DIRCO MOURNS HIGH COMMISSIONER TO KENYA, AMB MNINWA MJ MAHLANGU
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ronald Lamola, announces the untimely passing of a dedicated family man and public servant, Mr Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, who passed away on 24 August 2025, on his way to a South African hospital after a short illness. […]
TRAFFICKED, TORTURED AND FORGOTTEN: THE MODERN ENSLAVEMENT OF HUNDREDS OF SOUTH AFRICANS
A mere month ago, it was reported that over 200 South Africans are currently stranded in Thailand, after having been lured into a sophisticated human trafficking ring with the false promise of employment in Myanmar. This comes after 23 South Africans were rescued, following their initial trafficking back in March 2025. They are among thousands […]
DEP PRESIDENT MASHATILE VOWS TO IMPROVE POOR TRADE BETWEEN SA AND RUSSIA
Trade relations between South Africa and Russia are woefully inadequate, struggling to reach 1 billion dollars per annum. This was revealed in remarks by the Deputy President Paul Mashatile in a press conference during his working visit to Russia this week. Mashatile was attending the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) along with a […]
“SPIEF 2025” SHOWS RUSSIA IS AT THE CENTRE OF A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD ORDER
This week, Russia is hosting some 20,000 participants from over 170 countries to the 28th edition of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The theme of SPIEF 2025 is: “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World.” Russia has held SPIEF annually since 1997. It is held under the auspices of the office […]
RUSSIA’S PRESIDENT PUTIN LET’S THE WAY FOR THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC CONFERENCE IN ST PETERSBURG
The 2025 St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) has attracted throngs of international participants who have put up stalls and exhibition points throughout the sprawling venue in Russia’s cultural capital. SPIEF 2025 kicked off on June 19 and runs until June 21. It is Russia’s flagship event that contributes massively to the country’s economic growth, […]
SA CITIZENS IN IRAN REQUESTED TO ENSURE REGISTRATION WITH THE EMBASSY
South Africa wishes to urge all its citizens currently in the Islamic Republic of Iran to contact the Embassy in Tehran to ensure that they are registered with and that their whereabouts are known to the Embassy. It is important to note that South Africa’s support in the country is limited and that it could […]
SA LAMBASTE THE US OVER SANCTIONS AGAINST ICC JUDGES
South African government has lambasted the Trump administration for imposing sanctions against judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move regarded as a sheer act of intimidation against the court’s decision to issue a warrant of arrest for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a media statement laced with diplomatic speak from the […]
MINISTER LAMOLA MOUNRS MA SHOPE AND SAYS DIRCO WILL CONTINUE ASSOCIATION
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, joins the country in mourning the passing of anti-apartheid veteran Gertrude Shope, who passed away on 22 May 2025 aged 99. Shope lived an extra-ordinary life as a teacher, trade unionist, chief representative of the ANC, President of the ANC Women’s League and Member of […]
UNISA AND DIRCO TO LAUNCH G20 PRESIDENCY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The University of South Africa (Unisa), in partnership with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), will launch the G20 Presidency Community Engagements/Town Hall outreach programme at the Unisa main campus in Pretoria on Wednesday, 14 May 2025. The launch is the beginning of a series of town hall discussions to be held in […]
SA TO MAINTAIN CLOSE TIES WITH BULGARIA AMID CLOSEDOWN OF EMBASSY
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) announces the decision to close the South African Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, effective 30 June 2025. This decision, informed by prudent fiscal considerations and the need to prioritise national resource allocation, forms part of a broader strategic realignment of South Africa’s diplomatic missions globally. Since 2021, the […]
WHO BENEFITS FROM ZELENSKY’S VISIT?
What is the essence of a foreign policy that does not rally the nation around a common goal, and instead divides the populace right down the middle, leaving a bitter taste and uncertainty? The visit by the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to our capital this week has caused a much greater harm to the national […]
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MINISTERS OF DIRCO
South Africa’s Strategic Adaptation to U.S. Tariffs: Advancing National Interests through Policy and Strategy The new tariff regime arising from the decision by the United States of America which have been directed not only to South Africa, but the entire world necessitates strategic responses to maintain and grow our industrial base, as a crucial avenue […]