The 6th Plenary Session of South Africa-China Bi-National Commission, held in Cape Town, South Africa. On 22 November 2016, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa co-chaired the 6th Bi-National Commission with the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr LI Yuanchao. The Commission received and deliberated on reports of the Sectoral Committees on foreign relations, trade and investment, science and technology, mining, energy and education.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa To Host Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao For The Sa-China Bnc, Tuynhuis, Cape Town, Tues 22 Nov 2016. Cape Town- Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow Tuesday, 22 November 2016 at Tuynhuis, Cape Town, host the Vice President of the Peoples Republic of China, Mr LI Yuanchao, for the 6th Session of the South Africa-China Bi-National Commission (BNC) aimed at consolidating bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries.

President Zuma sends condolences to the Republic of India following fatal train accident. On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa, H. E. President Jacob Zuma has conveyed a message of condolences to H. E. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government and people of the Republic of India following the fatal train accident in northern Uttar Pradesh this morning, which has claimed the lives of scores of people and left many injured.

President Zuma sends condolences to the Republic of Mozambique following deadly explosion. On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma has conveyed a message of condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Mozambique following the deadly explosion of a fuel tanker in northern Mozambique on Thursday, 17 November 2016, that claimed at least 73 lives with over 100 injured.

Media Remarks by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane on the occasion of the concluded 14th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) with the Russian Federation, 18 November 2016, DIRCO, Pretoria. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for attending this press conference on our just successfully concluded 14th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) with the Russian Federation.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to host the Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Sergey Donskoy

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and the Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Sergey Donskoy, will co-chair the 14th Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) between South Africa and the Russian Federation, on 18 November 2016 in Pretoria.

Deputy Minister Mfeketo concludes successful visit to Central Asia. International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo has today, 15 November 2016, concluded her successful visit to Central Asia. The visit focussed mainly on intensifying South Africa’s relations with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and to explore the expansion of areas of cooperation, with specific focus on economic cooperation and academic exchanges.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to host the 14th Session of the South Africa – Russian Federation Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Mr Sergey Donskoy, will co-chair the 14th Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) between South Africa and the Russia on Friday, 18 November 2016, in Pretoria. 

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 16 November 2016. Implementation of Government Programmes - The quarterly outcomes progress reports were presented to Cabinet for the period 1 July to 30 September 2016. These reports monitor the implementation of Government’s Programme of Action in line with the provisions of the Medium Term Strategic Framework and the National Development Plan.

Deputy Minister Landers undertakes a three-nation working visit to Europe. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Luwellyn Landers, will undertake a working visit to the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary and the Republic of Poland, respectively, from 14-17 November 2016 for bilateral political consultations.

Joint Communiqué on the occasion of the Third Session of the South Africa Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC). At the invitation of His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana, visited South Africa on 11 November 2016.

Opening Remarks by His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of the 3rd Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Botswana, Pretoria, 11 November 2016. It is a great pleasure and privilege to once again welcome you to South Africa, My Brother, President Khama, and your distinguished delegation. Allow me to take this opportunity to once more extend our very warm and heartfelt congratulations to the Government and the people of Botswana on their 50th Independence Anniversary.

President Zuma to host President Lt General Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana. South Africa and Botswana will deepen their economic cooperation as President Jacob Zuma tomorrow, 11 November 2016, hosts his Botswana counterpart, His Excellency President Lt General Seretse Khama Ian Khama on the occasion of the 3rd Session of the Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria.

Communiqué: The 5th Round of Kazakhstan – South Africa Political Consultations, Astana, Kazakhstan, November 11, 2016. The 5th round of the Political Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa (hereinafter referred as the Parties) was held on November 11, 2016 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

President Zuma congratulates President-elect Donald J. Trump on his election victory in the 2016 presidential elections in the United States. President Jacob Zuma has today, on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, congratulated President-elect Donald Trump for winning the presidential elections that were held in the United States on 08 November 2016.

DIRCO to launch the 2017 Annual Ubuntu Awards

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will launch the 2017 annual Ubuntu Awards on Wednesday, 09 November 2016 in Pretoria where media will be briefed on this prestigious annual event and the procedures for nominations in the Awards’ six, categories.

