top 10 Surf Cities in the world by Clifton 4th and Silwerstroom. ON EARTH Surfer Magazine and crowned the number one city in Africa for business tourism events by the International Cape Town has a number of world class museums that Cape Town has been voted the world’s Best City by Congress and Convention Association. Cape Town has offer up a treasure trove to the past. A number of these readers of the UK’s Telegraph for five consecutive years, also been voted one of the Top 10 Cities in the World for museums are located in the city centre - all within and there’s good reason why. We rank among the world’s Travellers by Lonely Planet in 2017, Skytrax voted our walking distance of each other - and together offer a view top destinations to visit and have all the attributes that airport the Best in Africa and international real estate as diverse and entertaining as the city itself. appeal to people looking for a great city in which to live, company Savills ranked the Cape Town amongst the work, play and invest. world’s Top Tech Cities in a 2017 report. The state-of-the-art Zeitz MOCAA – recently voted the world’s top cultural destination – is the latest addition to Cape Town is a proudly inclusive city, welcoming all who VISIT the Cape Town landscape and the first major museum can join us in our vision to create a safe, sustainable, in Africa dedicated to contemporary art. The museum, vibrant urban environment for generations to come. Cape Town is a must-visit destination. Cape Point, housed in the historic Grain Silo at the V&A Waterfront, Groot Constantia, Kirstenbosch, Robben Island, the comprises over 9,500 square meters (102,000 square We are national leaders in business and have a thriving Table Mountain Cableway and the V&A Waterfront are feet) placing it among leading contemporary art knowledge economy; our skills market is growing and the iconic destinations that form the core of the true museums worldwide. the city offers numerous opportunities for work and Cape Town experience, and a trip to the city will not be investment. complete without a visit to each Big 6 attractions. Cape Zeitz MOCAA is spread over nine floors, of which 6,000 Town also has the highest number of Blue Flag beaches square meters (65,000 square feet) is dedicated to in South Africa. Seven of the city’s most popular beaches exhibition space. Through an entire floor dedicated to and three Cape Town marinas have been recognised for education, the museum aims to develop a new art-loving, meeting the globally-acclaimed Blue Flag standards. museum-going audience. 38 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| FEATURE LIVE Cape Town is also home to over 200 companies in INVEST the Information Technology (IT) and software industry Cape Town has a terrific mixture of areas to live, from employing 7 500 people. Our large retailers have Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest city, its second-most vibrant city-living to quiet, leafy residential suburbs. The extensive distribution channels into Africa opening up populous and an important contributor to national city is known for its successful property market. In recent the possibility of collaboration in moving products within employment. It is the legislative capital of South years Cape Town’s property values and sales transactions the continent. Cape Town also has a booming film and Africa, the administrative and economic centre of the have exceeded Johannesburg’s and continue to attract media industry. It’s a sector that has created more than Western Cape, and Africa’s third biggest economic hub. international property investors. The city and surrounds 35 000 jobs, contributing about US$ 92 million to the The Mother City produces 9.8% of South Africa’s gross is also home to four public universities, two globally economy in the last 3 years. domestic product (GDP) and accounts for more than recognised business schools and a number of trustworthy 71% of the Western Cape’s economic activity (Global private and public institutions. Educational institutions Cape Town is home to the only Hollywood style film Insight, 2016). The City has a diversified economy, situated in the city include the University of Cape Town, studio complex in Africa. Coupled with exceptionally and the three biggest sectors are: finance, insurance, University of the Western Cape and the Cape Town skilled film crew and post-production services, our property and business services. Cape Town is attracting University of Technology. Cape Town is also fast becoming facilities are winning awards and attracting a growing thinkers, innovators and design led entrepreneurs who the most digitally connected city in Africa. The City’s number of productions and stars to our shores. We also are helping to build an ecosystem that is strong in many public Wi-Fi service and other digital inclusion projects act as a gateway to Africa with several companies running aspects of the knowledge economy. The city is the leader are part of a broader Digital City Strategy, which aims their African operations from our city. The City of Cape on the African continent in the information technology to make Cape Town the most digitally connected city in Town is making sure that our infrastructure investments sector, with more tech start-ups than anywhere else on Africa. Other elements of the strategy include investment support key sectors, like the tech industry. An extensive the continent. in digital infrastructure, digital business initiatives, and a open source fibre optic network has been installed with focus on digital government. plans to extend the footprint over the forthcoming years. Cape Town has been chosen as the African headquarters of innovation by companies such as Barclay Rise and WORK PLAY Thomson Reuters. The city is also the home to many of South Africa and Africa’s financial institutions and, Cape Town’s favourable