Archive for August, 2009
Africa’s Sports Magazine, “African Sports Network Journal” will be inaugurated and introduce to the larger sports community on Thursday, September 10th, 2009
REAL NEWS|REAL SPORTS|REAL FANS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2009
Contact Information:
Communication Department
African Sports Network, Inc.
Tel: 646-785-1471
info@africansportsnetwork.org
http://www.africansportsnetwork.org
PRESS RELEASE
Are you Ready? Africa Sports News at its Best. Africa Wake Up! Game on!
Africa’s Sports Magazine, “African Sports Network Journal” will be inaugurated and introduce to the larger sports community on Thursday, September 10th, 2009, under the Patronage of H.E Ambassador Samuel Assefa of Ethiopia and H.E Ambassador Welile Nhlapo of South Africa gearing to the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa under the theme: ”Sports As A Platform For Image Change And Prosperity In Africa”.
Main Event: AFRICAN SPORTS NETWORK
When: Thursday September 10th Time: 6-9PM
Where:
Embassy of Ethiopia
3506 International Drive,N.W.
Washington, D.C. 2008
202- 274-4575
THE SPORTS BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
The African Sports Network Journal is a quarterly publication that provides the critical news and information that sports industry executives need to be successful in the fast-paced world of sports business and hospitality.
Every issue features the latest and most important stories, in-depth reports on trends, original research, up-to-date industry statistics, key executive profiles. African Sports Network journal also features regular columns on critical areas of sports business management including marketing, finance, and media, as well as facilities and events planning.
Subscribing to the African Sports Network Journal is the best thing you’ll do today.
Why?
Because no other publication looks at African sports as seriously as we do and with a lot of humor and fun as well!
• African Sports Network journal will be published quarterly, in March, June, September, and December.
• All subscriptions begin with the next published issue.
• Advertise (a tax deductible donation) as we are a registered not-for-profit.
• Event Fact Sheets are available or kindly visit our website www.africansportsnetworkjournal.com
• Sponsorship opportunities available: Presenting sponsor; Entertainment sponsor, Grand Ballroom sponsor; VIP lounge sponsor; In-kind partnerships.
E-mail us for a complete list of sponsorship categories.
Tax-deductible Ad RATES: For info regarding ad rates please visit our website:
www.africansportsnetworkjournal.com
Have a Question? E. info@africansportsnetworkjournal.com
Awasum Junior, Founder and CEO
African Sports Network, Inc.: www.africansportsnetwork.org
African Baseball Network, Inc.: www.africanbaseball.com
African Sports Network Journal: www.africansportsnetworkjournal.com
How You Can Help
By Making a donation, small or large, it will go towards support of our programs as well as helping defray the cost of producing and printing of our independent publication, African Sports Network Journal, the first magazine in honor of African athletes and sports personalities. Further, we would also encourage you to take a tax-deductible advertisement, as we are a registered not-for-profit in the State of New York.
African Sports Network Journal, will promote self-esteem and social progress; It will also be a collective voice for the African continent via its athletes;
Its vision is an Africa actively participating in the global market; An Africa ready for the future; An Africa determined to offer forward its talented and progressive peoples, with a focus on professional sports as another avenue for change.
Your support of our mission, is in the spirit of recognizing our interdependence while encouraging cross-cultural cooperation, as we work together towards the betterment of Africa’s populace and world cultures.
It is in this spirit that I would like to present a fresh opportunity for cultural exchange and cooperation with African Sports Network which will highlight the contributions made by our super talented African athletes, and their success as global ambassadors, in the various global teams that they are currently engaged, in the U.S. and worldwide.
African Sports Network encourages you to give generously in support of our efforts and in support of our programs, and in support of Africa’s athletes. We are counting on you! Give Today!
African Sports magazine will be distributed in the tri-state area, the various U.N. Missions and Embassies, as well as in other selected venues, locally, nationally and internationally.
