South African and Seychelles to Boost Cooperation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Press Release

30^th December 2012

South African and Seychelles to Boost Cooperation 

Seychelles and South Africa are set to widen cooperation sectors following a bilateral meeting held today with Mrs. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa to Seychelles, and her delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, and a delegation of government representatives met with Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to discuss broadening the excellent working relationship between the two governments.

“South Africa is Seychelles’ biggest African partner and we share many mutual interests, not just in terms of the development of our countries but also a shared optimism for a bright future for Africa through our strong bilateral partnership and in our engagement with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union,” said Minister Adam.

During this session the two Ministers discussed expanding cooperation in the health sector, tourism trade and investments, as well as in culture and sports, through the sharing of expertise, training for personnel and deepening dialogue to maximise potential partnerships.

The South African Minister also took this opportunity to thank the government of Seychelles for what she described as a “historic contribution” to the SADC led Madagascar talks hosted by Seychelles earlier this year and commended Seychelles for the commitment shown to the process, and for the country’s genuine engagement with African affairs.

Other areas of cooperation discussed include educational support through the provision of further scholarships and possible collaboration with the University of Seychelles, and closer collaboration in the area of maritime security in the Indian Ocean, as well as the support of maritime related industry in the region.

“South Africa is one of our most valued partners with a wealth of experience to share, not just in traditional development areas but also in the nurture and preservation of culture and in the use of sports as a liberating force for the youth of a nation and Africa as a whole,” said Minister Adam.

Minister Adam added that he was grateful to South Africa for the friendship and support extended to Seychelles as a true and equal partner despite being the smallest country in Africa.

The South African Minister is expected to call on President James Michel at State House tomorrow.

 

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AIR SEYCHELLES INCREASES INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS, ENHANCES CONNECTIVITY

AIR SEYCHELLES INCREASES INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS, ENHANCES CONNECTIVITY

 

Air Seychelles today announced significant changes to its international schedule, effective March 24, 2013.

 

The changes include increased weekly frequencies to Johannesburg, Mauritius and Abu Dhabi.

 

Together with the new Hong Kong services, the new schedule will effectively double the airline’s weekly international services, from eight to 16.

 

There will be an additional service to Johannesburg and Mauritius, bringing a total three services per week to each destination.

 

Johannesburg’s three weekly return services will move to daytime departures and arrivals, shifting from the current overnight services, which will greatly enhance connectivity across South Africa, particularly to Cape Town and Durban.

 

The change will enable connections to Cape Town to increase from 31 to 45 per week, while connections to Durban will increase from 22 to 38 per week. The new Johannesburg schedule also allows more convenient flight connections within South Africa, increasing from 24 to 61 per week.  Connections to the rest of Africa will increase from 29 to 72 per week.

 

The new Monday service, along with flights on Wednesdays and Fridays, reflects the demand for more convenient flights for both business and leisure travellers.

 

Abu Dhabi services will increase from four to seven return flights per week, supporting Air Seychelles’ codeshare operations and the new Hong Kong services. Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based airline and 40 per cent shareholder, will operate three services per week on the route.

 

The partner airlines’ combined schedule of 10 services per week brings daily services to the Seychelles-Abu Dhabi route, with greatly enhanced connectivity over the Abu Dhabi hub.

 

Under a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways in place since January 2012, the combined network currently offers 440 convenient flight connections per week from the Seychelles to destinations across the globe. This will increase to 496 connections from March 24.

 

When the new schedule takes effect, connecting flights from the Seychelles over Abu Dhabi and onwards to historical markets across Europe will increase from 144 to 151 connections per week.

 

The new schedule also opens up connections to key emerging markets for Seychelles tourism, including destinations across the Middle East and Australasia. Connections throughout the Middle East will increase from 69 to 87 per week, connections to Asia will increase from 190 to 217 per week and connections to Australasia will increase from 20 to 26 per week.

 

Air Seychelles announced this week that its three weekly return services to Hong Kong, operated via Abu Dhabi, would commence on March 24, 2013.

