CONSULATE GENERAL CAPE TOWN

News from the CG

Assembly of the Interparliamentary Union meet in Cape

U.S. Congressman delivers keynote address

Congressman Donald Payne participated in the 118th Assembly of the Interparliamentary Union in Cape Town April 11-14. Although the US is not a member and has not participated in IPU assemblies in many years, Congressman Payne was asked to deliver the keynote address and treated like the head of a member delegation.

The assembly was the biggest in the history of the IPU with over 1200 delegates from nearly 150 countries. Several officials of the IPU, as well as many delegates from member states, expressed the hope that the US would rejoin the organization.

While in Cape Town he also met with President Thabo Mbeki, Speaker of the South African Parliament, Baleka Mbete, and the Speakers of parliaments in Namibia, Botswana and Kenya. Among the topics discussed were the situations in Zimbabwe and Kenya.

View transcript of keynote address (PDF format)

 

American Astronomer Promotes Science at Schools

Cape Town, April 22, 2008.  American astronomer Eric Wilcots, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, today gave two presentations to 10-12 grade learners at the Centre of Science and Technology School (COSAT) which is based at the Good Hope Campus of the False Bay College.

Wilcots’ visit was set up to show learners that science can be fun, and can also be a rewarding field of study and work. The visit was organized by COSAT’s Peter Oxenham and the US Consulate in Cape Town, which funded Dr. Wilcots’ visit to South Africa.

While in South Africa, Dr. Wilcots also participated in the Scifest event in Grahamstown, and gave talks at UCT, UWC, and the Cape Academy of Mathematics and Science in Tokai.

The US Consulate made a donation of science books and an encyclopedia to the COSAT's school’s library.

Do contact the Consulate General in Cape Town for more information on its programs for schools.

 

Islamic International Peace University Receives Book Donation

The U.S. Consulate in Cape Town donated 75 books to the library of the International Peace University South Africa (IPSA), the only Islamic institution of higher learning in Southern Africa.

The university, which has more than 200 students, worked closely with the Consulate on the selection of the books. Dr Abrahams, who was active in the struggle to end apartheid, received his degree in psychology from Harvard University.