African Sports Network, is an independent, not-for-profit whose additional goal, is to educate the world community about Africa using athletics as a vehicle to present a positive image of our wonderful continent, This is an opportunity not to be missed; Make a donation and or place a tax–deductible advertisement in the African Sports magazine.
To make a donation to African Sports Network,
Please visit our website: www.africansportsnetwork.org
T. 646.785.1471
F. 212 234 4255
E. info@africansportsnetwork.org
NOTE: Any media interested in covering the event at the Ethiopian Embassy should contact:
ASN Media Relations at: 646-785-1471 or
info@africansportsnetwork.org
Contact: Awasum Junior, African Sports Network, 212- 945- 8784
President Jacob Zuma extends condolences on the death of Senator Edward Kennedy
Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has today, Wednesday 26 August 2009 on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, extended its sincerest condolences to the Government and the people of the United States of America, and particularly the Kennedy family, for the loss of Senator Edward Kennedy.
In mourning the loss of Senator Kennedy, President Zuma said “Senator Kennedy was an esteemed figure in American politics and society. He served the American people with passion and tenacity in his long years in the Senate”. President Zuma further said that “this was in line with the longstanding tradition of his family, which has played a critical role in recent American, and indeed, world history through public office and activism”.
For South Africa, he became a comrade and a friend in the fight for liberation. This was because of his strong belief that all people are born equal and his nature, which did not allow him to rest in the face of injustice. Indeed, President Zuma continued “even in the United States his determined advocacy for reforms of the Healthcare system attested to his courage of conviction and commitment to serving mankind”. We hope that even in his passing his legacy will serve to inspire his fellow countrymen to take up the banner in continuing the fight to keep those ideals alive.
To his family, our thoughts and prayers will be with you in these difficult times. We grief the loss of this great man but the legacy of his contribution to this world will continue to serve as a sort of hope to us.
For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152,
Pretoria, 0001
26 August 2009
Update on the H1N1 Influenza in South Africa
The official H1N1 death toll in South Africa now stands at six(6) following the laboratory confirmation by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) of three (3) deaths this weekend. All three cases belonged in the high-risk category with the two ladies (27 year old from the Eastern Cape who also had diabetes and 23 year old from KZN) who were pregnant, and the third one, a 64 year old from the Western Cape, who was diabetic and had hypertension. The total number of confirmed cases in the country since the first case in June now stands at 2844.
The majority of confirmed cases in South Africa are mild, and this continues to be a trend internationally.Mild symptoms include runny or blocked nose, fever, muscle aches and pain, cough and such cases will not need any specialised medical care as nothing should happen to them. People such pregnant women, people with chronic heart or lung disease, pregnant women, people living with HIV and AIDS and people with diabetes should seek urgent medical attention even if they have mild symptoms.
People who do not belong in this high-risk category should seek urgent medical attention when they develop moderate or severe symptoms.
Moderate symptoms are defined by shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent vomiting and diarrhoea while severe symptoms are charectarised by difficulty breathing (respiratory distress), blue lips (tongue or other parts of the body) and severe drowsiness or loss of consciousness.
Testing for H1N1 is only done on recommendation by a doctor and it is done on specific cases like in high-risk categories or on those with moderate or severe symptoms.
Members of the public are advised to practice basic hygiene which includes regular washing of hands with water and soap, cough or sneeze into a tissue or sleeve, coughing into one’s elbow instead of hands and staying at home when developing mild symptoms unless if one is in a high-risk category as outlined above.
Issued by the Department of Health
Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim hosts members of the US Congress delegation, 20 August 2009
Pretoria – International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim today, Thursday 20 August 2009, hosted a congressional delegation (CODEL) from the US who is on a visit to South Africa from 19 – 21 August 2009. The CODEL consists of Representatives G. Butterfield, L. Clay, G. Moore and S. Cohen and their visit follows shortly after the recent visit to South Africa by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The CODEL is specifically interested in trade and investment issues. This visit therefore reinforces Secretary Clinton’s message that the US regards South Africa as “one of the most important emerging economies” in the world today and that the US wishes to work with South Africa to develop closer trade and economic ties.
