Minister Nkoana-Mashabane pays tribute to former President Nelson Mandela. South Africans and millions of people from around the world are today mourning the loss of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, our first democratically elected President of a free South Africa. An international icon and a symbol of hope for the oppressed and marginalised people across the globe, former President Mandela dedicated his life in service of humanity and contributed immensely to the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrives in Paris for the France-Africa Summit. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Paris, France, this morning, 04 December 2013, where she is leading a South African Government delegation to the France-Africa Summit taking place from 06-07 December 2013. The summit will be preceded on 05 December 2013 by a meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ebrahim Ebrahim to the undertake an official visit to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim I Ebrahim, will undertake a Working Visit to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar from 4-5 December 2013.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to embark on an outreach programme in the Eastern Cape

Deputy Minister Fransman concludes visit to Switzerland, proceeds to Norway. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Marius Fransman, has on 26 November 2013, concluded his official visit to Switzerland where he co-chaired the 5th High-level Consultations. During the 5th round of High-level Consultations, the two countries exchanged views on a wide range of issues concerning foreign policy; economic, trade and financial matters; development cooperation; as well as science and technology.

BRICS - Minister Tsenoli opens the 2nd BRICS Urbanisation Forum and 3rd Friendship Cities and Local Government Cooperation Forum, Durban. Interaction between the BRICS member countries is helping South Africa to address problems such as rapid urbanisation, poverty and underdevelopment in an “elegant” manner. This was said by Lechesa Tsenoli, National Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Durban today.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to undertake a working visit to Canada. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will travel to Canada on a Working Visit scheduled for 25 – 27 November 2013. The purpose of the visit is to promote investment by Canadian companies in South Africa’s mining sector.

Remarks by His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma of the Republic of South Africa to the South Africa-Ghana Business Forum, 26 November 2013. It is indeed a great honour for me to address you on the occasion of the South Africa-Ghana Business Forum. I once again wish to thank His Excellency President Mahama for his gracious invitation to me to undertake this State Visit, which has enabled us to further cement relations between our two countries.

Media Remarks by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma at the end of the Official Talks with His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama during State Visit to Ghana, 26 November 2013. We have just concluded our bilateral discussions which have been characterised by the usual friendliness and warmth given the history of relations between our two countries.

Opening Remarks by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma during the Occasion of State Visit to the Republic of Ghana, 26 November 2013. Thank you for the invitation Your Excellency and dear brother, to undertake the State Visit to Ghana. We are very humbled by the warm welcome we have received from you and your people since our arrival in Accra.

South Africa expresses condolences following a suicide bomb attack in Beirut. The South African Government would like to express its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the Lebanese Republic and in particular to the families of the victims of the twin suicide bomb attack against the Iranian Embassy in Beirut on 19 November 2013, which killed 23 people and injured more than 150 others.

Communiqué on the Bi-National Commission between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Botswana. His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, invited His Excellency Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana to the Inaugural Session of the South Africa – Botswana Bi-National Commission held on 21 November 2013. The Bi-National Commission was preceded by the Senior Officials and Ministerial Meetings held on 18 -19 and 20 November 2013, respectively.

SA Government makes a contribution to rescue operations in the Philippines. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, on behalf of the Government of South Africa, contributed an amount of R4 million in response to the call for international assistance by the Government of the Philippines.

Address by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation at the Asia and Middle East Western Cape Trade and Investment Seminar, 21 November 2013. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the City of Cape Town and to address you during this august occasion of a trade and investment seminar. The idea of this trade seminar emanated from recommendations made by the National Development Plan to our Department to improve on economic diplomacy.

Trade and Investment Seminar to focus on Asia and Middle East trade

Members of the media are invited to a trade seminar on Asia & Middle East Diplomatic Corps organised by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in partnership with the Provincial Government of Western Cape. Deputy Minister Marius Fransman will deliver the keynote address at the seminar.

Application for Accreditation: 2nd BRICS Urbanisation Forum & 3rd Friendship Cities and Local Government Cooperation Forum. Members of the media are invited to apply for accreditation to the 2nd BRICS Urbanisation Forum and 3rd Friendship Cities and Local Government Cooperation Forum to be held 26-29 November 2013, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC), Durban, South Africa. The meetings will be held under the theme “Towards sustainable urbanisation”.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to speak at the launch of the SA Hellenic Development Fund

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will deliver a keynote address at the HIP (Hellenic, Italian, Portuguese) Alliance Business Dinner and Launch of the SA Hellenic Development Fund. Minister Nkoana-Mashabane will address communities from Greece, Italy and Portugal.

Statement by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim, on international developments, 20 November 2013, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria. Today we will focus on (1) the Deputy President’s Working Visit to the People’s Republic of China, (2) the UN Security Council’s reaction to a decision made by the last AU Extraordinary Summit and (3) the outcomes of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held recently in Sri Lanka.

Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim to brief media on international developments

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim, will address the media on international developments, including the latest relating to the decisions of the last AU Extraordinary Summit, feedback on Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's recent visit to the People's Republic of China and a preview of upcoming international engagements.

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 20 November 2013. Cabinet’s position on prominent issues in the current environment - Cabinet welcomes the high number of eligible voters who heeded the call to register during the initial registration period of 9 and 10 November 2013. Eligible voters who have not yet registered are reminded that the period of registration continues up until the announcement of the date for the next national elections.

DIRCO clarifies the issue of the "Academic honour" for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has noted media reports alleging that President Jacob Zuma had a hand in an “alleged withdrawal of an academic honour” for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe in the People's Republic of China.

Minister Chabane to represent SA at the Africa-Arab Summit in Kuwait. The Minister of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in The Presidency, Mr Collins Chabane, will lead the South African delegation, representing H.E. President Jacob Zuma, to the forthcoming 3rd Africa-Arab Summit that will be held in the City of Kuwait, Kuwait, from 19-20 November 2013.