Deputy Minister Landers to visit three South American countries. International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers is scheduled to visit three South American countries from 01-09 March 2015, beginning in the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, proceeding to the Republic of Chile and concluding the visit in the Republic of Colombia.

Deputy Minister Mfeketo undertakes official visit to Sri Lanka. International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 24 - 28 February 2015. It is expected that Deputy Minister Mfeketo will meet her counterpart and other important role-players in Sri Lanka during the course of her visit. South Africa has been asked to share with Sri Lanka its experience in terms of reconciliation and nation-building.

Joint Media Communiqué on the Outcome of the 6th South Africa-Switzerland High Level Consultations held in Pretoria from 23-24 February 2015.Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers and his Swiss counterpart, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr Yves Rossier Co-chaired the 6th Session of the South Africa-Switzerland High Level Consultations(HLC) which were held in Pretoria from 23-24 February 2015. The 6th session took place within the context of solid structured bilateral relations between the two countries.

Deputy Minister Landers to host his Swiss counterpart for High Level Consultations

International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers will co-chair with his Swiss counterpart, His Excellency Yves Rossier, the 6th South African-Switzerland High Level Consultations (HLC).

Communiqué: Extraordinary Double Troika Summit, 20 February 2015, Pretoria, South Africa. The Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Double Troika was held in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa on 20 February 2015.

SA to host an Extraordinary Double Troika Summit of SADC

South Africa will host an Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Double Troika, scheduled for Friday, 20 February 2015 in Pretoria. The Extraordinary Summit is expected to consider the political and security situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho ahead of the 28 February 2015 elections. The Double Troika consists of the following countries: Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia.

Statement on the Official Launch of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the 2015 National Assembly Elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho by Honourable Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa and Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), Maseru, 18 February 2015. On behalf of the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, H.E Jacob G Zuma, the President of the Republic of South Africa, I wish to take this opportunity to welcome you to the launch of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the 2015 National Assembly Elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrives in Lesotho for the launch of the SADC Election Observer Mission. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Maseru, the Kingdom of Lesotho, today (17 February 2015) ahead of the launch of the SADC Election Observer Mission, scheduled for Wednesday, 18 February 2015.

South African Government condemns terrorist attacks in Denmark. The South African Government joins the international community in strongly condemning the terrorist attacks on 14 and 15 February 2015, at two venues in Copenhagen that claimed the lives of two people and injured five police officers.

President Jacob Zuma: State of The Nation Address 2015. State of the Nation Address by His Excellency Jacob G Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa on the occasion of the Joint Sitting Of Parliament Cape Town.

President Zuma meets Special Guests to the State of the Nation Address. President Jacob Zuma this afternoon, 11 February 2015, took time off the State of the Nation Address (SONA) preparations to meet some of his special guests who will attend SONA and the official opening of Parliament tomorrow, 12 February 2015.

Media statement by Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on international developments, O. R. Tambo Building, Pretoria, Monday, 09 February 2015. We would like to take this opportunity to share with you information on a number of developments taking place which relate to the implementation of our foreign policy and which we believe are of interest to the public.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to brief the media on international developments

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is scheduled to brief the media on a number of developments, including the outcomes of the recent African Union Summit, South Africa’s role as Chair of the G77+China, preparations for elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho, emergency relief to flood-affected Republics of Malawi and Mozambique, as well as other matters relating to the implementation of our foreign policy.

Statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China by Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko, Chair of the Group of 77 and China, at the Opening Plenary of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform (ADP-8), Geneva, Switzerland, 8 February 2015. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. First of all, we wish to congratulate you on your election as our Co-Chairs. I also wish to thank the Government of Switzerland for hosting this important meeting.

Sudan – South Africa Joint Communiqué, Khartoum, Sudan, 31 January – 1 February 2015. At the invitation of his brother and friend, His Excellency President Omer Albashir of the Republic of the Sudan, His Excellency Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, leading an important delegation, undertook a working and friendly visit to the Republic of the Sudan from 31st January to 1st February 2015.

South Africa condemns the barbaric and gruesome murder of the Jordanian pilot. The South African Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the barbaric and gruesome murder of the Jordanian pilot, Mr Muath Kasasbeh, by the extremist terror group, ISIL. The South Africa Government condemns all forms and manner of terrorism. We believe that terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned.

Former South African Ambassador Welile Nhlapo to deliver the Eritrea - South Africa Festival's (ERISA) 1st Public Lecture. The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Asmara, in the State of Eritrea, together with Eritrea's liberation governing movement, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), will host the 1st Public Lecture of the Eritrea-South Africa Festival (ERISA) in Asmara on Friday, 6 February 2015.

