The Faculty of Humanities will host the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, and the South African Institute for International Relations (SAIIA) for a joint public symposium from 11:00 to 13:30 SAST on Tuesday, 30 April at Hiddingh Hall, Michaelis School of Fine Art.

Within a global environment of increasing geopolitical rivalry and tension, South Africa’s foreign policy positions have received considerable attention and have been scrutinised in recent years. Amid immense pressure from global partners and domestic public opinion, Pretoria was prompted to assert its policy positions and advance its foreign policy and strategic interests, reaffirming its non-aligned approaches.

This scrutiny follows several events, including the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, where South Africa took a non-aligned position; South Africa’s naval exercises with Russia and China in 2023; the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant of arrest for President Vladimir Putin ahead of the first in-person BRICS Summit since the COVID-19 pandemic in Johannesburg; and South Africa’s urgent application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel on the basis that it has failed to uphold international law in its conflict in Gaza.

With South Africa at the centre of many global discussions, the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the University of Cape Town and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) invite you to a public symposium to advance a robust discussion on South Africa’s foreign policy, aimed at continuing public diplomacy efforts to engage broad sectors of society in understanding and implementing our international engagements.

Refreshments will be served after the event.

Visit the SAIIA website