By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cabinet says the recent African Peace Mission to Ukraine and the Russian Federation underscored South Africa’s principled position of non-alignment and the country’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
The mission emphasised the need for a de-escalation of the conflict to allow negotiations to commence with urgency, the return of children taken from the Ukraine, the release of prisoners of war, and creation of corridors to facilitate for greater humanitarian assistance,”Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said during a post-cabinet briefing on Thursday.
The mission, which consisted of several African leaders, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The high-profile delegation of presidents and envoys met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday before flying to Russia to speak with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
But critics have labelled the mission as “shambolic” after an SAA plane with security forces and journalists on board was stuck in Poland.
Polish authorities blamed incorrect paperwork for their decision not to allow the 120 passengers to leave the aircraft.
But Ntshavheni says the African leaders who went to Ukraine and Russia deserve more recognition for their efforts to broker peace.
Speaking at a briefing on this week’s cabinet meeting, Ntshavheni said this was the first time Africa is helping to resolve a conflict in Europe.
“This is the first time Africans took the initiative to go where others have dared not go, and they have participated and started to say there is a possibility of dialogue and resolution in this conflict.”
Ntshavheni also hit back at Polish authorities, saying there was no reason to detain the group of presidential security personnel and journalists.
“On our part, everything was done according to the normal protocols. Poland was made aware of the weapons on the South African chartered plane. Cabinet has noted these events and will take necessary measures on necessary channels.”
Cabinet commends Netherlands, Denmark visit
Cabinet has commended the engagements between President Cyril Ramaphosa, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, during the joint working visit in Pretoria this week.
Ramaphosa hosted the two leaders on an official joint working visit at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Tshwane on Tuesday.
The first of its kind in the country, the joint working visit sought to solidify South Africa’s relationship with the two countries in the areas of green hydrogen, renewable energy and just energy transition.
During the working visit, South Africa signed Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation in the field of green hydrogen and energy partnerships with the two countries.
Companies and institutions from the three countries made investment and partnership announcements, including a $1 billion commitment for the establishment of the SA-H2 Fund to mobilise green hydrogen investments.
The Public Infrastructure Fund for Water and Energy: Invest International intends to establish a concessional financing package fund for 300 million euros and grants of 100 million euros that will assist South Africa in the delivery of water and energy infrastructure.
“The economic relations between the three countries are a present-day manifestation of longstanding relations between South Africa and two European Union countries that offered significant support to South Africa’s liberation movements and the fight against apartheid, “Ntshavheni, said.
Cabinet has welcomed the signing of an agreement that will see Mozambique supply South Africa with 100 megawatts of electricity within the next three months upon the signing of the Power Purchase Agreement.
The next three to 12 months will see South Africa importing up to 1 000 megawatts of electricity from Mozambique.
Cabinet welcomes SA-Mozambique electricity agreement
Cabinet further welcomed continuous improvement in Eskom’s generation capacity, which has ensured the utility registers over 60% Energy Availability Factor.
“Cabinet extends its appreciation to South Africans for their contribution in lowering the demand for electricity, which has contributed to Eskom being able to maintain lower stages of load shedding.
“Saving electricity is a shared responsibility and an action from which all of us benefits,” Ntshavheni said.
Cabinet has also expressed appreciation for a donation to South Africa by the People’s Republic of China of emergency and small-scale generation equipment, valued at R167 million.
“A deployment plan is being developed to ensure the donated equipment is installed in public facilities which will, as a result, be isolated from load shedding. A formal handover ceremony will take place as soon as the goods are cleared by South African customs authorities,” Cabinet said.
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