On 10 November 2025, we had the privilege to lead a delegation of the South African G20 Presidency to host the G20–Africa High-Level Dialogue on Debt Sustainability, Cost of Capital, and Financing Reforms at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, ...
Reviving the Spirit of Bandung in an Era of Geopolitical Uncertainty, Independent Online (IOL), by Alvin Botes, 12 September 2025
SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION DAY TODAY, the United Nations marks South-South Cooperation Day. For those of us in the Global South, it is a moment to reflect on the genesis, trajectory, and future of an idea born of struggle, solidarity, steadfastness, an ...
How non-alignment shapes South Africa’s foreign policy in a multipolar world, Daily Maverick, by Ronald Lamola, 2 September 2025
Our foreign policy of non-alignment is not anti-West or anti anyone. It is an expression of sovereignty anchored in our Constitution and in international law. There is a strong narrative and a seemingly strident lobby in South Africa that insists our f ...
The UN’s 80-year Struggle with Nuclear Weapons Hypocrisy, Independent Online (IOL), by Alvin Botes, 22 August 2025
The United Nations (UN) was born 80 years ago this month. Its main purpose was to ensure peace through cooperation. The UN’s very first General Assembly resolution —Resolution 1(1) of 1946 — called for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Eighty years l ...
Freedom Month: Building a Non-Racial Democracy Remains Unfinished Business, IOL, by Alvin Botes, 8 April 2025
It is a poignant time to reflect deeply on how far we have progressed as a democracy vis-à-vis the sacrifices of those whose lives were tragically cut short in their unwavering pursuit of freedom and justice. We honour Solomon Mahlangu, executed by the ...
Unity, compassion, equality — our ambitious vision for G20 presidency, Sunday Times, by Roland Lamola, 15 December 2024
South Africa is grasping a golden opportunity to shape a global discourse of sustainable, equitable development. * Roland Lamola is South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/opinion- ...
Ukraine needs an inclusive and lasting roadmap to peace, Daily Maverick, by Clayson Monyela, 11 March 2022
Ukraine needs an inclusive and lasting roadmap to peace, Daily Maverick, by Clayson Monyela, 11 March 2022 Had NATO given Russia the security assurances they required and been promised since the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, the region woul ...
In solidarity with the people of Palestine: Remembering the Goldstein massacre, Daily Maverick, by Alvin Botes, 24 February 2022
In solidarity with the people of Palestine: Remembering the Goldstein massacre, Daily Maverick, by Alvin Botes, 24 February 2022 The massacre of 29 worshippers in a Hebron mosque in 1994 had ramifications that have endured for decades. On the ...
Solidarity with the Palestinian people must go beyond slogans and the UN must abide by its resolutions, Daily Maverick, by Alvin Botes, 27 November 2021
Solidarity with the Palestinian people must go beyond slogans and the UN must abide by its resolutions, Daily Maverick, by Alvin Botes, 27 November 2021 The international community must consider the impact of Israel’s systematic violation of ...
G77 and China grouping proves its worth as South-South platform for countering hegemony of the North, Daily Maverick, by Alvin Botes, 13 October 2021
G77 and China grouping proves its worth as South-South platform for countering hegemony of the North, Daily Maverick, by Alvin Botes, 13 October 2021 The G77 and China (132 states) has served as the bedrock for the global engagement and parti ...
Celebrating the spirit of Charlotte Maxeke – pioneer, activist, artist, intellectual, internationalist and visionary, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 23 August 2021
Celebrating the spirit of Charlotte Maxeke – pioneer, activist, artist, intellectual, internationalist and visionary, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 23 August 2021 While being the first black woman in the many spaces she operated in, Charl ...
The global community must unite against vaccine racism and nationalism and defeat COVID-19 in honour of Madiba, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 3 August 2021
The global community must unite against vaccine racism and nationalism and defeat COVID-19 in honour of Madiba, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 3 August 2021 Were Nelson Mandela alive today, having been born into a life of struggle that was ...
China’s shared future for mankind, IOL, by Anil Sooklal, 30 March 2021
China’s shared future for mankind, IOL, by Anil Sooklal, 30 March 2021 The notion to “promote a sense of community of shared destiny for mankind” was first introduced at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Nove ...
As Africa unites to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, we also pin our hopes on the AU Peace Fund to silence the guns, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 4 February 2021
As Africa unites to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, we also pin our hopes on the AU Peace Fund to silence the guns, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 4 February 2021 African countries agree that the most important public health measure to preven ...
The role of civil society in advancing human security, Opinionista, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 27 November 2019
The role of civil society in advancing human security, Opinionista, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 27 November 2019 Reactions Many researchers and social commentators have increasingly asserted the significant role that civil ...
South Africa committed to women as leaders in global peacekeeping, Opinionista, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 5 November 2019
South Africa committed to women as leaders in global peacekeeping, Opinionista, Daily Maverick, by Naledi Pandor, 5 November 2019 Reactions South Africa views the UN’s women, peace and security agenda as a means for women to medi ...
South Africa is reasserting its role and place among the community of nations, Daily Maverick, by Clayson Monyela, 18 June 2019
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-06-18-south-africa-is-reasserting-its-role-and-place-among-the-community-of-nations//
#YouthDay: We must be proud of our past and confident about the future, by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, IOL, 16 June 2019
#YouthDay: We must be proud of our past and confident about the future, by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, IOL, 16 June 2019
SA’s foreign relations rest on common interests and goals – not political regimes, by Ndivhuwo Mabaya, News24, 29 April 2019
https://www.news24.com/News24/sas-foreign-relations-rest-on-common-interests-and-goals-not-political-regimes-20190429
Quiet AU lobbying paid off for Lindiwe Sisulu, IOL, 17 February 2019
https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/quiet-au-lobbying-paid-off-for-lindiwe-sisulu-19347565
South Africa honoured to assume role of chairing the African Union in 2020, by Lindiwe Sisulu, Daily Maverick, 15 February 2019
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-02-15-south-africa-honoured-to-assume-role-of-chairing-the-african-union-in-2020/