South Africa and International Relations

The water shortage currently being experienced in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape of South Africa has provided the country with an opportunity to position itself as a global benchmark for how world-class cities respond to future climate threats.Go to site

This is the challenge of our time, to build a South Africa in which all people have a decent standard of living, access to economic opportunities and opportunity to pursue their dreams.Go to site

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born on 17 November 1952 in Johannesburg. His family was moved from Western Native Township to Soweto in 1962, where he attended Tshilidzi Primary School. He completed high school at Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, Venda in 1971.Go to site

Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Honourable Members, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the Honourable Members who participated in the debate yesterday for asserting that a new era has dawned and embracing the call for a new partnership to build a new nation in which all may be free, secure and equal.Go to site

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Senzeni Zokwana, (MP) applied for an extension of the recognition of South Africa’ Food Safety Control Systems on the 27th July 2017 and his counterpart in Indonesia, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Amran Sulaiman; decreed the extension. The initial recognition was granted by the Indonesian Authority on the 11th April 2016 and is due to expire on the 10th April 2018. The Indonesian Authority granted South Africa an additional three-year period on its recognition status. The recognition status will enable South Africa to export horticultural products through Jakarta Port of entry until 11 April 2021.Go to site

South Africa joins the international community in observing International Women’s Day today, Thursday 8 March 2018, under the theme #PressforProgress. International Women’s Day has been a global institution focused on equality for women since it was first observed by the Suffragettes in 1911.Go to site

Speech by Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pamela Tshwete, during The Debate at the National Assembly The water crisis in the Western Cape, the City of Cape Town in particular, and in other provinces, and the impact it has on the country as a result of drought, global warming and other contributing factors.Go to site

Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Luwellyn Landers, hosted the Secretary of State and Executive Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles, Ambassador Barry Faure, for the second session of the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Seychelles on 9 March 2018.Go to site

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA Reunión entre el Departamento de Relaciones Internacionales y Cooperación (DIRCO) y la Embajada de los Estados Unidos en seguimiento al tweet del Presidente Trump sobre la redistribución agraria en Sudáfrica. 23 de agosto de 2018Media Statement 23 August 2018

*Meeting between DIRCO and US Embassy following President Trump’s tweet on land redistribution in South Africa*

The Embassy of the United States of America was called in today, 23 August 2018, as directed by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon Lindiwe Sisulu, to convey the unhappiness of the people and the Government of South Africa following a tweet by President Donald J. Trump based on false information and lobbying by certain South African lobby groups that seek to derail and frustrate the land redistribution programme.

The US Charge d’Affaires was informed to convey to Washington that Pretoria is dissapointed about Washington’s failure to use available diplomatic channels. DIRCO also urged the Charge d’Affaires to indicate to Washington that the people of South Africa, of all races, are working together through Parliament and other legal platforms to find a solution to this historic challenge and that President Trump’s tweet serves only to polarize debate on this sensitive and crucial matter. At the end of the meeting, the Charge d’Affaires committed to convey the Minister’s message to Washington immediately. The Government of South Africa wishes to reiterate the following:

– That it is following a consultative process in addressing the issue of land and agrarian reform and that it will not allow land grabs and anarchy in the process of finding a solution to the land issue. In this regard, President Cyril Ramaphosa has directly addressed investors and agricultural associations and will continue this process of engagement and consultation with all stakeholders to find solutions that are in the best interest of the country, the economy and the people of South Africa.

– President Ramaphosa has also consistently indicated that this process will be undertaken within the confines of the Constitution and in a manner that grows the economy, ensures food security, and increases agricultural production. He has also, in Parliament, underlined that the Government would not support calls for the nationalisation of land. – The Government’s policy and approach to land reform has furthermore also been clarified in remarks that have been made by Deputy President David Mabuza at a Land Summit held today, 23 August 2018.

– The Government of South Africa wishes to caution against alarmist, false, inaccurate and misinformed, as well as – in some cases – politically-motivated statements that do not reflect the policies and intentions of the South African Government. The Minister has taken note of the statement that was provided by the State Department in the United States following earlier diplomatic engagements indicating amongst others that the difficult issue of land reform is being undertaken through an open process including public hearings, broad-based consultations, and active civil society engagement. Enquiries: Ndivhuwo Mabaya on 0836457838 / MabayaN@dirco.gov.za ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION OR Tambo Building 460 Soutpansberg Road Rietondale Pretoria