 

Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have seen strong performance across our existing international network in the course of what has been a turn-around year for Air Seychelles. By bringing additional flights to these high-demand markets and increasing our connectivity to emerging markets, we are creating a solid foundation for the future of Air Seychelles, Seychelles tourism and our home economy.

 

“The new schedule supports the launch of our services to Hong Kong next year, which will mark our entry into Asia, a vibrant and booming region which can be a huge driver of tourism to the Seychelles.

 

“These are essential components of the plan which will see Air Seychelles established as a high-quality, profitable airline, as well as the carrier of choice within the Indian Ocean.”

 

Air Seychelles this year announced third quarter revenues of US$13.8 million, up 23 per cent on the second quarter, as the airline’s restructuring program took effect in the drive towards profitability in 2012. Growth in revenue was led by a 51 per cent quarter-on-quarter increase in passengers.

 

Abu Dhabi flight schedule, effective March 24, 2013:

 

Flight #	Departs	Departure Time	Arrives	Arrival Time	Aircraft	Frequency
HM018	Mahé (SEZ)	20:40	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	01:10 (+1)	A330-200	Four per week: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
HM086	Mahé (SEZ)	15:40	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	20:10		Three per week: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
HM019	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	08:25	Mahé (SEZ)	13:00		Four per week: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
HM87	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	02:00	Mahé (SEZ)	06:35		Three per week: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
EY621	Mahé (SEZ)	20:40	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	01:10 (+1)	A320	Three per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
EY622	Abu Dhabi (AUH)	08:25	Mahé (SEZ)	12:55		Three per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

 

Johannesburg flight schedule, effective March 24, 2013:

 

Flight #	Departs	Departure Time	Arrives	Arrival Time	Aircraft	Frequency
HM61	Mahé (SEZ)	08:00	Johannesburg (JNB)	11:10	A330-200	Three per week: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
HM60	Johannesburg (JNB)	12:25	Mahé (SEZ)	19:20		Three per week: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday

 

Mauritius flight schedule, effective March 24, 2013:

 

Flight #	Departs	Departure Time	Arrives	Arrival Time	Aircraft	Frequency
HM55	Mahé (SEZ)	13:45	Mauritius (MRU)	16:25	A320	Three per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
HM54	Mauritius (MRU)	17:10	Mahé (SEZ)	19:45		Three per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

 

-ENDS-

About Air Seychelles

Air Seychelles was established in 1978 and began long-haul service in 1983. The airline currently offers international flights to Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg and Mauritius. Air Seychelles also offers more than 200 domestic scheduled flights a week throughout the archipelago, as well as domestic charter services.  As the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, Air Seychelles is a pillar of tourism, the island nation’s strongest and growing economic sector. The airline maintains a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and 40 per cent stakeholder. For more information, please visit:www.airseychelles.com.

 

For more information contact:

Alan Renaud

General Manager | Corporate Affairs

Tel:         +248 4 39 10 32

Mob:     +248 2 52 57 41

Email:    arenaud@airseychelles.com

 

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Over ninety police officers promoted

Over ninety police officers promoted - 17.12.2012 
• Three rise to rank of assistant superintendent

Over 90 police officers have been promoted to various ranks, with three rising to the rank of assistant superintendent.

It was during a ceremony held at the Seychelles Police Academy on Friday afternoon that the large group of police officers gathered to receive their new shoulder straps indicating their new ranks.

The event was held in the presence of the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan, police commissioner Ernest Quatre, management of the police department, senior officers and staff of the academy.

Commissioner Quatre told the audience that the event was a significant one and was proof of the trust being put in those being promoted.

“We expect nothing but quality performances, while also displaying ethics and professionalism.

I ask you all to use the opportunities presented to you to motivate yourselves even further and so propel yourselves forward in your careers,” he said.

“Keep in mind that success comes with sacrifices and so I ask you to not use your new ranks simply as a display on your shoulders, but to use them to inspire a true sense of responsibility, discipline, leadership and other essential values needed to make your work better.”

