In his first stint as International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola stressed the need for government to intensify efforts to help South African companies and State-owned enterprises engage in meaningful opportunities in Africa, to stimulate economic growth.

Lamola was speaking on Thursday at the South African Institute of International Affairs’ symposium on South Africa’s foreign policy, where he said government was looking to strengthen its partnerships in Africa to address business challenges and create a favourable environment for conducting business.

He pointed out that South Africa had maintained its strong position as an investor in Africa over the past year, with over 450 projects in various countries.

He noted that this achievement was the result of a coordinated approach and investment initiatives and commended the efforts of the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Industrial Development Corporation.

Lamola said government would continue working closely with its neighbours in the Southern Africa region to expand and strengthen collaboration in oil and gas, green hydrogen, and water resources, as well as improved movements of goods and services.

“These initiatives are important to bolster our economy and improve the livelihoods of our people while contributing towards the full attainment of the regional integration agenda,” he said.

PEACE AND SECURITY

Lamola highlighted that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine had underscored the critical need for immediate global cooperation to end conflicts and address their current economic impact.

He said the impact of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine had been felt globally, most notably on the African continent, and added that it had led to significantly increased consumer prices, particularly of food and energy.

“In the emerging world order, we are more cognisant than ever that economic prosperity largely depends on stability, peace, and respect for the rule of law. There can be no peace in any part of the world where people are being oppressed or struggling under the yoke of colonialism and occupation,” he said.

He noted that the “evolving international world order” necessitated the strengthening of the Non-Aligned Movement, highlighting that South Africa's "non-alignment" and "universality" posture would remain sacrosanct.

He said South Africa, with its policy of active non-alignment, was not reactive but proactive in its pursuit of peace.

“This approach is not about being neutral or abstaining from world affairs, but about leading a unifying agenda through dialogue to achieve peace for developing countries that do not wish to take sides in great power rivalry,” he said.

South Africa coordinated the first-ever Africa Peace Initiative beyond the continent's borders when President Cyril Ramaphosa led a delegation of six African Heads of State to Ukraine and Russia last year.

South Africa placed Africa at the centre of its foreign policy and was steadfastly committed to Agenda 2063, aiming to ensure the peace, development and security of the continent, aligning with the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, Lamola noted.

He stressed the need for South Africa to work towards fostering sustainable peace in northern Mozambique following the conclusion of the Southern African Development Community Mission in July 2024.

He said government would maintain its engagement in peace and security efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to support the country in achieving its development objectives, expressing his condolences to the soldiers who died while on duty in Mozambique and, most recently, the DRC.

Also, he said government would continue to act through global institutions to protect the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, while ensuring fair application of international law for all.

He said South Africa needed to redouble its efforts to work in solidarity with those who were resisting occupation, oppression, human rights abuses, and injustice.