Latest news with #DIRCO
Zawya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa and Finland launch groundbreaking Youth Peace Mediators Mentoring Programme
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, today launched the South African leg of the South Africa-Finland Youth Peace Mediators Mentoring Programme. This pioneering initiative, co-implemented by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, aims to empower a new generation of peacebuilders to advance global conflict resolution and sustainable peace. Programme Objectives The one-year capacity-building project will create a dynamic network of young peace mediators, equipping them with practical tools to contribute effectively to peace negotiation, mediation, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction. The programme directly supports: United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (Youth, Peace and Security). African Union Agenda 2063 (particularly its youth-focused governance, peace, and security pillars). The inclusion of youth in formal peace processes worldwide. A Fitting Tribute during Youth Month Minister Lamola highlighted the symbolic significance of launching the programme during South Africa's Youth Month, which honours the legacy of young activists in the struggle against apartheid, notably the heroes of the 1976 Soweto Uprising: 'We know too well that ethnic hatred poisons communities, that religious intolerance fractures societies and that ideological fanaticism suffocates debate. When violence rises, freedoms crumble and the very light of democracy flickers under the storm of conflict. This is not some distant tragedy; it is the lived reality of women and children in Eastern DRC, Sudan, Gaza and other places across our wounded world. By building bridges across continents, we reaffirm that young people are not merely beneficiaries of peace — they are essential agents of its creation.' Programme Structure Fifteen (15) exceptional young peacebuilders — jointly selected by DIRCO's Diplomatic Academy and Finland's Centre for Peace Mediation — will participate in: In-person workshops in South Africa and Finland, Study visits to the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) headquarters, Online expert sessions on thematic areas of peace mediation. Participants represent nations in conflict, post-conflict societies and global peacebuilding leaders, including: South Africa, Finland, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Qatar, South Sudan, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Strengthening International Partnerships Aligned with the South Africa-Finland Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the programme: Advances a strategic peace mediation partnership between the two countries, Fosters networking and knowledge-sharing among young peace mediators, Provides mentorship by seasoned international peace practitioners. Minister Lamola said this initiative underscores South Africa's role in shaping inclusive, youth-driven solutions to global challenges — ensuring that the voices of the next generation define the future of peace. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Eyewitness News
03-06-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
DIRCO confirms full support being provided to family of SA woman murdered in US
CAPE TOWN - The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed that it was providing full support to the family of a South African woman who was murdered in the United States (US). It said that American authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding her murder. Kim White was found murdered in her Virginia home over the weekend and her husband has since been arrested.
IOL News
02-06-2025
- IOL News
23 South Africans return home after months held captive in Myanmar scam operation
Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said, 'Human trafficking is real, and it can happen to anyone. Awareness and vigilance are our best defence.' After more than four harrowing months in captivity, 23 South Africans have safely returned home following a rescue mission from Myanmar, where they were victims of a human trafficking operation disguised as a job opportunity. The group was lured to Southeast Asia with promises of high-paying jobs in Thailand. However, upon arrival, their passports were confiscated, and they were smuggled across the border into Myanmar. There, they were forced to work under brutal conditions in a cybercrime syndicate, where they were made to scam people online and were subjected to physical and psychological abuse. South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), working closely with the Border Management Authority and international partners, played a critical role in securing their release and bringing them back to South Africa. The group landed safely on home soil over the weekend and is now receiving support and debriefing as part of their reintegration process. 'These individuals endured unimaginable hardship,' said Clayson Monyela, DIRCO spokesperson. 'They were victims of human trafficking, held against their will, and exploited. We are relieved they are back home safely, and we commend the efforts of everyone who helped make this repatriation possible.' The victims, most of them young adults, were among thousands of people across the globe who have been caught up in sophisticated trafficking networks operating across Southeast Asia. These criminal operations often advertise fake job opportunities online, typically in IT or customer service, and target vulnerable individuals seeking work abroad.
Daily Maverick
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Power Chat – Ferial Haffajee in conversation with Dirco Director-General Zane Dangor
In this episode of Power Chat, Daily Maverick's Ferial Haffajee talks with DIRCO's Director-General Zane Dangor about South Africa's role on the global stage. From the G20 summit to the ICJ case in The Hague, they explore the power of partnerships, South Africa's position as a middle power, and what's next for the country in international relations.
The South African
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
DIRCO confirms 49 Afrikaners who fled to US remain SA citizens
A group of 49 South African refugees recently relocated to the United States has sparked debate over their citizenship status. According to immigration lawyer Chris Watters, these individuals cannot be deprived of their South African citizenship despite their decision to leave the country. 'By definition, they are fleeing because they cannot get protection from the South African government (or the government refuses to give them protection) regarding the serious harm they face in South Africa,' Watters said to TimesLive . He added that this creates a paradox: 'They cannot have it both ways,' highlighting that seeking refugee status in the US implies a need for protection from harm in South Africa, yet they may still require consular assistance from the South African government as citizens. Watters pointed to a recent Constitutional Court ruling on dual citizenship, confirming that no South African may be deprived of citizenship. DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri supports this view, confirming that Section 20 of the South African Constitution protects citizens from being deprived of citizenship. However, Watters noted that if they returned to South Africa, they would likely have to abandon their refugee status. He added that once the parents naturalise as US citizens, their children would automatically become US citizens. Under the 1951 Refugee Convention, refugees must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution. South African authorities argue that white Afrikaners, as a group, do not meet this threshold, a stance echoed by International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola. Lamola stated that the group doesn't fit the international definition of refugees, citing a lack of persecution of white Afrikaners. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
