Welcome to the Department of International Relations & Cooperation
2026 ISSUES
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) introduced its stakeholder magazine Ubuntu – South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action – in August 2012. The publication’s objectives are to communicate with and inform stakeholders on South Africa’s foreign policy positions, achievements, objectives and goals. It also provides analysis and information on key departmental issues ranging from current affairs, bilateral and multilateral milestones, upcoming events, as well as international work done by other government departments, business and parastatals.
Issue 36, 30 April 2026:
Special features in Issue 36 include:
- Letter from the Minister
- Publisher’s note
- Human Rights Day 2026: A call to uphold dignity and equality
- Repositioning South Africa in a changing world
- SADC Council of Ministers: Southern Africa strengthens regional cooperation amid global uncertainty
- The global moment and its implications for country-level multilateralism
- 30 Years of the Constitution: One Constitution, One Nation — Reflect. Renew. Recommit
- South Africa’s participation at the 56th World Economic Forum
- South Africa advances governance of digital platforms at TikTok Safer Internet Summit
- South Africa’s Election to the African Union Peace and Security Council, 2026–2028
- Economic Diplomacy for Inclusive Growth: Elevating South African MSMEs on the Global Stage
- South Africa’s membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council 2026–2028: Extending our long history of participation
- Reflections on the 29th Anniversary of IORA Features
- Liberation Heritage: Thirty years of democracy: Celebrating the South African Constitution
- South Africa honours Rev. Jesse Jackson: A global legacy of hope and solidarity
- Kruger National Park at 100: A landmark in global conservation
- Quarraisha and Salim Abdool Karim: South African visionary leaders transforming global health
- Tourism Complaints Office goes digital
- Tangible Africa: South African learn-to-code programme gets global recognition
- Home Affairs rolls out MEETS visa scheme
- South African novelist Lauretta Ngcobo is the subject of a tender and urgent new film
- Flying the flag
- Real Scientists, Real Heroes: South African animation wins international honour
- Food Tourism: From street markets to virtual culinary tours
- Charming small towns near Johannesburg to explore
- Karoo Origins: The Fossil Centre
- Five great reads by South African writers from 30 years of real-life stories
- Cape Winelands Airport
- Shaping Heritage: Inside Dionysus Sculpture Works
- White-knuckle roads: The most hair-raising passes in the Western Cape
- South African Women’s Sport on the Global Stage