South Africa is hosting the Ordinary Meeting of the #SADC Council of Ministers in Pretoria on March 12-13, 2026, to advance regional industrialization and energy transition. As Interim Chair, South Africa leads discussions on implementing policies, agricultural transformation, and regional development under the 45th SADC Summit. The Council oversees SADC functioning, ensures policy implementation, and reviews regional projects.The Council meets twice annually, with this March 2026 session following preparatory meetings by the Standing Committee of Senior Officials.

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the way the world works from how businesses operate to the kinds of skills employees need to stay competitive. For South Africa, the big question is not whether AI will shape our future, but whether we are building the skills and expertise needed to turn this technological shift into real economic opportunity.

Joining us now is Saurabh Gupta, Director Nagarro - BFSI in South Africa. Nagarro is a global digital engineering company that is actively contributing to skills development in South Africa. We’ll be discussing how organisations can help prepare professionals for AI-enabled workplaces, bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world digital application, and ultimately build a future-ready workforce.

Ambassador Tebobo Seokolo is the Chairperson of the SADC Committee of Senior Officials

Ambassador Seokolo is the Chairperson of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is hosting the SADC Senior Officials and Experts Meeting on the Midterm Review of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development (RISDP) at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation from the 4-5 March 2026. The theme for the meeting aligns with the Medium-Teram Development Plan (MTDP) priorities and G20 Outcomes: ""Advancing Industrialization, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC"

The Senior Officials of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are currently meeting to review the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030).

The meeting will also review the draft protocol on SADC Parliament.

The RISDP is a 10-year strategic plan based on a firm foundation of Peace, Security and Democratic Governance, and premised on three interrelated pillars, namely: Industrial Development and Market Integration; Infrastructure Development in support of Regional Integration; and Social and Human Capital Development.

The SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030) and SADC Vision 2050 are two strategic plans which seek to further deepen Southern Africa regional integration and foster development.

The two strategic plans were approved by the 40th Ordinary SADC Summit in Maputo, Mozambique in 2020. They are both based on a firm foundation of Peace, Security and Democratic Governance, and premised on three interrelated pillars, namely: Industrial Development and Market Integration; Infrastructure Development in support of Regional Integration; and Social and Human Capital Development.

Deputy Minister Moraka host a SADC outreach in Mpumalanga.

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka, host a community outreach focussing on South Africa's role as interim and upcoming Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Organised in partnership with the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, SANParks and Nkomazi Local Municipality, the event will take place in Nkomazi Local Municipality on Saturday, 28 February 2026.

South Africa is the interim Chair of SADC for the period November 2025 to August 2026, following Madagascar’s decision to relinquish its Chairship due to political developments in the country. Furthermore, South Africa will assume its annual rotational Chairship of the regional bloc in August 2026.

The outreach will include a community imbizo, a tourism excursion for members of the diplomatic corps and a networking cocktail reception for diplomats and targeted provincial stakeholders.

Interview with Mr Mlungisi Mncube, a representative of the families of the repatriated South Africans who were in distress in Russia following their meeting with Minister Ronald Lamola that took place in Durban. 26/02/2026

Minister Ronald Lamola’s interview following his meeting with the next kin of the repatriated South Africans who were in distress in Russia that took place in Durban.

Prof. Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk is the Professor of International Relations and Diplomacy at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs.

DIRCO, in partnership with UNISA’s Thabo Mbeki School of Public and International Affairs, will convene a Strategic Reflection Workshop on 25–26 February 2026 at DIRCO’s Conference Centre. This high‑level engagement forms part of South Africa’s preparations for assuming the 46th SADC Chairship, creating a platform for government stakeholders, scholars and policy experts to collectively assess South Africa’s evolving role within the SADC region. The workshop’s outcomes will directly contribute to shaping a renewed national SADC Engagement Strategy, strengthening South Africa’s policy coherence, leadership posture and regional priorities. These insights will guide South Africa’s agenda during its upcoming Chairship (August 2026-August 2027), ensuring its leadership advances deeper regional integration, peace, security, and inclusive development in alignment with SADC Vision 2050 and the AU’s Agenda 2063.