lifestyle is one of the major Cape Town hosts a wide range of local and international coupled with the national headquarters of many legal reasons why many of the top wealth and asset events – from concerts and community-based events and consultancy firms, offer all the services needed to management firms choose to base themselves here. to business conferences and international sports underpin a global drive into Africa. The city is home to an impressive group of wealth tournaments. The city is a creative hub with arts, heritage managers, including the likes of Allan Gray, Old Mutual, and cultural sites, activities and opportunities for all. We One of the fastest growing sectors in Cape Town’s Foord, Coronation, Sanlam, Prescient and Sygnia. Most have a lively arts and culture scene where creativity and economy is the business process outsourcing (BPO) of these companies’ staff and top executives live in heritage are explored through theatre, live music, dance, sector, with many global call centres and online retailers the city. Top employment sectors in Cape Town include visual arts and more. Both day and night in Cape Town like Amazon choosing to conduct their operations from community and social services, the financial and trade offer you exciting cultural spaces to visit and events to our shores. sectors. The financial services sector employed the largest be a part of. Explore galleries and museums, cultural number of skilled individuals in 2015 (274 087) and the precincts, attend signature events and explore our top www.capetown.gov.za/visit manufacturing sector employed the largest number of cultural venues. www.investcapetown.com semi-skilled and unskilled individuals (111 213). www.capetown.travel Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 39

FEATURE | 1917: First landing on a moving warship by Edwin Harris Dunning – a South African The Dunning Memorial Cup, named in his honour, is bestowed annually upon the officer considered to have done most to further aviation in connection with the fleet. knocked unconscious, subsequently drowned in the cockpit. The Dunning Memorial Cup, S quadron Commander Edwin named in his honour, is bestowed annually Harris Dunning was born on upon the officer considered to have done 17 July 1892 in Johannesburg, most to further aviation in connection with South Africa. He was the eldest son and second child of Sir Edwin Harris Dunning the fleet. and Hannah Louise Dunning (née Freeman) The central positioning of funnels, of Jacques, Bradfield Essex. His father was a bridge and other structures on a warship dealer in diamonds and gold in South Africa. left insufficient clear deck to permit a plane Dunning spent only nine months in the country to land onboard, thus, all aircraft launched of his birth and lived for 17 years in Britain from ships and out of range of land had to and on the continent. He was awarded the come down on the sea beside the mother Distinguished Service Cross in March 1916 ship and be winched back onboard, a while flying with the Royal Naval Air Service hazardous exercise at the best of times and (RNAS), an air arm of the Royal Navy. overly fraught with danger in conflict, when a But Dunning holds a most singular honour stationary ship presented an easy target for in RNAS and aviation history, in that he was lurking submarines. The alternative was to the first person to land an aircraft on an ditch the plane and at least rescue the pilot. aircraft carrier. This feat occurred on 2 August Since airpower was even then considered 1917, when Dunning landed his Sopwith to be a potential threat to the largest ships Pup on board HMS Furious in Scapa Flow, in afloat because of its ability to launch a torpedo the Orkneys. attack out of range of an enemy’s big guns, as Sadly, he was killed five days later during well as providing accurate spotting of enemy another landing attempt of the day, when formations at long distance, it became clear an updraft caught his port wing, forcing the that a more useful mechanism was required aircraft overboard, and Dunning, who was to recover planes at the end of their sorties. 40 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| FEATURE1917: FIRST LANDING ON A MOVING WARSHIP BY EDWIN HARRIS DUNNING Dunning conceived the plan to fly alongside It was in fact a demonstration of landing an the ship, HMS Furious, then underway in aeroplane on the deck of a Man-of-War whilst Scapa Flow, heading into wind until he came the latter was under way. This had never abreast of the bridge and then side-slip his been done before, and the data obtained was plane onto the deck cleared for the purpose of the upmost value. It will make aeroplanes running from the bridge to the prow. As any indispensable to a fleet and possibly pilot will confirm, side-slipping requires a revolutionise Naval Warfare. The risk taken delicate touch on the controls and good by Squadron Commander Dunning needed distance judgement if the down wing is not to much courage.” hit the ground before the plane is levelled for landing. Hard enough to do on land without a Dunning performed the feat twice more cross wind, but perilous in the extreme onto a and insisted on a further attempt on 7 August, ship heaving on a swell and buffeted by the 1917 before other pilots were allowed to try, unpredictable gusts formed by onrushing air but as he came in for his landing an engine hitting the vessel. malfunction caused his plane to fall onto the deck and despite the frantic efforts of deck Dunning flew his Sopwith Pup with great crew to halt the runaway plane, a gust of wind precision and accomplished the first-ever carried it over the edge, plunging the Pup into landing of a ship underway. The Admiralty the sea. Dunning was knocked unconscious later said this of this feat: and drowned in his cockpit. “The Admiralty wish you to know what Sources: www.todayinaviation.com great service he performed for the Navy. http://www.scotlandswar.co.uk/dunning.html Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 41

