Mr Xolisa Makaya, Deputy Director-General for Africa at DIRCO, chairing the meeting of the SADC Senior Officials in Luanda, Republic of Angola.  The meeting is in preparation for the SADC Double Troika Summit scheduled for 23 April 2018.

Photos: Katlholo Maifadi

Prof Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General for Asia and Middle East at DIRCO and BRICS Sherpa of South Africa, presented a public lecture at the University of Limpopo, 23 April 2018.

Photos:  Jacoline Schoonees

President Ramaphosa congratulates the new President of Cuba President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated the new President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Miguel Diaz-Canel, after the Cuban National Assembly of People’s Power announced on 19 April 2018 that First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel will replace President Raul Castro as the President of the Council of State and of the country.

Public lecture on BRICS at the University of Limpopo

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has partnered with the University of Limpopo for a public lecture on South Africa’s hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit.

Minister Sisulu holds a bilateral meeting with Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu today held a bilateral meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Baroness Scotland QC on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) currently underway in London.

South Africa strongly objects to the travel advisory issued by Australia. The South African government takes strong exception to the Travel Advisory issued by the government of the Commonwealth of Australia, which contains misleading information about South Africa in general and, in particular, about the experiences of foreign tourists visiting South Africa.

Bilateral Meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, 17 April 2018. President Ramaphosa is on a Working Visit to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2018) from 19-20 April 2018, London, United Kingdom.

Photos: Yandisa Monakali

Bilateral Meeting between Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and the Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom, Borris Johnson, to touch on the Mandela 100 Years Celebrations, investments to South Africa, Wildlife conservation, etc. Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is accompanying President Ramaphosa to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2018), London, United Kingdom, 17 April 2018.

Photos: Yandisa Monakali

President Ramaphosa arrives in London to attend CHOGM 2018. President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Tuesday, 17 April 2018, arrived in London in the United Kingdom where he is leading a South African Delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2018) under the theme “Towards a Common Future” between 19th and 20th April 2018.

President Ramaphosa departs South Africa for London to attend CHOGM 2018. President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Monday 16 April 2018, departed South Africa for London in the United Kingdom where he will be leading a South African Delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2018) between 19th and 20th April 2018.

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on launch of new investment drive, 16 April 2018. In the State of the Nation Address in February, I announced that a central priority for government this year is to encourage significant new investment in our economy.

South Africa is opposed to the air strikes conducted in the territory of Syria. The South African Government has noted with grave concern the airstrikes conducted by the United Kingdom, the United States and French military in the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic.

President Ramaphosa sends messages of condolences to Algeria and Western Sahara following the military plane crash. On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed messages of condolences to the governments and the people of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, and particularly to the families, friends and colleagues of all the victims of the military plane that crashed near Algeria’s capital, Algiers, on Wednesday, 11 April 2018.

DIRCO confirms arrest of Mr Van Pletzen in Dubai. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) wishes to confirm that it has received confirmation from the South African Consulate-General in Dubai that a South African citizen, Mr Justin Van Pletzen is detained in Dubai.

Minister Sisulu sends condolences to the family of Ambassador Skweyiya. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon Lindiwe Sisulu extends her condolences to the family of the former Ambassador and Minister, Dr Zola Skweyiya who served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

Details of memorial service and funeral for Amb Nene

Members of the media are advised of the following details in relation to the memorial service and funeral of the late Ambassador George Nene:

Special Declaration of 18th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on the Commemoration of the Centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. The Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), meeting during the 18th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting, held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 5-6 April 2018, noted that 2018 marks the Centenary of the birth of the former President of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

Minister Sisulu extends condolences to the family and friends of the late Ambassador George Nene. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon Lindiwe Sisulu, has extended her condolences and those of the DIRCO family to the family and friends of former Ambassador to Nigeria and Switzerland, Ambassador George Nene, who passed away on Friday, 06 April 2018.

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu pays Courtesy Call on Lesotho King Letsie III. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon Lindiwe Sisulu today, 06 April 2018 paid a Courtesy Call on the King of Lesotho, His Majesty King Letsie III to discuss among other things, the challenges at the Maseru Bridge, a border between South Africa and Lesotho.

President Ramaphosa congratulates Mr Julius Maada Bio on his election to the position of President of Sierra Leone. President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, on behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa congratulated Mr Julius Maada Bio on his election as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Statement by South Africa at the Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Committee on Palestine, delivered by Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers – 5 April 2018. We would like to thank the Foreign Minister of the State of Palestine, our dear brother and comrade for the comprehensive briefing on the situation in Palestine and the Middle East in general.