He then wished the officers luck in their new responsibilities.

The three inspectors who are now assistant superintendents – Andre Joseph, Jemmy Bouzin and Romano Songor – received their new ranks from Minister Morgan.

 Commissioner Quatre, followed by other senior officers, then gave the other officers theirs.

Apart from the new assistant superintendents, there are also those who have been promoted to inspector, sub-inspector, sergeant, and corporal.

After all present had been promoted and those who were absent as they are following overseas training or for other reasons were excused, Minister Morgan addressed the audience saying that during the time of restructuring and reform in the police department, it is a pleasure and encouraging to see officers who are showing dedication to their careers.

“We appreciate the efforts being made to make our police force more effective and professional and we give our pledge to always reward those who merit it in the force.

 Do not forget that hard work and professionalism always bring good results,” he said.

“To the newly-promoted, your new ranks have not come at random.

 It is because your superiors have noted your good qualities and essential abilities that make you deserve a promotion. This reward is also an opportunity for you to step up your sense of responsibilities and guide others to help the force in its roles to society.”

He also asked the officers to be more proactive, especially with the force putting emphasis on training.

“Opportunities will come and I ask you to seize them and increase your knowledge and abilities,” he said.

After the ceremony, those who have been promoted congratulated and wished one another good luck, before joining guests for a more light-hearted moment. 

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Sign language interpreters, mediators to help deaf conduct business and access services

Sign language interpreters, mediators to help deaf conduct business and access services- 15.12.2012 

Deaf people conducting business, accessing services and having to deal with judicial matters will soon gain access to specially trained interpreters and deaf mediators.

Officials from government ministries and departments conducting official business with deaf people, doctors who have difficulties understanding deaf patients, the media wanting to interview a deaf person can also seek the professional expertise of an interpreter and mediator.

All this is being made possible now that a group of eight people – four hearing and four with hearing impairment – have already completed the first part of a training conducted by Monique Gendrot from an institute for the deaf in Paris, France.

Mrs Gendrot carried out the training programme, which is being funded under the 10th EDF grant, between the month of October and November. The second part of the training will be done next year.

The chairperson of the Association for People with Hearing Impairment (APHI) and project coordinator Anita Gardner said Mrs Gendrot has used a technique that sign language interpreters can apply to communicate and inform deaf people, especially those who are not using the formal sign language.

Those taking part in the training spent a lot of time in court.
“The delegates enjoyed the training. We spent a lot of time in court as the training concentrated on interpreting court sessions. We had to learn about the whole operation of the judicial system," said Mrs Gardner.

Mrs Gardner said providing proper access to necessary services to deaf people is in line with Article 9 of the UN convention for the rights of people with disabilities.

“Using an interpreter will give deaf people full access to all services and also provide a protective cover for service providers,” added Mrs Gardner.

She says many people take communication with deaf people too lightly.
"Some people say they understand us and we understand them. This is fine as long as everything goes well, but when and if things go wrong then many problems can arise,” Mrs Gardner pointed out.

She said it is a right for a deaf people to request for an interpreter whenever he or she feels there is a need.
On behalf of Aphi and all deaf people, Mrs Gardner expressed her heartfelt thanks to everyone who have made the project possible and the court personnel for all their support.

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Seychelles joins world in marking one billionth tourist record

Seychelles joins world in marking one billionth tourist record - 15.12.2012 

As Seychelles joins the globe on December 13, 2012 in celebrating the one billionth tourist mark, it is an apt time for reflection upon exactly what this means, not only for the world, but also for Seychelles.

To begin with, the one billionth tourist travelling the globe illustrates how very far tourism has come and how much the industry has grown since the end of the Second World War.

Today, it is the world’s fastest growing industry, and Seychelles is typical of many nations which have come to depend on tourism as a main pillar of their economy. We live in a world where very few countries on Earth are not striving for a share of the tourism pie as attendance at any reputable trade fair will demonstrate.

