DIRCO South Africa

We are committed to promoting South Africa's national interests and values, a better South Africa, a better Africa, a better world for all.

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

#SAAgriculture
#SAMaizeExports

[Wandile Sihlobo @WandileSihlobo]

I just had a conversation on @SAfmRadio with @JoanneGJoseph discussing South Africa’s maize exports.

Amongst other things, I noted that it is encouraging to see that countries in the Far East are back to buying South African maize.

Vietnam and South Korea are among the main buyers so far in the 2026-27 marketing year, which started in May 2026.

In the previous marketing year, the 2025-26 marketing year that ended in April, we did not see much demand from countries in the Far East. The major buyers of South Africa’s maize were Zimbabwe and many neighbouring countries.

Amongst other things, the plentiful supplies in the world market were the main reason we didn’t see much demand from typical maize buyers in the Far East. They sourced affordable maize from other parts of the world.

Thus, South Africa’s 2025-26 maize exports fell below the target. We started that year assuming that South Africa would export about 2.4 million tonnes of maize, but the actual exports ended at 2.0 million tonnes.

In this new 2026-27 marketing year, the export forecast is even more ambitious, at 3.0 million tonnes, up 50% from the previous year. The expected large exports are due to the ample availability of maize in South Africa.

The maize harvest is forecast at 17.1 million tonnes, a record level. Bearing in mind that South Africa’s maize consumption is only 12.0 million tonnes a year, there are ample supplies for the exports.

But the question in people’s minds has been whether we could see a stronger demand this year than last.

The early export activity signals stronger demand, with Far East buyers returning to the market. Consider South Africa’s maize exports in the week of June 12, 2026, the country exported about 57,593 tonnes of maize, with about 74% going to South Korea. The rest went to the neighbouring countries.

South Africa’s maize exports so far in the 2026-27 marketing year total 493,167 tonnes, out of the expected 3.0 million tonnes. There is still a long way to go, but the export progress so far suggests stronger demand than in the 2025-26 marketing year, when South Africa’s maize exports fell short of target.

[Bafana Bafana @BafanaBafana]

Celebrations continue in Monterey after Bafana Bafana's history making feats in a FIFA World Cup. They beat South Korea 1-0 to progress to the Round of 16

#BafanaPride
#BafanaBafana
#FIFAWorldCup

[South African Government @GovernmentZA]

#SAInIndia 🇿🇦🇮🇳 | Minister in the Presidency, @Khu_Ntshavheni met with Ambassador Alaaeldin Youssef, Secretary-General of Egypt’s National Security Council, on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisers meeting.

The bilateral engagement focused on strengthening cooperation in security, counterterrorism, economic development and people-to-people relations, reaffirming the importance of strong partnerships in advancing regional stability, shared prosperity and mutual trust.

#BRICSNSA2026 #GovZAUpdates

[The Presidency 🇿🇦 @PresidencyZA]

🎥 WATCH | His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa @PMashatile delivers remarks at the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo

https://t.co/2Ki4QakRLR

#SAInChina 🇿🇦🤝🇨🇳
#GlobalSupplyChains

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

🚨 MEDIA ALERT: South Africa will host the 46th SADC Summit in Durban, KZN from 16–17 August 2026.
​Members of the media are invited to apply for accreditation.
​🗓️ Deadline: 02 July 2026 (No extensions)
🔗 Apply here: https://t.co/YiS01BIW2e

[South African Government @GovernmentZA]

#SAinIndia 🇿🇦🇮🇳 | Minister in the Presidency, @Khu_Ntshavheni engages in a bilateral with Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India, on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS National Security Advisors Meeting in New Delhi.

The bilateral highlighted the historic friendship and cooperation between the two nations, underscoring enduring ties and collaborative efforts across security, trade and regional stability.

South Africa-India enduring friendship and cooperation continue to deepen across security, trade and regional stability.

#BRICSNSA2026 #Bilaterals

[South African Government @GovernmentZA]

#SAInChina 🇿🇦🇨🇳 | His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile, meets with the leadership of Geely Auto, as part of his Working Visit to the People's Republic of China.

The meeting focused on opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the automotive sector, including electric vehicles, local manufacturing, battery technology, skills development and investment.

"South Africa welcomes Geely's return to our market. We look forward to exploring opportunities for greater investment, local manufacturing and skills development that will contribute to economic growth and job creation," said Deputy President Mashatile.