The focus of South Africa is on the creation of trade and economic opportunities to encourage job creation. The objective is that the USA should become South Africa’s partner in dealing with the priority issues of unemployment, job creation, rural development, Justice, energy co-operation and food security.
CODEL’s other engagements include meetings the Gauteng MEC’S for Finance and Economic Development, a working lunch hosted by Deputy Minister Nel of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in Cape Town on Friday 21 August 2009. The lunch will also be attended by Mr Nxesi of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Co-operation and Ms Louise of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry.
For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787.
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria, 0002
20 August 2009
Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane’s Speech on the occasion of a dinner in Honour of the United States of America Secretary of State, Mrs Hillary Rodham Clinton, Presidential Guest House, 07 August 2009.
Secretary of State, Your Excellency Mrs Hillary Rodham Clinton;
Members of our Cabinet;
Distinguished Members of the Visiting Delegation;
Premiers;
Members of our Parliament;
Mayors;
Senior Government Officials;
South African Ambassador to the US, Mr Welile Nhlapho;
US Charge d’Affaires to South Africa, Madam Helen La Lime;
Ambassadors and High Commissioners;
Members of the Business Community;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Tonight is an important moment in bilateral relations between South Africa and the United States as we have in our midst Her Excellency, Secretary Hillary Clinton, who is here to reaffirm and enhance the partnership that has developed between our two countries over the years. We welcome you to our country, Madame Secretary, and hope to live up to our reputation as Africans that we are hospitable and ready to go out of our way to make our guests feel at home. You were once inspired by this African spirit of “community” when you wrote in your book that “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”.
We are delighted to see Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson again who was here with us for the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma. The presence of Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Congressman Donald Payne in your Delegation is highly appreciated as we know how hard they work in the US Congress to champion the cause of our continent. We are also looking forward with great anticipation to working with your Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, HE Mr Donald Gips, when he takes up his post in due course. We are happy that he is here with you to soften the ground for his final landing later in the year.
Madame Secretary
Your visit to our country comes three months after our people have given President Zuma the mandate to lead us for the next five years. We have made the undertaking to work together with our people to achieve more in the areas of health, education, rural development, job creation, and combating crime and corruption.
That you have chosen to visit our country and continent just six months into the term of office of your Administration is, to us, a positive indication of the importance you attach to the relationship between our two countries, and between your country and Africa.
In outlining priorities for his Administration, President Zuma committed our country to working together with other nations for a better world and Africa, because he believes that it will take the efforts of all of us in the global village to achieve this goal. We see ourselves as part of this global partnership – between the South and the North and among countries of the South – working together to confront challenges of poverty, development, peace and security, post-conflict reconstruction, and the governance of our international system. For us, the advancement of the plight of Africa and the integration of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), are top priorities we hold dear to our hearts.
We committed ourselves at our bilateral meeting earlier today to strengthening the good relations between our two countries. The US is South African’s second largest export market after Japan. There are over 600 American businesses operating in South Africa and US investors are among South Africa’s largest portfolio investors.
Our country is also grateful for the partnership you have with us in, for instance, the area of training for some of our state institutions and the medical research programme on HIV and AIDs. I am aware that you will be visiting some of your projects in the course of your stay in our country, and I can assure you that you will find our people not only hospitable but also dedicated to delivering on what those projects are intended for.
We also agreed this morning on the need to elevate our bilateral mechanism, with its various Working Groups, to the ministerial level, and even explore the possibility of establishing a Business Council to expand ties between our respective business communities. These measures should reinforce our energy as we work together with yourselves on the priorities of our Administration for the next fives years, including in the area of rural development and food security.