Indeed, to have reached the 1 billionth mark is a cause for celebration but it also gives us occasion to pause and reflect on the effects of so many people travelling on the environment and on the very ecosystems which tourism needs to prosper. Also, let us not forget the consequences of travel to the culture of any given country, to its sometime limited resources and, also to global health.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (WTO) has coined the phrase ‘I billion tourists – 1 billion opportunities’ to mark this watershed moment and has launched a global campaign to vote for the one tip that travellers believe will make a difference in ensuring that tourism remains sustainable, which is another way of saying that what we do today we do in such a way that we shall be able to continue doing it tomorrow.

This concept of sustainability is crucial for the continued prosperity of tourism because it is only sustainable practices that will allow us to properly manage and conserve our precious resources, protect our environment and fragile ecosystems as well as the integrity and authenticity of our unique Seychellois Creole culture.

The WTO’s reference to ‘one billion opportunities’ is appropriate because of the global advance in technology, knowledge and expertise and their combined potential for innovation, advancement and the achievement of great things for humanity.

As we celebrate this great milestone in tourism and prepare to meet the challenges associated with it, we need to ensure that we direct our energies, both individual and collective in positive, well integrated and visionary ways. The bottom line, however, remains that we each commit to better understanding the industry upon which our prosperity depends, to positively supporting it and to helping to create the right atmosphere it requires to prosper.

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UniSey rewards outstanding graduates

UniSey rewards outstanding graduates - 15.12.2012 A group of students who graduated from the University of Seychelles (UniSey) recently have been rewarded for excelling in their respective fields. The award ceremony was held yesterday at the School of Education Mont Fleuri in the presence of the UniSey’s vice-chancellor Marina Confait, director general for youth affairs Fatoumata Sylla, members of the diplomatic corps, sponsors and the university’s staff. The award recipients had excelled in the fields of early childhood, primary and secondary education, advanced diploma in educational leadership and degrees in business administration and computer information systems. Awards were firstly given to the best performers of year 2010. For early childhood, the best performer award went to Vanessa Adam, while Vanessia Labrosse was rewarded for being the best performer for professional experience. The best performer in the field of primary education was Vicky Aglae and Joycy Arnephy was the best performer for professional practice. For secondary education, Jocelyne Dogley was the best performer for secondary English, Fiona Payet for secondary French, Tania Bellard for secondary science and Petrina Joseph for history and geography. The best performer for professional experience at secondary level was Rannia Elsa Bamboche. From the advanced diploma in educational leadership of the year 2010 Agnielle Monthy received prizes for being the best performer. Best performers for the years 2011 were also rewarded. Vivienne Thelermont received prizes for being the best out of the early childhood cohort while Elfrida Alcindor was the best performer for professional practice. Salvienne Isnard was the best performer for primary while Aline Larue received the award for best professional practice. Carol Athanasius was the best performer for secondary technology and enterprise while best performer for professional practice award went to Maryvonne Auguste. During the ceremony, there were those who were awarded with the School of Education awards as the best overall students. For the year 2010, Enrico Ernesta received the award while Salvienne Isnard was the overall best performer for 2011. They both received the President’s Cup, a return ticket to any destination sponsored by Air Seychelles, a laptop and a trophy from President James Michel. Other awards went to Valerie Lebon who was following a degree course in Business Administration. For being the best performer, Miss Lebon has been awarded with a scholarship to pursue further studies at Master level. Renny Bijoux, who was the best performer in computer information systems, also won a scholarship for further studies at Master level. A group of individuals also received certificates after successfully completing a Cisco course. Cisco is a programme intended to recognise knowledge and experience in computer networking, particularly in routing and switching. Our photo on front page show Enrico Ernesta and Salvienne Isnard receiving the President’s Cup for coming out as the overall best performers for the years 2010 and 2011 respectively.

