DIRCO Annual Report

Following the repatriation commitment, the branch introduced a publication called the Repatriation Newsletter . The newsletter was aimed at documenting government’s repatriation efforts aimed at assisting our citizens stranded in foreign countries. The publication served as a source of news and updates to the public and our stakeholders on any repatriation-related matter. The Repatriation Newsletter was complemented by the weekly electronic publication, Newsflash , and the quarterly Ubuntu Magazine. The magazine aims to communicate with and educate stakeholders on South Africa’s foreign policy positions, achievements, objectives and goals. It also provides in-depth analyses and information on key issues, ranging from current affairs, bilateral and multilateral milestones, key events, as well as international work done by other government departments, business, parastatals and non-state actors. For the period under review, PD utilised and expanded its current communication platforms with a specific focus on taking “foreign policy to the people” through its public participation programmes (PPPs). The PPPs include public lectures, community outreach engagements and symposia. Most of these engagements were conducted online as webinars due to COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. The branch organised 14 public participation webinars, hosted by our principals. The webinars provided the necessary opportunities for the principals to communicate South Africa’s and Africa’s response towards the pandemic and enhance understanding of the work of the department among the local and international audience. Ubuntu Radio remains a key medium of communication in the execution of the PD Strategy. It stimulates dialogue on foreign policy issues that affect South Africa, the continent, the people of the Global South and partners across the globe. During the period under review, Ubuntu Radio initiated virtual izimbizo hosted by the Minister and Deputy Ministers. These izimbizo are broadcast live on Ubuntu Radio, community radio stations and social media platforms. It is a series of one-hour live phone-in programmes based on listeners’ and community interactions. Listeners are given an opportunity to ask questions on topical foreign policy matters. In addition, Minister Naledi Pandor, together with President Cyril Ramaphosa (in his capacity as chair of the African Union), hosted two major virtual events, namely Africa Day and International Mandela Day. The Africa Day production was broadcast on all three major

television channels in South Africa and on the continent and streamed live across all social media platforms. International Mandela Day was hosted in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation on 18 July, as declared by the United Nations in 2009. The main objective of the Mandela Day virtual celebration was to honour the life and legacy of the former President, as well as to remind South Africans and the global audience at large to recognise their individual power to make a difference by serving others. The celebration was hosted under the theme: “Tackling the Inequality Pandemic: A New Social Contract for a New Era” . The event was broadcast on all three major television channels in South Africa and on the continent, and streamed live across all our social media platforms. All media interaction, especially press briefings, are done virtually through Microsoft Teams. Fifteen opinion pieces, 122 media statements and alerts were published online. These mediums are used by the principals to express South Africa’s position on international developments. As a consequence of the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa and globally, international travel came to a halt. This meant that a major portion of the branch’s budget under “Goods and Services” was unspent. The branch adjusted its budget and work plan in consultation with various business units, including the Ministry.

Annual Report 2020/2021 I Vote No. 6

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