FEATURE | How to ensure that the Coronavirus doesn’t stop peace efforts in Africa Research shows that disasters such as COVID-19 can create opportunities for peace in conflict countries. For one, they can undermine the ability of conflict entrepreneurs to access conflict areas. By Tarila Marclint Ebiede Congo are experiencing high-intensity armed to gain an advantage. The challenges are conflicts between armed opposition groups immense. The pandemic could worsen the CResearch Fellow, KU Leuven and national governments. conflict situation and undermine ongoing OVID-19 is likely to disrupt peacebuilding efforts. ongoing peace processes, There are peacebuilding efforts in most of worsen existing conflicts and the countries that are currently experiencing On the other hand, disasters can generate new conflicts. But it armed conflict and that have recorded cases transform conflict dynamics. Research shows may also offer opportunities of COVID-19. These efforts variously involve that disasters such as COVID-19 can create for ceasefires and peace the support of international donors, non- opportunities for peace in conflict countries. agreements. governmental organisations and national For one, they can undermine the ability of governments. conflict entrepreneurs to access conflict The measures taken to contain the spread areas. This reduces incidents of violence. of the virus are, unfortunately, also affecting The Secretary-General of the United the mobility of peacemakers, peacekeepers Nations (UN) recently called for a unilateral They can also create the conditions and peacebuilders. ceasefire in ongoing conflicts. But achieving a necessary for advancing peacebuilding multilateral ceasefire might be difficult. Some processes in local communities. To achieve At least 22 African countries are warring factions will seize the opportunity this outcome, peacebuilders need to engage experiencing political violence. Countries with local actors. like Nigeria, Cameroon, Somalia, Libya, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of 42 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| FEATURE sustaining peace processes even when professional peacebuilders are unable to gain access. For any peace process, what is important is that people keep communication open and sustained even during the pandemic. And international peacebuilders can continue providing support to their local counterparts. This can be through funding to facilitate activities in local communities. International peacebuilders can also provide remote mentoring and capacity- building. There is technological capacity for peacebuilders to receive coaching in the most remote areas affected by conflict in Africa. International peacebuilders should also remain available to brainstorm with nationals when challenges are encountered. Local peacebuilders can be enlisted to stop the spread of the pandemic through their existing networks and knowledge of community relations to coordinate preventive responses. These resources can also be used to reinforce the expertise of public health workers in local communities. Local actors involved in peacebuilding already have experience translating complex messages into local languages. This skill is very relevant in the fight against the pandemic in communities. Desired outcome The impact of the pandemic are designed to bring conflict actors together With the right information, local conflict actors towards sustainable peace. can be persuaded to accept the UN’s call for Peace processes supported by the a ceasefire. But this won’t happen unless international community are designed to Retreating peacebuilding activities during local actors are involved in crafting the right involve multiple stakeholders. Even when this period portends a great danger for messages. described as locally led initiatives, they are societies affected by violent conflicts. One often guided by internationally recruited likely consequence is that non-state armed Empowering local actors will not only professionals. groups will use the opportunity to expand their sustain peace processes, but also contribute frontiers, thus undermining ongoing peace to the fight against the spread of COVID-19. The global response to COVID-19 in processes. the African countries affected by conflict is To sustain peace, we would need to hampering the movement of international and It also opens up the possibility of increased find new ways of working, by meaningfully national peacebuilders. These professionals mortality in the context of violent conflicts. including national and local capacities for have been unable to travel to conflict zones. Hence, it is important that stakeholders adopt peace. International organisations have placed mechanisms that will sustain peacebuilding movement restrictions on their staff. Many of efforts in communities affected by violent This article was first published on The Conversation. them have returned to their home countries. conflicts during this pandemic. In the face of national At national level, restrictions have Local actors are key lockdowns, one way prevented people from congregating and the momentum can limited their ability to travel. In the face of national lockdowns, one way the momentum can be maintained is through be maintained is Peacebuilding requires sustained efforts existing local authorities, community peace through existing local towards reconciliation and reintegration. actors and peace committees. These are authorities, community Actors must address the impact of conflict and common across Africa. the causes of conflicts. This process often peace actors and requires physical meetings and events that Local actors that are embedded in peace committees. communities can continue to work on These are common across Africa. Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 43