The Deputy President is accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi and senior government officials.

#GovZAUpdates

[South African Government @GovernmentZA]

#SAInChina 🇿🇦🇨🇳 | His Excellency the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile, visits the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), where he conducted a walkabout of the company's demonstration wall and engaged with company leadership as part of his Working Visit to the People's Republic of China.

The engagement provided an opportunity to explore practical avenues for expanding cooperation in infrastructure development, investment and regional connectivity.

The Deputy President commended CCCC as one of the world's leading infrastructure companies, with extensive experience in delivering large-scale engineering projects and advancing regional connectivity initiatives.
"In South Africa, the Mtentu Bridge project stands out as a flagship example of CCCC's ability to deliver complex infrastructure while aligning with our transformation and localisation objectives," said Deputy President Mashatile.

The Deputy President was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi and senior government officials.
#GovZAUpdates

[South African Government @GovernmentZA]

#SAinIndia 🇿🇦🇮🇳 | Minister in the Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, will participate in the BRICS National Security Advisors Meeting in New Delhi, India, from 21–24 June 2026.

The meeting is being held under the theme, “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, highlighting the critical role of National Security Advisors in strengthening policy coordination and international cooperation to advance a safer and more secure world through dialogue, shared strategies and collective action.

#BRICSNSA2026

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

On 23 June 2026, @theDIRCO will host Eduvos students from the Faculty of Humanities for a Career Day, offering insights into career opportunities and the role of diplomacy in global partnerships.

#CareerDay
#InternationalRelations
#YouthEmpowerment
#SkillsDevelopment

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

Africa needs to be part of writing the global rules on fighting pandemics. We need to stand together & make sure our people are treated fairly. We continue to call for a fair global agreement on pandemics, built on equal partnership rather than charity.

https://t.co/CnM3HMNCGD

[Minister: International Relations and Cooperation @RonaldLamola]

🎙️ Be Frank with Mac – this Sunday!

I sat down with @macmoleli for a conversation on the issues that matter to us as South Africans.

🗓️ Sunday, 21 June
⏰ 20:00
📺 #podcastandchillnetwork

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

📢 Media Invite: SA to host the 17th SA-EU Joint Cooperation Council (JCC) meeting to deepen strategic partnerships on peace, trade & the energy transition.
​📅 22 June 2026
⏰ 08:30
📍 OR Tambo Building, Pretoria
📧 RSVP: Babalwa Mavuso ([email protected])
​#SAEURelarions

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

Strengthening Global South solidarity! 🌍 Today’s roundtable in uMhlathunze, hosted by DM Alvin Botes, features Tali Munzhedzi as Programme Director. Grateful for the opening remarks by Ms. Thembeka Mchunu (MP). #GlobalSouth #DIRCOOutreachProgramme #Solidarity

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

The struggles of the past remain a guiding light for our diplomatic efforts to defend sovereignty, multilateralism, and the rule of law: Deputy Alvin Botes
#DIRCOOutreachProgramme
#Solidarity

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

As we advocate for the self-determination of the people of Palestine, it is vital to acknowledge the historical events that define our modern era: Deputy Minister Alvin Botes
#DIRCOOutreachProgramme
#GlobalJustice

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

The Cuban Ambassador, speaking at a Richards Bay #Solidarity roundtable, proposed creating a wider solidarity group for Cuba.
​He praised SA’s principled, 30-year track record of voting against the UN blockade of #Cuba & welcomed calls to increase bilateral cooperation.

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

An inspiring moment at our solidarity roundtable in Richards Bay. The Ambassador of Palestine highlighted South Africa's courage in taking their case to the International Court of Justice, proving that international law must apply to all. We stand with you! 🇵🇸🇿🇦 #Palestine

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

Today in Richards Bay, Deputy Minister Alvin Botes is hosting a roundtable on "Strengthening Global South Solidarity for Justice, Peace and Self-Determination," joined by representatives from the Palestine and Cuban Embassies.

​#DIRCOOutreachProgramme #GlobalSouth #Diplomacy

[DIRCO South Africa @DIRCO_ZA]

@DIRCO_ZA congratulates H.E. Dineo Mathlako, South Africa’s Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, on receiving the African Diplomat of the Year Excellence Honorary Award at the AfBC African Business Awards.

28.05. 2026