This partnership to which we have committed ourselves will enhance the efforts on our continent towards fighting hunger, disease and ignorance and to promote democracy and good governance, socio-economic development, peace and security, as well as post-conflict reconstruction and development. Our two countries are already engaged in a Trilateral Partnership to help our continent attain these noble goals.
Madam Secretary,
We had followed with great enthusiasm your last Presidential Election and were, like many of your citizens, moved by the message of “Change” that President Barak Obama proclaimed for your country and how the US was to play its role in the international community. We are pleased that since his election to the White House, President Obama has worked hard to reach out to many countries, organisations and communities in the world to claim your country’s rightful place as a member of the international community. We believe, like your Administration does, in a strong, effective and democratic multilateral system.
We are encouraged by some measures taken by your Administration since assuming office that are aimed at strengthening the international system, like by taking your seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council.
We are also hopeful that you will use your position in the United Nations Security Council to give momentum to the reform agenda of the United Nations, including the expansion of the Security Council to take into account geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
The transformation of Bretton Woods institutions will be to the benefit of all us as their programmes not only impact on the economies of many countries on our continent, but also on women and other vulnerable groups in our communities.
A transformed global system, we believe, will enable the international community to best respond to, among others, the challenge of finding a two-state solution to the conflict between Palestinians and the state of Israel; disarmament and arms proliferation issues; the current global economic crisis, and the threat posed to the future of our planet by climate change. Our two countries have agreed to continue to collaborate in finding a lasting solution to these challenges.
Madam Secretary,
Your visit to our country is timely as every year in the month of August South Africans commemorate the day, fifty-three years ago, when 20.000 women, of all walks of life, marched on the Union Buildings under the banner of the Federation of South African Women, to deliver a petition bearing over a hundred thousand signatures that had been collected from all parts of our country.
This march has some resonance with the history of your own country as some few months before the event, in December 1955, Rosa Park’s modest act of defiance in a bus was to become one major step in the development of the Civil Rights Movement.
Our march was about the Pass Laws that were being instituted to control the movement of black women in urban areas; but it was also a culmination of years of struggle for the rights of women which had given birth to the Women’s Charter of 1954.
Since that march, the slogan ‘wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo’ (You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock), has become a symbol of the resilience of South African women and their sacrifices in the struggle for non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.
Some of our Veterans who were part of this great march are still with us today.
The African-American poet, Maya Angelou, paid tribute to black women of the calibre of those who were part of the 1956 march when she said:
“There is a kind of strength that is almost frightening in black women. It’s as if a steel rod runs right through the head down to the feet.”
You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock!!
However, our struggle for our full emancipation is far from over.
In South Africa, we have established the Progressive Women’s Movement whose convener is our former Deputy President, Her Excellency Madame Baleka Mbethe. We discussed at our meeting earlier today how Your Excellency can work with us to help create linkages between our Progressive Women’s Movement with like-minded women organisations in the US. The establishment of such linkages will serve as a good example of people-to-people ties between our two countries.
You, Your Excellency, are also a product of a long history of the struggle of women world-wide to break out of the confines of the kitchen to take their place in the midst of society. Had it not been for sacrifices of those heroines who won the right for women to vote in your country in 1920, the world would have been denied the benefit of your important contribution to humanity. President Obama spoke for most of us when he said about you during the presidential campaign that:
“She shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams.”
Women cannot sit back in their laurels and expect somebody to champion their cause and lead their struggle. We can only forget at our own peril the wish of a third-century Vietnamese woman warrior, Trieu Thi Trinh, that:
“My wish is to ride the tempest, tame the waves, kill the sharks. I want to drive the enemy away to save our people. I will not resign myself to the usual lot of women who bow their heads and become concubines.”
Your Excellency, this wish has been granted in the form of great women leaders like yourself. But we can do more, working together. The friendship and good bilateral relations between our two countries can help this effort, as we are friends who are bound together by a common vision of a prosperous and democratic world that is free of hunger, disease, ignorance and the exclusion of women.
