In 1990, the winds of change were slowly sweeping our nation, and on 11 February 1990 South Africa was abuzz with the news of the release of former President Nelson Mandela.

Having spent most of his adult life behind bars, Nelson Mandela was more myth than a man.  He along with others such as OR Tambo were giant figures in our national psyche, but few people had ever seen or interacted with them.

On 11 February 1990 all this changed; with the eyes of the entire world upon us, South Africans waited with baited breath to meet the man behind the legend.

In today's digital age, technology has transformed the way we communicate with each other. Gone are the days of the traditional communication flow of a sender and receiver – everyone has the potential to be a sender.

There are glaring omissions of the government’s achievements in Duma Gqubule’s most recent column.

Duma Gqubule’s most recent column foretells precarious economic prospects for our nation as a result of the government’s action, but it has some glaring omissions.  (“SA’s worst president since 1994?”, February 7).     

While the vaccination rollout target is far from being where it is envisaged, the government remains steadfast in forging ahead with its communication initiatives to educate and encourage all people in South Africa that vaccination remains the best means to fight the virus, writes GCIS Director-General Phumla Williams.

The month of June is fast approaching, and like all previous years, we will once again, commemorate and pay homage to the youths of 1976. However, unlike the celebrations we have had in the previous years before the COVID19 Pandemic, we will reflect on the past year since the outbreak of the virus, and recall the many lives that have been lost. This however does not have to be the only object for South Africans to reflect on. Since the beginning of the phase 1 Sisonke vaccination roll-out in February, more healthcare workers have become open to the procedure of getting vaccinated.

“Given the rate at which new cases have grown over the last two weeks, there is every possibility that if we do not act urgently and if we do not act together, the second wave will be more severe than the first wave”. These are powerful words of President Cyril Ramaphosa when he announced new measures to contain the second wave of COVID-19 infections.  

Freedom of expression and media freedom is an integral part of our democracy. The Constitution entrenches the right to freedom of expression, including media freedom. Since 1994 we have been resolute in the belief that an independent and free media are vital partners in strengthening any democracy.

As South Africa celebrates women’s month we also remember the many formidable women across our continent. Every day these women, like many in our country, strive to uplift their families and communities often in the face of insurmountable odds.

The unique challenges posed by COVID-19 has called on humanity to remain apart through social distancing.  This has caused untold anguish as people have been forced to adapt to a new way of life, which has now become our new normal.

The friendship between the people of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and people of South Africa goes back decades even before the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

It is a bond that has its roots in South Africa’s struggle for liberation where Ethiopians were a staunch supporter in our fight for freedom and were at the forefront of efforts to isolate the apartheid government.