International relations

Download logo The lives of the senior citizens of Ekuphumleni Old Age Home in Zwide, Port Elizabeth will never be the same. This, after the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), together with Embassies accredited to South Africa decided to donate a number of products in an effort to better the living conditions of the elderly men and women of Ekuphumleni. The products donated to the retirement home include among other things, heaters, couches, bed linen, and first aid kits. Members of the diplomatic corps also donated money towards procurement of other essential needs for the senior citizens. The good gesture by DIRCO and members of the diplomatic corps forms part of the centenary celebration of the former president Nelson Mandela. Since January 2018 South Africa, joined by the international community, have been honouring the legacy of Nelson Mandela, the first democratic president of the Republic of South Africa. Speaking on behalf of the Department of … [Read more...] about Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and members of the diplomatic corps honour Madiba

Download logo The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu, has noted recent media articles relating to the release of former editor of the Mail & Guardian newspaper, Ms Angela Quintal, and her Kenyan colleague, Ms Muthoki Mumo, from their detention in Tanzania, following what the local authorities call an “immigration violation”. Minister Sisulu thanked the Tanzanian authorities for adhering to the requests made by the South African High Commissioner in Dar es Salaam, H.E. Thami Mseleku, for the two to be released, for their passports to be returned and for them to be allowed to travel back to their respective homes. The Minister extended her appreciation to the Tanzanian Government for their assistance. The Minister has noted Ms Quintal's version of events and again invites her to submit all necessary documentation to enable our High Commission to further engage the Tanzanian authorities. At no stage did the Minister put the interest of the … [Read more...] about Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) notes media reports on the journalists detained in Tanzania

Download logo The Department of International Relations and Cooperation welcomes the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that has ordered the United States of America (USA) to ensure that sanctions against Republic of Iran do not affect humanitarian aid and civil aviation safety. Yesterday the ICJ, which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations ordered the United States to remove any impediments to the free exportation to Iran of goods required for humanitarian assistance, as well as goods and services required for the safety of civil aviation. Following its decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between the P5 + 1 and Iran, the United States re-imposed sanctions against Iran which had been lifted as a result of the JCPOA. South Africa has previously expressed its concern on the decision by the United States Government to withdraw from the JCPOA. South Africa continues to maintain that the JCPOA, unanimously endorsed by … [Read more...] about Department of International Relations and Cooperation welcomes the International Court of Justice order on Iran

Download logo The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is aware of the case of a distressed citizen reported by Mr Baise on Sunday, 12 August 2018. By Monday, 13 August 2018, our Embassy in Berlin made direct contact with him. The news report gives the impression that DIRCO has not attended to the matter. The following information is thus worth taking into account: a. The statement by Mr Baise published by Traveller24 is misleading as it implies that DIRCO has not attended to the complaint. b. DIRCO: Consular Services is fully aware of the tragic incident and immediately assisted Mr Baise when the matter came to our attention. c. Mr Baise has been in direct contact with our Consular Services and the Embassy in Berlin since Monday, 13 August 2018. The embassy is in contact with the hospital. Once Ms Crossley is fit to travel, the Embassy will assist with the issuance of emergency travel documents. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: … [Read more...] about The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) assisting distressed South African citizen in Germany

Download logo Good afternoon to you all, ladies and gentlemen of the media, I would like to recognise specifically our Acting Director-General, Amb Nkosi, my advisors present here today and all DIRCO senior managers. The last time we met in this setting, we made an undertaking that we will convene more of these types of engagements in order to keep the media and the public abreast on the implementation of our foreign policy priorities and programmes. 1. The 10th BRICS Summit                                             We meet soon after the conclusion of the very successful and historic 10th BRICS Summit, hosted from 25-27 July 2018 in Sandton, Johannesburg.   I would like to thank all the role players, including the media, government officials as well as business … [Read more...] about Statement by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, on the occasion of the monthly media briefing, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, 02 August 2018