Posts in category: Opinion Pieces

Ukraine needs an inclusive and lasting roadmap to peace, Daily Maverick, by Clayson Monyela, 11 March 2022   Had NATO given Russia the security assurances they required and been promised since the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, the region would not likely find itself in the situation it is currently in. That said, South Africa is firmly aligned to peace, security and justice, and not

In solidarity with the people of Palestine: Remembering the Goldstein massacre, Daily Maverick, by Alvin Botes, 24 February 2022   The massacre of 29 worshippers in a Hebron mosque in 1994 had ramifications that have endured for decades. On the 28th anniversary of the atrocity, the South African government remains committed to its solidarity with the people of Palestine who still face oppression and extreme

Solidarity with the Palestinian people must go beyond slogans and the UN must abide by its resolutions, Daily Maverick, by Alvin Botes, 27 November 2021   The international community must consider the impact of Israel’s systematic violation of human rights and enforcement of discrimination against the Palestinian people. It is time for the UN and its member states to take appropriate action, just as it

G77 and China grouping proves its worth as South-South platform for countering hegemony of the North, Daily Maverick, by Alvin Botes, 13 October 2021   The G77 and China (132 states) has served as the bedrock for the global engagement and participation of developing countries in the UN General Assembly and UN agencies. It has also provided a useful platform for developing countries to jointly

The global community must unite against vaccine racism and nationalism and defeat COVID-19 in honour of Madiba, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 3 August 2021   Were Nelson Mandela alive today, having been born into a life of struggle that was given momentum by global solidarity, he would most certainly urge us as humanity to rise together in solidarity to save the lives of all, everywhere,

China’s shared future for mankind, IOL, by Anil Sooklal, 30 March 2021   The notion to “promote a sense of community of shared destiny for mankind” was first introduced at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in November 2012. Since then, President Xi Jinping has expounded on the notion on a number of occasions.   The idea of a community

As Africa unites to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, we also pin our hopes on the AU Peace Fund to silence the guns, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 4 February 2021   African countries agree that the most important public health measure to prevent COVID-19 is the roll-out of vaccines. Also key is that they are rolled out in a fair and equitable manner – all

The role of civil society in advancing human security, Opinionista, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 27 November 2019   Reactions   Many researchers and social commentators have increasingly asserted the significant role that civil society organisations can play in addressing human security in South Africa and in many developing countries.   The concept of human security was utilised in the early part of this century

South Africa committed to women as leaders in global peacekeeping, Opinionista, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 5 November 2019   Reactions   South Africa views the UN’s women, peace and security agenda as a means for women to mediate in conflict situations and as essential to end the use of force as a means of settling disputes.   South Africa had the honour to hold

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-06-18-south-africa-is-reasserting-its-role-and-place-among-the-community-of-nations//

#YouthDay: We must be proud of our past and confident about the future, by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, IOL, 16 June 2019

https://www.news24.com/News24/sas-foreign-relations-rest-on-common-interests-and-goals-not-political-regimes-20190429

https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/quiet-au-lobbying-paid-off-for-lindiwe-sisulu-19347565

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-02-15-south-africa-honoured-to-assume-role-of-chairing-the-african-union-in-2020/