FEATURE | JOHN LIEBENBERG: MASTERFUL PHOTOGRAPHER OF LIFE AND WAR IN SOUTHERN AFRICA How a post-COVID-19 revival could kickstart Africa’s free trade area The free trade area could become a landmark in Africa’s journey towards peace, prosperity and integration. The COVID-19 pandemic, notwithstanding its devastating impact on the health and economies of Africa, could be an opportunity to advance the free trade area in a more developmental, inclusive and mutually beneficial way for African countries. By Faizel Ismail Director of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town T he African Continental Free that the free trade area has the potential to lose their lives if appropriate measures are Trade Area was launched two increase growth, raise welfare and stimulate not taken. There are several reasons for this years ago at an African Union industrial development on the continent. level of high risk. These include the fact that (AU) summit in Kigali. It was But there are concerns. Some countries, 56% of urban dwellings are in overcrowded scheduled to be implemented particularly smaller and more vulnerable slums, 71% of Africa’s workforce is informally from 1 July 2020. But this has states, could be hurt. For example, they could employed and cannot work from home suffer revenue losses and other negative and 40% of children on the continent are been pushed out until 2021 because of the effects from premature liberalisation. undernourished. impact of COVID-19 and the need for leaders Africa is also more vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19 because it is highly to focus on saving lives. The impact of COVID-19 will only worsen dependent on imports for its medicinal and pharmaceutical products and on commodity Studies by the International Monetary Fund these structural weaknesses. The Economic (IMF), the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Africa has reported that Commission for Africa and others state between 300 000 and 3.3 million people could 44 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| FEATUREPOST-COVID-19 REVIVAL COULD KICKSTART AFRICA’S FREE TRADE AREA exports. The latter include oil, which has Firstly, African states vary widely in size and African countries can also benefit from the suffered a severe collapse in price. economic development. As a result, some growing interest in environmental tourism. may warrant special attention and specific Other contributing factors are high public treatment. In particular, among Africa’s 55 Cross-border infrastructure investment debt due to higher interest rate payments than states, 34 are classified by the UN as least Organisation for Economic Cooperation and developed countries. These are low-income Since most African countries are less Development (OECD) countries, a weak fiscal countries that have severe structural problems developed, and many are small, intra- tax base, and the negative impact on Africa’s impeding their development. regional trade will require them to cooperate currencies due to huge stimulus measures to improve their infrastructure. This includes taken by OECD countries. Building trade agreements in favour of physical ports, roads and railways as well small and less developed economies will as customs procedures, port efficiency and The COVID-19 crisis has brought these contribute to fairer outcomes of the free reduction of roadblocks. weaknesses into sharp relief. But it also trade deal. provides an opportunity for African countries Progress is already being made. Examples to address them. For example, they could Secondly, African governments should include the Mombasa-Nairobi Corridor; accelerate intra-regional trade by focussing include their stakeholders – businesses (both the Addis to Djibouti road, rail and port on the products of greatest need during big and small), trade unions and civil-society connection; and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, the health crisis. Countries could also start organisations – in the national consultation which handles more than two-thirds of West building regional value chains to advance process. This will require effective institutions African trade. industrialisation, improve infrastructure and that enable the fullest participation. strengthen good governance and ethical Increased investment in these types leadership. Additional steps countries should take to of cross-border infrastructure projects will cope with the fallout from COVID-19 are to: benefit regional integration. These are all vital to guiding African • reduce tariffs on vital pharmaceutical countries through the current crisis. Democracy and governance products (such as ventilators), personal These goals can be achieved if African protective equipment and food products Most African states have started accepting states adopt a “developmental regionalism” • stimulate intra-regional trade by prioritising multi-party systems of governance. Many have approach to trade integration. This would these products for an immediate or early also embraced a culture of constitutionalism, include fair trade, building regional phase down in the free trade area. rule of law and human rights. value chains, cross-border investment in infrastructure and strengthening democratic Building regional value chains Democratic governance supported by governance. active citizenship will create an environment African countries are increasingly connected of transparency and predictability that Fair trade to the global economy, but tend to operate at encourages domestic and foreign investment. the lowest rung of the ladder. They are mainly Both are vital for growth and industrialisation. A number of conditions need to be met for a supplying raw materials and other low-value The process is also essential for the free trade area to