AguilB

3rd culture gal who loves to cook. Davidson Alum. Views are my own.

[AguilB @AguilB]

The Quiet One is a poetic documentary about exile, memory & the power of paying attention.
They’re heading to #SunnySideOfTheDoc to take it global — and need your help.
Be part of the journey. 📸

https://t.co/QwEGBEPB3z

#TheQuietOneFilm #DocumentaryFilm

[Sherwin Bryce-Pease @sherwiebp]

This is a partial transcript of the U.S. State Dept briefing by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Piggot today that saw pointed questions on the reasoning behind the admission of White Afrikaners as refugees to the USA and the allegation of genocide in South Africa. This is a verbatim transcript:

#sabcnews

Journo: There is a lot of evidence, public evidence that is in open sources of farmers, white farmers not wanting to come, of black killings exceeding by large measure white killings in the crime problem they do have, and that there is no white genocide to justify this kind of extraordinary, accelerated refugee process for white South Africans on the same day that temporary protective status was withdrawn from Afghans, 1000s of them, many of whom are sponsored by US military veterans, because they were their translators. So can you unpack that and the disparity in treatment, and what is the status of any kind of genocide investigation on what is happening to white South Africa?

State Dept Spox: Well, the President has been very clear the concerns that he has in terms of South Africa, he has expressed those publicly and often. When it comes to temporary protected status, I refer you to DHS. That was always meant as a temporary programme, a temporary benefit, but I refer you to DHS for more questions on that. Again, when it comes to the new arrivals that we saw, what we saw was a president who identified a priority that we fulfilled here at the State Department. And what's also clear is that the refugees that arrived met the same standard that is across the board for refugees, they met that standard. So what we're seeing here is a president who has been clear about his concerns with South Africa, and the State Department has acted on that, and the refugees that we saw met the standard in statute for refugees.

Journo: The standard may be uniform, but the speed is not. We have people Afghans, who have who are still in refugee camps since the fall of the Afghanistan regime, who are waiting to hear about SIV status, or waiting to hear about refugee status, who have worked with The US. They are in Doha, they are in Albania, they’re in Pakistan for years, waiting to get the kind of treatment and that is not a DHS function that is a State Department function.

State Dept Spox: Well on that SIV front, SIV interviews continue. That process continues. What we have seen, again as a president being very clear about concerns he has regarding South Africa and the treatment of Afrikaners in South Africa.

Journo: Is it all anecdotal from advisors?

State Dept Spox: Well, this has been a concern that the President's had for a very long time. He's been clear about that for years, about the abuses we are seeing in South Africa. So this is a priority outlined by the President. The President then directed the State Department others to implement that priority, and we're seeing the State Department fulfill those executive orders.

Journo: Is there a formal genocide investigation underway at the State Department?

State Dept Spox: Again, the President has spoken to this area's comments, nothing further to add on that front.

Second Journo: But Tommy, just to follow up. I mean, what evidence can you share today from the podium to underscore there is a fact, there's a genocide going on in South Africa against the whites?

State Dept Spox: Well, look, the President, again, has been very clear on this. Refer you to his comments. When it comes to the treatment of the refugees that we saw arrive, that is that same standard in statute for refugees. And there were, there were harrowing stories that they told about the treatment that they suffered. So what we are seeing is a problem that's been identified by the President and the State Department fulfilling those executive orders. So again, we have heard these stories that have come through, the refugees they've met the same statute for refugees that is uniform and standard and that will continue to implement the President's priorities in this regard.

Third Journo: You said they met the same statute, which indicates that there are others who are in the same exact boat that they are in right now around the world. So why was it a decision to prioritize these refugees over other refugees, and was there any racial element to this because they're white?

State Dept Spox; So I want to just on that first part. What I mean there is, there's a certain standard that's outlined, there's certain criteria that needs to be met. That's what I meant in terms of that standard. So there's a certain standard that is applied when someone's applying for a refugee status in this program, and so that standard is uniform across the board. So I want to clarify that aspect of it. And again, the President has been very clear about the actions we are seeing in South Africa, the fact that this was a priority laid out by the President and the State Department is fulfilling that priority.

