DIRCO Annual Report

In line with government regulations in terms of the Disaster Management Act, all branches within the department have, as far as possible, moved towards the digitalisation of their respective responsibilities through the hosting of virtual meetings, and adapted by doing most of their work digitally. Branches that require physical presence continued to operate on-site, within the allotted 50% capacity ruling; limiting the movement of officials within the building to half of a branch’s staff at any given time. In this regard, rotational work schedules per Branch were set up to monitor staff attendance. As illustration of digitisation, the Branch Public Diplomacy (PD) continued to showcase South Africa through the application of technology and the departmental website. The use and importance of social media increased significantly, providing an instant, popular, convenient and reliable tool for conveying messages to DIRCO audiences. Similarly, the Diplomatic Academy, through the DIRCO Digitisation Strategy, was developed to make the provision of training through virtual platforms a reality. In this regard, DIRCO could continue to deliver quality and impactful training to students anywhere and anytime. Interventions in the external environment The restrictions on reduced international travel abroad, face-to-face meetings and planned engagements for the convening of structured bilateral mechanisms, including several on the continent, at Head of State, Ministerial and Senior Officials’ level, had to be reimagined. Unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue to negatively impact on the convening of structured bilateral meetings, high-level visits and promotional work by missions in support of economic diplomacy, such as tourism road shows, trade and investment seminars and exhibitions, as well as outreach visits by missions. Fortunately, through the implementation of virtual meetings, webinars and the like, communication between stakeholders could be maintained. However, while most meetings could continue virtually to achieve departmental targets, trade seminars and exhibitions had to be postponed or cancelled, as gatherings of this nature do not lend themselves favourably to teleconferencing. The prohibition of large gatherings and the limitation on international travel, continue to have a marked impact on the achievement of economic diplomacy targets.

The pandemic has led to the postponement of several structured bilateral mechanisms. This meant that the momentum, which was developed during these structured bilateral mechanisms and facilitated economic and political cooperation, decelerated. A way forward is being considered and negotiated with regional and international partners. It has, however, been possible to engage in several virtual meetings and this option will be further explored. The department is responsible to provide Consular Services to South Africans who find themselves in distress abroad, and from the onset of the pandemic, the department provided assistance to South Africans in distress who required repatriation. The department continued to provide assistance, in line with adjusted COVID regulations through the implementation of an appointment system at its missions abroad and at Head Office. South Africa’s missions remain the first line in the department’s efforts to offer consular assistance to South African citizens in distress. Through continued support to South Africans who were destitute and in distress abroad, the department, through its Consular Section and missions, provided relief and calm to many citizens during this continued trying time.

Annual Report 2020/2021 I Vote No. 6

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