Press Conference Remarks by the President at the conclusion of official talks with President Omer Al Bashir, Khartoum, Republic of Sudan, 01 February 2015. Let me first express my profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Al Bashir for his words of welcome. We further wish to thank him for receiving us on this short visit. Our visit to this beautiful country is occasioned by the historical relations and friendship that exist between our two nations.

Members of the media are advised that this media briefing has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Department apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Deputy Minister Mfeketo to brief the media on international developments

International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo is scheduled to brief the media on a number of developments, including South Africa’s role as Chair of the G77+China, preparations for elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho, emergency relief to flood-affected Republics of Malawi and Mozambique as well as other matters relating to the implementation of our foreign policy.

President Jacob Zuma studies his notes before the commencement of the NEPAD HSGOC Meeting, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 29 January 2015.

President Zuma to lead South Africa's delegation to the African Union Summit in Ethiopia. His Excellency President Jacob Zuma will lead the South African delegation to the 24th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly (AU Summit) scheduled for 30-31 January 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

President Zuma congratulates the new President of Zambia. On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, HE President Jacob Zuma has congratulated Mr Edgar Lungu on his election as President of the Republic of Zambia, following the Presidential election held on 20th January 2015.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrives in Ethiopia to take part in the Executive Council of the AU. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 26th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), scheduled for 26-27 January 2015. The Executive Council Meeting, which is at Ministerial level, takes place ahead of the AU Summit on 28-31 January 2015.

President Zuma sends condolences to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, has, on behalf the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa, sent a message of condolences to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the passing of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and King of Saudi Arabia, His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

South African National sentenced to death in Malaysia for drug-related offences. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has been informed through its Consular Services and the South African High Commission in Malaysia, that a South African national (Mr Deon Cornelius) has been sentenced to death in Kuala Lumpur for drug-related offences.

President Zuma meets Prime Minister Key. President Jacob Zuma has today, 22 January 2015, held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr John Key, at the margins of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The two leaders discussed a range of issues of common interest between South Africa including the need to strengthen economic relations and trade.

SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the Republic of Zambia: Preliminary Statement by Honourable Maite Nkoana-Mashabane (MP) Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa and Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the 2015 Presidential Election in the Republic of Zambia, delivered on 22 January 2015, Lusaka, Republic of Zambia. It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you to this press conference where we present the preliminary findings of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the 2015 Presidential Election in the Republic of Zambia.

South African Permanent Representative to the United Nations pays a courtesy visit on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. New York: On Wednesday, 21 January 2015, the South African Permanent Representative to the United Nations and also the Chair of the 134-member Group of 77 and China, Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, paid a courtesy call on the United Nations Secretary-General (SG), Mr Ban Ki-moon, to exchange views on the calendar of the United Nations in the year 2015.

Deputy President Ramaphosa arrives in Tanzania ahead of the SPLM unity talks. Arusha- South African Deputy President in his capacity as Special Envoy to South Sudan, Cyril Ramaphosa today, Wednesday 21 January 2015, arrived in the Republic of Tanzania to represent President Jacob Zuma during the unity talks among members and leaders of South Sudan’s SPLM scheduled for Arusha later today.

Statement by H.E. Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations and Chairman of the Group of 77 on the occasion of the Stock-Taking Session on the Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (19-21 January 2015.) I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 134-member Group of 77 and China. On behalf of the Group of 77 and China I wish to express our gratitude to you as Co-facilitators for convening this Stocktaking Session on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Ambassador Mamabolo holds Bilateral Meeting with the President of the General Assembly. New York - Today, 16 January 2015, H.E. Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations and Chairperson of the Group of 77 + China met with H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, President of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) invites the media to an offcial function of loading the consignment of maize meal purchased from emerging South African famers scheduled to be delivered to need people in Lesotho.

Statement by His Excellency Mr. Luwellyn Landers, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, at the handover ceremony of the chairmanship of the Group of 77, United Nations headquarters, New York, 8 January 2015. On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, I humbly accept the responsibility entrusted to us by members of the Group of 77 and China to take over the reins of Chairing the Group for the coming year.

Statement on the official launch of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the 2015 presidential elections in the Republic of Zambia. On behalf of the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, H.E Jacob G Zuma, the President of the Republic of South Africa, I wish to take this opportunity to welcome you all to the launch of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the 2015 Zambia Presidential elections.