The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, will present the Budget Vote Speech of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to Parliament on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
The Minister will use the occasion to outline South Africa’s foreign policy priorities for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Linked to the Budget Vote Speech, DIRCO will host events in Cape Town aimed at informing stakeholders about prevailing foreign policy developments impacting South Africa’s national interests.
On Monday, 25 May 2026, Minister Lamola will deliver the keynote address at a symposium held jointly with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). The symposium will take place at Kelvin Grove, Newlands, Cape Town, under the theme: South Africa’s Foreign Policy in an Era of Global Fragmentation: Trade, Geopolitics and International Law.
On Wednesday, 27 May 2027, Deputy Minister Alvin Botes will speak during a dialogue forum at the Old Mutual Conference and Exhibition Centre at the Kirstenbosch Gardens. The event will take place under the theme: Reimagining South Africa’s pan-African Role: Beyond DIRCO’s Budget and Africa Month.
The media are invited to the events as follows:
DIRCO-SAIIA symposium
Date: 25 May 2026
Venue: Kelvin Grove, Newlands, Cape Town
Time: 14h00
DIRCO Budget Vote Speech
Date: 26 May 2026
Venue: Good Hope Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town
Time: 14h00
Dialogue Forum
Date: 27 May 2026
Venue: Old Mutual Conference and Exhibition Centre, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town
Time: 18h00
Media enquiries: Nelson Kgwete, 076 431 3078
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084