“My Name is Michael Davis – Liaison Officer at the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Canberra.  My role at the Embassy is to share all things Ethiopian with communities in Australian and New Zealand.  I promote public awareness of everything from Ethiopian food and culture, to Ethiopia’s economic growth and renewable energy capacity.  I also release a fortnightly newsletter on behalf of the Embassy.  The newsletter includes a variety of articles released by the Ethiopian News Agency, as well as covering some relevant events here in Australia.  You may  also enjoy a short column that briefly introduces some interesting facts about Ethiopia that you may not have heard before.  To subscribe, simply email liaison.ethiopianembassy@gmail.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.  Thank you”

Mr Sibusiso Ndebele, the High Commissioner-designate for the Republic of South Africa to Australia, has already made contact with the academic community in Canberra. On his left is Alec Thornton from UNSW Canberra, the Vice-President of the African Studies Association of Australia and the Pacific. On his right is David Lucas from the ANU.

Mr Sibusiso gained two degrees from the University of South Africa while serving a 10-year sentence on Robben Island between 1977 and 1987. He has been a Member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress since 1991 and is currently the Chairperson of the African Renaissance Trust and Chancellor of the University of Zululand.

He is expected to present his credentials in the near future. Miss Chwane Mthethwa was appointed Acting High Commissioner on 16/12/14.