It will take the efforts of all of us, working together, to realise our dream of a better world and Africa.
I thank you.
Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to hold Bilateral Discussions with US Secretary of State, Ms Hillary Rodham Clinton
Pretoria – International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will, on Friday, 07 August 2009, host her USA counterpart Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria for bilateral discussions. Secretary Clinton’s visit, scheduled for 06-09 August 2009, will be the first such visit to South Africa since her appointment as Secretary of State in January 2009.
The discussions between Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and her USA counterpart will take place within the context of consolidating the already sound bilateral relationship between the two countries with a particular view of establishing high-level diplomatic contact between South Africa and the USA.
In this regard the discussions will amongst others focus on:
- Establishment of a structured Bilateral Mechanism aimed at regulating existing bilateral, political and economic relations between the two countries.
- NEPAD, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and the support for the Consolidation of the African Agenda.
- Collaboration in the fight against communicable diseases, including tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS.
- Strengthening educational, scientific and cultural cooperation.
SA’s Trade relationship with the USA
The trade and investment relationship between the two countries has significantly increased resulting in total trade approaching almost R100 billion with SA enjoying a trade surplus of approximately R20 billion in 2008. In addition South Africa is one of the major beneficiaries under AGOA ranking third after Nigeria and Angola, respectively, with South African exports to the US being the most diversified when compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries’ exports.
Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will also be hosting a dinner on 07 August 2009 within the context of Women’s month, where Secretary Clinton will be the guest of honour. Of importance Secretary Clinton will pay special attention to the status of women and their role in good governance during this visit.
Secretary Clinton will pay a courtesy call on Former President Nelson Mandela as well as visit US funded projects in and around Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town.
The visit is expected to conclude on Women’s Day, Sunday, 09 August 2009.
Issued by Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x152
Pretoria
0001
04 August 2009
Media Advisory: Visit to South Africa by United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from 06-09 August 2009
International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will host her United States counterpart Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on 07 August 2009 in Pretoria.
Thursday, 06 August 2009
Photo opportunity
(Pool arrangements to apply)
Venue: Protocol Lounge
Oliver Tambo International Airport
20h00: Arrival of media ahead of arrival Secretary Hillary Clinton
20h40: Arrival of Secretary Hillary Clinton at O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA).
Contact: Nthabiseng Ramatshela on 082 675 0893
Thembela Ngculu on 082 387 5611
Thursday 07 August 2009
08h20: Arrival of Media for photo opportunity ahead of the meeting between Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Secretary Clinton.
08h50: Arrival of Secretary Hillary Clinton, to be received by Minister Maite Mashabane
Photo opportunity
09h00: Tête-à-tête between Minister Nkoana- Mashabane and Secretary Hillary Clinton.
Photo opportunity
09h15: Minister Nkoana- Mashabane and Secretary Hillary Clinton are conducted to the Meeting Room
Photo Opportunity
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse
Bryntirion Estate
Church Street (Gate 9)
Pretoria
Please RSVP:
ramatshelaj@foreign.gov.za
ngculut@foreign.gov.za
(Please present press cards)
Contact: Nthabiseng Ramatshela on 082 675 0893
Thembela Ngculu on 082 387 5611
10h10: Arrival of Media for Press conference
10h30: Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Secretary Clinton are conducted to the Credentials Room for the Press Conference
10h40: Press Conference
(Pool arrangement to apply)
18h30 Media is invited to a Dinner hosted by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane in honour of Secretary Clinton “Celebrating Women”
(Pool arrangements to apply)
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse
Bryntirion Estate
Church Street (Gate 9)
Pretoria
Please RSVP:
ramatshelaj@foreign.gov.za
ngculut@foreign.gov.za
(Please present press cards)
Contact: Nthabiseng Ramatshela on 082 675 0893
Thembela Ngculu on 082 387 5611
Issued by Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x152
Pretoria
0001
04 August 2009