Third Journo: And you don't want to speak to any I racial reasoning for allowing them to come in being white refugee, versus not allowing any Latino or people of color coming into the US as refugeesthis year?

State Dept Spox: Fundamentally, what we have seen are harrowing stories from those refugees. They have met the standard that is applicable, applicable for those refugees, we have seen that process play out. This has been a priority for the President, and again, just looking at this scenario, we have heard harrowing stories here. That is what is at issue here, the fact that these people have gone through certain conditions. We've seen that standard for refugees apply. They have gone through this process. It's a priority from the President, and that's why we're seeing the actions that were taken.

Fourth Journo: I think also we're asking because the determination of genocide is normally something that is determined by the Secretary of State. So just want to clarify - you're saying that this is now something that is determined by the president the United States? And that's why I think Andrea was asking if there is an investigation in this building into whether that that designation for genocide is being determined in this building still, or if something has changed?

State Dept Spox: Well, again, as I said, the President's been very clear about the issues that we have regarding South Africa. He's been very clear on that continually. I have nothing further to add at this point.

Fourth Journo: But it's a legal determination. It's not a determination made by the president the United States. That's why we're asking?

State Dept Spox: Again, I addressed this issue in terms of the President's been very clear about the issues we've seen from the State Department's perspective, there's a priority laid out by the President. We are fulfilling that priority. And again, the stories that we have heard are harrowing, and so we're seeing the fact that these people have met that same standard for refugees. And we're seeing the State Department fulfill the executive orders of the president.

Fifth Journo: You also look through their social media files. I mean, because there's some to look for anti semitism, for instance, for some of the people who came?

State Dept Spox: Well, as a matter of general policy, were unable to comment on specifics of that nature. And so I'm not going to do that from podium here.

[Michael de Villiers @Mikedotcoza]

Survivors of apartheid are not just part of history—they are still alive, just like those who benefited from it. Ignoring the need for proper redress is like covering a wound and hoping it won’t fester.

[The Tennessee Holler @TheTNHoller]

60 MINUTES: “Utter nonsense. The most accountable aid agency in the world is USAID… DOGE fired their top 58 officials within an hour of arriving…���

This was never about efficiency.

[Michael de Villiers @Mikedotcoza]

You were fine when apartheid locked opportunities away from millions, but now that policies open doors for the excluded, you call it “oppression.”

[Phumzile Van Damme @zilevandamme]

A call for a positive portrayal of South Africa answered: How many young people embrace unity, free from ingrained racism. A thread of the cherished tradition returns: inter-school competition cheers and war cries.

[Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa]

South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land.

The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution.

South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.

We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters.

The US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIVAids programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States.

[Jeremy Konyndyk @JeremyKonyndyk]

Whether or not you care about foreign aid, you should be very worried about what DOGE is doing to @USAID right now.

Breaching highly classified systems and unlawfully attempting to unilaterally dissolve an independent federal agency.

This is a test run.

🧵

[The Presidency 🇿🇦 @PresidencyZA]

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA LOOKS FORWARD TO ENGAGING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP OVER ISSUES OF BILATERAL INTEREST AND CONCERN

South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land.

The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution.

South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.

We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters.

The US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/Aids programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States.

[Leon Schreiber @Leon_Schreib]

One of the first things I did after my appointment as Home Affairs Minister was to visit our visa backlog team, with the message that we want a Christmas without the decade-old backlog hanging over us. Today, Deputy Minister Nzuza and I went back to celebrate this team for their incredible work - with all of us dressed in Christmas outfits!

Within a matter of months, we have processed an incredible 261 845 applications and will hit 94% backlog eradication by year end - with only mopping up and appeals remaining. In fact, our team is working so fast that we are struggling to keep up with printing and issuing outcomes.

