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President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at Oliver Tambo House, Rietondale, Pretoria, today, Tuesday 06 March, as part of his undertaking in the 2018 State of the Nation Address to engage with government departments.

Today’s engagement took the form of an extended briefing by DIRCO to President Ramaphosa on South Africa’s foreign policy priorities and key international engagements that will form part of the President’s schedule in the coming months.

The occasion also gave President Ramaphosa an opportunity meet the political leadership, senior management and staff of DIRCO.

President Ramaphosa, who was accompanied by Presidency Director-General Dr Cassius Lubisi, advisers and officials, was received by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and Deputy Ministers Llewellyn Landers and Reginah Mhaule.

President Ramaphosa underscored the centrality of DIRCO - “as the face and mirror of our country” - in solidifying South Africa’s position in the region, continent and the world and sustaining the pursuit of a better South Africa in a better Africa and a better world.

The President called on the Department to use South Africa’s diplomatic presence in the world to attract investment and facilitate greater volumes of trade.

Minister Sisulu committed that DIRCO would in 2018, as the year of Founding President Nelson Mandela’s centenary, advance regionally, continentally and globally Madiba’s values of resolving international disputes through peaceful means.

Issued by the Presidency