Today is a historic day for DIRCO. Today we launch two prestigious foreign policy organs of this department, namely: the South African Council on International Relations (SACOIR), and the Association of Former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives.

Today we give true meaning to our diplomacy of Ubuntu and realise the true purpose of the name given to this building – OR Tambo Building, named after a true cadre who left a legacy of true Ubuntu diplomacy.

At the outset, it is critically important to notice that this launch takes place just a day away from the celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day, yet another leader who personified Ubuntu diplomacy.

On this occasion, I am therefore reminded of President Mandela’s speech to the National Civil Society Conference in 2001, where he gave an account of the importance of partnering with civil society when he said, and I quote: “One of the outstanding features of these first few years of our democracy has been the emphasis on partnership. Nation building, transformation and the creation of a better life for all are the main national tasks facing us. In each of these interdependent areas of the national project, we need to forge strong partnerships across sectors and across social divides”.

Source: All Africa/ DIRCO

Available: http://allafrica.com/stories/201507170311.html