Deputy Minister Mfeketo to undertake official visit to Central Asia. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Nomaindiya Mfeketo, will pay an official visit to two Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, from 9 to 13 November 2016, and from 14 to 15 November 2016. Whilst Deputy Minister Mfeketo has visited Kazakhstan previously, it will be the first visit by a South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to Turkmenistan since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa Replies to Questions in the National Council of Provinces, Cape Town, 09 November 2016. On progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS -The global struggle to end AIDS has recently been given a major boost with the start this month of a ground-breaking HIV vaccine trial in South Africa. It is significant that this vaccine trial, regarded as the most important scientific study in the world of HIV, is led by South African scientists in almost all aspects of the research.

President Zuma arrives in Ethiopia to attend the African Union High Level Committee on Libya. President Jacob Zuma has this morning, 08 November 2016, arrived in Addis Ababa, in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to attend the African Union High Level Committee on Libya at the Level of Heads of States and Government scheduled to take place today.

President Zuma to attend African Union High Level Committee on Libya. President Jacob Zuma will travel to Addis Ababa, in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to attend the African Union High Level Committee on Libya at the Level of Heads of States and Government scheduled to take place tomorrow, on 08 November 2016.

Joint Communiqué on the occasion of the Inaugural Session of the Zimbabwe – South Africa Bi-National Commission: 3 November 2016. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, attended and co-chaired the Inaugural Session of the Bi-National Commission Summit which was held in Harare, Zimbabwe on 03 November 2016.

Opening Remarks by Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Republic of South Africa, on the occasion of the 1st Session of the Bi-National Commission between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Zimbabwe, Harare, 02 October 2016. I would like to begin by thanking you, Honourable Minister Mumbengegwi, for your warm words of welcome extended to my delegation. My Dear Comrade, your warm and kind words of welcome have made us feel at home in this beautiful country, Zimbabwe. It is absolutely important to reaffirm that Zimbabwe is a second home to many South Africans.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to co-chair the Inaugural Ministerial Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will co-chair the Inaugural Ministerial Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Harare today, Wednesday, 02 November 2016, together with her counterpart, H.E Mr Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zimbabwe.

Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers meets with the Deputy Minister of Norway, Ms Tone Skogen, Pretoria, South Africa, 31 October 2016.


Picture: Jacoline Schoonees

DIRCO to host annual Diplomatic Fair

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), in partnership with Proudly South African, will host the annual Diplomatic Fair on Saturday, 29 October 2016, at the Union Buildings, Pretoria, under the theme: “Celebrating the Life and Legacy of O.R. Tambo”.

Statement delivered by Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo at the 16th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers Meeting, Bali, Indonesia, 27 October 2016. Allow me to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Honourable Minister Retno Marsudi and Indonesia for the warm and friendly hospitality that my delegation and I have experienced in the beautiful city of Bali.

Deputy Minister Mfeketo to participate in the 16th Meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers in Bali, Indonesia. International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo will lead South Africa’s delegation to the 16th Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The Meeting will convene on 27 October 2016 in Bali, Indonesia, and will include Foreign Ministers from IORA Member States, including representatives from IORA Dialogue Partners.

President Jacob Zuma’s Oral Replies to Questions in the National Council of Provinces, 25 October 2016. What is the influence of the (a) rating agencies and (b) results of their findings on the different agreements and commissions entered into between South Africa and other countries (details furnished)? Credit rating agencies assess the ability of debtors to pay back the money they owe. Depending on their assessment, they then issue credit ratings for sovereign borrowers such as our government.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrives in Luanda for a regional meeting on peace in the DRC. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Luanda, Republic of Angola, last night, 24 October 2016, where she is leading the South African delegation at the 7th High Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM) of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Region, scheduled for 26 October 2016.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and her Austrian counterpart, Minister Sebastian Kurz, discuss trade and investment during a Bilateral meeting. On 24 October 2016, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, held a successful bilateral engagement with her Austrian counterpart, Sebastian Kurz, Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs. Minister Kurz is visiting South Africa from 24 to 26 October 2016 with a 50-member Austrian business delegation, which includes the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, to explore business opportunities in South Africa.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to host her Austrian counterpart. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will meet with her Austrian counterpart, Sebastian Kurz, the Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, on 24 October 2016 in Pretoria.  Minister Kurz is visiting South Africa from 24-26 October 2016, heading a 50-person strong business delegation, which includes the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

Briefing to the media by Minister Michael Masutha on the matter of International Criminal Court and Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir, 21 October 2016. We have called this press conference to announce the decision taken by Cabinet on Wednesday, 19 October 2016 in relation to the country’s membership to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the pending appeal regarding Sudanese President Al Bashir.

SA's ambassador to China to brief the media

South Africa's ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Her Excellency Dolana Msimang, will brief the media on South Africa's bilateral political and trade relations with China.