President Zuma to undertake a Working Visit to Sudan. President Jacob Zuma is to undertake a Working Visit to Khartoum, in the Republic of Sudan, on the 1st of February 2015 for consultations with His Excellency President Omar al-Bashir. The President will stop over in Khartoum at the conclusion of the African Union Summit, which is currently taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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.

President Jacob Zuma congratulates the Prime Minister-Elect of Mauritius. H.E President Jacob Zuma has extended his profound congratulations to Sir Anerood Jugnauth on his election to the position of Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius following a resounding victory by his party in the country’s legislative elections that were held on 10 December 2014

Statement on the terrorist incident in Australia. The South African Government today added its voice to those of other governments who condemned in the strongest language the hostage taking of customers in a restaurant in the central business district of Sydney, Australia. 

South African Government condemns terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The South African Government has today, 16 December 2014, joined the international community in condemning in the strongest possible terms the inhumane and barbaric terrorist attack against a school in the city of Peshawar in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which is reported to have claimed the lives of over 130 people, mostly children.

Agreements signed on Zuma’s state visit to China cement co-operation and will bolster investment and growth, writes Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. President Jacob Zuma’s state visit to the People’s Republic of China, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, earlier this month was significant as it coincided with the end of the year. Designated by both leaders as the 2014 Year of South Africa in China, it provided a unique opportunity to showcase South Africa’s economic, political and cultural achievements.

President Zuma to receive the President of South Sudan on a Working Visit. The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, will host His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, who will undertake a Working Visit to South Africa scheduled to take place in Cape Town on 12 December 2014.

Consultation Meeting on Agenda 2063 of Members of the Forum for Former African Heads of State and Government

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will host the Consultation Meeting on Agenda 2063 of members of the Forum for Former African Heads of State and Government. The meeting is convened by the African Union Commission and will focus on the contribution of the Former African Heads of State and Government in shaping Africa’s future through Agenda 2063.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane during the SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) Press Conference, Port Louis, Mauritius, 11 December 2014.

SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Mauritius, Statement by The Hon. 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 2014 National Assembly Elections in the Republic of Mauritius, delivered on 11 December 2014, Moka, Republic of Mauritius. We are gathered here this morning to share with you the preliminary findings of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the National Assembly Elections in the Republic of Mauritius, held on 10 December 2014. We thank you for graciously honouring our invitation.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrives in Port Louis, Mauritius, as part of the SADC Election Observation Mission. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has arrived in Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius, where she has joined the SADC Election Observation Mission (SEOM) in observing the conduct of the 2014 National Assembly elections taking place today, 10 December 2014.

Joint Communiqué on the Outcome of the 2nd South Africa - Norway High Level Consultations held in Pretoria from 9-10 December 2014. Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers and his Norwegian counterpart, State Secretary Hans Brattskar co-chaired the 2nd Session of the South Africa-Norway High Level Consultations which were held in Pretoria from 9-10 December 2014.

Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers to co-chair the 2nd RSA-Norway High Level Consultations

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Luwellyn Landers to co-chair with his Norwegian counterpart Mr Hans Brattskar, the 2nd RSA-Norway High Level Consultations (HLC). The RSA-Norway High Level Consultations was established to expand relations and stimulate bilateral trade and investment between the two countries at the Deputy Minister level.

Media Statement by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on President Zuma's recent State Visit to the People's Republic of China, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, 09 December 2014. We invited you this morning to share with you the outcomes of the State Visit to the People's Republic of China undertaken by our President, His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma. Present Zuma was accompanied on the visit by a high level-delegation that included members of Cabinet and business.

Media briefing by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane on the outcomes of the China State Visit

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, will brief the media on the outcomes of the recent State Visit to the People's Republic of China by President Jacob Zuma. The Minister will take questions on other current affairs matters.

Death of Mr Korkie in Yemen. The South African Government was deeply saddened to learn yesterday that fellow South African, Mr Pierre Korkie, who was held in captivity in Yemen, since mid-2013, was killed during an operation by American special forces aimed at freeing hostages. An American hostage was also killed during the operation.

President Zuma lauds China visit. His Excellency President Jacob Zuma has characterized his State Visit to the People's Republic of China as a tremendous and fruitful success following official talks with his Chinese counterpart, His Excellency President Xi Jinping during the two day visit in Beijing, China. The President has returned to South Africa today, 6 December 2014.

Lecture by President Zuma at Tsinghua University on the occasion of the State Visit to the People’s Republic of China, Beijing. We bring greetings from South Africa, to you the future leaders of China, a true and trusted friend of South Africa, Africa and the developing world. It is my privilege to address you during this seminal moment in our history, the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s freedom and democracy.

Address by President Zuma during the China-South Africa Business Forum Meeting, on the occasion of the State Visit to the People's Republic of China, Beijing. We meet on the second day of a very successful State Visit to this beautiful country. Yesterday we had fruitful discussions with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.