succeed. manufactured outputs. sustainability of regional economic integration and democracy in Africa. Cooperation is needed between Africa’s emerging entrepreneurs and industries to Countries are becoming better at fulfilling improve their competitiveness in global their democratic obligations. For example, 40 markets. This would have a number of African countries, including the Seychelles positive outcomes including: and Zimbabwe, voluntarily joined the African • triggering industrialisation, which will Peer Review Mechanism. The mechanism is a remarkable achievement that the free trade transform economies area agreement must build on. • helping African countries obtain a fairer The way forward share of the value derived from African commodities and labour The free trade area could become a landmark • improving the lives of people on the in Africa’s journey towards peace, prosperity continent. and integration. The COVID-19 pandemic, notwithstanding its devastating impact on the The current crisis creates an opportunity for health and economies of Africa, could be an African countries to build value chains on opportunity to advance the free trade area in medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and a more developmental, inclusive and mutually personal protective equipment. beneficial way for African countries. The clothing and textile sector could This article was first published on The Conversation. also be restructured to meet the needs of the health sector while taking advantage of The current crisis the breakdown in supply chains from China creates an opportunity and Europe. for African countries to As more countries lock down their build value chains on economies and apply movement controls, medical equipment, agricultural and processed food supply chains pharmaceuticals and are disrupted. This creates opportunities personal protective to build regional supply chains and partner with retailers. equipment. There are also opportunities to build infrastructure to support the health response: hospitals, water and sanitation, schools, low- cost housing and alternative energy. Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 45

FEATURE | The Great Karoo, a natural wonder of endless plains and intriguing rock layers, is one of the world’s most unique and arid zones. This ancient semi-desert area covers almost 40% of South Africa’s land surface and straddles four of the country’s nine provinces – the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State. 46 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21

| FEATURE Issue 21 South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action UBUNTU 47

FEATURE | EUROPE AND AFRICAN RELATIONS POST-COVID-19: TIME TO ADD SIZE, SCALE AND SPEED Europe and African relations post-COVID-19: Time to add size, scale and speed A new partnership is important for Africa and Europe alike. The entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the world’s largest free-trade area by number of countries, can provide investment opportunities for European business. By Carlos Lopes Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town S ince 2000, European and with joint governance and agreed goals and African leaders have been targets. Serious negotiations should take talking about giving the place when COVID-19 offers a respite. partnership between the two continents a “new strategic” Opportunities and dangers dimension. In 2007, they reiterated their ambition to come together in The EU likes to emphasise that it is Africa’s awareness of the lessons and experiences largest trading and investment partner and of the past, but also in the certainty its top aid provider, but that position is that our common future requires an declining fast. audacious approach. Nor is it a one-way street. Africa is Europe’s Why then, despite such good intentions, third-largest trading partner, after the United have they fallen so far behind? States and China, but ahead of either Japan or India. Africa’s youthful population can be a The financial crisis of 2008, protracted problem but also a unique opportunity given BREXIT negotiations, the European Union’s Europe’s aging population. (EU) fragmented approach in its engagement with Africa and the reluctance in certain There are dangers too. The spread of quarters to recognise the leadership role of conflicts in the Sahel, reinforcement of the African Union (AU) have all exacted a toll. terrorist networks and human trafficking And now there’s the Coronavirus cyclone. in Africa signal growing threats that both continents need to address. A new partnership is important for Africa and Europe alike. The entry into force of Climate action is a priority and an area the African Continental Free Trade Area, made for multilateral cooperation. As we know the world’s largest free-trade area by better now, health conditions everywhere number of countries, can provide investment protect more anywhere. opportunities for European business. Fortunately, there is a renewed sense of But Europe needs to realise that 2020 is urgency from the EU. The administration bringing a new reality. It is no longer possible of Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the to do business as usual after COVID-19. The European Commission, has prioritised time is ripe to put an end to dialogue fatigue relations with Africa. She recently visited and cynicism about new unilateral European Addis Ababa, seat of the AU, accompanied initiatives, each one announced with pomp by 22 European commissioners, the largest and circumstance. such a delegation ever. And an EU African strategy, was announced recently. The AU Instead, EU-Africa relations should be is formulating its own strategy towards guided by an instrument that frames the Europe too. continent-to-continent partnership clearly, 48 UBUNTU South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action Issue 21