Speaking Notes for the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, at the Press Briefing on South Africa’s Response to COVID-19 pandemic – 31 March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and is giving rise to problems and challenges that governments across the world are struggling to deal with. Over the last two months the world has changed dramatically and this impacts on governance challenges.

Media Briefing to update Government’s Lockdown Intervention Measures on COVID-19

Ministers representing the COVID -19 National Command Council will update the nation on the status of the COVID 19 lockdown in South Africa.

Message by President Cyril Ramaphosa on COVID-19 pandemic, 30 March 2020. It is now four days since our country went into a nation-wide lockdown for the first time in the history of our democracy. This is an extreme measure we had to embark upon in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As government, we are aware that the lockdown has caused great disruption to all our lives and caused upheaval in our economy.

Media Briefing to further unpack Government’s Intervention Measures on COVID-19

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation providing updates about COVID-19 in South Africa, members of the national command council will brief the media on the details of government interventions in various sectors in response to the president’s address.

Minister Naledi Pandor and the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Mr Heiko Maas, via a video conference of the Tenth Meeting of the South Africa – Germany Bi-National Commission (BNC), OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, South Africa, 20 March 2020.

Photos: Jacoline Schoonees / DIRCO

Minister Pandor and her German Counterpart, Mr Heiko Maas, co-chaired the Tenth Meeting of the South Africa-Germany Bi-National Commission, 20 March 2020. The Tenth Meeting of the South Africa – Germany Bi-National Commission, which is an instrument used to manage relations between South Africa and Germany, took place this morning, 20 March 2020, via a video conference.

Minister Naledi Pandor and the Minister of Tourism, Ms Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane; during a video conference meeting with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers, at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa, 18 March 2020.

Photos: Jacoline Schoonees / DIRCO

President postpones Meeting with AU Commissioners. President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in his capacity as Chair of the African Union, requested a postponement of a meeting - scheduled for Thursday 19 March - with Commissioners of the African Union Commission.

Ministerial Media Briefing on measures to combat the COVID-19 Epidemic, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria South Africa, 16 March 2020.

Photos: Jacoline Schoonees / DIRCO

Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini addresses a symposium on South Africa’s chairing of the African Union (AU), University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa, 13 March 2020.

Photos: Katlholo Maifadi / DIRCO

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini to address a symposium on SA’s chairing of the AU, University of Venda

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Inaugural Meeting of the African Union Contact Group on Libya, Oyo, Republic of Congo, 12 March 2020. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank our gracious host, His Excellency President Sassou N’Guesso for convening this inaugural meeting of the African Union Contact Group on Libya.

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 11 March 2020. Statement on the Cabinet Meeting held on Wednesday, 11 March 2020 at Parliament, Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

South Africa observes Commonwealth Day. Today, Monday, 9 March 2020, Commonwealth countries are celebrating Commonwealth Day under the theme: “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.”

NATJOINTS Update on the repatriation process of South African citizens residing in Wuhan. A week ago the President announced the decision to repatriate South Africans currently residing in Wuhan.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), 4 March 2020. We would like to thank you for convening today’s important meeting.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on Iraq, 03 March 2020. We thank the Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, Ms Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, for her briefing.

President directs evacuation of South Africans from China following Corona Virus outbreak. President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed the repatriation of South African citizens from Wuhan city in Hubei province, China. Cabinet has decided on this course of action after due consideration of the circumstances, and following several requests from the families of South Africans in the city.

Deputy Minister Botes concludes working visit to Geneva. The Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, has concluded his working visit to Geneva, Switzerland, where he led a South African delegation at the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council from 24-26 February 2020.

Deputy Minister Alvin Botes delivers a statement at the High Level Segment at the Conference of Disarmament, at the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland, 26 February 2020.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

Statement by H. E. Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to the High Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, 26 February 2020. During 2020 we will be commemorating a number of milestones including the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the 50th anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the 25th anniversary of its indefinite extension.

Statement by the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, Ambassador Jerry Matjila, at the Briefing of the Security Council on Non-Proliferation: supporting the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) ahead of the 2020 Review Conference, 26 February 2020. We thank Under Secretary General Izumi Nakamitsu and the President of the NPT Review Conference, Gustavo Zlauvinen, for their briefings.

Statement by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the Panel Discussion commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women: “Accelerating the Commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action”, Geneva, 25 February 2020. South Africa appreciates the efforts of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in initiating this dialogue at a time when the world is commemorating 25 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; and when Africa marks the end of the Decade of African Women.

Deputy Minister Alvin Botes addresses the African Group of Ambassadors, at the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland, 25 February 2020.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to the Ambassadors of the African Group of the UN Human Rights Council, 25 February 2020, Geneva. Permit me to express my appreciation to you for the warm reception accorded to me here this morning and for the opportunity to address you following South Africa’s assumption of the Chairpersonship of our august continental Organisation, the African Union (AU).

Deputy Minister Alvin Botes delivers the High-Level Panel National Statement during the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland, 24 February 2020.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

Statement by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the High-Level Panel National Statement during the 43rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, 24 February 2020. 30 years ago Nelson Mandela was released from prison and liberation movements were unbanned after decades of struggle against Apartheid, a Crime Against Humanity.

South African Statement on the High-Level Mainstreaming Panel under the theme "Thirty Years of Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Challenges and Opportunities", HRC43, Geneva, 24 February 2020. In 2019, South Africa joined other member states in various commemorative events in New York and Geneva celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Deputy Minister Botes to participate in the High-Level Segment UN Human Rights Council. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will participate in the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council from 24-26 February 2020.

Opening Remarks by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the Bilateral Consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Prof Augusto Santos Silva, 21 February 2020, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to South Africa and to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Statement of the Chairperson of the African Union on the agreement between H.E. Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and Dr. Riek Machar to form a Transitional Government of National Unity in South Sudan. The Chairperson of the African Union, President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, welcomes the agreement reached today between H. E. Mr Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and Dr. Riek Machar, the leader of the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement - In Opposition (SPLM-IO) to form a Transitional Government of National Unity, in accordance with the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations during the UN Security Council Briefing on the Political Situation in Syria, Wednesday, 19 February 2020. Let me begin by thanking Special Envoy Geir Pedersen for his informative briefing on the political situation in Syria.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on Ukraine, 18 February 2020. Thank you for facilitating today’s discussion as per the Russian Federation’s letter dated 13 April 2014.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on Yemen, 18 February 2020. We thank the Special Envoy Martin Griffiths (VTC), USG Lowcock (OCHA) and Ambassador King as Chair of the Yemen sanctions committee for their briefings.

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Annual Ubuntu Awards 2020, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, 15 February 2020. It is always a privilege to attend these awards, which celebrate the men and women who play such a pivotal role in promoting the interests of our country beyond our shores.

President to address Ubuntu Awards Ceremony

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Saturday 15 February 2020, deliver the keynote address at the annual Ubuntu Awards which are hosted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) hosts the annual Ubuntu Awards for 2020, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

DIRCO to host the 2020 edition of the Ubuntu Awards

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is scheduled to host the 2020 edition of the annual Ubuntu Awards in Cape Town on Saturday, 15 February 2020.

Statement by Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, Tuesday, 11 February 2020. South Africa welcomes the President of the State of Palestine, H. E. President Mahmoud Abbas, to the Security Council and thanks him for his impassioned statement as well as the statements of Secretary-General Guterres and his Special Coordinator for the Middle East, Mr Nicolay Mladenov.