This has been a year of inspiring progress at Home Affairs. Next year, we will take the lessons learnt from this project and the foundation we’ve laid to fully digitalise and automate our processes, and take service delivery to new heights.

We love our country and we are proud of the contribution we are making as one team, with one dream. South Africa, this is your #TeamHomeAffairs under the GNU in action! 🇿🇦🎄

[The Presidency 🇿🇦 @PresidencyZA]

🇿🇦 His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa receives a courtesy call from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at Genadendal, the official residence of the President in Cape Town, Western Cape.

The Prince of Wales is in South Africa to host the 4th Annual Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony, on 6 November 2024.

The Earthshot Prize shines a light on the impact of climate change, environmental degradation and pollution, as well as the creative solutions people and communities across the globe generate.

#BetterAfricaBetterWorld 🌍

[Fairfax County Votes @fairfaxvotes]

ALL early voting locations are open Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

🗳️Alexandria (2)
🗳️Annandale
🗳️Burke
🗳️Centreville
🗳️Chantilly
🗳️Fairfax (2)
🗳️Falls Church (2)
🗳️Great Falls
🗳️Herndon
🗳️Lorton
🗳️McLean
🗳️Reston
🗳️Springfield

View locations and wait times: https://t.co/sHFY0cY8m3

[Sentletse 🇿🇦🇷🇺🇵🇸🇱🇧 @Sentletse]

The year was 1999 and Tito Mboweni had recently been appointed the Governor of the SA Reserve Bank. He had recently succeeded an apartheid relic called Chris Stalls. The SARB at the time was still a white enclave, full of apartheid era whites who had worked there for than 20 years. The country was still contending with transformation imperatives. Resistance to transformation at the SARB was palpable. We were young black arrivalists at this illustrious institution trying to navigate the politics of transformation and we now had a black Governor.

Unlike many black executives who when appointed to predominately white institutions also become part of the white discriminatory culture, Tito did not fall into that assimilation trap at the SARB. He demonstrated the courage and conviction to confront racism and its subtle manifestations in the workplace head on.

On one random Friday, he summoned a groups of black staff to his official SARB residence near the Union Buildings. We were treated to pleasant refreshments and so on. Tito wanted to hear first hand from black staff what their experiences were at the SARB and want needed to be done expeditiously to transform the institution. It was a remarkable approach. Seldom do you find black executives in corporate SA being demonstrably committed to transformation and having no fear to upset anti-transformation whites. He earned my greatest respect then and it endured to his end. Natives today hold the most senior and strategic positions at the SARB because of the work started by Tito.

He however pissed a lot of SARB staff when he banned alcohol at work functions. Drunkards were not happy shem.

Tito was a consummate professional, a brilliant economist and Governor and above all a decent human being.

Goodnight Governor!

[Fairfax County Votes @fairfaxvotes]

Check your voter registration NOW to confirm it's up-to-date and ready for you to vote early until Nov. 2, on Election Day (Nov. 5) or by mail.

Visit the @vaELECT website to check your status: https://t.co/SK79bIck7R

[Nomadic Activist | Nicole 🌎 @nomad_activist]

Reminder that Western NC was considered a “climate haven” in the US.

Don’t think the impacts of climate change won’t reach you. Asheville is over 250 miles inland and 2,000 feet above sea level.

This isn’t normal and we need to address this as a climate crisis.

[Michael Thomas @curious_founder]

The world's largest climate and weather data archive is located in Asheville, NC.

Due to an historic climate disaster, its currently offline.

[Kelly Larson @larson_kelly]

Improving public health starts with accurate data. The Data for Health Initiative strengthens birth/death data systems, improves policymaking, and utilizes mobile phones to collect data on risk factors for NCDs—driving better health planning globally.

[Robert F. Smith @RFS_Vista]

Art has always been an inextricable part of the human experience. As we continue to shift to a digital world, art has certainly followed suit. These three Black female artists are changing how that art is created and perceived. Learn more about them. https://t.co/DTNMn5SUo0

[AguilB @AguilB]

@hofrench Yasss 🙌🏿🙌🏿