President Ramaphosa congratulates his Egyptian counterpart following his re-election as President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his warm congratulations to his Egyptian counterpart, Mr Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, for his re-election as President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

South Africa concerned about the attempted missile attack targeting Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The South African Government is concerned about the attempted missile attack that targeted the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, on 25 March 2018. This is the third such incident following similar attempts in November and December 2017.

South Africa calls for independent inquiry into the deaths of Palestinians. The South African government strongly condemns the latest act of violent aggression carried out by Israeli armed forces in Gaza, which has led to the deaths of about 17 Palestinian citizens, with scores of others reported injured.

President Ramaphosa congratulates Mr Abiy Ahmed on his election as head of the ruling coalition of Ethiopia. President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his warm congratulations to Mr Abiy Ahmed on being chosen to lead Ethiopia's Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) ruling coalition on 28 March 2018, and his subsequent swearing-in as Prime Minister on Monday, 02 April 2018.

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the passing of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. It is with a profound sense of loss and deep sadness that we have learnt of the passing away of Mam’ Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Even at the darkest moments of our struggle for liberation, Mam’ Winnie was an abiding symbol of the desire of our people to be free.

Minister Sisulu welcomes Australian leaders' retraction of the comments made by their Home Affairs Minister. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon Lindiwe Sisulu, has noted and welcomed Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s retraction of the comments made by their Home Affairs Minister, Mr Peter Dutton, on the South African land redistribution process.

President Ramaphosa congratulates Botswana President Masisi on his Inauguration. The President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, has, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, congratulated the President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, on his Inauguration.

Opening Remarks by Hon. Lindiwe Sisulu on the occasion of the Signing Ceremony of the MoU on Technical Assistance and Exchange of Notes on the Humanitarian Assistance to the Saharawi Democratic Arab Republic (Western Sahara), 29 March 2018, Pretoria. Honourable Bulani Siid, I would like to welcome you here today and to extend to you and the people of Western Sahara the greetings and warm wishes of the Government and the people of South Africa.

South Africa signs MOU with Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon Lindiwe Sisulu, and Hon Bulahi Sid, Minister of Cooperation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), will on Thursday, 29 March 2018, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Technical Assistance and the Exchange of Notes on Humanitarian Assistance to the Western Saharawi refugee camps.

South Africa sends condolences message to Russia following fatal mall fire. President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, extended a message of condolences to President Vladimir Putin, the Government and People of the Russian Federation following the tragic death of over 60 people in the city of Kemerovo.

SADC-EU Political Dialogue meets in Pretoria

Members of the media are invited to the meeting of the SADC and the European Union (EU) Political Dialogue, scheduled for Wednesday, 28 March 2018, at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria.

Post-Council Media Briefing by Hon Ms LN Sisulu, MP, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, Tuesday, 27th March 2018, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen from the various Media Houses, I thank you for coming to this afternoon’s Post-Council Media briefing where I would like to share with you the Outcomes from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers Meeting which I hosted during the past two days here at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), O R Tambo Building, in Pretoria, South Africa, on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th March 2018.

Welcome Remarks by the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, Ms L.N. Sisulu, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, 26th March 2018. It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you all to this the SADC Council of Ministers’ Meeting.

Update on media arrangements for the SADC Council of Ministers

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu will, in her capacity as Chair of the SADC Council of Ministers, host the meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers on 26 and 27 March 2018 at the OR Tambo Building in Pretoria.

Deputy Minister Landers hosts his Norwegian counterpart. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Luwellyn Landers, will today, 23 March 2018, host his Norwegian counterpart, Secretary-General Marienne Hagen, in Pretoria.

President Ramaphosa to speak at the 4th annual Ubuntu Awards

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this evening, 22 March 2018, deliver the keynote address at the fourth Annual Ubuntu Awards in Cape Town. The Awards will be held under the theme: “Honouring Madiba: A Global Champion of Human Rights, Peace and Reconciliation”.

Minister Sisulu to host the Ubuntu Awards and meet members of the diplomatic corps

On Thursday, 22 March 2018, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon. Lindiwe Sisulu, will host the fourth Annual Ubuntu Awards in Cape Town. The Awards will be held under the theme: “Honouring Madiba: A Global Champion of Human Rights, Peace and Reconciliation”.

South Africa sends condolences to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam following the passing of Vietnam’s former Prime Minister. The South African Government is saddened to learn of the passing on 19 March 2018 of the Vietnamese Prime Minister from 1997 to 2006, H.E. Mr Phan Van Khai. The late former Prime Minister contributed greatly to the building and development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

President Ramaphosa congratulates his Russian counterpart following election victory. The President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, has, on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, congratulated his Russian counterpart, H.E. Mr Vladimir Putin, following the outcome of the elections held on Sunday, 18 March 2018, that saw President Putin re-elected for a further six-year term.