Media Statement
06 August 2019
Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini to hand over humanitarian aid to South Sudan
The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, will visit Juba, South Sudan, this week to hand over a consignment of food items donated by the South African Government to the people of South Sudan. This humanitarian aid package forms part of a series of other interventions by South Africa towards alleviating the humanitarian challenges facing the people of South Sudan.
South Africa places emphasis on both political and economic development of Africa as part of its foreign policy objectives. In this regard, South Africa has contributed towards strengthening governance, peace, security and stability in Africa by providing significant Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) assistance to South Sudan, in which, for example, over 1600 South Sudanese public officials had been trained and up skilled in a variety of sectors.
South Africa’s Special Envoy to South Sudan, Deputy President David Mabuza, has identified as one of the priorities the need to alleviate the negative consequences of the conflict. As a result, DIRCO has, through the African Renaissance Fund, appointed a service provider to source food items comprising of non-Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) sweet sorghum, non-GMO red beans and iodated salt. The first batch has been delivered to Juba.
In October and December 2018, Deputy President Mabuza held consultations with key stakeholders in South Sudan as part of South Africa’s contribution to ensuring sustainable peace in the country. The Deputy President also held consultations with the Presidents of South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya with a view to appreciate the contribution of the IGAD and its member states in the South Sudan peace process. In January 2019, the Deputy President met with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia regarding the South Sudan peace process.
It is expected that, whilst in Juba, Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini will meet representatives of the Government of South Sudan to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest between South Africa and South Sudan.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084