The year 2010 will be remembered as the year of KE NAKO, Celebrating Africa's Humanity as South Africa played host to the FIFA World Cup football tournament, the first time the tournament was hosted on African soil.



South Africa will also remember 2010 as the year in which much emphasis was placed on working towards building and strengthening the country's economy despite the challenges faced by the world economic crisis. The work done, amongst others, by the National Planning Commission and the Office of the Minister of Economic Development, together with the recent Cabinet re-shuffle, is testimony to the Government's commitment to changing the lives of ordinary citizens for the better.

The announcement of South Africa's election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council is a big honour and South Africa has committed itself again towards the advancement of international peace and security. South Africa is proud to constitute, together with India, Brazil and others, the recently elected non-permanent membership of the Security Council.

The progress achieved toward better service delivery by many role-players in South Africa has been noted in the number of satisfied clients of especially the Department of Home Affairs in the processing of personal documentation. In order to improve on service delivery, the Department of Home Affairs requests that all South Africans travelling abroad should register with ROSA in their own interests.

In this respect, I particularly pay tribute to our colleague Mr Simon Modiba, the Department of Home Affairs representative. He has been an absolute pillar of strength during his tenure. His dedication to the Batho Pele (people first) service delivery principles is well-known and respected. We would like to wish Simon and his family well with the new chapter in their lives back in South Africa.

As we bid farewell to Simon, we welcome Ms Patiwe Mokoena and her family who recently joined us as First Secretary
in the political section.

This year, the Embassy's work revolved around a magnitude of interactions with many partners and I would like to recognise, and thank, all our friends for the fruitful cooperation and discussions in working together on so many important issues of mutual interest and concern. In recognition of such useful cooperation I trust our productive interactions will continue in the future. Here I would like also to mention the visit to Israel, as part of a visit to the Middle Eastern region in April/May, by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim.

In a broader context, the year 2010 has witnessed many international dramatic events, both positive and tragic. We honour the memory of those who paid the highest price in the service of their fellow human beings. The unity of purpose amongst the populations of so many countries was truly inspiring and bodes well for the potential of humanity to improve the lives of everybody, irrespective of creed and nationality.

The Embassy could not have worked as smoothly as it does without the dedication and commitment of the Embassy staff and I would like to thank each and everyone for his/her contribution during the past year. You flew the South African flag with dedication and professionalism.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Festive Season. Our wish is that 2011 will see a continuation of cooperation and interactions between the Embassy, its colleagues and friends.

Ismail Coovadia
Ambassador