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Zenn i egzibit zot sikse

Zenn i egzibit zot sikse - 11.12.2012

Bann zenn ek manm piblik an zeneral pe ganny sans aprann plis lo sikse ek lakonplisman lazenes Seselwa pandan sa lannen.


Viziter pe aprann plis lo bann lakonplisman lazenes atraver legzibisyon



Sa i atraver en legzibisyon kot Konsey Nasyonal Lazenes ki pou reste ouver ziska Sanmdi le 15 Desanm.

Bann egzibit dan sa legzibisyon pe demontre bann aktivite fer lo nivo nasyonal, dan bann distrik e osi lo nivo rezyonal.

I osi annan lenformasyon lo bann diferan seksyon Konsey Nasyonal Lazenes.
Atraver sa legzibisyon manm piblik a osi konn plis lo Lasanble Lazenes ek zot travay, President Award Scheme e plizyer bann lezot linisyativ ki viz ver devlopman bann zenn.

Dan sa legzibisyon i osi annan bann prodwi artizanal fer par bann zenn ki’n swiv bann sesyon formasyon. Se employment initiative unit ki responsab pour ed bann zenn ki pe rod lanplwa e osi bann ki swete fer zot prop pti biznes avek bann diferan formasyon.

Sa legzibisyon i parmi bann aktivite dan kad Festival Lazenes sa lannen ki ti lanse ofisyelman Vandredi pase e ki pou terminen Merkredi.

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Mancham takes part in World Eco-Safety Assembly in Bali

Mancham takes part in World Eco-Safety Assembly in Bali - 11.12.2012

Former President James Mancham is one of three persons elected to the presidium of the council of the International Eco-Safety Collaborative Organisation (IESCO).


The election took place Sunday evening at a special meeting of the council's presidium held in Bali, Indonesia on the eve of the opening of the conference of the council of World Eco-Safety Assembly (Wesa).

The two other new members of the seventeen-strong presidium elected alongside Mr Mancham are Sheila Copps, former deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Anna K.Tabaijuka, Minister for Land Resources and Housing of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The election takes effect from December 12, 2012 and will terminate end of December 2017.

The IESCO presidium is jointly chaired by Dr Jiang MingJun, founding president and director-general of IESCO; Jose de Veneciajr, former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Philippines; and Zhang Deguang, President of China Foundation of International Studies.

The first plenary conference opened yesterday morning at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre, attended by over 300 international and Indonesian delegates, mostly from global peers like China, USA, Canada, Japan, among other developing nations.

Mr Mancham was one of the keynote speakers at the opening of the Assembly. Before delivering his keynote address, Mr Mancham read a special message from President James Michel, who was not able to take part in the conference due to other engagements.

“We are the barometers for the health of our planet. If we face rising sea levels, or coral bleaching, it is not just our homes and livelihoods that are affected, it is the heritage of humanity which is at risk,” said President Michel in the message, before commending Wesa for mobilising support for action to better structure the world economy and the management of the environment at the global level.

“In the post Rio landscape, we are encouraged by the potential growth of the blue economy and green Eco, which we need to ensure in the interest of economic growth and environmental sustainability,” said President Michel in the message.

Regretting that he was unable to attend the landmark event personally, President Michel conveyed his heartfelt good wishes for the success of the conference and acknowledged the role Mr Mancham in this context.

Thanking the organisers for their support, President Michel stated that implementing eco-safety in Seychelles is both a challenge and an opportunity.

Mr Mancham, in his own address, questioned the attitude of the big powers who were not, in his view, doing enough to resolve the problem of climate change and global warming.

He quoted John Donne’s famous phrase that no man is an island entire of himself and that we are all part of the whole, which means that today we are living in a global village situation.

Unfortunately, Mr Mancham said, "far too much money has been spent on defence budget as opposed to human resource development”, expressing his concern at the state of global politics where there is an upsurge in nationalist pride and fervour.

Mr Mancham called on global leaders to put the interest of the globe first. He said he was speaking from the heart, and without speaking about statistics, he can confirm that in his own experience in his lifetime that certain coastal fishes in Seychelles waters are no more around, and certain beaches have been gravely affected by erosion.

