Ke Nako – Now is the Time

Japanese Visitors protocol: The Do’s and Don’ts; download this helpful PDF.

Download this helpful PDF

The wonders of a truly Rainbow Nation

With a super lead up towards the 2010 World Cup - it is South Africa’s intention to showcase Africa like never before as a Fun and Beautiful destination, with Safari experiences un equaled in the world. It is however sad to see that some members of the media are trying by all possible means to report on negative aspects only, It is a fact that South Africa was asked to host Miss World in December 2008 in Johannesburg as the organizers were concerned about the safety aspects, South Africa hosted the 2008 Miss World without incident, The IPL Cricket was moved from India to South Africa again South Africa hosted the event with not a single incident, South Africa is currently hosting the Lions Rugby Cup & the FIFA Confederations Cup and again South Africa came to the party and it is well on its way to hosting a magnificent FIFA World Cup in 2010.

As we gear up for the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup, not only as South African’s but as African’s the continent is a Buzz and they are all ready to put on the best World Cup ever. I get a riveted feeling (I am proud to be South African) every time I see the South African Tourism adverts on TV stations around the World. I love the warmth of this great nation every time, I arrive back in South Africa and the heartfelt welcome that is extended to all who visit South Africa. I am proud to show the world the vast landscapes and beauty that South Africa as a world class Tourism destination has to offer. I am always moved by those with so little in life, who offer so much with no expectations. I am humbled by the youth of South Africa their maturity and leadership skills taking us to an ever intelligent future. I feel privileged to have met great people like Nelson Mandela, Dr Ben Ngubane, Mr Fanus Schoeman, Mr Thabang Makwetla & Mr Gert Grobler who have all contributed so much to the NEW SA. I stand in awe when I see the 2010 stadiums all nearing completion, and in so doing showing South Africa’s readiness to host these prestigious games. I am cheered up every time I take note of the vibrant colors that depict our nation, with a National flag (The second most popular flag in the world) that says it all. I am consumed by our music, rhythm, warmth, and greeting culture of hugging those we meet (Long overdue in the world) I feel the energy and this uplifts me and those around me. I invite you to visit South Africa so you too can experience and share in the great attributes of a great Nation.

By Bradley Brouwer

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The SA National Culinary Team will be jetting off to the Culinary Olympics later this month to represent South Africa on the international culinary scene.

G8 endorses halving global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
By Bathandwa Mbola

Japan - World leaders attending the Group of Eight (G8) Summit have agreed to back a plan for long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, although the deal fell short of establishing targets.

"Climate change is one of the great global challenges of our time," the leaders said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Negotiators discussed the issue late into the night in the mountainous resort of Toyako at the summit of the G8 major industrial powers, with host Japan pressing for progress on the summit's most contentious issue. The leaders of the G8, which are Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, together with leaders of the fastest developing countries agreed that the world should at least halve the emissions blamed for climate change by 2050. "We, the leaders of the world's major economies, both developed and developing, commit to combat climate change in accordance with our common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities," representatives said. Climate change has been one of the stickiest issues tackled at the summit with divisions over what targets should be set and what would be expected of developing countries. To achieve absolute emissions reductions, the G8 will implement "ambitious economy-wide mid-term goals". In addition, they pointed to new multilateral climate investment funds that have been set up to assist the efforts of developing countries. As part of the agreement, the G8 will set up a new international initiative for the research and development of innovative technologies to contribute to the realisation of a low-carbon society.

The leaders agreed to establish and hold an energy forum to focus on energy efficiency and new technologies. However the G8 did not set any firm targets for the nearer term as the leaders pressed for developing countries to make their own commitments to cut carbon emissions. This caused some environmental advocates to be critical of the G8 declaration. The target of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 was described as "pathetic" and "dangerously short of what is needed" by Kim Carstensen, Director of WWF's Global Climate Initiative. In a statement, WWF accused G8 leaders of failing to boost international climate negotiations and criticised what they termed the "lack of commitment to mid-term targets". South African and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk has also raised concerns. He said: "As it is expressed in the G8 statement, the long-term goal is an empty slogan without substance." The goal fell short of what was required, according to scientific near-consensus, "to stabilise the atmosphere at a relatively stable level" The showdown between the world's richest nations and the fastest-growing economies which are South Africa, China, India, Brazil and Mexico went beyond climate change to cover disputes over how to cope with record oil and food prices. They expressed serious concerns at the threat posed to the global economy by soaring oil prices. The price of crude oil has doubled since the last G8 summit, with highs of more than $146 (£72) a barrel.

However they remained positive about the long-term resilience of their economies, so long as countries resisted the introduction of trade barriers. The leaders also discussed various issues such as improvement of energy efficiency, greater use of clean energy, adaptation, technology, finance, market-based mechanisms and tariff reduction. On energy efficiency, they welcomed the recent decision to establish the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation. With renewables, they underscored the importance of sustainable biofuel production and use including science-based benchmarks and indicators and are committed to continuing research and development of second generation biofuel technologies.

BuaNews

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