He further stated that the big nations must lead by example and that he himself ascribed to the notion that no country is small if it is surrounded by the sea, and that Seychelles participation at the Wesa conference in Bali reflects the often forgotten fact that we are all part of the same universe and it is certainly a matter of grave concern that the total world defence budget is about 30 times more than what the world is spending on human resource development.

"It also seems that the gods of the world which is represented by nature has over recent times been sending messages that despite all scientific development and achievements, nature remains overriding and supreme."

Also taking part in the conference are two members of the Seychelles diplomatic mission in China - Christian Faure, second secretary, and Li Huanhuan, member of the ambassador’s secretariat.

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Rising hopes trigger new ways to find oil

Rising hopes trigger new ways to find oil - 11.12.2012

Growing hopes of finding oil in Seychelles have driven an exploration company to launch a more detailed way to prove hydrocarbons exist and to pinpoint the best places to drill.


Officials of the company – Afren East African Exploration (EAX), which is a subsidiary of Afren plc – on Sunday said it has started a major three dimensional (3D) seismic programme in Seychelles.

They said the start of this programme is not only a first for Seychelles “but is also a major step toward proving the commercial viability of the country’s considerable oil and gas resource potential”.

They said this on board the ship Polarcus Adira – that will do the survey – when they took top government officials as well as representatives of organisations concerned with maritime issues around the vessel, which was docked at the New Port.

The 70-day programme will cover Afren’s licence areas extending over a 14,319 square kilometres of the Seychelles micro-continent, they said.

The areas are located in shallow to deep water in the western part of the Seychelles plateau.
“A number of attractive prospects have been identified during the interpretation of 3,733 kilometres of 2D seismic data which were acquired in 2011/2012 in a survey designed to better reveal the areas’ true prospects,” they said.

“The 3D survey will be done in the southern portion of the licence area over the Bonit prospect, covering 600 square kilometres.

“The second survey will be in the northern section of the licence area and will cover an area of 2,750 square kilometres.

“In this area, significant prospectivity exists in both cretaceous and jurassic intervals,” they said.



The company said “gross un-risked prospective resources for the two areas are estimated at 2,800 million barrels of oil equivalent.

EAX operated the blocks with a 75% interest and is partnered with Avana petroleum which holds a 25% interest.

Afren and its partner awarded the seismic contract to Polarcus, the global marine geophysical company, who are using their newly commissioned ship.

Afren EAX director Galib Virani said: “We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with the government and people of Seychelles as we work to expand the data that has been collected to date. The 3D programme is an important component to reducing the risk and maximising the chances of exploration drilling success and forms and exciting part of Afren EAX’s broader high impact exploration programme across the East Africa region.”

Chief executive of Petro Seychelles Limited, Eddy Belle, said the decision by Afren and Avana petroleum to do the survey has been welcomed by both the government of Seychelles and Petro Seychelles.

“The large structures mapped from the processed 2D seismic survey are located over 100 km west and northwest of Mahe. The 3D survey will identify the most optimal structures to be drilled,” he said, calling the survey timely “as Seychelles has recently completed an exercise to modernise its petroleum laws and revised its fiscal regime in preparation for road shows to meet oil companies in early 2013. There has been renewed interest by other oil companies to prospect in Seychelles and we expect to start receiving offers from them as from early May 2013”.

“The government of Seychelles and Petro Seychelles have enjoyed a very good working relationship with Afren since it took over the interest of EAX Limited. We are confident Afren will remain committed and we anticipate a commercial discovery in the not-too-distant future. Such discovery will not only provide energy security for the country, but will also enable Seychelles to achieve its economic objectives,” said Mr Belle.

Polarcus Adira will be towing 12 cables each measuring six kilometres long. They will span over 1,100 metres. Each cable will be marked by a yellow buoy at the end and all other vessels have been asked to keep their distance – at least 10 kilometres behind and five ahead.

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